New Haven is a city in Connecticut that is best known as the home of Yale University.
Understand
With a downtown population density of 6,000 people per km2, downtown New Haven has a particularly residential character. As a result, numerous shops, cafes and top-rated restaurants have proliferated. Ethnic restaurants include Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Eritrean, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, French, Mexican, Thai, Indian and Malaysian cuisines, among many others. According to the Hartford Courant, New Haven has more pedestrian activity than any place between New York City and Boston, and also has a burgeoning nightlife scene.
The area is a center for bicycling and hiking, with nearby East Rock Park, West Rock State Park, and Sleeping Giant State Park. Together, they provide many miles of hiking trails and summits with expansive views over hundreds of square miles. Bicyclists enjoy cruising along the beautiful shoreline, or along the Farmington Canal Trail, a former canal and railroad that has been converted for recreational use.
Get in
By car
- New Haven sits at the junction of Interstates 91 and 95. Be careful to lock your doors, as the crime rate in New Haven has been known to elicit broken windows. Do not leave your GPS unit or its accessories (such as mounting units, suction cups, or suction cup marks on the window) in plain sight. Belongings are typically not taken in these incidents.
By plane
- 1 Tweed New Haven Regional Airport (HVN IATA), 155 Burr Street, ☏ 1 203 466-8833. Served by American Airlines.
- Bradley International Airport (BDL IATA) in Windsor Locks (near Hartford), from which I-91 leads straight to New Haven, is a much larger airport with flights to cities throughout the Eastern half of the United States and Canada and seasonal service to Mexico, as well as a daily summer Aer Lingus flight to and from Dublin. It is about an hour away by car.
- LaGuardia Airport is another major airport in the area, in Queens. It has flights to cities throughout the Eastern United States and Canada and to a few Caribbean destinations. It is about 1½ hours away by car. Airport shuttle service to New Haven is available, or you can get to Grand Central Terminal in New York and then a train to New Haven.
- John F. Kennedy International Airport, also in Queens, is a major international airport. Airport shuttle service to New Haven is available, or you can get to Grand Central Terminal in New York and then a train to New Haven.
- Newark Liberty International Airport, in northern New Jersey, is a major international airport. Airport shuttle service to New Haven is available, or you can take Amtrak to New Haven or a train from Grand Central Terminal.
By train
- Metro-North Railroad provides service between New Haven, New York City and intermediate points.
- Amtrak provides direct service from Virginia to Boston and intermediate points (including all major cities on the Northeast Corridor). Amtrak also provides direct service between St. Albans, Vt. and New Haven and intermediate points (including to and from Springfield, Mass. and Hartford, Conn.)
- Shore Line East provides service between New Haven and New London, Conn. and intermediate points. It also operates a small number of trains between New Haven and Stamford, Conn.
- Hartford Line is a commuter rail service between New Haven, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts. This service features 17 trains a day between New Haven and Hartford (12 of which continue to Springfield). It also connects to New Haven Line service to New York City, Amtrak Northeast Corridor rail services, and Shore Line East service, as well as CTfastrak bus rapid transit service in the Hartford/New Britain area.
There are two stations, 2 New Haven Union Station (ZVE IATA) is located south of downtown at 50 Union Ave while 3 New Haven State Street is located just west of downtown at 259 State St. All trains stops at Union station while only local trains stops at State Street.
By bus
- Megabus. Service from Boston and Hartford. Buses stop at Union Station. Fares from $1 and up.
- Greyhound also serves New Haven, but if you are coming from New York City, you may find Metro-North Railroad cheaper and more comfortable.
Get around
Downtown New Haven is compact enough to be traversed by foot.
The city is also served by an efficient public bus system.
- CT Transit, ☏ 1 203-624-0151. Bus stops are marked with signs or a white stripe around utility poles in some cases. Buses all have bike racks.
Other transportation options include:
- EcuaMex Taxi, ☏ 1 203 624-3333.
- Metro Taxi, ☏ 1 203 777-7777.
- Devil's Gear Bike Shop, 151 Orange St, ☏ 1 203 773-9288. Provides low-cost daily or weekly bicycle rentals.
