So, hundreds of Electric Boat employees are crossing the Thames to work at the former Pfizer headquarters in New London. Welcome. We know this is a big step for a lot of you, given how many folks living or working on one side of the river never get around to visiting the other. So we thought it might be helpful if we gave you a few pointers about life in "the hip little city." (Others might find it helpful, too.)

BIRTHPLACE OF THE GRINDER

Now that you're going to be lunching in New London, you should know that the city lays claim to being the birthplace of the grinder. You should also know that at least half a dozen other cities make the same claim.

In New London, the story goes, the grinder was created by Benedetto Capalbo at the New York Fruit Store, a little red brick building at 18 Shaw St. Benny started serving them up circa 1927, and by the time World War II rolled around, he was cranking out some 500 a day for the sailors.

Which is how, by the way, they came to be called subs.

In 1974, when the Redevelopment Agency wanted to raze the building to make way for "light industrial development," city councilor Thomas F. DiMaggio suggested it be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"It's a national landmark," DiMaggio said. "Grinders are known all over the country."

His fellow councilors laughed him out of chambers.

So ... where do you find the best grinder in New London?

For the fattest, juiciest, newborn-baby-sized grinder in town, you can't go wrong by going to Hamilton Market at 639 Broad St. (right next door to Jacques Fruit Store). The store's motto (available on T-shirts) is "Size Does Matter."

- Kenton Robinson

DRINK A BEER WITH A GHOST

Back in the day Eugene O'Neill was young newspaper reporter kicking around New London, there were dozens of bars in which a man might quaff a quiet brew.

Most of those establishments are gone and forgotten. But one lives on: The Dutch Tavern, at 23 Green St.

This little hole in the wall is pretty much unchanged from the days when O'Neill would wander down from his newspaper job at the New London Telegraph and drink himself silly. And that, really, is the charm of The Dutch.

- Kenton Robinson

A DAY AT THE BEACH

At the southern tip of New London, Ocean Beach Park is every kid's dream, with its swimming pool, mini-golf, video arcade, waterslide and rides - even if they are a bit old-school - plus a boardwalk and food court. But even if you want nothing to do with all the accoutrements, Ocean Beach still delivers on the basic beach experience with soft, white sand and clear, blue water.

If you're a New London resident, the $50 season pass is a good deal, and if you're headed there by yourself, park on the street and go to the $5 pedestrian gate.

- Katie Warchut

GETTING TO THE ART OF THINGS

New London is the home of a full-fledged museum. Yes, the Lyman Allyn Art Museum sits up on the hill by Connecticut College, and the view inside is as impressive as the one outside. Its extensive permanent collection boasts American art from the 18th through 20th centuries, and exhibitions - such as "Play/Things: Toys and the Invention of Modern Childhood" - rotate through.

Downtown, you should stop by the Hygienic Art Galleries. The building, a former restaurant, is cool in and of itself, but so is the art. Exhibitions are entertainingly wide-ranging, and the current one is "New London Triptych, Three Friends Three Visions," in which a trio of high-school pals show off their images of the city.

And you simply can't miss the no-censorship Hygienic show in January - it's an always-fun New London tradition.

- Kristy Dorsey

STAGE-STRUCK

The arts are big in New London, and theaters lead the way.

The biggest? The Garde Arts Center. It's home to all things stage-related, bringing in opera and kids' shows and touring musicals. A few "for instances" from this coming season: "Spamalot" on Nov. 7, "Cirque Le Masque" on Dec. 17 and 18, and "The Color Purple" on Feb. 27.

Another New London fixture is the group Flock Theatre, which goes old-school during the summers with Shakespeare outdoors. You get the Bard on the pier, right on the Thames River, and you get shows in the verdant Connecticut College Arboretum. Not a bad way to spend your summer nights.

- Kristy Dorsey

MUSIC, SWEET MUSIC

We don't know what you do, EB folks, ship-building-wise, but it possibly involves ear plugs.

Take 'em out! Turn it up!

The justifiably renowned and so-called New London Music Scene - written up twice in The New York Times, no less - is a genuine regional phenomenon. Indie rock, Americana, hardcore/metal/punk and hip-hop are all entrenched here.

Important venues: The Oasis Pub, 16 Bank St., is the heartbeat of the indie scene. A few blocks west, the Bank Street Café, 637 Bank St., hosts Friday Blue Collar Happy Hours with terrific roots bands. The El 'n' Gee Club, 86 Golden St., is a hardcore and punk haven, and, for the season, the Hygienic Art Park, 79 Bank St., and the downtown Parade, present the wonderfully eclectic and frequently national Summer Nights in the District concert series.

- Rick Koster

PUSH THE PEDALS

With just six square miles, New London's easy to get around by bicycle, and the recent repainting of bike lanes on Montauk Avenue has made riding even safer.

Use the bike path that goes over the Gold Star Memorial Bridge as part of your commute, take your bike downtown, or head to Ocean Beach. There are no bike lanes on Pequot Avenue, but the street offers water views down the length of the city. Take a detour to Captain Scott's or Fred's Shanty or stop at Michael's Dairy for ice cream. Take a bike to Fort Trumbull to soak up history or just enjoy the views of the Thames River.

If you don't have a bike, borrow one. Bike New London offers bikes painted in New London green and yellow, with a helmet and lock, for a refundable deposit of $10 a day and a photo ID. They are stored at the parking garage at 70 Union St.

- Katie Warchut

GET A TATT

In April, 2009, Dan Pierce opened the Whaling City Tattoo Museum, the first tattoo parlor in New London since 1962. No ordinary tattoo parlor this, its walls are lined with historic "flash" (tattoo designs) from the days when New London was the Mecca of sailors looking to drink and get inked with anchors, hearts and mermaids.

And Pierce is no ordinary inker; he's a true artist, who does breathtakingly beautiful work, taking your best ideas and making them even better than you imagined them. You can find him at 140-A Green St., right across from The Dutch.

- Kenton Robinson

GRAB A BITE

Stash's Cafe was so excited by your arrival they held a "welcome EB" happy hour earlier this month. If you haven't made it yet, you should know that besides being a night spot, Stash's has an extensive menu that's way more than just bar basics, from the Aegean shrimp salad to penne a la pollo vodka.

Also in the neighborhood, over on Shaw Street, Raiders Roost does tex-mex, cajun, barbecue and creole in pizzas, sandwiches, entrees and more. And around the corner, On the Waterfront is a little more upscale with seafood, pasta and steak.

A great warm weather option is a clam shack, which you can find nearby on either side of your new work home. Follow Pequot Avenue south to Fred's Shanty for a long dog, clam strips or onion rings. Head north to Hamilton Street (off Howard) to Captain Scott's Lobster Dock has a host of fresh seafood options in addition to the fried fare, including lobster dinners and steamers.

- Katie Warchut