Top 14 Attractions and Activities in Waterford, CT

The town of Waterford, named after the Irish city, is situated in New London County and occupies land surrounded on three sides by water.

Adjacent to Long Island Sound, the area features a rare natural beach, an elegant Renaissance Revival mansion set within formal gardens, and the O’Neill Theater Center, renowned as America’s leading organization dedicated to the nurturing of innovative theater works and emerging creative talents.

Waterford is strategically located east of New London, offering access to high-caliber attractions such as the Lyman Allyn Art Museum.

On the southwestern edge of Waterford lies Mago Point, a quaint waterfront community characterized by a cluster of maritime businesses and serving as the departure point for numerous deep-sea fishing excursions.

Let us now delve into the premier attractions and activities in and around Waterford, Connecticut:

1. Waterford Beach Park

A distinctive feature of this quarter-mile beach along Long Island Sound is its untouched natural state, unlike many artificial beaches along the Connecticut coastline.

Located in an undeveloped area, it boasts some of the most well-preserved dunes in the state alongside a section of tidal marsh.

Lifeguards are present at Waterford Beach Park from June through September, and the beach is equipped with wooden walkways, restrooms, and a picnic area.

As is common in Connecticut, non-residents are subject to higher parking rates ($20 on weekdays, $30 on weekends).

2. Harkness Memorial State Park

The esteemed philanthropists Edward and Mary Harkness established their summer residence, Eolia (translated as the island home of the Greek God of winds), on a waterfront site in Waterford in 1907.

This magnificent Renaissance Revival mansion comprises 42 rooms and is set within over 230 acres of grounds, featuring greenhouses and meticulously designed formal gardens by renowned landscape architect Beatrix Farrand from 1918 to 1928. The estate was converted into a state park in 1950, open for guided tours on weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

The exterior features an exquisite Alpine Garden, while the waterfront offers a sandy beach for fishing or beachcombing activities; however, swimming is prohibited.

3. Eugene O’Neill Theater Center

This prominent not-for-profit theater organization has been honored with two Tony Awards and the 2015 National Medal of Arts, presented by President Obama.

Established in 1964 and named in homage to the Nobel Prize-winning playwright Eugene O’Neill, the center has significantly influenced American theater. It pioneered concepts such as staged readings and early play development for new works.

Thousands of artists have participated, with more than 1,000 new productions launched here, often heading towards Broadway.

Among its premier programs are the National Theater Music Conference, the National Playwrights Conference, the National Puppetry Conference, the National Critics Institute, and the Cabaret & Performance Conference along with the National Theater Institute.

Located at Waterford Beach Park, the center provides two indoor and two outdoor performance venues.

Attendees can experience the rudimentary elements of new, high-quality performance art in an intimate atmosphere, with no costumes or elaborate sets.

The O’Neill also preserves Eugene O’Neill’s childhood residence, the Monte Cristo Cottage, located in New London.

4. Connecticut College Arboretum

Spanning over 750 acres alongside the grounds of Connecticut College, this arboretum serves as a living classroom for the college’s programs in botany, environmental studies, and biological sciences.

Notable areas include the Native Plant Collection, Campus Landscape, Caroline Black Garden, and the Greenhouse, all complemented by expansive natural environments.

The Native Plant Collection, established in 1931 on 20 acres, features azaleas, mountain laurel, wildflowers, conifers, and ferns.

The campus encompasses over 223 species of shrubs while the Caroline Black Garden showcases mature ornamental trees from diverse global origins.

Additionally, the Greenhouse presents a variety of cacti, a tropical collection, and experimentation zones.

5. Mago Point

Mago Point exhibits a charming maritime ambiance along the Niantic River, where local establishments such as seafood restaurants, a boat dealership, and various fishing charter companies populate the waterfront.

On the northern side of the headland is the family-operated Mago Point Marina, which is adjacent to The Dock.

This quintessential New England fish market offers comfort food staples, including lobster rolls and deep-fried platters.

Continuing along, one encounters Sunset Landing, which emphasizes sustainable dining, providing vegan options and non-GMO, grass-fed beef, all while boasting stunning views of Long Island Sound.

6. Fishing Charters

The waters of Long Island Sound off Waterford present an ideal setting for deep-sea fishing, particularly for those aiming to catch significant striped bass, bluefish, bonitos, blackfish, and bream.

Indeed, the majority of maritime enterprises situated at Mago Point are dedicated to fishing charters, ranging from operations with large crews and fleets to individual boat owners.

As of summer 2019, five charter companies were based here, with Sunbeam Fleet noted for its professional onboard setup and well-informed, attentive crew.

The crew is available to offer assistance in enhancing fishing skills while serving snacks and beverages.

Notable mentions include Mijoy 747, Dot-E-Dee, and Petrel Fishing Charters.

7. Ocean Beach Park

Located just across the border in New London, this beach has recently been acknowledged as one of the premier beaches nationwide by National Geographic.

The primary attraction is undoubtedly the soft, sugar-white sand alongside the scenic boardwalk that complements the shoreline.

However, Ocean Beach Park offers much more than simply a beach experience.

Visitors can swim in the Olympic-sized pool, enjoy a health club, food court, café, and picnic area.

Additionally, the park features amusement rides, water slides, a mini-golf course, and an arcade with a variety of retro games.

