A Stylish Weekend in New Haven, CT

I recently spent a weekend in New Haven, CT, in partnership with Market New Haven. To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect before visiting New Haven. The only thing I knew about New Haven was that it’s home to Yale University.

My trip to New Haven was such a pleasant surprise. After spending a couple of days there, I can tell you that New Haven offers the best of New England. And all in one charming city with a walkable downtown.

It’s a center for the arts with plenty of museums, music venues and theaters. New Haven also has a buzzy social scene – that’s not just for students! – with cool coffee shops, bars and pizza joints. And, New Haven has beaches and big leafy parks if you want to get outside.

Plus, the gorgeous architecture around Yale’s historic campus will make you feel like you’ve landed at Hogwarts. So, don’t forget to pack your wand and get ready to meet the sorting hat. I kid, I kid. I already knew that I’m a Griffyndor before I got to New Haven. 😉

Begrudgingly putting the Harry Potter jokes aside, keep reading if you’re looking for a stylish guide to New Haven!

Note: My trip was sponsored by Market New Haven but, as always, all opinions are my own. Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click a link and make a purchase, I will receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

Getting to New Haven from NYC

If you’re leaving from NYC for your weekend in New Haven, your best bet is to take the train. I took the Metro North, which was about a 2 hour and 10 minute trip. You can also take Amtrak, which is a little quicker but more expensive.

If you have a car, New Haven is also a pretty easy drive from NYC. The drive is about 2 hours give or take, depending on traffic.

Getting Around During Your Weekend in New Haven

Downtown New Haven is very walkable, so you don’t need a car for your weekend in New Haven. Even better, New Haven was the first planned city in the U.S. on a grid system which makes it easy to find your way around.

If you plan leave downtown to hit up one of the larger parks or beaches, it’s also easy to get an Uber.

When to Visit New Haven, CT

New Haven has something to offer year round – fall foliage, Christmas events, a spring cherry blossom festival and beaches. I visited New Haven in October during fall foliage season and the colors were beautiful.

Where to Stay During Your Weekend in New Haven

If you’re looking for a place to stay during your weekend in New Haven, look no further. Book your Stay at Graduate New Haven – you’ll thank me later. I’m a luxury and boutique hotel fanatic and my stay at Graduate New Haven was a big highlight of my trip.

Graduate New Haven is part of a chain of chic boutique hotels that have opened up in America’s best college towns. Each hotel is unique and is designed to match the style of its respective university town. I’d describe Graduate New Haven as being a vintage collegiate chic boutique hotel.

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The property was originally the Hotel Duncan which opened up in 1894. The property was meticulously renovated and re-opened as Graduate New Haven in October 2019. Every little detail has been carefully considered and the hotel is full of whimsical details (like phone booths that connect you directly to local pizza joints – OBSESSED) and beautiful design elements.

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The Blake Hotel is another solid boutique hotel option if you’re looking for more of an apartment feel. Each of the rooms has a modern kitchenette making The Blake Hotel ideal for longer stays.

If a boutique hotel isn’t your thing and you prefer staying with a luxury hotel chain, The Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale (155 Temple Street) is a great choice.

Best Things to do in New Haven, CT

Yale University Art Gallery

No stylish guide to New Haven, CT, would be complete without a Harry Potter reference. ‘Cause, I’m not going to lie – the Yale Campus was giving me all of the Hogarts vibes with its Neo-Gothic architecture. And that’s especially true for the Yale University Art Gallery.

Aside from its incredibly beautiful architecture, the museum also houses an impressive art collection that includes Monet, Gauguin and Van Gogh.

Hours

• Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, but open until 8 pm on Thursdays from September to June.
• Saturday – Sunday: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Closed Mondays, New Year’s Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving Day. Christmas Eve and Christmas.

Admission

• Totally free, whoop whoop!

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Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library is a seriously cool piece of modern architecture from the 1960s. It’s also one of the biggest rare book libraries in the world.

Here, you can check out (‘kay I don’t mean actually check out and take it with you, so don’t get any ideas… I mean you can look at) a rare copy of The Gutenberg Bible, the first Western book printed from movable type, and John James Audubon’s Birds of America. Basically, it’s a book lover’s paradise.