See
- 1 Yale University, 149 Elm St (Visitor Center), ☏ 1 203 432-2300. Visitor Centerː M-F 9AM-4ː30PM, Sa Su 11AM-4PM. Guided toursː M-F 10ː30AM ̩& 2PM, Sa Su 1ː30PM.
- 2 Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University (Whitney Avenue and Sachem Street, Science Hill section of the Yale campus), ☏ 1 203-432-8967, ✉[email protected]. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Adults $7, ages 3-18 $5.
- 3 Yale University Art Gallery, ☏ 1 203 432-0600, ✉[email protected]. Chapel at High St. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Th until 8PM from Sep-Jun, Su 1-6PM. Free.
- 4 The Green. Public park in the center of the city. It's over 350 years old and recognized as one of the best 100 public spaces in the United States. Frequent festivals are held here.
- 5 Sterling Memorial Library at Yale University, 120 High St, ☏ 1 203-432-1775. Includes the Yale Babylonian Collection donated by JP Morgan in 1910, and many other world-renowned artifacts and collections.
- 6 Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 State St, ☏ 1 203-865-0400. Daily, 10AM-5PM. Free.
- 7 Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel Street, ☏ 1 203 432-2800. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM; Su noon-5PM. Free.
- 8 Lighthouse Point Park, 2 Lighthouse Road. Lighthouse Point Park gives a scenic view of New Haven’s shoreline and is perfect for those looking to leave the hustle and bustle of the downtown area. The park is home to Hawkfest, a celebration of the local wildlife, and the Carousel at Lighthouse Point. Visit their website for department phone numbers, park opening times, and parking information
- 9 Pardee Morris House, 325 Lighthouse Road, ☏ 1 203 562-4183. Visit a landmark of colonial New Haven. Built in 1750 and burned down in 1779 during a British raid on New Haven Harbor, the Pardee Morris House offers a glimpse into New Haven’s history. Classes, tours, and summer camps are held throughout the year. Visit the Pardee Morris House section of the New Haven Museums website for a schedule of events.
- 10 Fort Nathan Hale Park, 50 Woodward Avenue, ✉[email protected]. Get a spectacular view of the New Haven seaside as well as learn about the town’s colonial history. See Black Rock Fort, replete with the Betsy Ross flag, and take in a recreation of battles from New Haven’s past. Fish from its expansive pier or take the nature trail that leads from the park to the Pardee Seawall. The visitor center is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day from 10AM to 4PM. Visit their website for more information.
- 11 Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, 121 Wall St, ☏ 1 203-432-2977, ✉[email protected]. M 10AM-7PM, Tu-Th 9AM-7PM, F 9AM-5PM, Sa noon-5PM, Su noon-4PM. Closes for holidays and special events, check website or call. The Beinecke holds Yale's rare books and manuscripts. The building is impressive from outside, but particularly beautiful inside due to the glow that the translucent veined marble walls have on a sunny day. Rotating exhibits and a Gutenberg Bible are always on display. Free.
- 12 Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium at Yale University, 355 Prospect St, ☏ 1 203 432-3000, ✉[email protected]. Tu shows $5/person (under 13 free). Shows in the planetarium theater on Tuesday nights, followed by viewing of the night sky through telescopes (weather permitting). Check website for current shows, as well as special events on other nights.
- 13 New Haven Museum, 114 Whitney Ave, ☏ 1 203 562-4183, ✉[email protected]. Tu-F 10AM-5PM, Sa noon-5PM. 1st Su of monthː 1-4PM. Adults $4, Seniors $3, Students $2, Under 12 free, 1st Su free.
- 14 Yale Collection of Musical Instruments, 15 Hillhouse Ave, ☏ 1 203 432-0822, ✉[email protected]. Tu-F 1-4PM, Su 1-5PM (Closed in August, national holidays and Yale's Thanksgiving, winter, and spring breaks). Free.
- 15 Artspace, 50 Orange St, ☏ 1 203 772-2709, ✉[email protected]. W-Sa noon-6PM. Free.
- 16 Marsh Botanical Garden, 265 Mansfield St, ☏ 1 203 432-6320.
