New Haven boasts Colonial charm, a rich history, and a sophisticated, eclectic mix of arts and entertainment, cultural attractions and gastronomical delights. For a city of its size, New Haven offers some of the most interesting experiences in Connecticut, if not New England.

Downtown and Yale

The first thing most people associate with New Haven is Yale, one of the world's great universities. It has a great presence in the city, and the city of New Haven grew up around the heart of the campus, which is a commanding display of classic colonial and modern Gothic architecture. Several world-renowned museums and theaters are located on or near campus, such as the Yale Center for British Art, the Yale University Art Gallery, the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library or the Yale University Collection of Musical Instruments. It is an aesthetic treat to visit the campus and an architectural pleasure.

The Green

New Haven was the first planned city in the country, and the New Haven Green was part of the original city plan. The Green's 16 acres are the center of downtown New Haven, as well as bordering the eastern edge of the Yale campus. The Green hosts a variety of local cultural, entertainment and social events during the course of the year. Impressive municipal buildings face the Green, as well as three churches: Trinity Church, First Congregational Church of Christ (also known locally as the Center Church), and the United Church, all built around 1813, and wonderful examples of Gothic, Federal and Georgian architecture. The area northeast of the Green contains the Audubon Arts District. Here you will find a brick-lined street lined with condominiums, restaurants, stores and the headquarters for the Greater New Haven Arts Council. To the southeast of the Green is the section of downtown now known as Ninth Square, one of the nine squares that made up New Haven's original layout. The area includes sections of Chapel Street, Church Street, George Street and State Street. Although this redeveloping area does not yet have much shopping and dining, some restaurants of note include the Malaysian favorite, Bentara, on Orange Street, and the popular and award winning gay hangout, Gotham Citi, on Church Street.

Long Wharf

The Long Wharf area, on New Haven harbor, is disconnected from the rest of downtown, but nonetheless an integral part of New Haven. There is an industrial area, and a commercial harbor. The Long Wharf Theatre, one of the country's best-known and most-honored regional theaters, is located here, as is the enormous Sports Haven, offering telecast horse and dog racing. The main restaurant here is the Rusty Scupper, which offers views of Long Island Sound as well as a menu of seafood delights. At Brazi's Italian restaurant, near the theater, patrons can enjoy a meal before or after a show.

East Shore

The East Shore neighborhood is probably best known for Lighthouse Point Park, on the Sound. There is a landmark lighthouse, built in 1840, a beautifully restored carousel, and lovely views. The East Shore neighborhood has a colorful history. On July 5, 1779 the British landed on East Shore, overcame a small, colonial garrison at Black Rock Fort, and marched into New Haven for their one-day occupation of the city. East Shore is home to the Pardee-Morris House, built in 1680 and the survivor of the British Invasion and three centuries of waterfront storms.

Fair Haven

Fair Haven is another neighborhood on the Sound, and its earliest history is connected to oystering. The first European settlers took up oystering from the native Quinnipiac Indians. Today, because of pollution, oysters harvested here are moved to cleaner waters for several weeks before being served in local restaurants—where they are considered quite safe to eat. Other Fair Haven highlights include the Fair Haven Woodworks, offering a remarkable collection of hand crafted furniture, and the small Riverside Park along the Quinnipiac River, where some gentrification has begun to occur.

City Point/Oyster Point

Howard Avenue, along the water in Oyster Point, also known as City Point, reminds you of a small fishing village. Many grandiose homes built in the 1880s have been restored to their original beauty. Although there was a period of decay after the neighborhood was cut off from the rest of the city by Interstate 95, this quiet sea-side neighborhood has become one of the more pleasing areas to visit in New Haven. The Inn at Oyster Point is located near the water on one of the quaint streets. At one of the docks at the end of Howard Avenue is the Sage American Bar and Grill, formerly the Chart House, where you can enjoy a delicious meal while taking in the sights and sounds of the harbor. The 90-foot schooner Quinnipiac is docked here.

Wooster Square (Little Italy)

Wooster Square was named after the New Haven Revolutionary War hero, David Wooster. It was once a neighborhood of elegant brownstones surrounding the square, but many of the houses were razed for factories and tenements for Irish workers in the mid 19th Century. In the late 1800s, Italian immigrants replaced the Irish, creating the "Little Italy" we know today, commonly referred to simply as Wooster Street. Wooster Street and Wooster Square engender thoughts of New Haven's famous pizzerie, Pepe's and Sally's, which vie each year for the title of best pizza in the world. The first pizza in the country was served here, and it is still home to some of the best Italian cuisine around; in restaurants and bakeries such as Consiglio's, Lucibello's, and Tre Scalini. Wooster Street itself is unassuming but, in the summer, the street is alive with festivals and celebrations when locals and everyone else come out to party. It is one of New Haven's more lively and colorful neighborhoods.

Shoreline East

For a scenic drive and quick escape from the city, take Interstate 95 or even Boston Post Road north towards Providence. The small towns that dot the shoreline are full of delightful historic sights, beaches, eateries, shopping and hotels. The 17th-18th century homes in these towns are products of reconstruction after numerous hurricanes and raids by Native Americans and the British that often left the entire towns in ruins. Branford, the largest of these towns, is home to Stony Point (due to its rocky shore) and boats that go out to the nearby Thimble Islands for excellent daytrips. The next town over is Guilford, home to Bishop's Orchards and has one of the prettiest town greens in Connecticut that holds a renowned Guilford Art Center Craft Expo every July. Hammonasset State Park in Madison offers a fantastic stretch of sandy beaches for young and old to enjoy, pick up some books at R.J. Julia, and afterwards feast upon seafood at Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale. In both Clinton and Westbrook, indulge in some serious shopping at Clinton Crossing and the Tanger Outlet Center. Old Saybrook, where Yale University was chartered as Collegiate College back in 1701, and was home to actress Katharine Hepburn until her death in 2003, is the most developed and commercial of the shoreline towns with plenty of restaurants, stores and beaches for locals and tourists.