Updated March 2026 — Planning a trip to Connecticut’s coast? Whether you’re here for a weekend or looking for a home base close to Mystic, there is far more to discover in New London than most visitors expect. This guide covers the best things to do in New London CT in 2026 — from historic forts and world-class museums to waterfront dining and beach days — all of them within easy reach of 48 Vauxhall B&B.
New London sits at the mouth of the Thames River, tucked between Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River Valley. It’s a genuine city with a real working harbor, gaslit streets, Victorian architecture, a submarine base, a Coast Guard academy, and a dining scene that quietly punches above its weight. It’s also just 15 minutes from Mystic — which means you can day-trip to one of New England’s most famous destinations and still come home to a quieter, more affordable base each evening.
Top New London CT attractions at a glance:
- Swim and stroll at Ocean Beach Park
- Explore Fort Trumbull State Park at sunset
- Visit the Lyman Allyn Art Museum
- Dine on the waterfront at On The Waterfront or Tony D’s
- Day-trip to Mystic Seaport (15 minutes away)
Outdoor Activities & Parks
Ocean Beach Park
10 minutes from 48 Vauxhall · 98 Neptune Ave, New London
Ocean Beach Park is the quintessential New London Connecticut attraction — a long, clean sandy beach along the Long Island Sound with a boardwalk, retro arcade, mini golf, and some of the best sunset views on the Connecticut coast. The surf is gentle enough for families, and the boardwalk gives you somewhere to wander when the afternoon cools off. In summer the park fills with locals and visitors alike; come in September for warm water and a fraction of the crowds.
Best time to visit: July and August for the full summer experience; early September for warm water without the noise.
Fort Trumbull State Park
5 minutes from 48 Vauxhall · 90 Walbach St, New London
Few spots in coastal Connecticut offer views like Fort Trumbull’s panoramic sweep of the Thames River and New London Harbor. This restored 19th-century fort is open seasonally and includes historical exhibits on the Revolutionary War and Cold War submarine program, plus fishing piers and walking paths right along the water. Arrive close to closing time for softer light and fewer people — it’s one of the most underrated New London activities, and it costs nothing to walk the grounds.
Pro tip from Nancy: Bring a picnic and watch the Navy ships, ferries, and Coast Guard vessels pass by. On a clear day the views stretch all the way toward Long Island.
Thames River Waterfront & Bank Street
5 minutes from 48 Vauxhall
Bank Street and the Historic Waterfront District are best experienced slowly. Wander past local galleries, coffee shops, and boutiques, then make your way down to the Thames River Waterfront Park to watch the river traffic — ferries, Coast Guard vessels, the occasional submarine heading upriver from the Naval Submarine Base, and sometimes a tall ship gliding silently past. This stretch of New London gives you the city’s character without requiring any planning at all.
Connecticut College Arboretum
10 minutes from 48 Vauxhall · 270 Mohegan Ave, New London
The Connecticut College Arboretum is one of the most underrated outdoor spaces in the region — 750 acres of native plant collections, woodland trails, and pond-side walks, completely free and open year-round. It’s peaceful in every season, spectacular during fall foliage in October, and a perfect morning activity before heading to one of New London’s waterfront restaurants for lunch.
Museums & Historical Sites
Lyman Allyn Art Museum
8 minutes from 48 Vauxhall · 625 Williams St, New London
The Lyman Allyn is one of those museums that stays with you. The permanent collection focuses on American fine art — furniture, decorative arts, and paintings from the 18th century onward — and the rotating exhibitions are consistently strong. Outside, a sculpture trail winds through the grounds. It’s small enough to explore thoroughly in two hours without fatigue, and the setting on Williams Street is genuinely beautiful.
The collection includes rare early American portraits like this one — Portrait of Judge Devotion Chandler — alongside decorative arts, furniture, and rotating contemporary exhibitions that keep regular visitors coming back.
Admission: $10 adults, free for children under 18 and college students with ID.
Custom House Maritime Museum
10 minutes from 48 Vauxhall · 150 Bank St, New London
Housed in a stunning harbor-front building dating to 1833, the Custom House Maritime Museum explores New London’s deep seafaring history — from the whaling industry at its 19th-century peak to the Coast Guard and submarine programs that define the city today. It’s compact, well-curated, and gives real context to everything you see on the waterfront. In summer, ask about the lighthouse boat tours.
Garde Arts Center
8 minutes from 48 Vauxhall · 325 State St, New London
The Garde Arts Center is a beautifully restored 1926 movie palace that now hosts concerts, Broadway touring productions, comedy shows, and film screenings year-round. Even if you don’t catch a performance, it’s worth looking at the Moorish Revival architecture inside. Check the schedule before you visit — there’s usually something worth seeing.
