Please take an hour from your day to pay your respects at this historic cemetery. The stones and…read moremausolems are intricate and imposing. The trees are old and majestic but the center of the cemetery is the ENORMOUS beech tree! Truly an awesome experience to stand under the large, leaf laden branches. I also read in The Day that haunted walks will soon be offered for a fee.

Visited yesterday and this Ancient Burying Grounds is a local disgrace. It's touted as one of the…read moreoldest cemetaries in New England and the first generation of original settlers is buried here. I drove 6 hours to visit this cemetary and what I found was an overgrown field full of broken stones strewn everywhere, most unreadable. There is no commemorative map at the site to guide visitors. A drunken homeless man was lying under the overgrown beech tree that definitely needs its branches trimmed to reveal the grave stones located under it. The area reeked of liquor and urine and there was broken glass, empty beer cans and mini liquor bottles strewn about. I didn't dare go behind the branches of that huge tree to look at the stones. Stones are broken, leaning against each other, sunken deeply into the soil to the point of only a few inches showing . How could tours possible walk through this place without further damaging the stones lying about. Some stones are crumbled into pieces with parts of the names being trampled into the soil and one is a Captain's stone. Are there no cemetary restoration groups that would taken on this great mess? When I am looking for relatives in a cemetary I usually will walk through the entire place and take photos even if it takes a couple of hours. I drove 6 hrs to New London , and gave up in disgust after just half an hour at this place. I did not feel safe here. I don't understand how a town can have a historical society that cannot organize volunteers to keep up such an historic attraction. I also visited the Ancient Burying Grounds at Wethersfield and it was much better there, but still has some condition issues, as far as further preservation of stones, but was not at all as bad as New London. Mystic has an immaculate cemetary.

Passed by on my way to Captain Scott's Lobster Dock (only to be denied of a lobster roll; they…read morehappened to have closed for the season just a few days prior to my coming)... 1600's... stone house... historic, on the corner of Banks ad something or other... in the middle of a wonderful, quaint smallish downtown area, near the docks... imagining what went on there a few centuries back...

Had such a good time stopping in at the Hempstead Houses and learning a bit more history about the…read morearea. They had an event for the season I definitely recommend going if you like local history. Joshua Hempstead was a farmer, judge, diarist, and tradesman over the course of his life. Him and his wife had nine children. Take a trip to the Houses and learn more about him and the lives/deaths of others that shaped him. Checked out the ghosts and stories of those people: Abigail Hempstead, Joshua Hempstead III, Owen Coffin, Sarah Bramble, John Stoddard, Zipporah Bolles and children, Sarah Wilton, and Anna Warner Bailey.

We passed close to the New London Ledge Lighthouse on the New London to Orient Point. Close enough…read moreto take pictures and enjoy the view. It looks nothing like any other lighthouse I've seen. This is a red brick and granite building in the French Second Empire style. The cast-iron lantern rises from the center of the building's mansard roof. New London Ledge Lighthouse was built in 1909 on the southwest ledge at the entrance to the New London Harbor. The United States Coast Guard took over in 1939 upon its merger with the Lighthouse Service and the light was automated in 1987. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. New London Ledge is locally famous for the ghost of an early keeper named Ernie who allegedly haunts the lighthouse. The Coast Guard crew on duty at the lighthouse reported unexplained knockings taking place at night, as well as doors opening and closing repeatedly, the television turning on and off by itself sporadically, and the unexplained removal of sheets from beds. We couldn't see Ernie at 6:45 this morning. Maybe he sleeps in? [Review 15302 overall, 804 of 2021, number 50 in Connecticut.]

Poor Ernie haunts a…read morevery cool place New London Ledge Lighthouse was completed in 1909 and is the newest light in Ct. It's one of the most recognizable lights in the whole country because it looks more like a elegant home than a lighthouse. More than one sea dog, inching through the fog and seeing the light for the first time must have thought he was going up someone's driveway. Yep, this light is unique and I have heard the architecture described as Georgian, Neo-Gothic and French Empire style. It originally had a 4th order Fresnel Lens that is now removed. Of course New London Ledge is home to one of the most famous ghost stories in New England. A man named Ernie, who was once keeper of the lighthouse way back in the 30's had his wife run off with the Block Island Ferry captain. Poor Ernie become so depressed that he jumped off the top of the light into the cold, dark waters never to be seen again. From what I can tell that part of the story is true. However, every since then strange noises and doors banging have been heard. Occasionally thought the dense fog a forlorn figure can be seen walking around the now unmanned light. I have been out here a zillion times but have unfortunately never seen Ernie. This area can be a spooky and dangerous place however. Frequent fog and the fact that the light lies in an area of strong intersecting currents makes these waters unpredictable to say the least. It's only a mile off shore so it's an easy kayak trip but I have been out there when the weather has gone from calm and pleasant to insane and deadly in a matter of minutes. This is part of the "race" where Long Island Sound drains back into the Atlanic Ocean. Sort of putting your finger on the end of a hose. Old sailors had an expression: Dare Not Tread Beyond These Gates For Fear your Boat The Race Will Take. But the race did take many, many boats. Including me on several occasions. No, I've never seen a ghost out here but almost became one several times.

