Location: New Haven
Top Things to do in New Haven
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What to do and see in New Haven, Connecticut (CT): The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
The home to Yale University since 1701, the city of New Haven is packed with an unrivaled collection of arts and antiquities, with collections ranging from natural history specimens to antique musical instruments. The towering translucent marble cube of the Beinecke Library contains 600,000 rare volumes, including one of the only surviving Gutenberg Bibles. The Yale University Art Gallery is as famous for its collection as it is for its building, a Modernist masterpiece designed by Louis Kahn.
Restaurants in New Haven
1. Yale University Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 953 reviews
Yale University Art Gallery is the oldest college art museum in America. The Gallery’s encyclopedic holdings of more than 250,000 objects range from ancient times to the present day and represent civilizations from around the globe. Spanning a block and a half of the city of New Haven, Connecticut, the Gallery comprises three architecturally distinct buildings, including a masterpiece of modern architecture from 1953 designed by Louis Kahn through which visitors enter. The museum is free and open to the public.
Reviewed By 397markc397 - Hudson, United States
I know people are attracted for special exhibits, and the one during my visit was indeed very special, however the gallery is well worth a visit at any time. A very diverse and deep amount of art is always on display, and along with the helpful and friendly security staff, its a true pleasure to visit! Just a note on the current exhibit: Matthew Barney Redoubt. Absolutely breathtaking. If you miss this at least google. Its stunning!
2. Taste of New Haven
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 71 reviews
Take a Taste of New Haven! Connecticut’s premiere culinary and leisure activity offers residents and tourists alike a one-of-a-kind cultural adventure. We run group and private walking tours, biking tours, cooking classes, food festivals, galas, history and architecture tours! -Corporate Events -Birthday Parties -Bachelorette Parties -School Groups -Senior Centers -Team Building -Conference Groups -Food Festivals -Happy Hour Crawls -Gala Events
3. Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 271 reviews
Reviewed By tobyc530 - Monroe, United States
Unless things have changed, this library is free to visit. In the height of summer, there is (was) a steady stream of groups—outside these times - a magical place especially when the light coming in through the marble windows is sufficient to illuminate the interior.
4. Escape New Haven
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 229 reviews
Escape the room at Escape New Haven, an adventure for your mind and senses. Teams of 2-5 players are "locked" in one or more of our 4 themed games and have 60 minutes to puzzle their way out, unearthing new challenges along the way. Great for families, birthday parties, corporate team-building, groups of friends, reunions, and more. Explore, adapt, work together, think creatively -- and you just might ESCAPE!
Reviewed By kalie_menders
We had an absolute blast doing The Gallery at Escape New Haven!! The staff was super friendly and helpful. The attention to detail in the game was amazing and the puzzles kept us on our toes the whole time. This was our third time doing an escape room with them and we will definitely keep coming back for more!
5. Elm City Escape
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
An immersive and exciting escape room experience in New Haven, Connecticut.
6. Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 563 reviews
This museum has a diverse collection ranging from Indian artifacts to Egyptian art to a large bird collection.
Reviewed By joannebY8878ZI - Blairstown, United States
From dinosaurs to beautiful minerals to dioramas to a wonderful Discovery Room (where kids can watch ants work, observe stick bugs and newly hatched butterflies, work on puzzles and do other fun activities), this museum is designed to entertain children and visitors of all ages. Exhibits promote the study of natural history, conservation and the love of science. The museum is a manageable size, and we had a wonderful time with our young grandsons. Don't delay your visit--the museum is closing at the end of the year for renovations!
7. Long Wharf Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
A theatre that features Broadway shows.
8. Yale Center for British Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 361 reviews
As a COVID-19 precaution, the Yale Center for British Art is closed until further notice. We are committed to the health, safety, and well-being of our visitors and staff. Note that all March and April tours are canceled, and many upcoming programs are canceled or postponed. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your support and understanding. Please continue to check britishart.yale.edu for updates. Posted: March 13, 2020
Reviewed By Historybuffusa
First off, the building is a fantastic architectural masterpiece by Louis Kahn--for some, that is sufficient reason to visit in and of itself. The galleries are spacious and built around a large open center--which is itself a gorgeous, wood-paneled gallery. Natural light is masterfully directed, especially to a large, beautiful Turner piece--it's worth a visit just to check it out: whoever curated that particular piece deserves a hearty handshake. Featuring exclusively British art (as the name might suggest) it is packed with art that will delight both the novice and pro. Their relatively new "big gallery" is a long room with art from floor to ceiling that mixes art from all eras and genres and is divided into topics (military, equestrian, nautical, etc)--it is jaw-dropping and in my estimation the way art should always be displayed. You could just visit the "big gallery" and go away satisfied. Of course, like the Yale Art Gallery across the street, there's never an admission charge--which makes it one of the great amenities of living in or visiting New Haven. Also, conveniently, there is reasonably priced pay parking behind the museum which is handy, since downtown is often packed and parking can be difficult. Easy access to restaurants, the Yale Center for British Art is a mandatory stop if you're in New Haven. Walk a block West to Book Trader for a tasty sandwich and the best bookstore in town.
9. Yale Repertory Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Yale Repertory Theatre, the internationally celebrated professional theatre in residence at Yale School of Drama, has championed new work since 1966, producing well over 100 premieres—including two Pulitzer Prize winners and four other nominated finalists—by emerging and established playwrights. Seventeen Yale Rep productions have advanced to Broadway, garnering more than 40 Tony Award nominations and 10 Tony Awards. Yale Rep is also the recipient of the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Established in 2008, Yale’s Binger Center for New Theatre has distinguished itself as one of the nation’s most robust and innovative new play programs, supporting the work of more than 50 commissioned artists and underwriting the world premieres and subsequent productions of more than two dozen new American plays and musicals at Yale Rep and theatres across the country.
10. Shubert Theater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 122 reviews
This theater features Broadway shows.
Reviewed By JJB99 - New York City, United States
I just came from the play Amazing Grace and was very impressed with the new Renovations that took place at the Shubert recently. Construction during the off-season allowed for a free flowing entrance into the theater. This is a great place to watch a play or even a concert, very good acoustics and small enough to have a great View
