What to do in New London, Connecticut?

According to RCI's website today, our NE/Canada sailing for next summer (Explorer OTS, July 31, 2008) changed the itinerary and dropped Newport, RI and replaced it with New London, CT. I'm really disappointed as DH and I were looking forward to Newport. Other than renting a car and driving over to Mystic, CT (which is supposed to be a very cute little town), what else is there to do in New London? We're docked there from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Do any of you New Englanders out there have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Karen

This museum is in Groton CT. Please check it out. Very interesting!

You could also rent a car and drive to Newport, not that far. I would consider a car and visiting Mystic, a whaling town, and perhaps a visit to Stonington for some wonderful lobster. Lots of things to see in and around New London and it is a very pretty area.

You could also rent a car and drive to Newport, not that far. I would consider a car and visiting Mystic, a whaling town, and perhaps a visit to Stonington for some wonderful lobster. Lots of things to see in and around New London and it is a very pretty area.

DH and I have been discussing this, and since we REALLY want to see Newport, which was one of the reasons we booked this cruise in the first place, we will rent a car (in advance) and just drive there. We just don't want to miss the opportunity, as we don't know when we'll in that. On the way back to New London, we'll give ourselves enough time to stop in Mystic as well. Thanks for your response.

Karen

I live in Southeastern CT and there is a lot to do. However, if you want to do Newport, find a rental car company that will in essence have the car right there at the port (try Enterprise perhaps). Most car rental companies have offices over in Groton (next town over) at the small local airport - it would be a taxi cab ride over there.

However, once you have the car, plan on an hour's drive to Newport - perhaps a few minutes under that.

I grew up in Mystic and there is the wonderful Mystic Seaport Maritime Museum with a lot of whaling history and ships to tour. Mystic also has the Olde Mistick Village for shopping which is adjacent to the Mystic Marinelife Aquarium (whales, seals, penguins, lots of exhibits and is home to Bob Ballard's Institute for Exploration - he's the guy that discovered the Titanic). Downtown Mystic is great for shopping as well.

Groton has a submarine museum which is the home to the Nautilus, the first nuclear powered sub which you can tour.

You could also always take a cab/car up to either the Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods casinos - the two largest Indian Casinos on the planet. They are both about 20 minutes away.

There's great seafood to be had at many locations.

New London, CT is just developing as a port destination for cruise ships. The local region is excited about having cruise passengers here and every ship and its passengers always get a warm welcome.

I hope you have fun!

There are many, ,many things to do in New London!

As an example: Visit Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, walk aboard the first atomic submarine, USS Nautilus, visit the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, visit Ft. Trumbull and Ft. Griswold, tour the Pequot Indian Museum,wander the City of New London, once the 2nd largest whaling port in the world, ride on a 1920 steam train complete with 1930's coaches along the banks of the Connecticut River.

There's lots to do in Connecticut's Port of New London!

CtCruiseShip

Thanks for your suggestions. We are intending to visit Mystic when we dock in New London on 15th Sept. Could anyone who lives in the area possibly give me a rough idea how much the cab fare from New London to Mystic seaport would be? Or any other transport options?

Many thanks

Lisa

My guess is that a cab fare wouldn't be more than $15-20 each way if even that much. Hopefully CTCruiseShip will respond as he knows what other transport options (coach bus etc.) may be available that day. Since I live in the area I'd even be happy to meet you and take you to Mystic and return - I'm active in our local Chamber of Commerce and I can tell you that our region is really excited that cruise ships are visiting! Seriously!

Connecticutnewcruiser

Thank you for your kind offer, its very generous of you. We are still considering our options and the taxi fare seems pretty reasonable and a better alternative to the ships tour.

I notice that they hold a Saturday Market In New London which looks interesting. Maybe we will have a wander round there then get a cab over to Mystic. We are in port for 12 hours so plenty of time to do both.

If everyone in the area is as helpful as you have been I'm sure we will have a memorable visit.

Lisa

Abbafan - New England in the Fall is spectacular so I hope you have good weather and a great time in our region. If you like shopping, downtown Mystic and the Olde Mistick Village (next to the Aquarium and right off the highway) are the best. Welcome and keep in touch via the cruise critic board if you need any more advice and assistance! Have Fun!

