Thames River Heritage Park Blue Moon Cruise

Thames River Heritage Park Blue Moon Cruise sets sail from City Pier in New London on Sunday, May 31, offering passengers a rare chance to experience a full Blue Moon rising over the Thames River aboard a historic vessel. The nighttime cruise marks the unofficial start of the summer boating season along the southeastern Connecticut shoreline, pairing waterfront views, cool evening breezes, and moonlit scenery with one of the sky’s more unusual lunar events. As the moon rises above the river and casts silver reflections across the water, the cruise promises one of the weekend’s more atmospheric experiences on the shoreline.

Departing at 8:45 p.m., the evening excursion gives guests an opportunity to see New London’s waterfront from the water while taking in panoramic nighttime views of the harbor, lighthouse, and surrounding coastline. Organizers describe the cruise as a relaxing and visually striking experience designed around the calm pace of an evening on the river, making it especially appealing for couples, photographers, boating enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a quieter way to spend part of the holiday weekend.

The event is hosted by Thames River Heritage Park, an organization known for highlighting the maritime history, culture, and waterfront character of the Thames River region through seasonal cruises and heritage programming. With the combination of a historic vessel, a rare Blue Moon, and late-spring shoreline weather, the cruise offers a distinctly New England atmosphere that blends local history with the natural beauty of the Connecticut coast.