- 17 Amistad Memorial, 165 Church St. Depicting the slave trader Joseph Cinqué, commonly known as Sengbe Pieh, this 14-foot bronze sculpture commemorates the events of the Amistad Affair of 1839, which was a kidnapping of 53 Mende captives, who led the revolt aboard the La Amistad, a two-masted schooner. It sits in front of a city hall, where the slaves were imprisoned during their trial.
Do
- Free community bike rides leave various bookstores and cafes each day; check with the Devil's Gear Bike Shop to rent cycles or find out about community rides. Local beaches are also a short bike ride or drive from the city center, and provide additional recreational opportunities.
- Dine at one of Wooster Street's popular Italian restaurants. New Haven is famous for its old-world style pizza.
- Visit the Crypt, an ancient graveyard under the Center Church on the Green. It is open April-October, Th & Sa 11AM-1PM.
- St. Patrick's Day Parade, one of the oldest in the United States.
- Visit summit of East Rock Park and West Rock Park where you can see the Three Judges Cave and hike along miles of trails.
- Tour Yale University.
- See an avant-garde jazz concert at Firehouse12, a firehouse converted into a modern bar and cutting-edge concert venue and recording studio.
- See a show at the famous Toad's Place, a must for any music lover.
- Bicycle along Farmington Canal, or shoreline bike routes.
- Pilot Pen Tennis, Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale, 45 Yale Avenue, ☏ 1 203-776-7331. Also known as the New Haven Open at Yale, This week-long event held in the summer showcases the talent of America’s best tennis players. The tournament is held in late August.
- 1 Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Dr, ☏ 1 203 787-4284. Not only are some of the best plays in the North East performed right on this stage, the theater also gives back to the community by hosting classes and sessions for those interested in theater and want to get involved in the performing arts.
- 2 Shubert Theatre, 247 College St, ☏ 1 203 562-5666. Box officeː M-F 9ː30AM-5ː30PM, Sa 10AM-2PM and prior to all performances.
Buy
When visiting, pick up a copy of the Downtown Guide at a local shop or restaurant. It will provide you with up-to-date information on the hundreds of restaurants downtown, and on shopping opportunities. New Haven abounds with hundreds of retailers, ranging from pricey local boutique to art galleries to national chains such as Ann Taylor.
- 1 Ikea Home Furnishings, 450 Sargent Drive, ☏ 1 203-865-4532. Located just off Long Wharf Drive, visit the only Ikea store in Connecticut and check out their selection of inexpensive furniture and their restaurant
- 2 Ann Taylor Store 001, 968 Chapel Street. The nation's first Ann Taylor. Small but focused on suiting for women.
- 3 J Press, 260 College Street. Fine men's suiting.
Eat
New Haven has many famous pizza parlors and is often credited with having introduced pizza to the United States, although New Havenites themselves often contend that New Haven-style apizza (pronounced uh-BEETZ) is a separate food from pizza altogether. The pizza has a thin, bitter crust, offset by high quality ingredients, making for one of the world's best pizza experiences. The most famous apizza locations are Pepe's and Sally's, which are over 80 years old and usually have lines going around the block. Modern Apizza—a more recent arrival (1934), further from the city center—has nonetheless usurped these establishments as the local favorite. For a real New England New Haven experience, order the white clam bake pizza—the simple toppings of garlic, olive oil, and New England clams against the backdrop of the bitter, oven-scorched crust make for a delight to the senses.
While it is a bit sacrilegious to pass through New Haven without trying the pizza, the small city has an astonishing wealth of fine dining establishments—easily rivaling the dining scene of any of New York's outer boroughs. The blocks just south of Yale University along Chapel, Crown, and George Streets are home to the majority of the city's best restaurants. Often-cited top restaurants in town include the Union League Cafe, Ibiza, Heirloom, and Zinc, but there are fantastic options around every corner in this part of town to try.
Wooster Square
- 1 Sally's Apizza, 237 Wooster Street, ☏ 1 203 624-5271. 5PM - 10:30PM (closed Mondays, closes at 10PM on Sundays).
- 2 Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, 157 Wooster St, ☏ 1 203 865-5762. 11:30AM - 10PM (opens at noon on Sundays).
