Steal away to New London. It's small and diverse, with fresh seafood, Ocean Beach, and cozy cafes. Special events are held summer Saturdays on Waterfront Park, just steps away from New London rail station.

All boat tickets include admission to the Custom House Maritime Museum ($5 value) and a 10% discount in the Museum Shop.

​We won! Our tours won Y ankee Magazine's 2014  Editors Choice Best of New England Award for ' Best Lighthouse Tours'!  

Below:   Boat Schedule
             Overnight Packages
            Events Calendar 
            Be Part of Something BIG pin


About NL HarborcamCalendarRentalLighthousesLibraryNewsAmistadEducation

Boat Schedule  -  S entinels on the Sound  July through October 2014

Order all tickets online at   Brown Paper Tickets
Go to  brownpapertickets.com , search 'New London Lighthouse' and our 6 different tours & various special events will pop up.  Click on the tour/event you are looking for.
Choose the date & time from the left drop-down menu.
Book your tickets!  There is 24/7 Customer Service at 1-800-838-3006. 
One hundred percent of all monies raised go to the Lighthouse Restoration Fund.

All trips (except Ledge Light and Plum Island) originate, for sign-in purposes, at the Custom House Maritime Museum in downtown New London. Call: 860-447-8700 with questions. 
Day-of sales,  only,  are in person at the Custom House or by phone: 860-447-8700.
Cancellations accepted only with 24-hour notice.








































Overnight Packages -- we have two different plans

Lighthouse Weekend Overnight Packages are available July through October.

1.) The Big House Bed & Breakfast, 17 Granite Street, in downtown New    London,   
      Call:  860-439-0464 .  An overnight package for two includes:

~One night in the master bedroom at The Big House (breakfast included)

~Two lighthouse boat trips ($70 value)

~10% discount on dinner for two at one of five downtown restaurants

~10% discount on purchases at the Custom House Museum Shop

~free admission for two to the Custom House Maritime Museum ($10 value)

The total value of these items is greater than $200, but they may be purchased together as a package for $155. 

Remember:  Shore Line East runs trains to-and-from New London every weekend!

2.) Saybrook Point Inn & Spa -  Lighthouse Stay and Tour Package
      Call:  860.395.2000    Two Bridge Street, Old Saybrook CT 06475,  
Saybrook Point Inn & Spa is now offering a new and unique lighthouse getaway package that affords guests the opportunity to experience breathtaking views of Long Island Sound, as well as tour of some of Connecticut’s most storied lighthouses. With rates starting at $529, the  Lighthouse Stay & Tour package  includes luxurious overnight accommodations in the Lighthouse Suite (also available in all room types) along with a full breakfast at  Fresh Salt  (up to $20 per person). In addition, guests will enjoy exciting tours of some of the most unique lighthouse in Connecticut, including New London Harbor Light, Ledge Light, Little Gull Light, North Dumpling Island Light, Race Rock Lighthouse, and Plum Island Light as part of the  New London Maritime Society’s  Sentinels on the Sound,   an annual celebration of New London’s lighthouse heritage.

                                                   The Lighthouse Stay & Tour package at Saybrook Point Inn & Spa will be  
                                                   available on Saturdays’ only, beginning Saturday, July 6th through Saturday, 
                                                   October 25th and may be purchased by calling  860.395.2000.   Boats for the 
                                                   lighthouse tours depart from New London, tickets are not included in package 
                                                   price ($35 per person). Book tours through  brownpapertickets.com , search 
                                                   'New London lighthouse'.

B e Part of Something BIG Lighthouse Pin.   For sale at the Custom House beginning July 1, 2014.

Purchase an  I'm Part of Something BIG  pin at the Custom House Museum Shop for $10 donation, beginning July 1. Pin wearers may partake of the following discounts at businesses in downtown New London on weekends, July through October, 2014. All money for the pin goes to our Lighthouse Restoration Fund.