Patrons can also partake in a kayaking tour of Alewife Cove offered by New England Science and Sailing. Evening events include concerts, outdoor movie screenings, classic car nights, and fireworks displays.

8. Fort Trumbull State Park

Constructed to protect New London Harbor, Fort Trumbull was initially established in 1770 and captured by Benedict Arnold’s forces in 1781. The existing structure was built between 1839 and 1852 and is part of the Third System, which included 42 coastal defenses developed during that era.

The fort maintained military operations until 1996 and served as the base for the Naval Underwater Sound Laboratory during the post-war period.

Regarded as a masterpiece of defense architecture, Fort Trumbull is distinguished by its Egyptian Revival design.

The site is open to the public from Memorial Day to Labor Day, featuring interpretative panels, original cannons on display, and opportunities to explore recreated 19th-century living quarters along with exhibits detailing the fort’s history.

9. Niantic Bay Boardwalk

Crossing the Niantic River into East Lyme, visitors can stroll along one of the state’s most picturesque waterfront promenades.

The boardwalk stretches just over a mile, extending from the railroad bridge and Cini Park in the east to Hole-in-the-Wall Beach in the west.

This slightly elevated path traverses dunes at its eastern end, providing breathtaking views of Long Island Sound.

The eastern section features a genuine wooden boardwalk that provides access to another beautiful sandy beach, while the western segment consists of a gravel path that meanders over rocky areas lapped by the waters of Long Island Sound.

With a bit of luck, visitors may spot seals in Niantic Bay.

10. Lyman Allyn Art Museum

Established through the generosity of Harriet Upson Allyn and named in tribute to her father, a prosperous shipping merchant, the Lyman Allyn Museum resides in a striking Neoclassical building that was inaugurated in 1932. Its extensive collection, which includes over 17,000 pieces, encompasses American decorative and fine art, as well as European and non-Western art from Africa, the Americas, and Asia.

The museum provides a comprehensive examination of American painting, spanning from the Hudson River School through to Impressionism.

Within the European collection, visitors will encounter works by celebrated artists such as Ingres, Charles LeBrun, Poussin, and François Boucher.

A compelling continuous exhibition highlights the connections between Louis Comfort Tiffany and New London, while the American Perspectives exhibition showcases American art from colonial times to the 20th century, viewed through the lens of Connecticut and New London County.

For younger visitors, the museum offers Playthings of the Past, featuring hands-on books, dolls, and games from various cultures and eras.

11. Lighthouse Cruises

The numerous islands and reefs off the coast of New London necessitate a comprehensive network of lighthouses to facilitate safe navigation.

Some of these beacons date back over 200 years, including the New London Harbor Light, established in 1801, which stands as Connecticut’s oldest and tallest lighthouse.

Departing from the docks on Ferry Street in New London, Cross Sound Ferry operates a summer cruise schedule featuring lighthouse tours aboard high-speed catamarans.

The Classic Lighthouse Cruise lasts around two hours, offering picturesque views of eight lighthouses, including the impressive New London Ledge Lighthouse, designed to resemble a French Second Empire mansion.

For those seeking a different perspective, the Lights & Sights Cruise not only covers lighthouses but also offers glimpses of the opulent waterfront residences between Watch Hill, RI, and Fishers Island, NY.

The cruise schedule runs from May to October, with daily departures in July and August.

12. Children’s Museum of Southeastern Connecticut

Located in Old Lyme, this interactive museum for children is designed to stimulate interest in diverse cultures, arts, health, and science.

Visitors can explore three primary play areas: The Discovery Room, which features a scientific theme with various hands-on stations including microscopes, a magnet wall, a pipe organ, live animal exhibits, a train table, and artistic expression opportunities at the Creation Station.

The Imagination Room is a spacious indoor playground where children can construct with foam blocks, navigate obstacles, and engage in role-play scenarios reminiscent of fire stations, seaside villages, and multicultural markets.

Outdoor activities are abundant, with playscapes, a climbing wall, a zip-line, a dig pit, a toddler area, and a water table, among others.

13. Regal Waterford 9

A superb option for date nights, Regal Waterford 9 recently underwent renovations and has garnered significant praise for its assigned seating and comfortable reclining chairs, akin to those found in your own living area.

The seating arrangement allows for ample space, alleviating concerns about disturbances from people navigating the aisles.

Snack trays that retract from the armrest provide convenient access to refreshments.

As of 2019, a ticket for a new release on a Friday evening was reasonably priced at $13, although concessions incur additional costs.

14. Crystal Mall

Located off the Hartford Turnpike in Waterford, Crystal Mall ranks among the top ten largest shopping centers in Connecticut.

When it opened in 1984, it was the area’s sole regional mall and has undergone several renovations since.

The mall features more than 100 stores and services, including renowned national and international retailers such as American Eagle, H&M, GameStop, JCPenney, Macy’s, Old Navy, Victoria’s Secret, Hot Topic, Rue 21, and Bed Bath & Beyond.

For dining options, visitors can choose from popular chains such as Buffalo Wild Wings, Olive Garden, Dunkin’, Pizza Hut, Subway, and Taco Bell.

Directly across the Hartford Turnpike is Waterford Commons, a smaller shopping area featuring Best Buy, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Five Below, Yankee Candle, and a selection of eateries.