- Libbys Italian Cookies and Pastries, 139 Wooster St. Amazing cookies, cannoli, Italian pastries, Italian ice, and coffee.
Downtown
- 3 Louis' Lunch, 261-263 Crown St, ☏ 1 203 562-5507. This tiny hamburger joint, a few blocks off the Green, claims to be the inventor of the hamburger. The burger served in Louis' traditional style: steamed in an antique table-top cast-iron gas broiler, served between two pieces of white-bread toast, optionally with cheese, tomato, and onion. Condiments like ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard are not used or available, which is a point of pride for management who are adamant that such extras detract from the experience. Sides such as potato salad, chips, pies, and local Foxon Park soda are available. Do not expect McDonald's wait times for your burger!
- Aladdin Crown Pizza, 260 Crown St, ☏ 1 203 773-3772. 11AM-2AM. Don't be fooled by the name; the best cuisine this place offers is not pizza; it's Middle Eastern. Be sure to try their falafel plate and baclava dessert. Authentic food with excellent service. $7-12.
- Bangkok Gardens, 172 York St, ☏ 1 203 789-8684, fax: 1 203 789-0336. Lunch: 11AM-3PM daily, Dinner: M-Th 5PM-9:45PM, F Sa 5-11PM, Su 5-10PM. If you are looking for a casual, but high quality restaurant within walking distance of the University, take your budding scholars here. The food is up to New York standards, prices are reasonable, and the location enviable. $8-17.
- 4 Claire's Corner Copia, 1000 Chapel St, ☏ 1 203 562-3888. Vegan and vegetarian options, regularly-changing specials. Known for their Lithuanian coffee cake. Great bakery with gluten-free options. Kosher.
- Pacifico, 220 College St, ☏ 1 203 772-4002. Latin American seafood dishes with a upscale New York sensibility served at this LGBT-friendly restaurant. $15-30.
- Royal Palace Chinese Restaurant, 32 Orange St, ☏ 1 203 776-6663. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-10PM. Very reasonably priced authentic Chinese cuisine plus friendly service equals a great find. Definitely do not pass up on the honey walnut shrimp. $7-18.
- Temple Grill, 152 Temple Street, ☏ 1 203 773-1111. Known for design-your-own burgers and salads, and for leaving Swedish fish on the table with the check.
- Union League Café, 1032 Chapel Street, ☏ 1 203 562-4299. Upscale French cuisine. Make reservations.
- York St. Noodle House, 166 York St., ☏ 1 203 776-9675. 11:30AM-10:30PM. If you're looking for an inexpensive, casual meal, York St. Noodle House is the place to go. Service is always friendly, and the menu always has irresistible options. Be sure to try their delicious boba fruit slushy. Try also coconut curry noodle soup and spicy wok basil noodle, noodlelicious !!! $6-12.
- Yorkside Pizza and Restaurant, 288 York St., ☏ 1 203 787-7471. Family-owned diner with large menu and very reasonable prices. Dough and sauces are made fresh daily on the premises. $10-25.
- Zinc, 964 Chapel Street, ☏ 1 203 624-0507. Modern American. Chef's table options focus on local food items. Make reservations.
East Rock
- 5 Modern Apizza, 874 State St, ☏ 1 203 776-5306. This New Haven-style apizza place has really stirred up the waters of New Haven cuisine, dethroning the seemingly invincible Pepe's and Sally's as the city's (and quite possibly the world's) best pizza place. Modern Apizza has been voted "Best Pizza" in New Haven for 12 consecutive years in the New Haven Advocate’s "Best of" Reader’s Poll. Modern Apizza is a long walk, or a short drive, bike ride or trip on the "M" bus from Downtown New Haven.
- Cafe Goodfellas, 702 State Street, ☏ 1 203-785-8722. This is the perfect place not only for the connoisseur of Italian cuisine but for also a lover of movies. You can enjoy some of the finest Italian food New Haven has to offer while viewing movie classics on their ten flatscreen televisions
- Brazi's Italian Restaurant, 201 Food Terminal Plaza, ☏ 1 203-498-2488. Drawing upon New Haven’s large Italian-American population, only the best food made with the freshest ingredients is served. Who knows, maybe you’ll be serenaded with traditional Italian music while you dine
Drink
Crown and Chapel Streets run through downtown New Haven and are packed with hundreds of restaurants, cafés, wine bars, lounges and the like. New Haven is the primary entertainment destination for the 800,000 people who live in the immediate area. When driving, watch pedestrians since the crowds can be thick, especially on weekends.
