Summary
The city of West Haven represents a charming coastal community where New Haven Harbor meets Long Island Sound. Once primarily known for shipping, manufacturing, and a historic amusement park that closed its doors in 1966, it has since transformed into a popular summer beach destination.
Situated just a few miles southwest of New Haven, West Haven is in close proximity to Yale University, renowned for its Collegiate Gothic architecture and an array of noteworthy museums.
West Haven is distinguished by its extensive sandy shoreline, which is bordered along much of its length by verdant, grassy areas, interspersed with small piers.
This location boasts the longest stretch of publicly accessible beach in Connecticut, comprising almost four miles—remarkably, this accounts for nearly a quarter of the state’s total public beach space.
At the easternmost tip lies the ecologically significant Sandy Point Bird Sanctuary, serving as a nesting habitat for various colonies of terns and plovers.
1. Savin Rock Park
Source: Mark Battista / shutterstockFrom the late 19th century until its closure in 1966, West Haven was home to its own version of Coney Island, known as the Savin Rock Amusement Park, which attracted visitors from across the northeastern United States.
Today, Savin Rock Park has shifted focus to relaxation and leisurely walks along the boardwalk.
The sandy public beach and the newly designed green space behind it are meticulously maintained. Together with the adjacent Oak Street Beach, the park hosts live music events during summer weekends.
During these lively weekends, the boardwalk becomes a hub of activity, particularly during the annual Savin Rock Festival held in late July.
Nearby, Campbell Avenue and Captain Thomas Boulevard offer a wide range of dining options, including ramen, sushi, Italian cuisine, Chinese food, and sandwiches featuring roasted meats from Savin Rock Roasting Co.
2. Bradley Point Park
Source: Bob Amato -Universal tree of life / facebookDirectly west of Savin Rock Park lies Bradley Point Park, featuring a beach protected by the park’s namesake headland that extends into Long Island Sound.
The meticulously maintained sandy beach also includes a playground recently installed in honor of Sandy Hook victim Charlotte Bacon.
Visitors can continue along the Savin Rock Trail, which loops around Bradley Point and back to Ocean Avenue.
Notably, Bradley Point marks the historical site of British troop landings during Tryon’s Raid in the Revolutionary War in 1779.
Similar to other beaches along the coastline, Bradley Point Beach is supervised by lifeguards from the end of May through the start of September, with daily monitoring during the summer vacation period, specifically from late June to mid-August.
3. West Haven Green
Source: The original uploader was Polaron at English Wikipedia. / WikimediaLocated in the heart of the town, West Haven Green represents a quintessential New England common area, characterized by picturesque scenery.
The spire of the historical West Haven Congregational Church, established in 1859, rises majestically above the lush green, which features benches, war memorials, a bandstand, and a stone chess table amid its grand old trees.
Look for the memorial boulder at the eastern end of Savin Avenue, commemorating British Adjutant William Campbell, who notably saved the life of clergyman Noah Williston during Tryon’s Raid in 1779.
West Haven Green serves as the nucleus of the namesake historical district, encompassing 20 out of the 23 properties situated around the common area.
Throughout the year, the green is adorned with seasonal decorations, featuring beautiful lighting during the Christmas season. Additionally, the West Haven Apple Festival, held at the end of September, showcases food and craft vendors.
4. Oak Street Beach
On the eastern side of Savin Rock Park, the Savin Rock Trail meanders past another delightful beach framed by greenery.
Oak Street Beach offers all the features one would expect from the West Haven coastline, including sandy shores, distant views of Long Island Sound, and a scenic boardwalk. Moreover, live music can occasionally be enjoyed during summer weekends.
Whether you choose to brave the waters of Long Island Sound is entirely up to you. Nevertheless, the beach provides a pristine environment to relax during the summer, with children enjoying scouring the sand for shells.
Visitors can engage in horseshoe games on the boardwalk, where food trucks conveniently park nearby, offering a selection of refreshments amidst the tranquil scenery.
5. New Haven
Source: Jon Bilous / shutterstockNew Haven, home to the prestigious Yale University, is located merely a short distance up New Haven Harbor.
Considered as an ultimate cultural excursion, New Haven is just five minutes away. Visitors can explore an impressive array of art, including works by Gauguin and van Gogh at the Yale University Art Gallery, along with masterpieces by Constable, Gainsborough, and Turner housed at the Yale Center for British Art.
Additionally, dinosaur fossils and artifacts from Ancient Egypt are showcased at the esteemed Peabody Museum of Natural History.
Yale’s oldest residence serves as a starting point for guided tours conducted by qualified student guides.
Those embarking on the tours will witness the renowned Collegiate Gothic architecture, epitomized at the Sterling Memorial Library, and visit the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, which houses one of only 48 remaining copies of the Gutenberg Bible.
6. Sandy Point Bird Sanctuary
Source: Sandy Point Bird Sanctuary / facebookThis elongated sandy spit situated at the edge of West Haven’s beaches forms the western boundary of New Haven Harbor.
Covering 66 acres, Sandy Point comprises dunes, sandbars, a tidal creek, salt marshes, and tidal flats, creating a rich habitat frequented by diverse bird species that nest or rest during lengthy migrations.
The salt marsh serves as a summer nesting area for sharp-tailed sparrows, and piping plovers can often be observed along the shores. The sanctuary provides an essential habitat for significant colonies of common tern and least tern, while various migratory birds, including the red knot, make brief stops here.
The site features an observation platform, with recent improvements including wooden planters, a flagpole, and a butterfly garden.
During my recent visit, I noted that the city of West Haven had been awarded Audubon’s Share the Shore Award for its conservation efforts at Sandy Point.
