Once a key seaport and now home to one of the best-known universities in the world, New Haven is a brilliant city for a long weekend packed to the brim with great food, history and culture. Yale University’s picturesque 300-year-old campus sits near the centre of the city, offering heaps to see and do, whilst New Haven itself also has a wealth of foodie and cultural sites for eager visitors to experience. Whilst there is a wide range of accommodation available — ranging from simple B&Bs to hip luxury hotels — the best places to stay in New Haven are stylish boutique spots right in the centre of town.
Yale University boasts a host of world-class museums and galleries, as well as an exciting programme of annual events and some striking Victorian architecture. Don’t miss the Yale University Art Gallery or the Yale Centre for British Art, and look out for live music and theatre performances during your stay. Literary-minded visitors will adore the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, too. Close to the campus, New Haven Green is a pretty place for a wander with a nod to the past: 17th-century Puritan settlers designed it as the potential site for Christ’s second coming, and it is now home to multiple churches. Grove Street Cemetery, the first chartered cemetery in the USA, also has a fascinating history, and the guided walking tour comes highly recommended. This is a fabulous city for a walking tour — do look into recommended routes or speak to your hotel about booking a reputable guide to get the most out of your rambles!
Explore New Haven on foot or by bicycle for lively cafés, bars, eateries and boutiques, or venture slightly further afield to Lighthouse Point Park and leafy East Rock Park for scenic strolls, cycling, and lovely picnics. Make the most of New Haven's seaside location to try sailing, kayaking and boat trips, too: Long Island Sound is a glorious area to discover.
Whether you’re in town visiting family at Yale University or simply in search of an exciting Connecticut city break, New Haven will undoubtedly delight. The best places to stay in New Haven fill up fast during key Yale University events, so book your stay well in advance!
