Thames River Heritage Park Announces Inaugural Norwich Harbor Glow Cruise

Thames River Heritage Park (TRHP) is heading upriver to Norwich for the first time with its inaugural Norwich Harbor Glow Cruise on Sunday, September 27, 2026.

Passengers will depart from New London’s City Pier and enjoy a narrated cruise along the Thames River, with a guide highlighting historic landmarks and other points of interest along the way. The boat will dock at the Marina at American Wharf, where passengers can explore the free, family-friendly Harbor Glow festival from 4 - 6 p.m.

Harbor Glow features illuminated hot-air balloons, live entertainment, food trucks, youth activities and interactive attractions. The popular community celebration showcases Norwich’s waterfront, supports local businesses, encourages tourism, and brings residents and visitors together in a vibrant public space.

The excursion is also an opportunity for TRHP to introduce passengers to Norwich and the local businesses that make the city worth visiting again. Through TRHP’s Ride & Save Program, participating Norwich businesses will provide exclusive offers to passengers who present their TRHP boat ticket. 

These special promotions will allow visitors to discover some of Norwich’s restaurants, shops and other local establishments during their visit and give them even more reasons to return. Additional information about participating Ride & Save businesses and their special passenger offers will be announced before the cruise. Following the festival, passengers will reboard the boat for a relaxing sunset cruise back to New London.

Cruise Details

• Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026

o Departure Location: City Pier, New London

o Departure Time: 2:45 p.m.

• Arrival at American Wharf: Approximately 3:45 p.m.

o Harbor Glow Festival: 4–6 p.m.

o Depart Norwich at 6:15pm & arrive in New London at 7:15pm

About Thames River Heritage Park:

Welcome to Thames River Heritage Park – a new kind of state park. One without boundaries. Thames River Heritage Park is a collection of over 25 national and historic sites along the shores of the Thames River – linked by a water taxi – that tells the stories that shaped our nation.