Barry's Ice Cream and Candy  - 10% off the purchase of Ice Cream or Candy
Bean & Leaf  - 10% off Purchase
Carribean Cuisine In-n-Out  - 10% off Purchase
Chaplins  - 10% off Purchase
Copperwood Grill  - 25% off Total Purchase of dinner or drinks
Custom House Museum Shop  - 10% off purchases (not to be combined with other discounts) 
Daddy Jacks  - 10% off Purchase
Dickson's Tavern  - 3 Headed Pirate Pants cocktail for $5
Flavours of Life  - Free small soapstone heart hand carved in Kenya with a $25 purchase
Mangetout  - Free cookie or bar with lunch purchase
Muddy Waters  - Free small coffee with lunch purchase
Nearly You Wigs  - 20% off Purchase
Northern Light Jewelry  - 50% off Whale Tail Jewelry
Steaming Kettle  - 10% off Purchase
Studio 33  - free lighthouse car magnet with a purchase of $20
Sweeties Bakery  - 10% off Purchase
with more offers to come

1.)  Lighthouse Harbor Tours
every Saturday & Sunday, 11 AM, 12 NOON, 1, 2 & 3PM. $35. Children ages 6 to 12 $25 donation. 
Book tickets online at  www.brownpapertickets.com , search 'New London lighthouse'. This year, we offer boat trips during SailFest: July 11, 12, 13! Small work boat carries six passengers and leaves from the Custom House Pier. Meet at the Custom House 15 minutes prior to departure.

2.)  New London Ledge Light Tour 
offered every-other Saturday, July 5, 19 , August 2, 16, 30, September 13, 27. 2:30 PM. 2 1/2-hours. $35 donation. Children ages 6 to 12 $25 donation. 
Book tickets online at  www.brownpapertickets.com , search 'New London lighthouse'. Project 'O' boat carries 50 passengers and leaves from New London's City Pier.

3.)  Night-Time Lighthouse Tours .     Ended for the season.

4.)  Sunset Lighthouse Tours.   Monday, Sept 8, Tuesday, Sept 7 PM  

5.)  Full-Moon Lighthouse Tours     
September 8 & 9. 8:30 PM. $35 donation. 
Children ages 6 to 12 $25. Book tickets online at  www.brownpapertickets.com , search 'New London lighthouse'. Small boat carries six passengers and leaves from the Custom House Pier. Meet at the Custom House 15 minutes prior to departure.

6.)  Plum Island Tours    -   All trips SOLD OUT - as of July 7
Friday July 25, Friday August 15, Friday September 12, Monday September 29, Tuesday October 7, & Thursday October 9. 7 AM to 4 PM. $35 donation.  
Visit a naturally beautiful, historically secretive location. The tour encompasses the entire 840 acre island, including visiting Fort Terry (est. 1897). Lunch is included! 
Book tickets online at  www.brownpapertickets.com , search 'Plum Island'. Guests meet at the Old Saybrook One Harbor at 7 AM for the ferry. A federal background check must be completed, please sign up 30 days in advance.  NEW: Cameras and cell phones are permitted on the island, but photos may only be snapped at certain locations! With the fate of Plum Island in the air, it is important to visit and see the island for oneself!

7.)  Fishers Island Excursion   -  SOLD OUT
Saturday, August 16, 30. 10 AM to 2 PM. $60 donation.
​Excursion to Fishers Island to view  Coming and Going - A History of Transportation to Fishers Island  exhibition, curated by Pierce Raffertyl at the Henry L. Ferguson Museum, with lunch at the Pequot Inn. Taking the Fishers Island Ferry from New London. $60 donation. Book tickets  HERE .  Limited to 15.  NEW

8.) Really BIG - Celebration Cruise of New London's Lighthouse Heritage
Thursday, October 2, 10 AM to 3 PM, $80  
Be part of something BIG - come celebrate the successful restoration of the oldest and tallest lighthouse on the Sound!
To mark completion of the Phase I restoration of New London Harbor Light, we're taking a late-summer, five-hour lighthouse cruise!
There is great diversity of lighthouses just off our shores.
Join New London Maritime Society on Thursday, October 2, from 10 AM to 3 PM, for a narrated cruise out of Niantic past Little Gull, Orient Point, Race Rock, Plum Island, Little Dumpling, Ledge Light, New London Harbor Light, Avery Point, and possibly Noank and Latimers Lights.
A delicious lunch is included. It's $80 per ticket. 
      THANK YOU for a great
       2014 Sentinels on the Sound!
       We've had a great run this summer. 

