Located on the east bank of the Thames River, Groton is a historic maritime town and United States Navy submarine base. It was originally occupied by the Niantic people before being established as a town in 1705, taking its name from the English village of Groton in Suffolk.
Things to do in Groton
Set on the banks of the Thames River is the Submarine Force Library & Museum, which is home to the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus. Launched in 1955, it travelled under the polar ice cap to reach the North Pole during the Cold War. Also on display is a replica of the first submarine to be used in combat, the 1775-built Turtle, and salvaged parts of the USS NR-1.
One of the area’s most popular attractions is the Mystic Seaport Museum, which is home to more than 60 historic buildings, a working shipyard and a fleet of beautifully preserved vessels. Stroll through the 19th-century maritime village where antique maritime instruments are on display before watching casks being constructed at the cooperage. Also on site is a planetarium detailing how sailors used the stars for navigation.
Occupying more than 320 hectares between the Poquonnock River and Mumford Cove is Bluff Point State Park, which is a designated coastal reserve. Hiking trails wind their way through its woodlands to Bluff Point, from where you can view Fisher’s Island and the New London Ledge Lighthouse. The park is particularly renowned for its birdwatching, with more than 200 species recorded here.
Getting around Groton
Groton is around an hour’s drive from Hartford and just over an hour from Bradley International Airport, which has flights to destinations across North America. Buses connect to Groton and travel throughout the city while renting a car gives you greater freedom to explore.