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 Info New Haven booth on the corner of Chapel and College streets. The Yale Visitor Center is on Elm Street at the northern border of The Green. Free historical walking tours are available so stop in and ask.

Chapel Street is a chock-filled strip. You can hit the boutiques and shops for several blocks. This is where you'll find galleries like Wave Gallery and stores like Atticus Books (complete with a cafe) and Ten Thousand Villages selling Third World crafts.

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 football season, go to The Yale Bowl, a national historic landmark and home of the Yale Bulldogs.

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, and games, all 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 The Schooner, Quinnipiack. Boats leave from the Long Wharf Pier and they even have weekend evening cruises with music. Schooner, Inc. will get you up to speed on the history and ecology of the Long Island Sound.

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.