New Haven Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by visitNewHaven.com and Michael Melford/visitnewhaven.com
New Haven featuring a garden and a house
New Haven featuring a garden
Photo provided by visitNewHaven.com
Photo provided by visitNewHaven.com

Walk on beaches or in state parks, shop in boutique stores or explore the grounds of one of America’s most famous universities in this pretty coastal town.

New Haven is Connecticut’s second-largest city, located 81 miles (130 kilometres) northeast of New York City on the Long Island Sound. The city has been an important port since the 1630s. Today it is most famous for being home to the prestigious Yale University, which gives the town a large youth population and an exciting nightlife.

Dine in upscale restaurants or drink in lively student bars in New Haven’s thriving town centre. Spend some time exploring the nearby state parks, where you can hike or cycle many miles of trails. Get to know the university better by taking a tour around the grounds. Visit the Yale University Art Gallery and the Centre for British Art, as well as the Peabody Museum of Natural History.Find more museums in town. Visit the Shoreline Trolley Museum to take a ride on an old passenger car, or browse the many art galleries.

Keen shoppers could spend a day browsing the many boutique designer stores in New Haven. Take a break in any number of cafés, and finish your day in one of the town’s many excellent restaurants. The variety of eating options reflect the wide-ranging ethnic population in New Haven. Don’t leave without trying a New Haven-style pizza, a simple but delicious concoction with oregano, a tomato sauce and pecorino cheese.

Take a stroll in East and West Rock State Parks or rent a bike and cycle along the Farmington Canal Trail. Head to The Green, a popular park within the city centre that’s more than 350 years old. Many of the town’s major events take place here, with the New Haven Jazz Festival in August the most well-known.

Get to New Haven by car following major interstate highways on the East Coast or fly into the city’s Tweed Airport. Trains, ferries and intercity buses also service the city. Once in New Haven, get around using the efficient public buses or walk between many of the major attractions in the downtown area, which also has plenty of parking garages if you are travelling by car.

Where to stay in New Haven

New Haven featuring a river or creek and kayaking or canoeing as well as a couple

Downtown New Haven

4/5(1 area review)

If you're spending some time in Downtown New Haven, Sterling Memorial Library at Yale University and New Haven City Hall are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown New Haven
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Long Wharf

Long Wharf is popular for its ample dining options, and you might make a stop by Long Wharf Theatre, a top place to visit in the area.

Long Wharf
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Mill River

If you're spending some time in Mill River, Wooster Square and Thread City Crossing are top sights worth seeing.

Mill River
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The Hill

When in The Hill, you can plan a visit to Shubert Theater and Yale University Art Gallery, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

The Hill
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West New Haven

While visiting West New Haven, you might make a stop by sights like Yale Bowl and Yale Golf Course.

West New Haven
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East Rock

Travellers like the monuments in East Rock, and East Rock Park is a top attraction you might want to visit.

East Rock
Cambria Hotel New Haven University Area

Cambria Hotel New Haven University Area

3 out of 5
20 Dwight Street, New Haven, CT
The price is NZ$229 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
NZ$229
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in New Haven. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (850 reviews)
"The hotel staff, room and facilities was great. The breakfast service was VERY SLOW! Almost walked away without waiting. Would recommend visitors go out to eat instead."

Reviewed on 14 Aug. 2025

Cambria Hotel New Haven University Area
Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale

Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale

4 out of 5
155 Temple St, New Haven, CT
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$294 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
NZ$294
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New Haven. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Close to Yale campus"

Reviewed on 14 Aug. 2025

Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale
New Haven Hotel

New Haven Hotel

3.5 out of 5
229 George Street, New Haven, CT
The price is NZ$262 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
NZ$262
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in New Haven. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,720 reviews)
"The place is nice, but the alley to the opposite street was not pleasant. The hot water from the shower was not constant."

Reviewed on 15 Aug. 2025

New Haven Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cozy 2 bedroom home located minutes from downtown

Cozy 2 bedroom home located minutes from downtown

New Haven
Stay at this vacation home in New Haven. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Yale Bowl and Cullman-Heyman ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (28 reviews)
College visit
"Stayed for 3 nights while visiting a college with my son. Was a great experience with several convenient businesses in the area. Owner was a delight and always attentive to our needs."

Reviewed on 6 Aug. 2025

Cozy 2 bedroom home located minutes from downtown
Luxury Apartments by Hyatus at Pierpont

Luxury Apartments by Hyatus at Pierpont

4 out of 5
9 Tower Ln, New Haven, CT
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in New Haven. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Shubert Theater and Trinity Church on the ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (19 reviews)
"Excellent location downtown and close to yale. A lot of complimentary amenities and activities. Very nice size rooms. A nice residential feel for a weeks stay."

Reviewed on 27 Jun. 2025

Luxury Apartments by Hyatus at Pierpont
Luxury Furnished Apartments by Hyatus Downtown at Yale

Luxury Furnished Apartments by Hyatus Downtown at Yale

3.5 out of 5
240 Congress Avenue, New Haven, CT
Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Shubert Theater and White Space Gallery are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (52 reviews)
"It was a great place. Highly recommend!"

Reviewed on 11 Jun. 2025

Luxury Furnished Apartments by Hyatus Downtown at Yale
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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