Hours

• Monday: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (Reading room & public exhibition hall)
• Tuesday – Thursday: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm (Reading room & public exhibition hall)
• Friday: 9:00am to 5:00 pm (Reading room & public exhibition hall)
• Saturday: noon to 5:00 pm (Public exhibition hall only, ground floor & mezzanine)
• Sunday: noon to 4:00 pm (Public exhibition hall only, ground floor & mezzanine)
• Closed most holidays, I recommend checking their calendar before you visit.

Admission

• Totally free!

New Haven Green

New Haven Green is a park, gathering place and National Historic Landmark that dates back to 1638. Three historic churches are located on the New Haven Green.

It’s a great place to wander – or take a break – while you’re exploring downtown New Haven.

The Skull and Bones Tomb

The Skull and Bones is an ultra exclusive secret society at Yale. Many famous American political figures and businessmen are rumored to be members – but they’ll never admit it, because it’s top secret.

The Skull and Bones own a building in New Haven that’s called the Tomb. You can walk buy and snap a photo, but don’t expect to be invited inside.

I was in a sorority in college, but this takes it to the next level!

East Rock Park

East Rock Park is a 425 acre park that’s perfect if you’re want to immerse yourself in nature without leaving New Haven. You can also get a beautiful view of the city from the top of the park.

If you’re staying downtown like I did during my weekend in New Haven, you’ll have to drive or Uber to East Rock Park.

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The Shops at Yale

If you want to get some retail therapy in during your weekend in New Haven, CT, you’ll find everything you need at The Shops at Yale. You can find chains like Urban Outfitters, Lululemon and J. Crew, and also local boutiques and bookstores.

Where to Eat + Drink in New Haven, CT

This stylish guide to New Haven, CT, is heavy on the restaurants because – let’s get real – I spent most of my time in New Haven eating. Their foodie scene is so so good.

John Davenport‘s

If you like your Eggs Benedict or corned beef hash with a side of view, then you’ll love John Davenport’s. This popular coastal New England restaurant on the 19th floor of the The Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale overlooks New Haven Green.

Louis’ Lunch

Louis’ Lunch has been recognized by the Library of Congress as the official birthplace of the hamburger. This casual hole in the wall is one of New Haven’s most famous restaurants, so expect a wait.

Open since 1895, Louis’ Lunch has been serving the original burger since 1900. To this day, all burgers are made on the original upright cast iron grills that date back to 1898.

The rules of eating at Louis’ Lunch are simple:

• all burgers are served medium rare
• the only sides are potato salad or chips (no fries)
• all burgers are served on white sandwich bread (no buns)
• the only toppings are cheese, tomato and onion…no condiments like ketchup, mustard or mayo
• open for lunch only (but closed Sunday and Monday)
• cash only

I personally prefer my burgers smothered in condiments and with loads of pickles, but Louis’ Lunch is worth a visit due to its history alone.

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Hamilton Park

Hamilton Park is the casually elegant restaurant in The Blake Hotel with a fantastic cocktail menu and a coastal New England menu. My favorites were the smoked fish dip and the tuna tartare appetizers.

Hamilton Park also hosts jazz brunch every Sunday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Bar

As you’d expect in a respectable college town, New Haven is known for its pizza. Bar is a reliable spot for great brick oven pizza and craft beer.

Bar also turns into a dance club every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. If you’re young or young at heart, it’s definitely a New Haven hotspot.

Donut Crazy

Donut Crazy is a popular place to grab a coffee and a donut. They have old favorites – like chocolate glazed – and seasonal flavors like apple pie filled donuts.

Poindexter Coffee

This coffee shop in the Graduate New Haven is a perfect place to fuel up in the morning before exploring New Haven.

If I Had One More Day...

I’d visit Lighthouse Point Park ’cause I love a good northeast lighthouse moment.

I’d check out the Yale Center for British Art ’cause my husband’s a Brit.

I’d get tickets to a show at the Shubert Theater or the Yale Repertory Theater.

And, I’d do a ghost tour because those are always fun (and sometimes scary).

I hope you enjoyed this stylish guide to New Haven, CT. A weekend in New Haven is the perfect quick escape from the hustle of NYC.

Even you didn’t graduate from Yale 🙂

And if you’re planning to spend some time in New York state before or after you explore New Haven, these posts may be helpful:

• Instagram Guide to NYC
• Guide to the Holiday Season in NYC
• Complete Guide to Hudson, New York, aka “upstate’s downtown”
• Guide to exploring Narrowsburg, New York, my favorite town in New York’s Catskills

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