New Haven holidays
Partway between Boston and New York City, this Connecticut college town is home to one of the world’s most prestigious institutions of higher learning, Yale University. Holidays to New Haven are an education in the subtle charms of New England. Explore everything from sandy beaches and world-class museums to venerable bookstores and some of the best pizza joints in the US.
New Haven holiday highlights
Ivy League sites
Founded in 1701, Yale University is more than an Ivy League legend — it’s the reason to book a holiday in New Haven. The Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History and Yale University Art Gallery are both among America’s oldest. Another highlight is the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, known for its Instagram-worthy enclosed glass book tower. Campus tours are available to all visitors.
Pizza perfection
New Haven’s trademark pizza is an adaptation of Neapoltian thin crust called ‘apizza’. Locals queue for hours for famous slices on Wooster Street. Frank Pepe Pizzeria, which opened in 1925, and Sally’s Apizza, from 1938, are both popular. Others swear by State Street’s Modern Apizza, also founded in the 1930s. Newer downtown spots have their own twists, some with offbeat toppings like mashed potatoes.
Where to stay
With Yale and downtown being the epicentre, hotel rates are generally pricier the closer you stay to campus. Boutique hotels with a collegiate theme provide convenient and atmospheric options. Several chain hotels also have outposts, mostly south and west of the school. You’ll find budget options closer to West Haven, but you may need a car to get around.
Things to do in New Haven
Take in the culture
Yale’s museums are no doubt among the country’s best, raising the bar of those off campus. The New Haven Museum preserves the region’s history and culture in a colonial revival building, while the Ely Center of Contemporary Art spotlights innovative new work. Young visitors can get playful in the Connecticut Children’s Museum’s many themed rooms, including one styled like the beloved book, ‘Goodnight Moon’.
Beaches
Although New Haven is located on the Long Island Sound, its biggest secret may be its beaches. Lighthouse Point Park opens for swimming in the summer months — it also has a splash pad, bathhouse and carousel. In the greater region, adjacent West Haven has several beaches, including Sandy Point Beach and Bird Sanctuary.
Places to eat
Apizza joints aside, the culinary scene in New Haven is diverse. You’ll find everything from cheap eats and wine bars to fine dining, all doused with every global influence, just like its students and faculty. Breweries are also popping up, especially in East Rock and Fair Haven. An essential stop is Louis’ Lunch, alleged to be the birthplace of the hamburger.