Read about New London & our tours in  ProJo
the  Globe ,  the  New York Times , &  Gothamist !

​      NLMS 31st Annual Meeting takes place Sunday, November 9, at 2 PM. 


       Events Calendar  - August 2014  
           Lighthouse Boat trips are in  NAVY
           Hot links are in  LIGHT BLUE
           House Maritime Museum events are in   TURQUOISE
           Additional great events in the area are in   GREEN 


  • Saturday August 2
          Lighthouse Harbor Tours,  11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM  $35  - space available most tours
           Shennecossett Yacht Club Lighthouse Regatta.  FREE
          Ledge Lighthouse tour ,  2 1/2 hours, 2:30 PM $35  - Sold Out
          Sunset Lighthouse Tour, 55 minute $35     NEW            
          Night Time Lighthouse Tour,  55 minutes, 9 PM, $35  NEW


  • Sunday August 3
          Lighthouse Harbor Tours,  11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM  $35  - space available most tours


                                              John Roberts Concert, 2 PM --  FREE   sponsored by Veolia Water -
                                                       NL Water Authority  at the Custom House Maritime Museum.




  • Friday August 8 
           Sunset Lighthouse Tour , 7:30 PM. $35 -  New
          Full-Moon Lighthouse Tour. 9 PM.   SOLD OUT

  • Saturday August 9
          Lighthouse Harbor Tours , 11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM     $35  -  2 at 11 AM, 4 at noon, 1 at 1 PM, 2 at 2PM , 3 PM filled.

                                            Nimble Arts Circus juggling workshop 2-3 PM, fee $15       
                                          brownpapertickets.com

                                          Nimble Arts Circus - two free performances on Parade Plaza at 4 & 
                                          6:30 PM --  performances are FREE sponsored by NLMS (us!), the 
                                          CIty of New London, & Veolia Water -  NL Water Authority
​          Sunset Lighthouse Tour,  7:30 PM. $35 -  NEW  2 spaces available
         Full-Moon Lighthouse Tour. 9 PM. $35  - SOLD OUT

  • Sunday August 10
          Lighthouse Harbor Tours , 11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM  $35 - spaces available all tours
          Sunset Lighthouse Tour,  7:30 PM. $35 -  NEW  6 spaces open
         Full-Moon Lighthouse Tour. 9 PM. $35  - Sold Out

  • ​ Friday August 15
           Plum Island Tour, 7 AM $35 -  Sold Out

  • Saturday August 16
                                       Fishers Island Excursion  10 AM to 2 PM. $60  - space available
                                      Excursion to Fishers Island to view  Coming and Going  exhibition 
                                      with lunch at the Pequot Inn. 10 AM to 2 PM. Taking the Fishers island 
                                      Ferry from New London. $60. Limited to 15.  


          Lighthouse Harbor Tours,  11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM  $35  - space available most tours
          Ledge Lighthouse tour , 2 1/2 hours, 2:30 PM  $35  - space available
          Sunset Lighthouse Tour , 7:30 PM, $35 -  NEW
         Night-Time Lighthouse Tour, 9 PM, $35 -  SOLD OUT

  • Sunday August 17
          Lighthouse Harbor Tours , 11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM  $35  - space available most tours
​ 
                                         John P Holland, Irish-born 'Father of the Modern Submarine', with 
                                       Jim Gallagher, 2 PM. The 100th anniversary of the death of John P. 
                                       Holland, "Father of the Modern Submarine", who died on August 12, 
                                       1914, will be recognized by the John P. Holland Division of the Ancient 
                                       Order of Hibernians (AOH) at New London Maritime Museum.
                                       Tickets  www.brownpapertickets.com , search 'submarine'. $12,  
                                       $8 NLMS, AOH  members.




  • Saturday August 23
          Lighthouse Harbor Tours,  11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM  $35 -  space available most tours

          175th Anniversary Sail on the Amistad , 1 to 4 PM. Free for NL residents, $30 all others.

         Sunset Lighthouse Tours ,7:30 PM, $35 -  NEW
          Night-Time Lighthouse Tour,  9 PM, $35 -  one  seat left

  • Sunday August 24
          Lighthouse Harbor Tours , 11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM  $35 -  space available most tours

         175th Anniversary Sail  on the Amistad, 1 to 4 PM. Free for NL residents.    