Abbafan - New England in the Fall is spectacular so I hope you have good weather and a great time in our region. If you like shopping, downtown Mystic and the Olde Mistick Village (next to the Aquarium and right off the highway) are the best. Welcome and keep in touch via the cruise critic board if you need any more advice and assistance! Have Fun!

New England is known for antiquing and there are several antique shops in the area. Also great seafood.

There is the Eugene O'Neill playhouse near by, and Harkness Memorial Park right on the ocean.

The two Indian Casinos (Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, the largest single casinos in the world) offer more than just gambling.... both have lots of nice restaurants, and shopping (Stores tend to be on the pricey side, but great for browsing). The Pequot Museum at Foxwoods is quite interesting.

New London is a newbie in the port of call arena,but is trying to become a permanent stop for cruise ships, as it grows, more excursions will be offered.

I live in Groton, across the river from New London, and after all the hype this week in the paper about the ship coming decided to check here and on the Royal Caribbean site as to what is offered for shore excursions.

I am SHOCKED at the prices Royal Caribbean is getting for their excursions and wanted to share some things with my CC friends.

The price for a visit to the Nautilus Submarine Museum in Groton through RC is $42. This is a 5 minute cab ride and admission to the museum is FREE.

The price to visit Fort Trumbull is $50. Admission here is FREE to the grounds and $5 to the visitor center. Also a 5 minute cab ride.

Someone on another thread called the cab company and said it was $20 to get to Mystic. Check out the prices online for admission to Mystic Aquarium and Seaport, you could save alot of $$$ here too.

All of these places are GREAT to visit and easy to get to by cab. This is a good lesson to me .... don't always book ship excursions .... visit Cruise Critic FIRST and ask the locals what to do.

Could you tell me if there are any rental car companies near the New London pier (or that will pick up at the pier)? We'd love to drive aound to the various sights in town, to Mystic and then out to look for fall leaves.

Thanks.

As far as taxis to Mystic go, the fare from New London to Mystic is $25 each way. You can also pick up the local transit SEAT Bus at the train station, which also serves as the Welcoming Center, for about $1.50 each way. Rental cars are also available through Enterprize at the pier.

Another option for those who play golf is Foxwoods Lake of Isles Golf Course. An immaculate course that is as beautiful as it is challenging.

Still another option in Mystic, for the more active is kayaking in the Mystic River. It's a really great spot as you can go right up next to the Morgan and other boats in the seaport and under the drawbridge as it is being operated. Rentals are available in several spots down by the river.

Also, not a long ride is a trip to Old Saybrook (about 20 min) - another quaint town with beautiful beaches and great shops and restaurants.

For those who enjoy art, the Lymand Allyn Art Museum has over 10,000 work in it and is a gorgeous spot, especially during the fall and then you can cross the street and stroll in the Conecticut College Arboretum, again, stunning in the fall.

And a personal favorite dunring the summer is Harkness Memorial State Park. A park with some great spots that include beaches, expansive lawns and a mansion with gadens to explore. Really a wonderful place!

Whatever you decide to do in Southeastern Connecticut - enjoy!:D

Hello Connecticutcruiser!

My husband, Steve, and myself, Beth, will be on Explorer docking in New London on July 4th. We really don't want to rent a car... in fact we were discussing the option of hiring a private driver! I noticed in your post that you made an offer to someone to drive them to Mystic and back. Any chance that we can communicate off of these boards to possibly make some arrangements? We were looking at Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam. Of course, Mystic sounds cool too. If this is possible, please shoot me any email at: srabdamascus@aol.com We're from Chicago, never been to New England, and love to take pictures!

Thanks!

Beth

Hello Connecticutcruiser!

My husband, Steve, and myself, Beth, will be on Explorer docking in New London on July 4th. We really don't want to rent a car... in fact we were discussing the option of hiring a private driver! I noticed in your post that you made an offer to someone to drive them to Mystic and back. Any chance that we can communicate off of these boards to possibly make some arrangements? We were looking at Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam. Of course, Mystic sounds cool too. If this is possible, please shoot me any email at: srabdamascus@aol.com We're from Chicago, never been to New England, and love to take pictures!

