Fort Trumbull State Park

Across the river from Fort Griswold on the New London side, Fort Trumbull State Park (90 Walbach St., 860/444-7591, www.ct.gov/dep, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Wed.–Sun. mid-May–Columbus Day; grounds open 8 a.m.–sunset daily year-round, $12 adults, $5 children 6–17, free children under 5) is the site of a later fort built after the War of 1812 to help defend the U.S. Coastline. Tours explore the interior, which incorporates unique Egyptian Revival features into its design.

Hygienic Gallery

At the center of New London’s artistic community is the Hygienic Gallery (83 Bank St., 860/443-8001, www.hygienicart.com), a cooperatively owned gallery that frequently pushes the bounds of what could be considered art. The gallery was started as an art show in the 24-hour Hygienic Restaurant in 1979. Though the restaurant eventually died, the art didn’t, and the co-op took over the space, a stunning 1919 diner with checkerboard floors, in 1985. During its renovations, the co-op also installed a sculpture gallery in a next-door vacant lot, where it sponsors a zany “bacchanalia” fund-raiser each spring.