7. Stowe’s Seafood
Source: Stowe’s Seafood / facebookAt the eastern terminus of the Savin Rock Trail, visitors encounter a beachfront shack adorned with rigging, nets, buoys, and pirate decorations.
This establishment, known as Stowe’s Seafood, is a classic New England seafood shack with a straightforward menu.
The offerings include fish and chips, Connecticut-style lobster rolls, lobster salad, fried lobster, fried shrimp, lobster bisque, fried scallops, fried clams, fried squid, and soft-shell crab, among other selections. For those unsure, the Treasure Chest option provides a sampling of various dishes.
The shack operates daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (until 6 on Sundays).
8. New Haven-style Pizza
West Haven shares a similar pizza reputation with its neighboring town. For those unfamiliar, New Haven-style pizza is a celebrated regional variation cherished by both pizza enthusiasts and casual diners alike.
This pizza style is inspired by Neapolitan pizza, featuring a thin crust and minimal toppings, with mozzarella often regarded as an optional addition rather than a mandatory component.
Cooked at exceptionally high temperatures, this method imparts a distinct char to the crust. West Haven hosts several establishments specializing in this pizza style, including the renowned Zuppiardi’s, which has been serving since 1934 and originated as a bakery.
9. Morse Park
Located just inland from Sandy Point and a short distance from Stowe’s Seafood, Morse Park may represent the most tranquil section of West Haven’s coastline.
This meadow-like area is less developed than Savin Rock Park, allowing the natural environment to flourish.
Inland, baseball fields with bleachers are present, while Old Field Creek, bordered by wetlands, meanders through the park and empties into Long Island Sound at the southern end of the bird sanctuary.
Notably, Morse Beach offers serene views over New Haven Harbor, with the historic Five Mile Point Light (established in 1805) visible across the water.
10. Painter Park
Source: Kristina Nigro / facebookThis park commemorates Thomas Painter, a young militiaman who engaged the British forces at Bradley Point before retreating upon witnessing their numbers.
His image is featured on West Haven’s town seal, depicted watching for British ships from Savin Rock.
Painter Park offers tennis courts, a basketball court, baseball diamonds, and soccer fields, in addition to a summer camp for children. The park’s pavilions can be reserved in the summer, complete with grills for barbecuing.
Remarkably, the playground is regarded as one of the finest in the New Haven area, designed to resemble a castle and featuring a dedicated play area for toddlers situated near the tennis courts.
11. Ward-Heitmann House
Source: The Forge at the Ward Heitmann House Museum / facebookThis historic structure, the oldest surviving building in West Haven, is a stunning three-bay clapboard house located at 277 Elm Street, possibly constructed as early as 1684, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Over the past three decades, the house has been undergoing restoration and occasionally welcomes visitors as a historic house museum.
Each room is furnished to reflect a distinct historical period, from Colonial to post-Civil War, allowing visitors to connect with the many families who have resided there.
When this list was compiled, the house was temporarily closed for a roof installation.
12. B&B Flower Farm
Source: B&B Farms, L.L.C. / facebookLocated on a charming rural plot towards the northern end of Jones Hill Road, this family-operated farm shop offers seasonal produce, flowers, arts, crafts, and homemade delicacies.
During the summer months, visitors arrive from far and wide to sample the farm’s delightful ice cream flavors, with chocolate peanut butter crunch and orange cream being personal favorites.
Children particularly enjoy meeting the farm’s horses, donkeys, goats, and friendly dogs. The autumn season brings opportunities for pumpkin picking and hayrides, while during Christmas, B&B offers trees and unique handcrafted decorations.
13. PEZ Visitor Center
Source: Sean Wandzilak / shutterstockLocated in Orange, the American headquarters of the Austrian candy brand PEZ is less than ten minutes from downtown West Haven.
Visitors do not need to be avid fans of PEZ to enjoy the exhibit, which features the largest collection of PEZ memorabilia in the world.
The center includes interactive games and extraordinary displays, such as the world’s largest PEZ dispenser and a PEZ-themed motorcycle created by the TV show Orange County Chopper.
A viewing window offers a glimpse into the production process, while decades of PEZ accessories are displayed in glass cases. My children thoroughly enjoyed participating in a scavenger hunt, with a PEZ dispenser and a roll of candies awarded as a prize.
The factory store is unique, offering dispensers and PEZ flavors that you cannot find anywhere else.
14. IT Adventure Ropes Course
Source: It Adventure Ropes Course / facebookCrossing the West River, visitors will find Jordan’s Furniture, which houses the largest indoor ropes course globally.
This impressive facility spans four levels, presenting over 100 challenges and zip-rails nearly 60 feet above the ground. The course includes zigzag swinging beams, a double catwalk, crisscross angle rope ladders, cargo nets, and numerous bridges.
No prior experience is required to navigate the course, making it accessible for individuals with all skill levels, including those less confident in climbing. Subsequently, participants can indulge in the pizza and ice cream parlor.
15. Robert Treat Farm
Source: Robert Treat Farm / facebookLocated only ten minutes from downtown West Haven, Robert Treat Farm is a rustic farm stand situated just across the town line in Woodmont.
This family-run establishment features a shop housed in a beautifully constructed post-and-beam barn, constructed in 2008.
From Friday to Sunday, the stand offers a selection of fruits and vegetables as they come into season, along with an array of homemade pies, honey, cheeses, breads, preserves, and the always-popular fresh milk in glass bottles.
Be sure to stop by during spring to explore the garden center, which is filled with annuals, perennials, shrubs, and fruit trees.
