Ariadne 
Moving to New Haven? Here’s a list of
Our Favorite New Haven Attractions,
Hot Spots, and Restaurants
- Silver Sands State Park: A miles-long sandy beach with a wide and sturdy boardwalk for jogging and biking. And if you’re craving more, there’s also a club with heated pools, tennis courts, and a beach bar that keeps the good times rolling.
- The Hill Neighborhood Festival: Held each year in Trowbridge Park, this festival is a day filled with family-friendly fun and festivities for all.
- ZINC (964 Chapel St, New Haven): Sleek, chic, and perfect for a romantic night out, ZINC serves farm-to-table cuisine with strong ties to the local community.
- Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library (121 Wall St, New Haven): “Harry Potter” meets “Beauty and the Beast” in this stunning six-story Vermont marble building at Yale University. With no glass windows, it stands as one of the world’s largest libraries devoted to rare books and manuscripts.
- Louis Lunch (261 Crown St, New Haven): A Yale student favorite, this family-run spot has been in the business since 1895 and (according to some sources) is the birthplace of the hamburger—which they still serve on toast.
- Camacho Garage (36 Fountain St, New Haven): This former gas station has been transformed into New Haven’s go-to spot for Mexican street food and margaritas.
- Yale Student Film Festival: This annual event showcases the crème de la crème of student filmmaking. Taking place over five days in April, the categories of screenings include narrative, experimental, documentary, animation, and high school.
- Toad’s Place (300 York St, New Haven): Starting in the late ’70s and into the ’80s, Toad’s Place became a magnet for famous—and soon-to-be famous—acts like Cyndi Lauper, Billy Idol, Blondie, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and most recently, Keanu Reeves’ band. This venue’s history is so iconic that a filmmaker is planning a documentary about it.
- Meriden Daffodil Festival: Held in nearby Meriden, this festival is Conneticut’s most visually appealing celebration by far, championing the local music scene and welcoming start of spring.
- BAR (254 Crown St, New Haven): A low-key spot where indie rock rules the night. Come for their Mashed Potato Pizza, and stay for the pool and dance club area.
- Ordinary (990 Chapel St, New Haven): With charcuterie and cheese boards, this old-school speakeasy feels like stepping into a time machine. It’s one of New Haven’s top spots for a cocktail.
- Yale University Art Gallery (1111 Chapel St, New Haven): America’s oldest college art museum, founded in 1832, boasts an expansive collection of contemporary, American, African, Asian, and European artworks. Entry is free.
