About this Location

Facility Overview

The parking area at 390 Thames Street is an outdoor surface parking lot situated in the historic waterfront district of the City of Groton, Connecticut. Positioned directly along the eastern shoreline of the scenic Thames River, this open-air facility features a simple layout that allows for swift maneuvering, easy pull-in, and uncomplicated departure. Because there are no overhead structures, low ceilings, or tight parking decks, this facility offers unrestricted vertical clearance, making it suitable for standard passenger sedans, crossover SUVs, full-size pickup trucks, cargo vans, and work vehicles frequenting the nearby marine industrial and residential areas.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Located on the central spine of Groton\'s Thames Street corridor, this parking location provides direct access to both historic landmarks and maritime destinations:

Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park: Located just a 5 to 8-minute walk uphill via Baker Avenue or Slocomb Terrace, visitors can explore the Revolutionary War battlefield, museum, and the historic Groton Monument offering panoramic river views.
Thames River Waterfront & Water Taxi: Steps away from the waterfront promenade and seasonal water taxi docks connecting Groton directly across the river to downtown New London, City Pier, and regional ferry terminals.
Local Dining & Cafes: Short walking distance to iconic neighborhood eateries such as Paul\'s Pasta Shop (less than 5 minutes north) and nearby waterfront seafood dining.
General Dynamics Electric Boat: Positioned conveniently just north of the major Electric Boat facilities and shipyard gates along Eastern Point Road and Thames Street, making it a handy staging location for maritime contractors and visitors.
Downtown New London Waterfront District: Easily reached in approximately 10 minutes by car via the Gold Star Memorial Bridge (I-95/US Route 1) or via the local water taxi service in season.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The facility benefits from a direct curb cut on Thames Street, allowing smooth ingress and egress even during commuter rush hours. Thames Street links directly to Bridge Street and Route 349 (Eastern Point Road / Groton Bypass), providing fast, direct connections to Interstate 95 (Exits 85 and 87) and US Route 1. Public transit travelers can access Southeast Area Transit (SEAT) local bus lines serving Groton and connecting into the New London Union Station transit hub (Amtrak, Shore Line East commuter rail, and Cross Sound Ferry).

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-air surface parking with unrestricted overhead clearance for high-roof vans, SUVs, and trucks
Direct, street-level pedestrian access to the Thames Street sidewalk network
Proximity to historic sites, riverfront paths, and neighborhood dining
Paved surface layout with standard bay markings
Straightforward road egress toward I-95 and Route 349

Ideal For

History enthusiasts and tourists visiting Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park and the Groton Monument
Patrons dining at local Thames Street waterfront bistros and neighborhood restaurants
Commuters and contractors visiting the Thames River maritime district and nearby naval engineering offices
Sightseers taking the seasonal cross-river water taxi between Groton and New London

Visitor & Driver Tips

Event & Weekend Timing: Summer weekends and patriotic holiday celebrations at Fort Griswold draw increased visitor traffic; arriving earlier in the morning guarantees prime space.
Headroom Freedom: Drivers with roof carriers, ladder racks, or tall work vans can park comfortably without garage height limitations.
Crossing the River: If you are heading across to New London for events or rail connections, consider checking seasonal Thames River Heritage Park water taxi schedules for a scenic shortcut across the river.