- Archie Moore's, 188 Willow Street, ☏ 1 203 773-9870.
- Bar and the Brü Rm, 254 Crown Street, ☏ 1 203 495-1111.
- The Playwright, 144 Temple Street, ☏ 1 203 752-0450.
- 1 Toad's Place, 300 York Street, ☏ 1 203 562-5589, ✉[email protected].
- Prime 16, 172 Temple Street, ☏ 1 203-782-1616. 16 taps of craft beer, accompanied by imaginative burgers
- Brazi's Italian Restaurant, 201 Food Terminal Plaza, ☏ 1 203-498-4532. Italian-American foods made with the freshest ingredients, salads, desserts. Dining, bar and banquet room.
- Willoughby's, Church & Grove; York & Chapel. Locally roasted coffee. The to-go tumblers are reusable and a great deal.
Sleep
- Clarion Hotel & Suites, 2260 Whitney Ave, ☏ 1 203 288-3831, fax: 1 203 281-6032.
- Courtyard New Haven at Yale, 30 Whalley Ave, ☏ 1 203 777-6221, fax: 1 203 772-1089.
- Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale, 155 Temple Street, ☏ 1 203 772-6664. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Downtown luxury hotel with John Davenport’s restaurant on 19th floor; sample expensive wines at Bar 19, the Omni's own wine bar. Fitness and business centres, concierge, Wi-Fi.
- Baymont Inn & Suites, 3 Business Park Dr, Branford, CT 06405 (I-95 Exit 56 N/S . Easy on/off), ☏ 1 203 488-4991. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. from $79.
- 1 The Study at Yale, 1157 Chapel St, ☏ 1 203-503-3900, toll-free: 1 866-930-1157, ✉[email protected].
- The Blake Hotel (The Blake), 9 High St., ☏ 1 203-390-5352.
Stay safe
As with New York City, New Haven's crime rate has gone down considerably since the early 1990s, and it is now considered to be a safe city, at least in the downtown area. Today, there is very little risk involved with traveling to New Haven's tourist attractions as streets bustle with crowds generated by hundreds of restaurants, cinemas, theaters, cafes and stores. Luxury apartments and million-dollar condominiums have proliferated, adding a large population base to formerly industrial or commercial zones. In such areas, the downtown area is generally safe at night, but like other cities, late night travel through certain city neighborhoods outside the downtown, without someone who knows the area, is not recommended. When visiting, exercise the same precautions you would use in any large city.
It is not recommended to venture outside the Metro North stop at Union Station at night. Taxis wait near the doorway, and it would be wise to take advantage of them if you must arrive in New Haven during the evening. The surrounding area is poorly lit and has seen a variety of violent and non-violent crime.
Connect
- 1 New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm St, ☏ 1 203 946-8130.
Go next
- Mystic is famous for its seaport, and is a great family tourist attraction. It is about an hour away
- Hartford is the capital of Connecticut, and has the state library and the Connecticut Capitol Building.
- New York City is the largest city in the country, which attracts tens of millions of visitors every year. It is 1½-2½ hours away.
- Boston has many tourist attractions, and is the capital of Massachusetts. It is about 2½ hours away.
| Routes through New Haven |
| New York City ← Stamford ← | SW  NE | → New London → Boston |
| New York City ← Bridgeport ← | SW  N/NE | → Wallingford/Old Saybrook → Springfield/Providence |
| New York City ← Bridgeport ← | SW  N | → Wallingford → Springfield |
| Hartford ← North Haven ← | N  S | → Merges into  |
| Providence ← East Haven ← | N  S | → West Haven → New York City |
| Providence ← East Haven ← | N  S | → West Haven → New York City |
| Hartford ← Hamden ← | N  S | → Orange → New York City |
| Stamford ← West Haven ← | SW  NE | → END |
| Stamford ← West Haven ← | W  E | → Branford → New London |