THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in New Haven
Best Free Things to Do in New Haven
Category types
Types of Attractions
Awards
Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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21 places sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
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Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Parks
Cemeteries • Churches & Cathedrals
What travellers are saying
- stellabrieSaratoga Springs, NY12 contributionsIncredible collection of art and artifacts ranging from ancient Greece to contemporary artists— and the building itself is gorgeous. A must see!Written 10 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Missgege2Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Region, Canada54 contributionsWe took the visit with the university and it was such a good idea, we were speachless about the beauty of this university, library, park etc.Written 6 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- advcardsReno, NV4,233 contributionsAs for you, I would certainly stop in and walk over the floors for the rare box. They had nice displays and let you see some overall definitely worth the 30 minutes.Written 5 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- GoAlong2Seattle, WA893 contributionsWe went to the park expecting to drive to the viewpoint however we found that the road is closed to cars during the winter. So we walked the road about 20 minutes to the top up gentle curves. The views of the city and the water are very good. At the top is a memorial to soldiers and sailors from the area who died in various wars. It was a chilly day, but a nice walk.Written 9 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- HughSouth Ozone Park, NY1,400 contributionsI have long heard to this museum and finally resolved to visit and glad I did. This is a comprehensive collection of British art , beautifully displayed. The building itself is a treasure by Louis KahnWritten 4 March 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- P&K USAOrlando, FL1,494 contributionsThe Grove Street Cemetery in New Haven, Connecticut, opened in 1796 and is said to be “the oldest cemetery in the nation designed as the ‘city of the dead’ with named avenues and streets”.
We visited for half an hour on July 31st 2024. We could have been there a lot longer, wandering amongst the grave stones and memorials, however it was 30°C and humid, so it was a challenge to last that even long.
The New Haven City Burial Ground, as it is also known, was designated a National Historic Landmark for the monuments reflecting the history of funerary art in America. We marvelled at many of the unique headstones and sculptures dotted around the landscaped site. Those graves for veterans, which were adorned with American flags, easily caught our eyes, as did some of those with unusual names (such as Frisbie and Spock). Grove Street Cemetery is surrounded by Yale University, so as you can imagine many of the internments there are for those who had studied at the university.
The cemetery was well looked after and we passed a small maintenance crew who were sensibly resting in the shade, as it was that hot. Other than them, we saw only a handful of visitors but we still felt safe when wandering about.
We stumbled upon the grave of historian William Harry Goetzmann (1930-2010), winner of the Pulitzer and Parkman prizes, and known for his work on the American west. He had an impressive memorial featuring a Native American riding a horse. We noticed others had left coins on top, so we did the respectful thing and left a couple of coins too.
Cemeteries are known for the dead, but the New Haven Cemetery was full of life: squirrels clambered about and we even spotted a dragonfly resting atop the signpost for Magnolia Avenue. We took a detailed closeup pic and it looked like the bug was smiling at us!
As we went to leave the cemetery, we were surprised to see a memorial for six ‘Amistad Captives’ - enslaved people aboard La Amistad - who had arrived in New Haven gravely ill and did not survive to see freedom like their compatriots following an historic Supreme Court case in 1841. The story of the ‘slave ship’ was famously told in the 1997 film directed by Steven Spielberg.
We’ve been in several cemeteries around the United States over the years and they are always well maintained and looked after. Credit to those who take the time to remember the dead.Written 1 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Lele X4 contributionsThis is a beautiful park and close to the free boba spot when we followed sillable's scavenger hunt map :)Written 3 December 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MominOCOrange County, CA4,989 contributionsthe streets in this area were clean and really did seem safe. We were there when school was most likely finished since we didn't see too many college students. Stores were not that interesting.Written 28 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Tim WYoungstown, OH67 contributionsAny Catholic - in fact any person of faith - would be inspired by the illumination of Blessed Michael McGivney life and ministry contained within this well presented array of exhibits. As a Knight of Columbus, I appreciated gaining a fuller understanding of the organization's history, mission and role in the Catholic Church.Written 1 November 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- RonL40Utica, NY3,589 contributionsFun walk through in a neighborhood that is still authentic, plenty of restaurants and pizzerias. Italian pastry is still a favorite!Written 26 September 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Adventure DivaManchester, CT2,727 contributionsLocated in the Long Wharf area of New Haven, this station is the most used in Connecticut. Serves rail transfers to Amtrak, Metro North Railroad, Shoreline East and the Connecticut Rail Hartford Line. Commonly known as the "New Haven", this station is my go-to place when needing a cultural fix to New York City. Metro North does offer discount tickets but you'll have to ask. Service is friendly and efficient.Written 23 January 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- George33801Hamden, CT329 contributionsThe New Haven Green is a nice spot downtown to grab some fresh air and/or people watch. More than that, though, the Green has an interesting role in the city's history going back to the original city layout and up to the present day.Written 19 May 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- WaiPRUSANew Haven, CT1,994 contributionsThis bridge is dedicated to the memory of those who perished at Pearl Harbor. Lighted with blue colors for most if the year. It changes to celebrate special events or holidays. Located just off the intersection between I91 and I95 in the City of New Haven.Written 4 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Adventure DivaManchester, CT2,727 contributionsEven though the gallery was not open due to the Covid pandemic, I did have an opportunity to go on their online gallery. I have never seen a hurdy-gurdy or a ratchet instrument before. This collection contains instruments from many different time periods and cultures.Written 25 April 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JimbillyBeverly Hills, FL439 contributionsAfter visiting the Blessed McGivney's Museum, I drove the short distance to the church where Fr. McGivney served and formed the K of C. This is a beautiful old historic church. They do not build churches like this anymore. The interior with the stained glass, statues and altar are beautiful. In the rear of the church, you will find the final resting place of Blessed McGivney where you can touch the container containing his remains. To think that all visitors that walk down the center aisle are walking in the footsteps of a future saint.Written 10 June 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
