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THINGS
TO DO
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See more info on activities and businesses
Once you get off the train,
expect a 10-15 minute walk into downtown. Follow Union Street underneath I-95 where
it becomes State Street, then continue ahead about three blocks to Chapel Street.
Turn left and head into the heart of the city. In minutes, you'll be at the New
Haven Green. (There's also Metro Taxi and CTTransit stops at
the station, if you'd rather avoid the walk.)
This is a good place to
orient yourself. You'll be in a prime position to plan your itinerary. Chapel Street
borders The Green to the south, and that's where you'll find the Chamber
of Commerce. Pick up a map on the first floor or head up to the ninth for
brochures. The Yale Visitor Center is on Elm Street at the northern border
of The Green. Historical walking tours are available so stop in and ask.
Chapel Street is a chock-filled
strip. You can hit the Chapel Square Mall next to the Chamber of Commerce,
if you're so inclined. But for a more unique experience, you'd be well advised to
head up the street.
This is where you'll find
shops like Bottega Giuliana, an upscale shoe store, Atticus Books
(complete with a cafe) and Ten Thousand Villages selling Third World crafts.
Galleries abound in the
city. Asante Gallery offers contemporary African art, Wave Gallery
showcases crafts and Endleman Gallery sells hand-made jewelry and glass.
There's even tattooing
and piercing, if the mood strikes. Take your pick between The Edge Tattoo Company
on Chapel or Studio Zee on State Street.
After a few blocks, Chapel
Street hits York Street. Turn right, and you'll be solidly in Yale territory. There's
a wealth of activities in this area alone. Visit the Yale University Art Gallery
with selections ranging from ancient Egyptian to the present, or try the Yale Center
for British Art. The Center houses the largest collection of British
art outside the U.K. Recent exhibits have included " Ruskin: Past, Present, Future"
and "Edward Lear and the Art of Travel."
To witness history in
its many forms, try the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library--they have
an original copy of the Gutenberg Bible, as well as many other interesting collections.
Fossils, flora and fauna can be found at the Peabody Museum of Natural History.
Follow Whitney Avenue up towards Science Hill.
 York Street ends at the Grove Street Cemetery,
and this is a perfect stopping point. Take some time to explore this 1796 burying
ground. You'll find the graves of Charles Goodyear and Eli Whitney, if you look
hard enough.
Whether you want to participate
or cheer from the sidelines, there's an activity for you. Keep in mind, that as
with most cities, the wide open spaces tend to be further out. Thankfully, public
transit is widely available in New Haven. Most buses stop at the New Haven Green,
and there's a CTTransit customer service outlet there too. Grab a schedule and you'll
be good to go.
During baseball season, go
to Yale Field in West Haven to catch the New Haven Ravens in action.
This St. Louis Cardinals affiliate team brings big league excitement to New England.
Yale Field is about a mile and a half north on Chapel Street from downtown,
but the F bus can get you there.
Golfers can tee off at the
Alling Memorial Golf Course. The municipally owned, 18 hole course is located
in eastern New Haven. The D bus will bring you within putting distance.
To reach the water, you can
follow the Vision Legacy Trail from The Green to the New Haven Harbor.
This commemorative brick walkway, connects downtown New Haven with the harbor and
West Haven's Savin Rock. Look for signs scattered throughout town.
If the gambling bug bites,
head to Sports Haven along the wharf for wagering on sports like jai-alai,
thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing. This complex displays the action on
four movie screens, and provides dining, dancing, games and a 2,800 gallon aquarium
filled with sharks and tropical fish, for your enjoyment. Catch the Sargent Drive
Commuter Connection bus.
 During the warmer months, outdoor options increase exponentially.
From June-September, tour the harbor and Long Island Sound on a Liberty Belle Cruise.
Boats leave from the Long Wharf Pier and they even have weekend evening cruises
with music. For something more educational, Schooner, Inc. will get you up
to speed on the history and ecology of the Long Island Sound while aboard the "Quinnipiack."
The schooner also sails from Long Wharf Pier.
There's a plethora of parks
on the east side of New Haven Harbor, and the G2 bus can transport you.
East Shore Park encompasses 82 acres and provides softball, baseball and soccer
fields, tennis and basketball courts and trails for walking, jogging and inline
skating. Lighthouse Point Park, Carousel & Beach is at the southern tip of
the harbor where Townsend Avenue ends. There's a public beach for swimming and picnicking,
an antique carousel, playing fields and bird sanctuary.
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New
Haven may conjure up Ivy League images, and rightly so. Yet while Yale plays a prominent
role in this Connecticut city, New Haven's no mere college town. In fact, there's
so much to do in "The Elm City" that a day's visit may not be enough.
Walk down Wooster Street (a bit east of the city, over the
railroad tracks) to check out the dining options in New Haven's (truly little)
Little Italy. Order a pie from Pepe's Pizzeria--they invented the delight.
Consiglio's and Tony and Lucille's are also neighborhood institutions.
Top off your meal with a visit to Libby's Italian Pastry Shop. The sweet
smell of goodies wafting from the store onto the snowy street warmed my heart. They'd
be a treat any time of year.
