Where whaling history meets nuclear submarines — New London delivers an authentically gritty New England port call with free military museums, Revolutionary War stories, and lobster rolls around the corner from your gangway.
Ships tie up at City Pier at the foot of State Street — one of the most walkable drop-offs on the East Coast.
💡 Pro move: American Cruise Lines is the main operator here. Larger vessels and occasional expedition ships also call at City Pier.
New London has a single cruise berth — City Pier — conveniently located at the heart of the waterfront.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| American Cruise Lines | City Pier, foot of State Street📍 | Docked |
| Expedition / small ship lines | City Pier, foot of State Street📍 | Docked |
New London punches above its size — a free nuclear submarine tour, Revolutionary War forts, and a Nobel laureate's cottage are all within easy reach.
Tour the world's first nuclear-powered submarine docked in Groton across the river. The museum is entirely free, funded by the U.S. Navy, and fascinating even for non-military visitors.
Find Groton submarine tours →Walk the ramparts of this dramatic Egyptian Revival-style 19th-century fort with sweeping views of the Thames River and your ship. Grounds are free; small fee for the visitor center.
Book Fort Trumbull tours →Visit the free USCG Museum on campus. If the USCGC Eagle (a majestic tall ship training vessel) is in port, you may be able to tour it.
Find Coast Guard Academy tours →Eugene O'Neill's childhood summer home — the setting for Long Day's Journey Into Night. The only Nobel Prize-winning American playwright, and his story is right here.
Book Monte Cristo Cottage tours →New London's best beach — half a mile of white sand on Long Island Sound with a boardwalk, pool, and beachside cafe. A quick ride from the pier.
Find Ocean Beach Park excursions →Captain Scott's Lobster Dock is a legendary fish shack with outdoor picnic tables on a marina. Pair with a stop at Muddy Waters Cafe on Bank Street for coffee and New England atmosphere.
Find New London food tours →New London's compact historic district is entirely walkable from City Pier — State Street and Bank Street are the core.
Walk from City Pier up State Street past murals and 19th-century architecture, then along Bank Street with its cafes and galleries. The Custom House Maritime Museum (1833, granite building designed by Robert Mills, architect of the Washington Monument) is a highlight.
Take an Uber or walk 25 minutes along the riverfront to Fort Trumbull State Park. Walk the ramparts for sweeping views of the Thames and the submarine shipyard in Groton across the water.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for New London, Connecticut, USA (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36°F / 2°C | 21°F / -6°C | 11 | 7:53 AM | 5:33 PM |
| Feb | 40°F / 4°C | 23°F / -5°C | 10 | 7:26 AM | 6:10 PM |
| Mar | 50°F / 10°C | 32°F / 0°C | 12 | 7:44 AM | 7:40 PM |
| Apr | 61°F / 16°C | 41°F / 5°C | 12 | 6:55 AM | 8:12 PM |
| May | 71°F / 22°C | 53°F / 12°C | 13 | 6:18 AM | 8:42 PM |
| Jun | 79°F / 26°C | 62°F / 17°C | 12 | 6:05 AM | 9:03 PM |
| Jul | 82°F / 28°C | 66°F / 19°C | 13 | 6:18 AM | 9:00 PM |
| Aug | 81°F / 27°C | 65°F / 18°C | 12 | 6:46 AM | 8:29 PM |
| Sep | 77°F / 25°C | 59°F / 15°C | 7 | 7:15 AM | 7:41 PM |
| Oct | 65°F / 18°C | 48°F / 9°C | 10 | 7:44 AM | 6:53 PM |
| Nov | 50°F / 10°C | 35°F / 2°C | 8 | 7:19 AM | 5:17 PM |
| Dec | 43°F / 6°C | 29°F / -2°C | 11 | 7:48 AM | 5:09 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
The State Pier cruise terminal is about 1 mile from downtown New London. The flat, straightforward walk takes 15–20 minutes and passes along the waterfront.
Metered taxis serve the port; the drop rate is $3.75 plus mileage. The roughly 1-mile ride to the city center typically costs $8–$12 including tip.
Both Uber and Lyft operate in New London. Request a ride from the pier for a quick 5-minute trip downtown; pricing is shown upfront in each app.
The Thames River Heritage Park water taxi runs a seasonal hop-on hop-off service (early June–early September), linking City Pier and Groton with stops at 20+ heritage sites.
Southeast Area Transit District (SEAT) operates local fixed-route and on-demand microtransit (NL SmartRide app) covering New London, Groton, and Stonington.
Upcoming cruises that call at New London, Connecticut, USA. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.