​                             just added  -   Book Talk  The History of Plum Island ,  2 PM   $12, $10 members
                            Few islands are as little known or as misunderstood as Plum Island, New York. 
                            Over time, the unfamiliarity with Plum Island has given rise to legends and tall 
                            tales. But, the facts are even more fascinating than the folklore. Now, for the 
                            first time, the history of Plum Island has been collected and made available to 
                            readers. This book is intended to let Plum Island tell its own story and reveal 
                            the many previously undocumented realities and personalities that have 
                            combined to define it--and the forces now at work toward directing its future.

                            Ruth Ann Bramson, Ph.D. is a retired university professor who splits her time 
                            between Boston, Massachusetts and East Marion, New York. Regularly 
                            passing Plum Island by ferry, she developed a curiosity about the island and 
                            began researching and lecturing about its history. She is the author, along with 
                            Geoffrey Fleming and Amy Folk, of this new book.
​  

  • Monday, August 25  
           Commemoration of the 175th Anniversary of  La Amistad's  Coming to New London, 6 PM    
                          Please join Amistad America and New London Maritime Society on the Amistad 
                          Pier in New London to commemorate this important anniversary and turning point 
                          in the history of  human rights.  FREE.



  • Saturday August 30
          Excursion to Fishers Island  to view  Coming and Going  exhibition with lunch at the 
             Pequot Inn. 10 AM to 2 PM. Taking the Fishers Island Ferry from New London. $60 
             Limited to 15. 
         Fishers Island Excursion 10 AM to 2 PM. $60  -  SOLD OUT
          Lighthouse Harbor Tours , 11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM  $35  - space available most tours
          Ledge Lighthouse tour,  2 1/2 hours, 2:30 PM  $35  -  SOLD OUT

  • Sunday August 31
          Lighthouse Harbor Tours , 11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM  $35  - space available most tours
​          Labor Day Concert at Ft. Trumbull , 3 PM FREE
         


 Events Calendar September - October 2014  
 every weekend  Fun,friendly Lighthouse Harbor Tours:  11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM $35​

     Lighthouse Boat trips are in  NAVY
     Hot links are in  LIGHT BLUE
     Custom House Maritime Museum events are in   TURQUOISE
     Other great events in the area are in   GREEN 


  • Saturday September 6
              Lighthouse Harbor Tours ,  11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM $35

  • Sunday, September 7
​                 Lighthouse Harbor Tours ,  11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM $35



  • Monday, September 8
             Sunset Lighthouse Tour,  7:30 PM. $35 - New
             Full-Moon Lighthouse Tour.  9 PM- New

  •   Tuesday, September 9
            Sunset Lighthouse Tour,  7:30 PM. $35 - New
            Full-Moon Lighthouse Tour . 9 PM- New
​ 

  •   Friday September 12
            ​ Plum Island Tour, 7 AM $35  -  Sold Out

  • Saturday September 13
              Lighthouse Harbor Tours , 11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM $35  
             Ledge Lighthouse tour , 2 1/2 hours, 2:30 PM $35   Sold Out

                           Join  Cetacean Society International,  an all-volunteer, non-profit conservation,
                          education and research organization working on behalf of cetaceans
                          (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and their marine environment, for a 
                          spectacular evening to celebrate our beautiful wild oceans and the species 
                          they work to protect. Hosted by the Custom House Maritime Museum, this will be
                          an entertaining night full of fashion, arts, culture and awareness in support of 
                          cetaceans across the globe. 

                          Come early for our VIP cocktail hour, at 6:30pm, and enjoy complimentary wine 
                          and hors d'ouevres, live music and mingle with members of CSI's board of       
                          directors.  General admission begins at 7:30pm; the show begins at 8pm sharp. 

