New Haven Attractions

The Connecticut Children's Museum features educational and entertaining exhibits with a variety of theme rooms. Themes are inspired by educators, artists, health care providers, scientists, community organizers, businesspeople, architects and parents.

The East Rock Park covers 425 acres and encompasses this 365 foot high, 1 1/2 mile long rock. From on top there are sweeping views of Long Island Sound and New Haven. Also within the park are the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Indian Head Peak, and Pardee Rose Gardens.

This cemetery is the resting place of Lyman Beecher, James D. Dana, Charles Goodyear, Roger Sherman, Noah Webster, Theodore Winthrop, and Eli Whitney.

The museum offers displays on the history of the Knights of Columbus. The facility is 77,000 square feet and features a courtyard and impressive landscaping.

The 1840 lighthouse is not open to the public but the surrounding park area is accessible and picnicking is permitted. There is also a carousel which charges a small fee.

The Museum of the New Haven Colony Historical Society features collections of furniture, paintings, and items relating to the history of New Haven.

The Green is an area in the city center which covers 16 acres. Located within this area are three churches, the First Church of Christ, the Trinity, and the United Church-on-the-Green, all dating to the early 1800s.

The West Rock Ridge State Park covers over 1,500 acres and offers opportunities for hiking, mountain biking and fishing. West Rock Ridge also provides beautiful views of the surrounding areas. Within the park is Judges Cave, where two judges hid after condemning Charles I to death.

Branford has been a popular summer resort area since the early 1900s. Natural attractions in the area include what is known as the "five fingers", comprised off Short Beach, Branford Point, Indian Neck, Pine Orchard and Stony Creek.

Bittersweet Farm was purchased for a real estate development.

There are a number of Thimble Islands Cruises during the summer months which depart from the Stoney Creek Dock.

The Barker Museum houses over 80,000 items including toys and character collectibles from 1873 to present. An animation art and fine art sculpture gallery are located within as well. Western, TV and advertising collectibles can be found alongside official Gumby and California Raisin displays.

The Opera Theater of Connecticut offers Connecticut artists (singers, musicians, designers and support staff) an opportunity to gain experience on stage. At the same time it offers residents a chance to see high quality, full scale performances at discounted rates.

A full season of performances is offered each year.

Housed in the 1789 Stanton House, the museum displays a number of historical artifacts, Colonial furnishings, and other antique items.

The Osborne Homesstead belonged to Frances Osborne Kellogg. The estate features an early 1800s Colonial Revival style home which displays a number of antiques and interesting household items. Also of interest is the Kellogg Environmental Center, nature trails, and the surrounding gardens.

The Shore Line Trolley Museum displays a variety of North American antique streetcars, and other urban transport vehicles. Visitors can also take a short trolley ride.

The Thankful Arnold House was built in three stages between 1794 and 1810. The museum offers a glimpse of life for the family in the late 1820s. The gardens are devoted to over 50 varieties of herbs, featuring many of the kind that Thankful Arnold would have used in about 1830.

The museum is a tribute to the inventor, Eli Whitney. On display are cotton gin models, as well as interactive exhibits. The grounds are landscaped and feature a covered bridge and waterfalls, and a mechanism for controlling the flow of water.

The Milford Historical Society displays historical artifacts related to the history of the town and region to promote preservation.