New London

About New London

Perched at the mouth of the Thames River where it meets Long Island Sound, New London is a proud, gritty, and culturally rich coastal city with deep maritime roots and a creative energy that keeps reinventing itself. Known as "The Whaling City," it pairs historic architecture and a buzzing arts scene with the salty character you'd expect from one of New England's great seafaring ports.

What to Know

• The United States Coast Guard Academy calls New London home, bringing pageantry and tradition to the city — including the beloved annual Coast Guard Eagle tall ship visits
• Connecticut College, a respected liberal arts school, sits atop a hill overlooking the Sound and adds a lively academic pulse to the community
• The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in nearby Waterford honors New London's most famous son — Nobel Prize-winning playwright Eugene O'Neill, who grew up here and set many of his plays in the city
• Fort Trumbull State Park offers stunning waterfront views and the story of a Revolutionary War–era fortification rebuilt over centuries
• New London's train station connects riders directly to New York and Boston via Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, making it one of Connecticut's most transit-accessible cities

History

Founded in 1646 by John Winthrop Jr., New London became one of colonial America's busiest ports and a dominant force in the 19th-century whaling industry. The city carries a dramatic scar from the Revolution — in 1781, the traitor Benedict Arnold led a British raid that burned much of the city to the ground.

Community & Living

New London has the soul of a city that's been through things and come out swinging — residents here are fiercely proud of their waterfront, their arts community, and their diversity. With galleries, live music, local restaurants, and regular community events anchoring downtown, it's a place where history and forward momentum feel equally alive.