Dining & Nightlife
New London’s restaurant scene is one of the city’s most pleasant surprises. Here are the places I’ve recommended to guests for years.
On The Waterfront
Sitting on a beautiful outdoor patio overlooking the harbor, watching boats drift past and occasionally catching a submarine heading upriver — this is the New London dining experience that guests talk about long after they’ve checked out. The menu leans into exceptional seafood: the raw bar is excellent, and the Seafood Lasagna has become something of a local institution. Go for the view, stay for the food, order the dessert.
Address: 1 Captain’s Walk, New London
Tony D’s
Tony D’s is my personal favorite, and I’ve recommended it to hundreds of guests over the years. The menu is Italian at its foundation but elevated — Chianti-Braised Short Ribs, beautifully executed fresh pasta, creative daily specials, and a raw bar worth lingering over. The bread and tapenade that arrives before you’ve even settled in is worth the trip alone. Sit at the bar and ask for Pete; his martinis have their own quiet legend.
The Social Bar + Kitchen
For a more relaxed evening, The Social is a gastropub with a good craft beer list, inventive small plates, and regular live music. It’s the kind of place where you settle in for one round and end up staying three hours.
After a full day of New London activities, our guests love coming back to unwind on the wraparound porch or retreat to the quiet of their room. Our Garden Rooms are especially popular for families visiting New London, while the Blue Room is a favorite for couples who want something more intimate.
Day Trips from New London
One of the real advantages of staying in New London is what’s within reach. You can spend a full day in Mystic, on Block Island, or along the Connecticut River Valley and still come home to a comfortable base each evening.
Mystic Seaport Museum
15 minutes from 48 Vauxhall
America’s largest maritime museum is an entire recreated 19th-century seafaring village on the banks of the Mystic River. Budget three to four hours to walk the historic village, board the tall ships, and catch one of the live demonstrations. Mystic Seaport is genuinely world-class, and the combination of outdoor and indoor exhibits means it works in almost any weather.
If you’re planning a longer stay in the area, our guide to visiting Mystic, CT covers everything you need to know about using New London as your base.
Mystic Aquarium
15 minutes from 48 Vauxhall
The Mystic Aquarium is beloved for its beluga whale exhibit and wide range of hands-on marine encounters. The shark and ray touch tank is a favorite with kids, and the jellyfish galleries are unexpectedly beautiful. A genuine delight for visitors of all ages, and easy to combine with Mystic Seaport into a full day out.
Block Island Ferry
The high-speed ferry to Block Island departs from downtown New London and runs regularly through the summer season. Block Island is one of New England’s most beautiful islands — largely car-free, with dramatic bluffs, freshwater ponds, cycling trails, and a charming Victorian-era town. It makes for a perfect day trip from your New London base.
Plan Your Visit to New London, CT
Best time to visit: Summer (June–August) for beaches, outdoor concerts, and ferry season. Fall (September–November) for spectacular foliage, quieter streets, and lower room rates — the Connecticut College Arboretum in October is worth the trip alone. Winter and early spring bring off-season pricing, empty beaches, and the quiet intimacy of a coastal New England city in the cold.
Getting here: New London is easily accessible via I-95 (Exit 82 or 83) and Amtrak’s Northeast Regional line, which stops at New London Union Station — a stunning Beaux-Arts building right at the waterfront, steps from Bank Street and the ferry terminal.
Parking: Free street parking is available throughout the residential neighborhoods near the inn. Waterfront areas near Bank Street have paid surface lots, and most are reasonably priced outside of summer weekends.
Where to stay in New London: 48 Vauxhall B&B is a lovingly restored Victorian home in New London’s Post Hill Historic District, within easy reach of every New London attraction on this list. Guests enjoy a locally-sourced breakfast each morning, free off-street parking, pet-friendly rooms, and the advantage of staying with a host who has lived in New London for decades and knows the area better than any travel app.
Ready to plan your visit? Contact us directly to check availability — direct bookings mean you’re talking to Nancy, not a platform, and you won’t pay any booking fees.
Book Your New London Stay
The best way to experience the things to do in New London CT is with a comfortable home base and someone who actually knows the city. 48 Vauxhall has been welcoming guests since 2017, and every stay includes a homemade breakfast, personal itinerary recommendations, and four individually styled rooms to choose from:
- The Blue Room — Queen bed, quiet elegance, ideal for couples
- The Garden Rooms — Extra space and garden views, perfect for families
- The Master Bedroom — Spacious, bay windows, private en-suite bath
- The Gallery Room — Curated art collection, boutique hotel feel