Next Stop: New Haven

There’s a reason why New Haven is Pizza Heaven. Classic recipes based on the city’s original “apizza” style is world-renowned, pioneered by the nation's #1 pizza, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana and its longtime rivals Sally’s Apizza and Modern. Plus find outstanding newcomers like Ernie’s, BAR, and DaLegna at NOLO. Key tip: try clam pizza found at Pepe’s and Zuppardi’s, in West Haven.

New Haven’s flagship food may be pizza, but there's a lot more to dig into. Don’t know where to start? Don’t panic because the Taste of New Haven Tour gives you the complete rundown.

Big on brunch? Stop into Olives and Oil or the very Instagram-worthy Pistachio Cafe for a unique vibe and menu, fuel your day at Willoughby’s Coffee and Tea, hailed as one of the best coffee roasters by Forbes, or grab something sweet at  Libby’s Italian Pastry Shop in New Haven’s Little Italy. 

You’ll obviously want ice cream, so don’t miss the one voted ‘Best’ by Connecticut magazine, Ashley’s ice cream, or go for an innovative and photogenic cone at Milkcraft.

Find more tasty spots below.

For the hopheads out there, head to Prime 16 and pair one of the rotating 20 beers on tap with a signature burger. At the Bru Room at Bar, you can get craft beer suggestions to pair with award-winning pizza!

Rhythm Brewing Company specializes in craft lagers brewed with South American hops that boasts a strong yet flavorful kick.

Find a few more nearby spots below.

Enjoy the outdoors with New Haven’s vast range of parks and trails.  Embark on the Giant steps trail at East Rock Park, and be rewarded with a stunning view of Long Island Sound at the summit. Farmington Canal Heritage Trail runs a staggering 84 miles, from New Haven all the way up to Northampton, MA. Find more hiking at Sleeping Giant State Park in nearby Hamden and Quinnipiac River State Park.

Lighthouses are the staple landmarks of New England. New Haven has the historic Lighthouse Point Park. With areas to swim, a picnic grove and an antique carousel, there’s no better view of Long Island Sound from sunrise to sunset.

New Haven indoor attractions are fun for the whole family. Choose between four unique mysteries at Escape New Haven. Navigate the world’s largest indoor ropes course at IT Adventure Ropes Course. 

For sports betting fans, find your HQ at Winners Sports Haven. And avid rock climbers will appreciate the challenge of City Climb Gym.

New Haven is an arts & culture hub. If you’re looking for iconic arts destinations, put Yale University Art Gallery and Yale Center for British Art on your list. 

Theater fans can revisit classics and witness debuts at Yale Reparatory and Shubert Theatre, which holds the nickname, "Birthplace of the Nation’s Greatest Hits” as a theatre where many Broadway shows began. Don’t forget to take the backstage tour, highlighted by famous graffiti walls. Or see a show presented by Long Wharf Theatre, which puts on incredible performances at different venues throughout the city.

Find more arts and culture destinations below.

Feel every beat in New Haven — from festivals to top-notch music venues and nightclubs.

The popular outdoor, open-air stage Westville Music Bowl has acts for everyone that makes this 10,000 person venue a once in a lifetime place you can’t miss. College Street Music Hall brings indie favorites to the stage. And don't miss music events at the iconic Toad's Place, hosting national touring acts since 1975.

This summer’s International Festival of Arts and Ideas (June 10 - 25) has over 150 events under the umbrella theme “Rise.” this year’s event aims to cultivate a bright community of forward-thinkers. Rise’s celebration includes vibrant performing arts, illuminating lectures and conversations that inspire.

Sip in motion on the Elm City Party Bike, grab drinks on the rooftop at High George, find LGBTQ+ events at Partners Cafe, then end the night strong at Club Van Dome, with frequent DJs and special events sure to keep the energy flowing.

Find more music venues and nightlife spots below.

This city with evolving experiences still holds onto a momentous and rich past.

One of the oldest continuously operating museums in the United States, New Haven Museum contains a robust collection of artifacts, manuscripts, photographs, artwork and historical documents that delve deep into the city’s rich past. Explore this spot through tours, workshops, performances, and community outreach initiatives. Find more history in the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, one of the world's largest libraries devoted entirely to rare books and manuscripts.

Celebrate freedom and independence at the Pardee-Morris House, once burned by the British in in 1779 and rebuilt to former glory. In the same year, a brave few soldiers defended Black Rock Fort and Fort Nathan Hale, in a patriotic effort that blocked a direct invasion downtown. You can visit the landmark today.

Stop by the New Haven Green, a Historic National Landmark which includes The First Church of Christ on the New Haven Green, with a unique crypt bearing tombstones dating back to1687. And mark your calendar for the reopning of the Yale Peabody Musem of Natural History in early 2024. From dinosaurs and diamonds to mummies and meteorites, the Peabody’s galleries and programs take visitors on an amazing journey through more than four billion years of Earth history.

And of course, visit Yale University, one of the city's cornerstones. Tour campus to learn the university’s rich history.

Wind down after a long day of exploring, — whether it’s in the comfy, modern vibe of The Blake Hotel, or the elegant accommodations of the Graduate. Stay at Hotel Marcel, with the first completely solar-powered energy-neutral hotel in the country. Or if you need more flexible accommodations, check out New Haven’s featured listings on Airbnb and VRBO.Waterfront lofts, peaceful cottages and downtown accommodations await.

See some of New Haven’s full-service hotels below.