Location: New Haven
Top Things to do in New Haven
The 7 Best Things to do Good for Kids in New Haven, Connecticut (CT)
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 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!
2. East Rock Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 179 reviews
Reviewed By Historybuffusa
Not only is the view second-to-none, East Rock Park is home to the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial which is among the finest military monuments in the country--it was just refurbished a few years ago and is immaculate. The road leading to the top of East Rock is a great bike ride more than amply rewarded by the view from the top--and the exciting ride back down! From the edge of East Rock Park you can see all of New Haven, as well as the New Haven Harbor and Long Island Sound. At sunset it is a romantic spot where you can sit watching birds doing acrobatics. Considering how close it is to the business district and Yale, it offers wildlife, lessons in history, geology and geography and is always free and accessible. For the adventurous, seek out "Giant Steps" which is a steep path leading down the rock face--big fun and exciting! East Rock Park is often active, but never over-populated, with families picnicking, groups doing Yoga and hikers and bikers galore. I've been going for years and in my experience it is safe, friendly and a wonderful place to spend an hour--or an afternoon.
3. Edgerton Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Edgerton Park was donated by Frederick Brewster. Interesting history, feastures conservancy, community gardens, plays/festivals, greenhouses.
4. It Adventure Ropes Course
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 104 reviews
Experience the World's largest indoor ropes course inside Jordan's Furniture! Channel your inner tightrope walker as you take on the 56-foot tall ropes courses and climb through cargo nets, angled rope ladders and more. Connecting the 2 ropes courses are four of the longest Sky Rail zip lines that were ever made! Prepare to be wowed as you Zip It 180-feet over the Waltzing Water Show and restaurants down below. For those that like an extra daring challenge, participants can choose to exit the course with a free-fall sensation off the Jump It platform at the very top of the building. Other activities include 5 Climb It vertical climbing attractions, and for the youngsters, there is the Little It ropes course for kids under 4-feet tall. This attraction is for the whole family, no experience required! While you're taking it all in be prepared to be blown away by the 1,000 nozzle Liquid Fireworks water fountain that goes to the beat of 41,000 watts of stereo sound and lighting. Your adventure awaits!
Reviewed By lcdemar - Ashburn, United States
Such a random thing to find! You have to walk through an entire furniture store to access this ropes course. Also in the “It” section are a musical water fountain, an ice scream shop and pizza place. My husband and I had a blast. We went before noon and only had to share the course with two other people. There are lots of levels and lots of choices on which obstacles you’d like to complete to get around. Multiple zip lines as well. We chose the line that took us directly over the fountain, so that was a cool view. It’s $25-30/pp, depending on whether you decide to free fall at the top. And it’s for an unlimited time. You can stay up as long as you want, but once you descend (by stair or by fall) you are not allowed back into the course. Free lockers are provided.
5. Carousel at Lighthouse Point Park
6. Five Mile Point Light
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By kitkatconnecticut - Norwalk, United States
I read several reviews complaining about the $30 cost of parking during the high season- but during the winter it is completely free and def worth a trip! Lighthouse is beautiful and there are multiple beaches to look for glass or sea shells.
7. New Haven Railroad Station
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 90 reviews
Reviewed By genenurse - Oak Island, United States
I hadn't been in this train station in 50 years, and was struck by how beautiful it is. Small take-out food shops along one side of the station and a newstand; beautiful old benches, marked for social distancing, quiet, clean, peaceful. Staff were very helpful and responsive to my request for information.
