New Haven to Norwalk: 10 Connecticut Destinations for a Day Trip

Fewer than 35 miles separate these two coastal cities of Connecticut, but the land between New Haven and Norwalk is bursting with entertainment and places to unwind. The strip along I-95 connecting the two cities is easily accessible when you need a break from the hectic pace of big city life. 

The location on Long Island Sound opens the door to everything from an afternoon of museum hopping to a relaxing picnic lunch on a glistening white sandy beach. These 10 historic, cultural and scenic places satisfy a variety of tastes.

New Haven

English Puritans first settled in New Haven in 1638, making it one of the ‘oldest’ cities in the US The Quinnipiac Native American tribe lived in the area when the Puritans arrived, and a nearby college is named after them.

Let’s take a look at some of the top attractions in this culture-rich city.

 1. Yale University

The most famous college in the area is Yale University - named after an early benefactor, Elihu Yale. The university offers free guided and self-guided campus tours throughout the year that focus on the architecture, traditions, and history of the 300-year-old Ivy League institution. Tours include the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, which houses a rare Gutenberg Bible.

2. Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History

While on campus, visit the world-class Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History to view an impressive collection of Native American arts and artifacts, Egyptian mummies, wooly mammoths, and dinosaurs. Be sure to visit one of the world's largest murals, which depicts life in the days of the Jurassic period.

3. Yale University Art Gallery & Yale Center for British Art

Home to more than 200,000 pieces of African, Islamic, Asian, and contemporary art, Yale University Art Gallery offers a cultural feast. The coin collection includes items from Ancient Rome and gold pieces from 19^th-century US mints, and the American paintings and sculpture collections span more than 250 years of art history.

The Yale Center for British Art houses the largest and most sweeping collection of British art outside the UK, with portraits and landscapes that range from the Elizabethan era to modern times.

4. Shubert Theatre

Located off the Yale campus in the heart of the downtown entertainment district, the Shubert Theatre is the place to enjoy dance performances, concerts and Broadway shows at a fraction of NYC prices.

The Shubert opened in 1914 and became a favorite place to experience new shows before they opened on Broadway. Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacific" premiered at the Shubert, as did "The King and I" and "Oklahoma."

A young, unknown actor named Marlon Brando made his debut at the Shubert in the Tennessee Williams' classic "A Streetcar Named Desire", and The Marx Brothers tore up the stage with their brilliant comedy antics. Even if you don't see a show here, take the free backstage tour to learn about 100 years of American theater history.

Bridgeport

5. The Barnum Museum

Located a few miles south of New Haven, Bridgeport is the birthplace of Phineas Taylor Barnum, better known as P.T. Barnum. As a traveling showman and entrepreneur, he introduced the world to the magic of the circus.

He also discovered singer Jenny Lind, who became known as Tom Thumb, and many other circus legends. Adults and children of all ages will love this museum.

Branford

6. Hammonasset Beach State Park

Head for the beach in Branford, a few miles south of Bridgeport. With more than 550 acres, Hammonasset Beach State Park is Connecticut's largest public beach park. It offers overnight camping, miles of bicycling and hiking trails, fishing, swimming, and two miles of sand. The Meigs Point Nature Center offers exhibits and programs year-round.
 

Norwalk

7. Maritime Aquarium

End your north-south Connecticut day trip odyssey in Norwalk. Widely regarded as one of the best aquariums in the US, the Maritime Aquarium is home to harbor seals, jellyfish, and other denizens of the local deep-water ecosystem. The IMAX theater also features films with environmental themes. As a bonus, the aquarium is in the historic waterfront area of South Norwalk with plenty of restaurants and shops nearby.

 8. Sheffield Island Lighthouse and Ferry

Spend a relaxing few hours touring the 1868 lighthouse that now houses a museum maintained by the Norwalk Seaport Association. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Sheffield Island Lighthouse is a classic piece of American nautical history. The ferry ride to the island offers almost three hours of round-trip sightseeing on its own.

9. Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Interactive exhibits make this museum ideal for both kids and the adults accompanying them. A popular exhibit is the Energy Lab, where kids can test and learn about solar, wind and water power. The outdoor Community Garden also includes a special butterfly garden.

10. Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum

The sprawling Lockwood-Mathews mansion was built in the 1860s by Wall Street railroad tycoon LeGrand Lockwood and was later owned by New York businessman Charles Mathews. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1971, which protected it from developers. In addition to Victorian-era furnishings and architecture, the house features rotating exhibits that focus on specific aspects of the era, such as vintage photos.

The short stretch of highway between New Haven and Norwalk offers more to see and do than you could ever experience in a single day. It’s up to you where you decide to begin!

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