Attractions
New London has a thriving entertainment and dining scene, much of it found in our quaint downtown. And the internationally famous village of Mystic is just minutes from campus. Below are just a few or the options available in the area!
Area Galleries, Museums, Theaters
If you’re looking for art, Hygienic Gallery and Lyman Allyn Art Gallery are great destinations. Catch a performance by the Flock Theater, or at the Garde Arts Center or Eugene O’Neill Theater. Don’t overlook the Custom House Maritime Museum, Expressiones Cultural Center or Hispanic Alliance downtown, and the Florence Griswold Museum and Wadsworth Atheneum farther afield. Take in a movie: there are two movie theater complexes just 10 minutes from campus.
Concert Venues
The U.S. Coast Guard Band offers concerts that are free and open to the public during the academic year. The Garde Arts Center, home to the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, has a full range of concerts. The Katharine Hepburn Culture Arts Center, known as "The Kate," in Hepburn's beloved Old Saybrook, also offers eclectic musical programming. Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun bring the world's most popular acts to the area. (Can you say Beyonce?)
Shopping
Great malls and freestanding retail stores abound in New London. The eclectic and specialty shops downtown include a fair trade store, Flavours of Life. The New London Mall, Target, and Waterford Commons are all about five minutes away.
Hangouts and Outdoor Recreation
Cool coffee shops like Washington Street Coffee House and Muddy Waters are popular stops downtown. Ocean Beach Park is a popular beach and boardwalk area. Other outdoor draws are Mystic Seaport, the Connecticut College Arboretum, Fort Trumbull State Park and nearby Harkness Memorial State Park.
Worship Service
New London and the surrounding community offer many places of worship. The Connecticut College Office of Religious and Spiritual Programs is a great resource for discovering religious services and gatherings on and off campus.
Annual Area Events
New London's Historic Waterfront District is the hub of creative energy that gives the city its Top Ten rating among creative communities of its size in America. Visit https://visitnewlondon.org/ for upcoming events, shopping, arts and culture and more.
Some annual area events include:
Fall Food Stroll
Put on by the local non-profit organization New London Main Street, this October event introduces community members and visitors alike to the delights of local restaurants and businesses. For the price of a badge, participants can stroll though town sampling specialties at nearly every restaurant and enjoy discount shopping at local stores.
Salon des Independants
January: The annual Hygienic Art Exhibition is New London’s outsider art event, open to all artists with no judge, no jury, no fees and no censorship.
Spring Food Stroll
April: Like its fall counterpart, the Spring Food Stroll organized by New London Main Street promotes local restaurants and businesses. For the price of a badge, participants can sample local fare and receive discounts at New London businesses.