Water taxi to start offering special river tours
The Thames River Water Taxi will run a limited schedule of tours of the Thames River as an “end of season” special, Jacalyn Dietrich, president of the taxi service, announced Wednesday.
On Aug. 27 and 28, and Sept. 3, 4, 17 and 18, river tours will be offered at 10:30 a.m. and sunset tours at 5:30 p.m. All tours will depart from Pier 7 at Fort Trumbull State Park in New London.
Prices for the river tours will be $20 for adults, $15 for children ages 3 to 12 and active duty military, and $16 for seniors ages 65 and older.
Sunset tours will cost $23 for adults, $17 for children and military and $18 for seniors. Per-person group rates for 10 or more people are available at $15 for river tours and $18 for sunset tours.
Groton City Mayor Marian Galbraith said the tours, which add to regular water taxi service between Fort Trumbull, New London City Pier and Fort Griswold in Groton City, are possible because the taxi service now has a second vessel available.
Galbraith is chairwoman of the water taxi committee of the Thames River Heritage Park Foundation.
“This is a great opportunity to relax and to take in the sites on the Thames River that make New London and Groton one of America's greatest historical experiences,” she said.
During the daytime tours, passengers will travel upriver under the Gold Star Bridge and past the Coast Guard Academy, including water views of the country's first nuclear submarine, the USS Nautilus, and the Avery Copp House, Groton Monument, General Dynamics, Fort Trumbull, City Pier and Union Station in New London, Ledge Lighthouse and other attractions.
Evening cruisers will enjoy late summer sunsets over the river and Long Island Sound.
Passengers are invited to bring snacks and appetizers and beverages (though no glass, please).
There is no bathroom onboard, but a toilet is located in the building near the landing at Fort Trumbull.
A minimum number of 10 people is required for the tours to take place and prices are subject to change without notice.
Reservations are recommended and may be made online at by visiting www.trwtllc.com.
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