Who Knew Blog

/

Cool Down: New Haven’s Splash Pads Are Open!

No pool pass? No problem. When the city heats up, we’ve got splash [pads], New Haven parks come to the rescue with free* family-friendly fun that’s perfect for spontaneous playdates, quick cool-offs, or just a chance to beat the summer sun. Here’s where to make a splash in the Elm City this season: 1. Lighthouse Point Park Splash Pad 2 Lighthouse Rd, New Haven Just steps from the beach, this full-featured splash pad offers sprayers, tipping buckets, and shady spots to lounge – ideal for a full day of family fun. *New Haven Residents (vehicles registered in New Haven, can... View Article

/

The Scoop on Summer: 5 Ice Cream Spots to Cool Off in Downtown New Haven

When the temps climb in the Elm City, there’s one simple rule: cool off with something sweet. We’ve got scoops, and downtown is scooping up serious summer vibes with frozen treats that hit every craving – think small-batch classics, vegan delights, and a little liquid nitrogen drama for good measure. Whether you’re taking a break between errands, catching a show, or just chasing sunshine with friends, these five local spots bring the chill – cone, cup, or bubble tea straw in hand. Arethusa Farm Dairy | 1020 Chapel St Connecticut roots, creamy perfection. Arethusa churns out rich, farm-fresh flavors using... View Article

/

Celebrating 100 Years of Frank Pepe’s: A Centennial Slice of History

One hundred years of ah-BEETZ and counting.  That’s how long Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana has been serving up sizzling coal-fired pies from the heart of Wooster Square – cementing its place as a New Haven icon and national treasure. To mark the milestone, the city is pulling out all the stops. A yearlong lineup of pizza specials and events is underway, all leading up to a public celebration on June 20, 2025, at Pepe’s original New Haven location. Expect DJs, giveaways, and a fundraiser benefiting the Connecticut Food Bank – a tribute to the late Gary Bimonte, a beloved member... View Article

/ /

Explore New Haven’s Dixwell Neighborhood

If you find yourself on Dixwell Avenue in early June and hear the distant thump of drums, you’re not imagining things—you’re being pulled into the heartbeat of one of New Haven’s most historic neighborhoods. The Elm City Freddy Fixer Parade, a beloved summer tradition, is a vibrant celebration of Black heritage, community pride, and cultural resilience. First held in the 1960s, it’s now the oldest Black-led parade in New England—and it still carries the same founding spirit: uplift, empower, and clean up. The name “Freddy Fixer” honors a grassroots movement that began as a neighborhood beautification project. Today, it’s grown... View Article

/ /

Along the New Haven ah-BEETZ Crawl: A New Pizza Pilgrimage is Born

One bite, and you’ll never look at pizza the same way again. There’s pizza, and then there’s New Haven apizza (pronounced “ah-BEETZ”). Whether you’re an apizza acolyte or simply someone who respects the perfect combination of crip, char, and chew, then the New Haven Pizza Trail is calling you.  Here in New Haven, we take our pizza seriously – like, lifelong debates over “my spot is better than yours” and multi-generational family tradition seriously. That’s what makes our city, the nation’s pizza capital, the home of America’s greatest slice. And if you know you know, that was a trick. We... View Article

/

Celebrate a City of Creativity with the 30th International Festival of Arts & Ideas

One of the city’s most beloved events, The International Festival of Arts & Ideas, returns June 14-28 for its 30th anniversary, and is sure to set the city abuzz. Join family, friends, and neighbors while New Haven marks three decades of unforgettable performances, insightful conversations, and vibrant energy. A Pearl of an Anniversary To honor the festival’s 30-year journey, New Haven is celebrating with the pearl – the traditional anniversary gift. A pearl transforms from a small irritant into a luminous gem, much like how incredible art and brilliant ideas blossom from diverse perspectives.  Books, Ideas, and Burning Questions Dive... View Article

/ /

New Haven Outdoors: Where to Eat When the Weather’s Too Good to Stay Inside

The tables are out, the cocktails are cold, and the patios are calling. When New Haven warms up, the dining scene heads outdoors—and it shows off. From rooftop lounges and harbor views to tucked-away patios and sidewalk stunners, this city knows how to make a meal feel like an escape.  Whether you’re in it for oysters and river breezes or spritzes and street style, we’ve got your al fresco options covered. Water Views: The Quinnipiac River to New Haven Harbor You don’t have to leave the city for waterfront dining—just follow the breeze. Shell & Bones (City Point Neighborhood)– Spacious... View Article

/ /

Sip Happens: Four Juice Bars to Check Out in the Elm City

Summer in New Haven hits differently. The sun’s high, the sidewalks are buzzing, and the cravings? Cold, colorful, and crammed with goodness. Whether you’re fueling up post-yoga, post-hike, or post-happy-hour (no judgment), there’s nothing like a juice bar hit to keep you moving and glowing. From old favorites to fresh-pressed newcomers, we rounded up four spots that are keeping the Elm City cool one sip at a time. Think smoothies with stamina, juices that just get you, and enough tropical flavor to make Chapel Street feel like the coastline. Let’s juice. Green Bliss – 1092 Chapel Street (Chapel Street Historic... View Article

/

New Haven Pride Center: A Place for Community, Culture, and Support

If you’ve ever wandered around Downtown in June and felt something electric in the air – more color, more joy, more rhythm in the streets – that’s Pride Month pulsing through the city, a time to honor and uplift our LGBTQ+ community. And right at the center of it all, both literally and symbolically, is the New Haven Pride Center. It isn’t just a building or a program. It’s a home base. A hub. A heartbeat. Tucked into the city’s cultural core, the New Haven Pride Center has been holding space for LGBTQ+ lives, stories, and futures for nearly 30... View Article

/

New Haven’s Food Truck Paradise: Where Flavor Meets the Sound on Long Wharf

If you’re chasing that next unforgettable bite, New Haven’s Food Truck Paradise is calling. This is where the region’s best food trucks set up along the waterfront, turning Long Wharf Drive into a living, breathing street food festival. Against the backdrop of the Long Island Sound, you’ll find flavors bold enough to match the view, think Birria tacos with crisped edges and slow-braised beef. Pupusas stuffed with melty cheese and spiced meats. Fresh-cut tropical fruit bursting with color. Seafood so fresh it feels like it came straight off the boat. Every visit promises a different lineup, and every dish feels... View Article