Green City Guide: New Haven

An easy, eco-friendly guide to Connecticut’s “Culture Capital.”

As the second largest city in Connecticut and home to the renowned Yale University, New Haven has a rich history of academic excellence and industrial innovation. Whether you are an outdoor adventurer who enjoys jogging along Lighthouse Point Park or a foodie who loves discovering new bites, there is always something fun and different to explore in this beloved coastal city.

Here’s a one-stop guide for Connecticut residents who want an easy weekend escape complete with Destination Electric small businesses that support driving electric and environmental sustainability. And, if you are visiting in an electric vehicle or considering buying or leasing one, this green city has got you covered, too, with convenient charging locations and abundant electric vehicle dealerships.

Editor’s Note: We understand that travel is complicated right now and restrictions vary state to state. Check out the state’s COVID-19 site for up-to-date Connecticut guidelines. If you plan on visiting any of the below destinations, we recommend checking their official websites for possible closures, limited access announcements, and general safety guidelines.

Friday:

8 P.M.
Cocktails

Round out the evening with a nightcap at 116 Crown. Tequila lovers will revel over the “Margarita Noir,” an Instagrammable blue cocktail made with tequila and lined with bamboo charcoal ($11), while whiskey fans may opt for the “Outré,” a frothy drink infused with Toki Japanese whiskey, gin, and basil and hibiscus crystals ($16). All syrups and freshly squeezed juices are made in-house, and they have yummy mocktails that combine both including the ginger lemonade spritzer (house-made ginger syrup, freshly squeezed lemon juice, club soda). Visitors have the option to dine-in or take their signature craft cocktails to-go.

9:30 P.M.
Ice Cream

While enjoying an evening stroll along Yale’s enchanting campus, finish your night off with a decadent and delicious ice cream treat from Ashley’s Ice Cream. Named after Ashley Whippet, the famous frisbee-catching dog, Ashley’s was established in 1979 and is located steps away from Yale University. (Fun fact: Frisbees can also be traced back to Bridgeport, Ct.) Voted the Best Ice Cream in New Haven Advocate’s Readers Poll for over 30 years in a row, Ashely’s offers seasonal varieties and original ice cream flavors, such as GrapeNut (sweet cream ice cream with GrapeNuts® cereal). Try a scoop – or two – of their homemade S’mores ice cream and snag a sampling of Ashley’s homemade, dog-friendly flavor, created in honor of the store’s namesake.

11 P.M.
Rest

The elegant but cozy Study at Yale, a boutique hotel right on campus, plays up their academic ties to the Ivy League university with a massive, floor-to-ceiling bookshelf in the lobby and fun and quirky electronic room keys shaped like bookmarks. Rooms range from $189-$319, depending on the season, and overlook the university’s slate roofs and famous spires.

Saturday:

9 A.M.
Breakfast

Start your day off right with a cup of organic, local, fair trade coffee and a morning treat from Koffee?’s takeout window. Sweet tooth fans will want to try their decadent Nutella Latte, a special creamy, chocolaty, caffeinated house concoction ($4.25). Not a coffee drinker? They’ve got you covered with yummy hot chocolate, hot cider and chai latte options. Pair your drink with a croissant or bagel for a delicious start to your day.

11 A.M.
Art Class

Watch one of Creative Art Workshop’s many virtual classes and tours. Enjoy the classroom learning experience while maintaining social distancing protocols from the comfort of your room. Their free content is geared towards artists of all levels, so no experience is needed.

1:30 P.M.
Lunch

Snag a patio seat or grab your lunch to-go from the restaurant and craft cocktail bar Elm City Social. Try their unique take on chicken and waffles, which comes with blueberry jam, fresh basil, whipped whiskey butter and peppercorn maple syrup ($16). Other standout dishes include their truffle parmesan fries ($8), little cheeseburgers ($15) and jerk chicken tacos ($10). Don’t forget to peep the historical photos of College Street that adorn the restaurant’s walls!

3:00 P.M.
Bike

Experience New Haven by bike with a little help from College Street Cycles, affectionately known locally as “CSC.” CSC’s reliable rental fleet includes road, mountain and hybrid bikes. Each rental also comes with a helmet and lock so riders can enjoy the outdoors and all the sights the city has to offer safely.

6:30 P.M.
Dinner

Olives and Oil is not your average pizzeria, with deliciously weird and nontraditional pie flavors like “Broccolini and Garlic” and “Meatball & Ricotta” ($13-$17). The lively Italian gastro bar’s central location a short walk from the New Haven Green and across from the Omni Hotel makes it a great option for takeout. Pack a blanket, pick up a wood-fired, thin-crust pie and take it to New Haven Green for a relaxing, makeshift picnic under the stars. Fun fact: the restaurant also offers a “cannoli of the day,” which are made fresh daily ($9).

8:30 P.M.
Dessert

Finish the evening with a delicious coconut rice pudding or banana pudding from the historic Anchor Spa – a favorite watering hole of Yale students. Pair your sweet treat with a “Yale Beets Harvard,” a botanical-inspired cocktail made with buttered rum, beet syrup, orange acid and molasses bitters ($13).

Sunday:

11 A.M.
Yoga

Take a breather and enjoy an online yoga workout from The Breathing Room. You can partake in virtual classes, which are taught by certified instructors and can be accessed from anywhere in the city. Not only will you be supporting a local New Haven business, you will also learn some helpful mind and body-calming exercises from some of the city’s best instructors. They even offer a one-week trial package with unlimited classes for new members for $18.

Charging:

Driving an electric car has never been easier in New Haven, with six public charging stations all conveniently located downtown near the listed Destination Electric businesses.

Air Rights Garage
60 York Street
203-846-8936
Available EV plugs include J1772 Level 2.

Chapel Square Garage*
155 Temple Street
203-781-0262
Available EV plugs include J1772 Level 2.

Temple Street Garage
40 Temple Street
203-946-8936
Available EV plugs include J1772 Level 2.

Crown Street
213 Crown Street
203-946-8936
Available EV plugs include J1772 Level 2.

Grove Street Parking Garage
65 Grove Street
203-776-8937
Available EV plugs include J1772 Level 2.

The Study at Yale*
1157 Chapel Street
203-503-3900
Available EV plugs include J1772 Level 2.

*This location also has a Tesla charger onsite, which will only work with Tesla-manufactured vehicles.

Interested in purchasing your first or next EV? Check out these New Haven dealerships and use Drive Change. Drive Electric’s vehicle explorer tool to find your ideal EV match.

Brandfon Hyundai
115 Peat Meadow Road
New Haven, CT
203-315-2900
Available EVs include the 2020 Hyundai Kona and 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid.

George Harte Nissan
426 Derby Avenue
New Haven, CT
Available EVs include the 2020 Nissan Leaf SL Hatchback, 2020 Nissan S Leaf Hatchback, 2020 Nissan Leaf SV Hatchback, 2020 Nissan Leaf SL Hatchback and 2018 Nissan Leaf.

McDermott Chevrolet
655 Main Street
New Haven, CT
203-466-1000
Available EVs include the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt.