New Haven, CT, is one of the most underrated cities whose history is intertwined with that of the Gothic Revival campus scattered across downtown, Yale University. This dynamic university town has a rich culture, a thriving culinary scene from Crown street to Temple street, and a host of museums including Yale University Art Gallery, and Yale Center for British Art among others. New Have can be easily accessed from major cities since it is only some hours away from transportation hubs in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Newark. Although not a popular vacation destination, New Haven is a perfect attraction coast lined with epic beach trips and waterside walks. Read on for the best things to do in New Haven.
1. Pay your respects at Fort Nathan Hale
Situated on the Eastern Shore in New Haven, Connecticut, Fort Nathan Hale is one of the most important historic monuments in the city. Consisting of a variety of artifacts and exhibits showcasing the rich Civil War history in New Haven, this fort is dedicated to its namesake, Nathan Hale, who was a soldier and spy and has been declared Connecticut’s state hero. There are tours and programs that take you through the area explaining the significance of the fort, and you can engage in history-oriented recreational events held here throughout the year.
Fort Nathan Hale
Address: 36 Woodward Ave, New Haven, CT 06512, United States
Website: Fort Nathan Hale
Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)
2. Explore the lovely Lighthouse Point Park
This is a landmark park located in New Haven, that is a fun excursion on a free evening here. Featuring a variety of on-site attractions including a lighthouse and a carousel, this park spans over acres of land and offers amazing views of the downtown area. Check out the Lighthouse Point Carousel, which features 69 horses and other riding animals. In addition, there is a beachfront right inside the park that offers changing rooms in case you wish to go for a swim, a splash pad for children to frolic in, fishing piers, and a walking trail in case you wish to explore the natural surroundings.
Lighthouse Point Park
Address: 2 Lighthouse Rd, New Haven, CT 06512, United States
Opening hours: 7am - 4pm (daily)
3. Go on a shopping spree at the Boulevard Flea Market
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Are you interested in street shopping? Pick up some interesting tidbits including apparel, funky earrings, souvenirs and more at the Boulevard Flea Market in New Haven. You can get a lot of awesome knock-off products that are practically indistinguishable from the real deal, and overall it is a great place to spend a free weekend afternoon or evening if the weather permits. Be prepared to haggle and negotiate for prices here, as vendors will bring down the prices on request. Once you are done shopping, there is a line of food trucks waiting to offer you delicious street meat and local delicacies.
The Boulevard Flea Market
Address: 500 Ella T Grasso Blvd, New Haven, CT 06519, United States
Website: The Boulevard Flea Market
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 7am - 4pm (closed from Mon - Fri)
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4. Immerse yourself in history at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument
If you are interested in history and culture, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument is a wonderful war memorial that is located on the Eastern Shore in New Haven. You can see this huge monument for miles around, and it dates back to 1887. It is dedicated to the people who gave their lives for the country in wars including the Mexican War, Civil War, War of 1812, and the Revolutionary War. You have to walk all the way up to the monument, but it is extremely tranquil and quiet up here, a great place to relax and explore the monument.
Soldiers and Sailors Monument
Address: New Haven, CT 06511, United States
Website: Soldiers and Sailors Monument
Opening hours: 8:30am - 5pm (daily)
5. Have a splash at Dover Beach
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Who doesn’t love the beach? From just relaxing and going fishing to enjoying some thrilling water sports, there is just so much to do on Dover Beach that you are sure to want to spend an entire day here and return home only after dinner. There is a splash pad right on the beach for your children to play in, and there are multiple playgrounds right on the beachfront for teenagers and adults to play some sports. You can also take a walk or enjoy a cozy picnic with your spouse.
Dover Beach
Address: Dover Beach, New Haven, Connecticut
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
6. Tour Yale University Art Gallery
Yale University Art Gallery is an outstanding museum that houses the oldest art collection from the university in Connecticut. It features arts from renowned artists including The Night Café by Vincent Van Gogh, and pieces by Peter Paul Rubens, Frans Hals, Manet, and Picasso. There are also masterpieces from American artists by Jackson Pollock, Edward Hopper, and Winslow Homer, dating back to the 18th century. There are also other arts from Asia, Africa, and Columbia.
Yale University Art Gallery
Address: 1111 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06510, United States
Website: Yale University Art Gallery
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 11am - 5pm; Tue - Thu: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon & Fri)
7. Have fun at West Rock Ridge State Park
Located in Hamden, West Rock Ridge State Park is a popular park that offers a significant number of hiking options along the western ridge or climb the mountain to get a clear view of Long Island and New Haven Harbor. It is home to the infamous West Rock Ridge, which is a tall mountain range visible across New Haven. The park also has a large lake, the Wintergreen Lake surrounded by a nature trail. While at this park, you can never get bored since there are different activities you can engage in such as fishing, canoeing, horseback riding among others.
West Rock Ridge State Park
Address: 1134 Wintergreen Ave, New Haven, CT 06514, United States
Website: West Rock Ridge State Park
8. Read rare books at Beinecke Rare Book Library
As one of the largest and world’s foremost buildings, Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library is dedicated to rare collections of books and manuscripts. This jewel box is located at Yale University and used as the main research center for faculties, students, and scholars across the world as well. The collection dates back to the 19th century including the first major printed book using a typewriter, Gutenberg Bible. It is famous for its unique design including the translucent marble facade as well as the glass book tower with a dramatic arrangement for literary arts. Its central tower can hold up to 180,000 volumes, while its underground book stack can house more than a million volumes.
Beinecke Rare Book Library
Address: 121 Wall St, New Haven, CT 06511, United States
Website: Beinecke Rare Book Library
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 9am - 7pm; Fri: 9am - 5pm; Sat: 12pm - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 4pm; Mon: 10am - 7pm (closed on Thu & Fri)
9. Experience an inspiring history at Knights of Columbus Museum
With more than 1.8 million followers, Knights of Columbus is known as the largest Catholic Church fraternal group. The museum has a number of galleries with self-guided tours including world-class permanent and changing exhibits. The permanent collection includes Father Michael J. McGivney gallery and reliquary, the Papal Gallery, Columbus Gallery, the Wall of History with the Knight’s history, the Mexican Martyrs among others. On the other hand, the rotating exhibit features arts from across the world. The museum is handicap-accessible and family-friendly with ample parking and remains open daily except on Good Friday, Thanksgiving and both Christmas eve and day.
Knights of Columbus Museum
Address: 1 State St, New Haven, CT 06511, United States
Website: Knights of Columbus Museum
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Free
10. Have fun-filled picnic at East Rock Park
If you wish to see a stunning view of New Haven especially during fall foliage season, East Rock Park is the place to be. This park, overlooking the city, stands on a traprock rugged ridge reaching a height of 112 meters (367 feet) and stretching out 1.4 miles (2.3 kilometers). The park features a sports field, a birding space, wetland areas, a canoe, igneous bluffs from the sedimentary stone with a reddish tint, and 1887 Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument. Admission at the park is free and leashed dogs are welcome.
East Rock Park
Address: 41 Cold Spring St, New Haven, CT 06511, United States
Website: East Rock Park
11. Drop by Connecticut Children's Museum
This innovative museum is located in a historic building in the Town Green District. Established in 2001, the museum is ideally situated in the Audubon Street arts district and downtown business area. It is geared toward kids aged three to nine and has a comprehensive collection of 450 picture books for children in every exhibit and anchors all its events using books. It was designed to accommodate children with disabilities since its wheelchair accessible and caters to kids with hearing and visual impairments.
Connecticut Children's Museum
Address: 22 Wall St, New Haven, CT 06511, United States
Website: Connecticut Children’s Museum
Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 12am - 5pm (closed from Mon - Thu & Sun)
12. Conquer the largest indoor Rope course at It Adventure
It Adventure Indoor Ropes Course gives the most exhilarating experience in New Haven. This indoor adventure park boasts the largest rope course in the world including rope bridges, wall climbing, a maze of tightropes, a 50-feet (15 meters) free fall, and zip lines. If you trust your harness, you can master up to 100 challenges, but you should use the restroom before you begin because you cannot re-enter once you leave. Once you are done, you can sit and relax as you watch thrilling fireworks, listen to music, and admire dancing fountains.
It Adventure Ropes Course
Address: 40 Sargent Dr, New Haven, CT 06511, United States
Website: It Adventure Ropes Course
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 10am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 7pm
13. Enjoy a self-guided tour at Marsh Botanical Garden
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Posted by Marsh Botanical Garden at Yale on Tuesday, 23 July 2019
Marsh Botanical Garden is home to an extensive plant collection and supports plant classes in Evolutionary and Ecology classes. It sits on eight acres which includes six greenhouses and provides support for Yale students, researchers and informative experience for visitors. In spring, early flowering trees and shrubs add eye-catching to the season, while in summer, the wildflower plantings and naturalistic beds attract butterflies and birds and add color as well.
Marsh Botanical Garden
Address: 265 Mansfield St, New Haven, CT 06511, United States
Website: Marsh Botanical Garden
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 9am - 5pm (closed from Sat - Mon)
14. Plan a day at New Haven Green
New Haven Green is an open and large green privately-owned park downtown. It lies adjacent to Phelps Gate at Yale three old churches, numerous restaurants, and opposite Yale’s Old campus. It boasts being home to the popular New Haven Jazz Festival that happens annually among other summer events and concerts. Also, the town’s Christmas tree is located here.
New Haven Green
Address: 250 Temple St, New Haven, CT 06511, United States
Website: New Haven Green
Price: Free
15. Admire the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge at night
The Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge was launched as a reminder of the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbour, where seventeen residents died. It has scenic views of the Long Island with a modern art-deco that lights up at night. Also known as the Q Bridge, the original version was opened in 1958. The steel beams were built as support to the deck made of concrete.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge
Address: New Haven, CT 06511
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Have a fun-filled day in New Haven
New Haven, Connecticut, has unique attractions, museums, beautiful parks and a diverse option of restaurants across the city that are worth exploring. The city also boasts a thriving art scene, a symphony, numerous theaters, the popular jazz festival adding to its appeal for local and international tourists.
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