Thanks!

Beth

Beth, have you stopped by our roll call for this cruise? There are lots of friendly people planning various activities and excursions. If you haven't already visited, drop in to say hi!:) Maybe you'll get some good excursion ideas.

Hello All,

I was considering obtaining a taxi to take my family to the Mystic Aquarium then we would walk to Mystic Sea Port. My understanding is that the cab ride will be around $20, and that the walk between the Sea Port and Aquarium is 10 minutes.

With the Sea Everything Pass ... it is cheaper than the RCCL shore excursion, plus we get a free t-shirt and two free soft drinks, but I wonder if the extra hassle of obtaining a taxi is worth it? (I'm estimating we will save $30, plus have additional time on our own).

I was wondering if anyone else has taken advantage of the Sea Everything Mystic Sea Card? Is it as good as it seems? And am I correct with the other information I have obtained?

Hello All,

I was considering obtaining a taxi to take my family to the Mystic Aquarium then we would walk to Mystic Sea Port. My understanding is that the cab ride will be around $20, and that the walk between the Sea Port and Aquarium is 10 minutes.

 

With the Sea Everything Pass ... it is cheaper than the RCCL shore excursion, plus we get a free t-shirt and two free soft drinks, but I wonder if the extra hassle of obtaining a taxi is worth it? (I'm estimating we will save $30, plus have additional time on our own).

 

I was wondering if anyone else has taken advantage of the Sea Everything Mystic Sea Card? Is it as good as it seems? And am I correct with the other information I have obtained?

Admission to the Aquarium is $23 for adults, $17 for children (3-17) and admission to the Seaport is similar. You do get the fountain drinks and free t-shirt (which is nice looking). I think it's closer to a 20-30 minute walk between the two. I speak from experience that the Aquarium is amazing, as is the Seaport. I also think the taxi may charge more than $20. Here is a number for a local cab (I'm not recommending them, just the one I know off the top of my head) 860-443-4321. Have a marvelous visit to Mystic!

Will be in New London on August 1st {Explorer}. Some of our family already have their plans made but I was wondering if there is anything to see or do around the terminal area. My Mom uses a walker and likes to get off ship have a look around and then goes back on ship. Jus wondering if there was anything to walk to...short distance.

Thank you in advance.

Rianvi

Thank you, Intrepid ... it's always good to get clarification. Though my family can certainly set out on a 20 minute walk, if I said it was 10 minutes, and it was 20 ... yikes! I did see that the cab might be $25.

That's why this board is so great. I'm very excited about the Sea Everything Pass! We are so looking forward to Mystic.

However, I did mispost. To go to both Mystic Aquarium and Seaport with RCCL, you need to book two different excursions.

Can someone tell me more about using the SEAT bus from Welcome Center to Mystic Seaport? We're a group of 9 who would need 3 cabs or 2 rent cars and are wondering if the bus would be a viable way to get to Mystic Seaport for the afternoon. I found their web site but no routes that specifically said Mystic.

As far as taxis to Mystic go, the fare from New London to Mystic is $25 each way. You can also pick up the local transit SEAT Bus at the train station, which also serves as the Welcoming Center, for about $1.50 each way. Rental cars are also available through Enterprize at the pier.

mcsdy,

Coming from NYC we believe strongly in mass transit whenever possible. Is this bus a local bus for the the area? How far from the port to the terminal is it? What type of fare do they use for this bus -- cash (exact change/paper money), tickets or tokens?

Any discounts for those over 65 yrs. old either on the bus or at Mystic Seaport or the Aquarium?

We will be there on 8/1.

MARAPRINCE

Mara,

The senior rate (over 60) at the Aquarium is $20. I don't know about the SEAT details, but I'm sure if you Google SEAT, New London, you'll find answers.:)

Maraprince,

Or anyone else with information ... it looks like SEAT goes directly from New London to Mistic, but I would really like to get the details from somone who has used this form of transportation.

Thank you.