Welcome to New London’s Historic Waterfront District

Welcome to New London, Connecticut, a city rich in Colonial history, cultural diversity and maritime heritage.

Located on the Thames River in Southeastern Connecticut, New London is a port city that has all the offerings of an urban environment, but the warmth and hospitality of a small community for your son or daughter to thrive in.

New London’s downtown consists of several designated National Register Historic Districts due to its many historically significant buildings and the stories behind them. A Heritage Trail of 30 bronze plaques found in the sidewalks provides a guide for walking tours to highlight this rich history. You can pick up a booklet at New London Landmarks for a self-guided walking tour or schedule a more in depth tour with one of our educated historians.

You will find in our downtown architectural gems such as the Mohican Hotel designed by William Tuthill, architect of Carnegie Hall fame; the U.S. Custom House - the oldest, continuously operating custom house in America - built by Robert Mills, architect of the Washington Monument; and the Henry Hobson Richardson railroad station on City Pier - the last and largest of H. H. Richardson’s monumental public buildings in the Romanesque Revival style.

In addition to historic buildings from the 17th to 21st centuries, the “Whaling City” has many notable people that have figured into our rich history. Nathan Hale of the famous quote, “I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country,” taught school in the schoolhouse now located on the Parade Plaza in downtown before leaving to fight in the Revolutionary War.

Benedict Arnold, from up the Thames in Norwich, burned down the entire City of New London at the end of the Revolution in 1781. Eugene O’Neill, the only American dramatist to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, summered here at the Monte Cristo Cottage and frequented The Dutch Tavern, which is still in operation.
 
Our community is rich in arts and culture. From enjoying a professional performance at the Garde Arts Center, a restored majestic 1920’s movie palace, or taking in a sophisticated exhibit at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum, housed in a handsome neo-classical building designed by Charles Platt to checking out an edgier scene in some of the more intimate art galleries such as the Hygienic Art Park and Gallery to performance venues such as the Oasis Pub, New London has something to offer everyone.

Our action-packed annual calendar of events will provide students with many opportunities to explore downtown’s offerings. The Fall Food Stroll is the perfect way to begin the school year and be introduced to downtown. There are a multitude of festivities going on downtown throughout the holiday season and the spring and summer are the perfect time to catch an event on the Waterfront Park.

New London’s diversity extends to the abundance of fine restaurants and cafes offering cuisines from around the world. Whether you have a taste for Japanese, Indian, Thai, Mexican, Spanish or more traditional Italian and pub style fare, downtown has it all.

For downtown shopping, there are an array of specialty stores, boutiques and salons offering a variety of merchandise and services. Our shops offer everything from Native American crafts, unique fair trade items to hand crafted imported Brazilian goods and coffee beans roasted in-house. You may enjoy a variety of specialty services at our salons and studios such as spa treatments to yoga and exercise classes.

With so many opportunities for relaxation, fun and education, New London’s Historic Waterfront District encourages you to visit your son or daughter soon and plan an outing downtown!

For more information about New London, visit www.newlondonmainstreet.org or call (860) 444-2489. 
We hope to hear from you soon!