A Haven for Discovery

Anyone who’s ever planted roots in New Haven will tell you: the city sneaks up on you. Aside from its Ivy League charm and historic good looks, there’s an undeniable cultural energy that runs through the Elm City, captivating those who call it home and beckoning those back who’ve migrated elsewhere. Just ask Meryl Streep — the Yale Rep alumna who has a habit of paying her old stomping grounds a visit.

New Haven is a one-stop-shop for getting your errands done. Go to the post office, do your grocery shopping, banking, get a haircut, and workout in the city. Visit the doctors at Yale New Haven Hospital, offering some of the best healthcare in the world. Residents of downtown and surrounding neighborhoods enjoy the convenience of having these services within walking distance.

City Hall

Stoically situated on Church Street across the street from the New Haven Green, the iconic City Hall building is not easily overlooked. Constructed in 1861, the building itself is one of the earliest (and most elaborate) examples of High Victorian Gothic architecture in the nation, as noted by the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Since it’s 19th century beginnings, City Hall has continued served its purpose as a hub for the City’s daily operations and visitor relations.

Yale University

For over 300 years, Yale’s iconic tree-lined campus has served as the centerpiece of downtown New Haven, comprised of the school’s main and historic campus, as well as a medical campus beside the Yale–New Haven Hospital. With colonial roots tracing back to the 1640s, Yale is historically known for its stunning gothic architecture and world-renowned undergrad and graduate academic communities. Each year, the university enriches the minds of nearly 5500 pupils, historically deemed “a company of scholars and a society of friends”. Visitors are welcome to wander along the pristine New Haven Green, which is home to three historic churches and plenty of cozy cafes. The public can take the Yale Campus Tour, free of charge Mon–Fri: 10:30am & 2pm, Sat–Sunday: 1:30pm.

Yale New Haven Hospital

Here in New Haven, the city prides itself on top-notch “hospitality”. Need proof? Pay a visit to the nationally-acclaimed Yale New Haven Hospital, an international hub for exceptional healthcare and the home of nationally-recognized Yale Children’s Hospital and the Smilow Cancer Center. Next door, Yale Medical School students are learning how to create new, innovative solutions every day. Together, these local institutions are paving the way for cutting-edge medical practices in CT and beyond.

Higher Education

To call New Haven a quintessential “college town” would be an understatement. In addition to Yale, the Elm City holds claims on several other top-notch collegiate institutions, including Southern CT State University, Albertus Magnus College, University of New Haven, Gateway Community College and nearby Quinnipiac University. With endless community activities and enrichment opportunities available at students’ fingertips, the Elm City is a true ‘haven’ for higher education.

Schools

Although its Ivy League amenities tend to turn the most heads, New Haven’s lower-school options are also worth a double-take. The city’s public education offerings include magnets, as well as charter schools. On the other hand, the city is home to historic private academies like Hopkins Day School, enriching young minds since 1660. For promising high school students who dream of a college diploma, the New Haven Promise Program is local scholarship program offering up to full tuition to New Haven Students toward CT colleges and universities.

Cyclists

For those who prefer to get around on two wheels, New Haven offers a host of bicycle-friendly activities and a thriving local cycling culture. In fact, the city was recently recognized as a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists for its above-average rate of daily cyclists and dedicated network of cycling activist groups like Elm City Cycling, which includes more than 500 cycling enthusiasts. In addition to New Haven’s citywide designation, Yale and the CT Mental Health Center (CMHC) have earned praise respectively as a Bicycle Friendly University and a Bicycle Friendly Business. Visitors or residents who don’t own a bike can still enjoy life on two wheels, thanks to New Haven’s popular BikeShare program, available at 10 pick-up and drop-off stations downtown (soon to grow to 30 stations by July 1, 2018).