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Garde Arts Center

Operating in the heart of downtown New London, the Garde Arts Center is a non-profit professional performing arts center and home to one of the few remaining historic movie palaces in Connecticut. The Garde Theatre was built in 1926 during the golden era of the motion pictures and vaudeville. The restored Moroccan interior, along with the expanded lobbies and function spaces, provide an impressive atmosphere for audiences to enjoy a wide variety of cinematic and theatrical performances.

The Garde is nationally recognized for its unique architecture and multi-faceted programming serving Southeastern Connecticut. In addition to the Garde Theatre, the Garde owns a complex of three adjoining buildings including the 110-seat intimate Oasis Room, the Garde Gallery, the Mercer Building, and the Meridian Building, comprising an “arts block” of creative enterprises.

Address: 325 State St New London, CT 06320
Distance from City Pier Water Taxi Landing: 0.4 Miles
Phone Number: (860) 444-7373 Ext. 1
Box Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10am-5pm & one hour before show times

Fort Trumbull State Park

WATER TAXI PICK UP SPOT

Since the Colonial era, Fort Trumbull has served as the site of various military forts, schools and research facilities for the United States Army, Coast Guard and Navy. The original structure was built to protect the New London Harbor from British attack and later served as part of the country’s coastal defense system. The masonry fort that stands today was constructed between 1839 and 1852.

Fort Trumbull is unique due to the Egyptian Revival features incorporated into its design. Visitors can take in the incredible views of New London Harbor from the Fort’s ramparts and explore the interior which features a 19th Century restored living quarters, a mock laboratory, and a 1950’s era office furnished to resemble a research and development lab at the facility.

The world class Visitor Center contains state of the art multimedia theaters, computer touch screen interactive exhibits, 3-D models, and extensive graphics and text panels. This one of a kind center depicts over 225 years of military history and technological advances from the Revolutionary War to the Cold War. Some of the main themes of the Visitor Center are the September 6, 1781 attack by the British under the command of Benedict Arnold, the U-boat menace during World War II, and the anti-submarine efforts during the Cold War.

This site also offers spectacular fishing opportunities. Its one-of-a-kind fishing pier boasts access to the major game fish of Long Island Sound. Saltwater anglers will find a unique combination of sport fish including striped bass, bluefish, weakfish and tautog as they feed on the variety of bait fish found at the mouth of the Thames River. In addition to 24-hour access, the pier offers bright lighting and individual pole holders for angler comfort; year-round restrooms and fresh running water.

Address: 90 Walbach Street, New London, CT 06320
Phone Number: (860) 444-7591
Hours: 9AM-5PM | Saturday & Sunday from through June | Wednesday-Sunday from July-Labor Day. Operating Hours include the Visitor Center Museum & Fort. The park grounds are open year round.
Admission: Visitor’s Center and Fort Trumbull tours are $6 for ages 13 and over, $2 for ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under.

Monte Cristo Cottage

The Monte Cristo Cottage was the boyhood summer home of Eugene O’Neill, America’s only Nobel-Prize winning playwright. Constructed in the 1840’s, the cottage is named in honor of Eugene O’Neill’s father, the actor James O’Neill and his most popular role as Edmond Dantes in The Count of Monte Cristo. Registered as a National Historic Landmark in 1971, the Cottage is the setting for two of O’Neill’s most notable works, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, and Ah, Wilderness!. Currently the Cottage operates as a museum featuring a permanent exhibition on the life and works of Eugene O’Neill and an extensive collection of artifacts and memorabilia.

Address: 325 Pequot Ave. New London, CT 06320
Distance from Fort Trumbull Water Taxi Landing: 1 Mile
Phone number: (860) 443-5378 x288
Hours: Currently Closed for Renovations
Admission: $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Admission is free for Eugene O’Neill Theater Center Members.
Call in advance of your visit. Group tours available by appointment. A minimum of 48 hours advance notice is required

Lyman Allyn Art Museum

The Lyman Allyn Art Museum welcomes visitors from New London, southeastern Connecticut and from all over the world. Established by a gift from Harriet Allyn in memory of her seafaring father, the museum opened the doors of its beautiful neo-classical building in 1932. Today it houses a fascinating collection of over 17,000 objects from ancient times to the present: artworks from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe, with particularly strong collections of American paintings, decorative arts, and Victorian toys and doll houses. Outside, a sculpture trail highlighting 10 large scale works is surrounded by 12 acres of gardens and lawns.

The Lyman Allyn recently installed Louis Comfort Tiffany in New London, a permanent exhibition exploring the rich and varied work of artist, craftsman, and designer, Louis Comfort Tiffany. This exhibition examines the artist’s career, his many ties to southeastern Connecticut, and his enduring legacy in the region. Featured are three stained-glass windows, lamps, favrile glass vessels, silver, jewelry, paintings, archival photographs, and other objects, some of which come from Tiffany descendants.

The Lyman Allyn Art Museum is particularly proud of its commitment to provide art education and cultural enrichment to the youth of our region, with over 4,000 school children visiting the Museum each year. Through our Yellow Bus Fund, the Lyman Allyn collaborates with New London and southeastern Connecticut school systems to design and present art programs based on specific curriculum needs for students in grades pre-K through 12.

Throughout each year, the Lyman Allyn offers special programming including exhibition openings, lectures, educational opportunities, and musical events for families and the general public. Guided tours, self-guided exploration, and tours customized for a group’s needs or goals are all available. The Museum and grounds are also available for personal and corporate event rentals.

Address: 625 Williams Street, New London, CT
Distance from Water Taxi Landing: 1.8 miles
Phone number: (860) 443-2545
Hours: Tues – Sat: 10 am – 5 pm, Sun: 1 – 5 pm, Closed Mondays & major holidays
Admission: $12 for adults, $9 for seniors, $5 for students, children under 12, members, and New London residents are free. Admission is also free on the first Saturday of every month and on your birthday.

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