The YaleStation Guide to New Haven
Message from the Mayor
New Haven, Connecticut, is a city that combines New England charm with a robust cosmopolitan life, alive with world-class architecture and memorable international cuisine.
Located on Long Island Sound between New York and Boston, Greater New Haven fans out from an historic city center and harbor to scenic beaches and charming town greens. The city itself is a cornucopia of cultural riches in the performing and visual arts and outstanding educational opportunities.
Established 358 years ago by English Puritans, New Haven, nicknamed the "Elm City," eventually became home to people of many nationalities and ethnic groups, including Irish, Germans, Jews, Italians, African-Americans, Latinos, and Asians. Today the city's neighborhoods, fairs, festivals, and historical societies preserve the traditions and flavors of New Haven's broad cultural heritage.
John DeStefano, Jr.
Mayor, City of New Haven
New Haven, Connecticut—Looking out across Long Island Sound and surrounded by an elegant system of public parkland, New Haven is one of America's oldest cities and its first planned community. Settled by English Puritans in the mid-17th century, its illustrious history is peppered with names such as Nathan Hale, Noah Webster, and Eli Whitney.
The city is now Connecticut's second largest, and is home to several prominent health, architecture, biotech, business, and finance companies. Yale University imparts a world-famous cultural and educational presence to the Elm City and graces it with magnificent architecture.
In addition, the city boasts more national historic landmarks than any other town or city in Connecticut. The city's charm is particularly evident in tree-lined, Wooster Square (established in the early 1800s), the historic New Haven Green, and the restaurants and shopping of the College-Chapel Street district and the newly-redeveloped Broadway area.
Other claims to fame include the premiere of the hamburger in 1895, the introduction of pizza to the United States (allegiance to local pizzerias Pepe's or Sally's is fierce), and the site for world premieres of Broadway shows including My Fair Lady, South Pacific, A Raisin In The Sun, The Sound Of Music, Camino Real, Sabrina Fair, Carousel, Damn Yankees, Annie Get Your Gun, 1776, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Oklahoma!, The King And I, A Streetcar Named Desire, and hundreds of others.
Don't miss the exceptional museums or the extraordinary theatre productions produced in New Haven. And by all means, try the pizza.