Quick update on the boat tour…read more.. After my last experience, I wasn't sure I'd be back. The audio system failed almost immediately, so we missed out on the history and stories that were supposed to make the trip special. I shared my disappointment, and to their credit, the company reached out and made it right. This time around, the experience was exactly what we had hoped for. We were finally able to enjoy the ride, take in the scenery, and hear the history that we missed the first time. Mistakes happen, but it's how a business responds that really matters, and they earned my respect by standing behind their service. The tour was incredibly informative and surprisingly fascinating. There is so much history along the Thames River that I never knew existed. Learning about the Navy, Electric Boat, Fort Trumbull, historic landmarks, and the stories behind everything you pass on the water gave me a whole new appreciation for the area. It was one of those experiences that makes you realize how much history has been right in your own backyard all along. I'm glad we gave it another chance. Thanks for making things right!

Captain Scott and Nancy were awesome. Our guide, Gail was very knowledgeable and informative. We…read morehad a great day! The tour we took was the Well-Heeled and Wannabees. The Gilded Age on the Thames on Saturday, June 21 Great day with nice people!

I really enjoy walking around this area. They have the beach, the house, the garden. There's so…read moremany areas to walk around and take pictures. There's always an event going on.

Beautiful park. If no one is at the booth when you arrive, scan the QR code near parking and pay…read moreonline. Plenty of picnic tables are scattered around the park and a few charcoal grills. Lots of port-a-john near the beaches and a building closer to parking. No swimming was allowed at the beaches. Plenty of fishing though. Nice place to walk and look for shells. The mansion gardens are small and beautiful. Lots of colorful plants. Graceful collonade. Definitely a nice spot for photos. Lots of pollenators enjoying the gardens too. Pathways through the park are a mix of paved and gravel. Watch out for goose poop when crossing through the fields. Pets are welcome on a leash and be sure to pick up after them. State parks are "carry in, carry out" so there are no trash bins. Be sure to bring your own trash bag to dispose of your trash at home.

This lighthouse is located on the campus of UConn and so it's a little harder to find than most…read more You're also going to have some parking restrictions but if you look for "visitor" parking and don't overstay your welcome, you should be fine. Construction on this brown concrete structure completed in 1943 and is officially listed as the last lighthouse built in the state. It fell into disrepair after it was deactivated in 1967 but an extensive restoration project brought it back to stability in 2006. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. The building is 41 feet tall and is an octogon-shaped tower. The building is not open to the public but you can press your nose (and camera) up to the ground level windows to see inside. The grounds are mostly handicapped accessible. [Review 18664 overall - 81 in Connecticut - 2186 of 2022.]

Great place to bring a sack lunch & watch the boats & water, or swim & enjoy the beach!read more

We visit the base to use the commissary and NEX. There is a submarine museum near here too, which…read moreis excellent, and in an area that does not require a military ID to access. First off, you do need a Military ID to get on base (every adult in the car) and again when trying to purchase items on base. To bring a guest on base stop at the visitor office next to the main gate. The base itself seems to have under gone some updates to road signs and basic curb appeal which is very nice for those who live and work here. The commissary and NEX are good sizes, include the expected items, (uniforms, national brands, etc.) and share a parking lot. Grab your shopping cart before entering. Baggers at the Commissary work for tips so bring a few dollars cash; they pack, carry your bags out and put them in your vehicle. NEX is two stories with a food court and restrooms near the entrance. Escalator, elevator and stairs available. Sporting goods, clothes, jewelry, cleaning supplies, H&B, liquor. All the stuff.

The police at the gate were extremely helpful. I had brought a service man back to the base and the…read moredirections I had brought me to the wrong gate. The officer that was checking ID's advised me where to and gave me directions as well as they were super efficient, and extremely kind. I always appreciate police, but in this instance, I double appreciate these gentlemen for not just their service as officers, but their service to our country as well. Thank you so very much!

New London was a tough place to live - attracting "men of hardihood and valor". Thousands of them…read moreflocked here to join the whaling industry rocketing New London's growth as it became "one of the largest whaling ports in the country". Located on a strip of grass at Town Hall is this 2-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission, in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It has the same inscription on both sides. The marker is in fair condition with damage on both sides in the form of fading, spotting and peeling of the blue background. The full inscription reads: New London New London was founded in 1646 by John Winthrop, the younger, who chose this shore-ringed "plantation" for its excellent harbor. This land, with its great natural assets, attracted men of hardihood and valor and became one of the largest whaling ports in the country in the mid-19th century. As this industry waned, manufacturing flourished, bringing an influx of foreign labor which contributed immeasurably to the enrichment of community life. The history of New London may be said to be concentrated in its seal, adopted when the city was incorporated in 1784... a full-rigged ship with all sails set and the motto "Mare Liberum," meaning "Freedom of the Seas." Erected 1976 by The City of New London and the Connecticut Historical Commission. 161 CT towns done, 9 to go