There is little wonder why so many families are relocating to New Haven, CT. It’s a wonderful place to raise kids, with opportunities to explore art, architecture, and nature at every turn. It’s full of parks, playgrounds, and pizza- the building blocks of family fun. In fact, it’s considered to be the birthplace of American pizza, but since you can probably find a good slice on your own we focused on other ways to show your kids a good time in the Elm City:
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Watch a show at the Shubert Theatre
Taking the kids to see a musical in the historic Shubert Theatre isn’t just fun- it’s an educational opportunity. The theater, built in 1914, played a key role in 20th-century theatrical life. Plays and musicals were “tried out” on its stage before premiering on Broadway and so the playhouse was dubbed the “birthplace of the nation’s greatest hits”. Many stars took their first steps on the Shubert stage, from Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart to Marlon Brando, Robert Redford, Jane Fonda and John Travolta, to name but a few.
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Take a walk through the Yale Old Campus
The Yale Old Campus has been referred to as an outdoor museum of architecture for its diversity of styles and architectural traditions. Wandering around to admire the ambitious design is a great (and free) way to spend a nice afternoon. Be sure stop by the statue of Theodore Dwight Woolsey, president of Yale University from 1846 to 1871. Legend says touching the statue’s foot brings good luck.
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Explore unusual plants at Yale Marsh Botanical Garden
Yale Marsh Botanical Garden, which sprawls over eight acres of land, is mostly used by scientists and students in the fields of biology, forestry and environmental sciences for research. Lucky for families living in New Haven it is also a beautiful and fun place to learn about carnivorous plants, tropical plants and desert plants… for free!
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Spend an afternoon at Edgewood Park
Another fun and free way to enjoy the outdoors in New Haven is to visit Edgewood Park. Your kids will love running through the Sundial Sprinkler, walking the Sensory Trail along the pond and just playing in the playgrounds. Stop by the Ranger Station to meet some cool reptiles and amphibians and be sure to check out the activities offered by the Rangers- from storytelling and arts and crafts to nature and wildflower walks.
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Get a taste of space at the Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium
The Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium, located on Yale grounds, is a facility of the Yale Department of Astronomy. On Tuesday nights the observatory is open to the public, at no cost.
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Walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs at Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
Celebrating 150 years in 2016, the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History has long become a staple in the city. Its Discovery Room is like an intellectual playground for kids, with fascinating hands-on activities and touchable specimens. Kids can put together a rabbit skeleton, spot endangered dart frogs in their rainforest habitat and touch a 100 million-year-old fossil.
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Sail away on New Haven’s flagship
Schooner operates daily afternoon and sunset sails aboard a 91′ schooner named the Quinnipiac. Not only is she Schooner’s icon, she’s also the official flagship of New Haven, by decree of the mayor.
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Explore the origins of invention at the Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop
Curious minds and restless hands will be thrilled to spend an afternoon at the Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop. The workshop allows kids to experiment and build alternating projects with the support of an apprentice, developing creativity and ingenuity while having a great time.
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Walk the halls and admire the walls at the Yale University Art Gallery
With collections of art from (almost) every part of the world and (almost) every period in history the Yale University Art Gallery is an asset to art-loving parents in New Haven. Be sure to explore the Sculpture Garden and check the calendar for the gallery’s schedule of family activities.
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Explore the Connecticut Children’s Museum
The CT Children’s Museum is comprised of eight rooms, housing eight thematically curated exhibits. The linguistic room, for example, brings to life the classic storybook “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret L. Wise and allows kids to sort out the text in different languages including braille over a huge magnetic wall.
Moving to a new town with kids is always a challenge, but with so many thrilling things to do, New Haven will give your family quite the welcome. When moving in New Haven, it’s always best to hire from the most recommended movers.
