Two Takes on the New Haven, Connecticut Region: Exploring New Haven, Guilford & Branford

Including New Haven, Guilford & Branford

The New Haven Region in Connecticut, situated in the south-central part of the state, is anchored by the city of New Haven, home to prestigious Yale University. Known for its rich cultural heritage, the region boasts world-class museums such as the Yale Art Gallery and Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History.

Founded in 1638 by English Puritans John Davenport and Theophilus Eaton, New Haven, Connecticut, boasts a rich history of colonial heritage and cultural significance. Initially a Puritan community, it flourished as a trade and academic center with the founding of Yale University in 1701. New Haven was a strategic port during the American Revolutionary War and later became a hub of industrial innovation in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Today, New Haven retains its historical charm with landmarks like the New Haven Green, renowned museums, and a vibrant cultural scene. The city is known for its historic architecture, arts scene, and famous New Haven-style pizza. Surrounding coastal towns like Guilford and Branford offer sandy beaches, scenic harbors, and outdoor recreation along the Long Island Sound. The New Haven Region provides a diverse and engaging experience for residents and visitors alike.


  1. The Same
    1. Hyatt Place New Haven
    2. Local Cuisine
  2. The Family
    1. Milford – Silver Sands State Park:
  3. The DINKs
    1. New Haven – Yale University:
    2. Branford – Dockside Restaurant
    3. East Haven – Pardee Seawall Park
    4. Milford – Colony Pizza
  4. Summary

The Same

Residing in the Northeast, The Family has had ample chances to explore various parts of Connecticut compared to The Dinks. Both groups visited New Haven, CT, and while their experiences shared similarities, there were distinct differences in how they approached these destinations.

Hyatt Place New Haven

Hyatt Place New Haven is a contemporary hotel located in the heart of downtown New Haven, Connecticut. We both chose to stay here because we had Hyatt points and this was a decent home base to explore from. The hotel’s central location provides easy access to Yale University, New Haven Green, and a variety of dining and entertainment options within walking distance. It is also pet-friendly. At the time of this post, it only cost $75 total for the 6 days we stayed with our dog.

Local Cuisine

Connecticut is known for its culinary delights, including fresh seafood, farm-to-table cuisine, and world-class dining. Enjoy a lobster roll in a coastal town, dine at a historic tavern, or explore the vibrant food scene in cities like New Haven and Stamford.

  • New Haven-style aPizza: New Haven-style Apizza, originating in the city, is celebrated for its thin-crust pizzas, locally known as “ah-pee-zah.” Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana is renowned for its iconic white clam pizza, often ranked as America’s top pizza. This minimalist masterpiece features a crispy crust topped with fresh littleneck clams, garlic, Pecorino Romano cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil. Due to its popularity, there can be long waits, prompting us to opt for takeout to avoid the crowds. Frank Pepe also just happens to have been born in the Amalfi Coast, one of our favorite places in the world.
  • Seafood: Seafood in New Haven ranges from hearty clam chowder to succulent lobster rolls and fresh oysters, showcasing the region’s coastal bounty and culinary excellence.
  • Connecticut-style Hot Dogs: Griddled hot dogs served with a combination of mustard, raw onions, and a sweet pepper relish, known as “the works.”
  • Steamed Cheeseburgers: A unique burger preparation where the meat is cooked in a special steam cabinet, served with melted cheese on a steamed bun.
  • Italian-American Classics: Explore Italian-American cuisine with dishes like chicken parmigiana, eggplant rollatini, or stuffed shells, often served at traditional Italian restaurants in the area.

The Family

Living in New York, we frequently take day trips or weekend getaways to Connecticut. As usual, we indulged in a variety of outdoor activities and explored kid-friendly museums.

Milford – Silver Sands State Park:

Silver Sands State Park is a public recreation area located on Long Island Sound in the city of Milford, Connecticut. The state park consists of 297 acres of beach, dunes, restored salt marsh, open areas and woods as well as the 14-acre bird sanctuary of Charles Island.

  • Beach Activities: The park boasts over half a mile of sandy shoreline, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and building sandcastles. The clear waters and gentle waves make it a great spot for families.
  • Boardwalk: A nearly three-quarter-mile-long boardwalk winds its way through the dunes and marsh, offering scenic views and a great place for a stroll. Take a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk, which offers stunning views of Long Island Sound and connects the beach to the park’s picnic areas and trails.
  • Charles Island: During low tide, visitors can walk across a sandbar to Charles Island. This island has its own set of trails and is rich in local history, though it is closed during certain times of the year to protect nesting birds.

The DINKs

We spent a week in New Haven while working remotely trying to make the most of our evenings. Between working and having our dog with us, it did limit what we could do but we still made the most of it.

New HavenYale University:

One evening we decided to head over to Yake University. We took a tour of the grounds and admired its stunning architecture, and beautiful campus. Our pupped loved saying hi to people. We didn’t stay long but it was a pretty campus.

Branford – Dockside Restaurant

This restaurant is located near New Haven in Branford, Connecticut, and sits right on the water at the Safe Harbor Marina. It offers a casual atmosphere with beautiful waterfront views. They specialize in fresh seafood, especially dishes featuring local catches. It was the perfect place to relax after a long day of work.

East Haven – Pardee Seawall Park

Pardee Seawall Park is a 2.2-acre park located in East Haven, Connecticut. It’s a popular spot for walking, jogging, and enjoying the views of Long Island Sound. The park features a nice walking trail along the seawall, offering scenic views of the water. The park offers beautiful views of Long Island Sound. You can spot boats sailing by, or simply relax and listen to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. It is pet friendly so a perfect place to enjoy an evening stroll with our pup.

Milford – Colony Pizza

Colony Pizza in Milford is a local institution known for its iconic thin-crust pizza. Established in 1935, this family-owned pizzeria has been serving up delicious pies for generations. The secret to Colony Pizza’s success lies in its crispy crust, tangy tomato sauce, and generous cheese toppings. Locals and visitors alike flock to Colony Pizza to enjoy their signature pizza, which can be customized with a variety of toppings including pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, and more. With its cozy atmosphere and mouthwatering pizza, Colony Pizza is a must-visit spot for pizza lovers in Milford. We didn’t like it as much as apizza but it was different and the restaurant had great drinks and great service.

Summary

In exploring the New Haven region of Connecticut, both the Family and the DINKs embraced the charm of this historic area, united by their appreciation for New Haven-style Apizza and the vibrant cultural scene of Yale University. While the Family enjoyed the tranquility of Silver Sands State Park in Milford, the DINKs immersed themselves in a more expansive itinerary, savoring local flavors at Colony Pizza in Milford, exploring the scenic beauty of Pardee Seawall Park in East Haven, and dining at Dockside Restaurant in Branford. Each experience offered a unique perspective on the region, from coastal relaxation to cultural enrichment. Ultimately, whether it’s enjoying the natural beauty of Silver Sands or delving into the rich heritage of Yale and beyond, both approaches celebrated the essence of the New Haven region in their own fulfilling ways.


  1. The Same
    1. Hyatt Place New Haven
    2. Local Cuisine
  2. The Family
    1. Milford – Silver Sands State Park:
  3. The DINKs
    1. New Haven – Yale University:
    2. Branford – Dockside Restaurant
    3. East Haven – Pardee Seawall Park
    4. Milford – Colony Pizza
  4. Summary

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Identical Twins with a passion for travel.

The DINKs Double Income, No Kids

The Family Married with Two Kids