Home to Yale University, New Haven is a picturesque city overlooking the waters of Long Island Sound. Its 18th-century university campus feature world-class museums and art galleries, while forts from the American Revolution and Civil War dot the coast.

Things to do

Explore the museums of Yale University, including the Great Hall of Dinosaurs in the Peabody Museum of Natural History. Learn about the Native Americans who first inhabited Connecticut and visit the Hall of Mammalian Evolution, then get up close to mounted native birds and Ancient Egyptian artefacts.

Another campus museum not to miss, the Yale University Art Gallery has an outstanding collection of early Italian paintings, African sculptures and modern art. The Yale Center for British Art in downtown New Haven is home to around 2,000 paintings tracing the development of British artistic culture from the Elizabethan period.

Adjacent to the Yale University campus, the Grove Street Cemetery is renowned for its grand Egyptian Revival gateway. It was established in the late-18th century and contains the elaborate gravestones of Yale presidents and some of New Haven’s most prominent residents.

Soak up the New Haven seaside views from Fort Nathan Hale, which encompasses forts from both the American Revolution and Civil War. See the reconstructed Black Rock Fort where militia fired cannons at British ships during the 1779 invasion, then admire the flagpole-ringed statue of state hero, Nathan Hale.

Getting around

New Haven is around one hour’s drive from Bradley International Airport or 1.5 hours from John F. Kennedy International Airport. There are regular trains to New York City and Boston, while Downtown New Haven is easily explored on foot.