  •   Sunday September 14
             Lighthouse Harbor Tours , 11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM $35 ​ 


  • ​ Saturday September 20
             Lighthouse Harbor Tours , 11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM $35

  •   Sunday September 21
             Lighthouse Harbor Tours , 11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM $35 ​ 

            225th Anniversary Celebration of the U.S. Customs Service, 2 PM. free
                             Celebrate the beginnings and history of U.S. Customs and Border Protection
                            in a 225th Anniversary Presentation  “Celebrating our History, Building 
                            our Future.”
                            Join U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) employees for an overview of 
                            our history, and the legacy agencies that make up CBP today. Many buildings 
                            and artifacts from the original U.S. Customs Service, the oldest of our legacy 
                            Federal agencies, can be found in the six states of the Boston Field Office.  
                            New England encompasses some of our agency’s deepest roots.
                            From the passing of the Fifth Act of the First U.S. Congress on July 31, 1789, 
                            and the creation of a field organization of Customs collection districts, to our 
                            modern day ‘Post 9/11’ world, the original U.S. Customs Service and legacy 
                            agencies have changed with the times. 
                            A short video, historical items, and an overview of CBP today will be presented.


  • Thursday, September 25
  • ​ Plum Island Tour, 7 AM $35 - Sold Out

                                       Created Equal Film Series & discussion, 6:30 PM  at PLNL                                      Join  Lonnie Braxton  for the 4th installment in the  Created Equal Film 
                                     Series  for a discussion of  The Loving Story  - at Public Library of New 
                                     London. FREE.



  • Saturday September 27
            Lighthouse Harbor Tours , 11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM $35
             Ledge Lighthouse tour,  2 1/2 hours, 2:30 PM $35

  • Sunday September 28
           Lighthouse Harbor Tours , 11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM $35

                        A Sign of Freedom from Signs of History, 2 PM
                       Historical interpreter  Kim A. Silva  will discuss the leader of the Amistad known as 
                       Sengbe Pieh, Joseph Cinque and the 'Black Prince', who drew his strength from 
                       his Mende culture, storytelling and mime. In antebellum America how did this 
                       African pirate, who spoke no English, prevail in three courts of law, and capture  
                       interest and sympathy of the American public? How and why did the Amistad 
                       Africans' tours to raise funds for their journey home become a catalyst for the Civil 
                       War?

                       Learn about the interconnected history between Farmington and the American 
                       School for the Deaf during the Amistad Affair.  
                       A presentation of Connecticut Freedom Trail Month. 


  •    Monday September 29 
          ​ Plum Island Tour, 7 AM $35 -  Sold Out

  •    Thursday October 2 - NEW
                           Really BIG - Celebration Cruise of New London's Lighthouse Heritage
                           Thursday, October 2, 10 AM to 3 PM, $80 -- NEW
                           Be part of something BIG - come celebrate the successful restoration of 
                           the oldest and tallest lighthouse on the Sound!
                            To mark completion of the Phase I restoration of New London Harbor Light, 
                           we're taking a late-summer, five-hour lighthouse cruise!

                          There is great diversity of lighthouses just off our shores.
                          Join New London Maritime Society on Thursday, October 2, 10 AM to 3 PM, 
                          for a narrated cruise from Niantic past Little Gull, Orient Point, Race Rock, Plum 
                          Island, Little Dumpling, Ledge Light, New London Harbor Light, Avery Point, and 
                          possibly Noank and Latimers Lights.

                          A delicious lunch is included. It's $80 per ticket. 

  •    Saturday October 4
            Lighthouse Harbor Tours , 11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM $35

  •    Sunday October 5
            Lighthouse Harbor Tours , 11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM $35

  •    Tuesday October 7 
​           Plum Island Tour, 7 AM $35 -  Sold Out

  •    Thursday October 9  
         ​​  Plum Island Tour, 7 AM $35 -  Sold Out

  •   Saturday October 11
            Lighthouse Harbor Tours , 11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM $35

  • Sunday October 12
           Lighthouse Harbor Tours , 11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM $35 ​ 

             Open House  at New London Harbor Light -  10 AM to 3 PM. -  FILLED


  • ​Sunday October 19
             Lighthouse Harbor Tours , 11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM $35 ​ 


  •   Saturday October 25
             Lighthouse Harbor Tours , 11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM $35

  •   ​Sunday October 26
             Lighthouse Harbor Tours , 11 AM, 12 noon, 1, 2, 3 PM $35

Scroll below to see what we did earlier this summer.

                                                         See you next summer!