Visiting & Enjoying the District
New London's historic waterfront district is the center of Connecticut's hottest tourist area. Festivals and events attract hundreds of thousands of visitors, from the Hygienic Art Show in January, Food Strolls in May & in October, Sailfest in July, Fish Tales, Tugs & Sails and Celts & Currachs in August, and A Celebration of Lights & Song by the Sea in December.
The Parade Plaza offers the Saturday Market, while the Waterfront Park offers fishing, small boat launch, moorings for transient boaters, and sunset and day sails on the tall ship Mystic Whaler.
New London Main Street publishes a full-color Map & Guide (PDF, 3 MB) to New London's Historic Waterfront District thanks to the generous support of Dime Bank, the City of New London, the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, The Day, and Pfizer. The guide provides information about downtown businesses, antique and art galleries as well as other services available within the historic district. Learn all about the Historic District Heritage Trail of 30 bronze sidewalks plaques. Travel from Colonial times to the beginning of the 20th Century. The map included in the guide takes you along the path of the plaques while also marking other historic sites and giving you a brief narrative of their importance to the development of New London.
The guide also provides a brief overview of events sponsored by New London Main Street's. For a complete listing of 2008 events online, see Current & Upcoming Events Downtown.
The 2008 Historic Waterfront District Map & Guide is available for download here (PDF, 3 MB) or in printed form from the New London Main Street office at The Atrium, Suite 101, 165 State Street. New London, Connecticut 06320, 860-444-CITY (2489).
New London Main Street also publishes a Dining Guide (PDF, 1.8 MB) with information on downtown restaurants.
