Waterford features beaches, boating and I-95 access
Waterford is home to historic suburban villages along miles of Long Island Sound beaches that also offer access to Interstate 95 and Southeastern Connecticut’s major military and corporate employers. Residents often head to neighboring New London to grab dinner or visit a local bar. “The nice thing about Waterford is the proximity to the boating and beaches,” says Gregory Hanner, a Waterford local for over 30 years and the broker and owner of Garden Realty. “There’s a Cape Cod feel as you walk from the parking lot up over a sand dune, and you're looking out at Long Island Sound, seeing the ferries, boat traffic, and submarines going by.”
Vibrant parklands and waterways spread across town
Locals can explore Harkness Memorial State Park, a massive nature preserve centered around a 1906-built Renaissance Revival mansion called Eolia. The park features vibrant lily beds, fishing areas on the Sound and marshlands where visitors can sometimes spot ospreys. Waterford Beach Park is the town’s main public beach for swimming and sunbathing in the summer months. Fishing and boating are popular at Pleasure Beach along the Niantic River, where folks can launch kayaks or catch vivid sunsets on Waterford's western shore. There's also a boat launch on the Thames River.
Quaker Hill and Jordan Village offer different kinds of curb appeal
Homes are priced from $200,000 to $1.5 million, varying by age, square footage and lot size. The Quaker Hill village revolves around Smith Cove in the northeast corner of town. The village is a historic district with several preserved homes dating back to the 18th century. American Craftsman homes from the 1920s and mid-19th-century farmhouses and postwar ramblers are also on the market. “Quaker Hill is at the north end of town; it’s definitely more rural up there,” says Hanner. “You’ve also got standout Jordan Village at the beginning of Great Neck Road, with the library, community center and town hall, and defined subdivisions and cul-de-sacs.” Jordan Village was the original town center of Waterford. It features a mix of condos and postwar bilevel and raised ranch-style homes, and it's home to the village’s original 19th-century Greek Revival buildings, including the First Baptist Church of Waterford.
Locals can grab brunch at When Pigs Fly Cafe or head to New London
Hartford Turnpike hosts retail centers like Waterford Commons, which has a Target and Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Crystal Mall, which features stores like Forever 21 and Kay Jewelers. Residents can grab groceries from Stop & Shop or Aldi along Boston Post Road. For dining, Hanner recommends When Pigs Fly Cafe, a quaint brunch spot along Rope Ferry Road. The New London Historic Waterfront District, just a few minutes east of Waterford, has a bustling corridor of bars and restaurants, including the Blue Duck Bar & Kitchen. It serves craft cocktails and pub grub inside and on its outdoor patio overlooking the Thames River.
Local events and entertainment around town
The Waterford Day Parade marches down Rope Ferry Road every August, and afterward, locals can gather at Jordan Village to hear live music and grab a bite from food trucks. Also during the summer is the Waterford Farmers Market, open on Saturday mornings from June through October. Folks can browse farm-fresh produce, plants and locally butchered meat. The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center is an award-winning performance venue that hosts different touring shows and national theater conferences throughout the year.
Waterford has its own public school system
Waterford Public Schools serve the town. Depending on a student’s address, they could start at either Oswegatchie Elementary or Quaker Hill Elementary, which both have B-plus ratings on Niche, or Great Neck Elementary, which has an A-minus rating. They can then advance to Clark Lane Middle, with a B-plus, and finish at the A-minus-rated Waterford High School. Some Connecticut schools, including Waterford High, offer scientific research-based interventions to develop learning and behavior plans for struggling students.
Proximity to Southeast Connecticut's major employers
Major regional employers are nearby, including Naval Submarine Base New London, which is 8 miles east, and the Pfizer headquarters, 9 miles east in Groton. The busy I-95 runs through Waterford, and locals can take it 52 miles east to T.F. Green Airport in Providence, Rhode Island. Bradley International Airport is 60 miles north. Both offer domestic and international flights. There’s also the New London Train Station, less than 4 miles east of home, so residents can take an Amtrak to major cities along the East Coast.
Written By
Maxwell Olarinde
