Catherine Foley

Discover both the hidden and larger-than-life gems in Groton and New London during CT Open House Day.

Once a year on the 2nd Saturday in June, sites in Thames River Heritage Park host open houses in celebration of CT Open House Day. Start in Groton Heights or Downtown New London or Fort Trumbull State Park for a fun-filled day filled with special events, festivals, demonstrations, and guided tours. Take the City of New London shuttle to tour the sights, then hop on the water taxi to explore the sites across the river. New London Community Shuttle Map 2023

The special hop-on, hop-off harbor cruise/water taxi fare is $5 for all and is good for all day with promo code 2023CTOHD. Children ages 3 and under are free. 

Reserve your harbor cruise in advance or at the boat. The harbor cruise schedule flows in a continuous loop beginning at 11 AM and ending at 7 PM at Fort Trumbull State Park as follows::

• Fort Trumbull State Park – on the hour
• City Pier – 20 minutes after the hour
• Thames Landing in Groton City – 40 minutes after the hour

BUY TICKETS  with promo code 2023CTOHD for $5 fare.

Just take a look at the specials and opportunities the Park has to offer you on Saturday.

• Narrated Boat Tour: Submarines, Battlefields and Betrayers.
  The Military on the Thames.
  Saturday, June 10 | 4:05PM | City Pier, NEW LONDON
  From the vantage point of the river you‘ll understand the strategic value of this storied waterway and region and hear a few of the 1000 stories in the Park. For centuries our harbor has guarded the Thames River and entry to Long Island Sound, with Navy and Coast Guard installations, the ship building industries that support them, as well as two forts that have seen battles, defeats and the birthplace of the Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. BUY TICKETS

• Avery-Copp House Museum Neighborhood Celebration 
  Saturday, June 10 | 10AM-3PM
  Enjoy our special 18th Century theme. Meet a Revolutionary War soldier, see a historic fashion display, learn to play dulcimer music, and explore homemade herbal medicine! Take your own picture with our vintage paper moon photo prop, discover the fairy garden, and play old-fashioned games for children.

• Fort Griswold Guided Tours / Monument Climb
  Saturday, June 10 | 10AM-3PM
  Friends of Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park will greet visitors to the Fort on CT Open House Day, Climb 166 steps to the top of the Groton Monument, tour the Monument Museum, or enjoy a guided tour of the battlefield at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. Do some shopping for great books, mugs, patches, and other Fort Griswold memorabilia. ADMISSION – FREE

• Custom House Maritime Museum Open House
  Saturday, June 10 | 10AM-5PM
  New London’s historic custom house at 150 Bank Street was designed by Robert Mills, one of the country’s first formally trained architects and built in 1833-35. It is now the home of the New London Maritime Society which curates a museum covering the city’s maritime history. For CT Open House Day the museum is offering free admission plus 10% off gift shop purchases (30% off for members). ADMISSION – FREE*

• Fort Trumbull Visitor Center 
  Saturday, June 10 | 9AM-5PM
  Immerse yourself in an interactive history lesson at the visitor center or just walk the Fort and its ramparts for a view of the Thames River. A visit to Fort Trumbull has something for everyone including a boardwalk, fishing pier and hop-on, hop-off Harbor Cruises for visits to historic Downtown New London and historic Groton Bank. Grounds open dawn to dusk. ADMISSION – FREE*
• Ebenezer Avery House Guided Tours
  Saturday, June 10 | 10AM-3PM
  Located at the base of Fort Griswold and a short walk from Thames River Landing where the water taxi docks, this 1750 circa home which became hospital of necessity after the Battle of fort Griswold is filled with period pieces that is sure to bring delight to all who enter. ADMISSION – FREE*
• Lyman Allyn Art Museum Exhibits: American Perspectives, Tiffany In New London, Barkley Hendrick in New London, Small Wonders
  Saturday, June 10 | 10AM-5PM
  Explore the museum’s permanent collection exhibitions American Perspectives and Tiffany in New London, as well as our great summer shows Barkley L. Hendricks in New London and Small Wonders: Insects in Focus. Family centric exploration guides are free to pick up to help young learners enjoy the museum. ADMISSION – FREE*`

*Free Admission available on CT Open House Day – June 10, 2023.

This is the opportune time to visit the Thames: $5 harbor cruises, free admission to heritage sites and museums*, guided tours, complimentary shuttle to heritage sites in New London, and more. 

Get your harbor cruise ticket today for only $5 on CT Open House Day to visit Thames River Heritage Park’s sites on both sides of the river. Remember to use promo code 2023CTOHD at check-out.

See you in the Park!

View This Week in the Park – available on June 6 @ 8 AM – for more events in the Park.