Museums & Galleries

With free admission to almost all of the university museums and galleries, you have some beautiful afternoons ahead of you. New Haven is home to several museums and galleries that are not affiliated with Yale, so you can enjoy everything there is to see.


At Yale

From the Peabody Museum of Natural Science to the Yale Art Gallery, be sure to take in Yale's many amazing historic and artistic assets. These include:

  • Yale Art Gallery
  • Yale Center for British Art
  • Peabody Museum of Natural History

And many more! Visit Yale's Museums & Galleries page for more information.

Public Art at Yale

Various Locations

Take a stroll around campus to view these amazing works of art.

The Cushing Center at Whitney Medical Library

333 Cedar St,
New Haven, CT

This collection is dedicated to the work of Dr. Harvey Cushing, and includes human whole brain specimens, tumor specimens, microscopic slides, notes, journal excerpts and over 15,000 photographic negatives dating from the late 1800’s to 1936. The collection resides in the lower level of the Whitney Medical Library. 


In the New Haven Area

Get to know your city better through the arts. Most of the below are within walking distance, however a few require public transportation or a car to visit.

Also, be sure to check the New Haven Library's free and discounted passes for museums and theaters.

Connecticut Children's Museum

22 Wall Street
New Haven, CT, 06511

Interactive, innovative and inclusive museum with eight rooms of hands-on exhibits, observation bee hive, the Great Green Room from Goodnight Moon, and a pint-size post office.

New Haven Museum

114 Whitney Ave
New Haven, CT

A small museum featuring New Haven's history. The museum features several people who were important in New Haven and the various industries and companies that made things in the Elm City.

Ely Center of Contemporary Art

51 Trumbull Street
New Haven, CT

Founded in 1961, the John Slade Ely House is New Haven's first major arts center curating hosting many regional arts organizations.

ArtSpace New Haven

50 Orange Street
New Haven, CT

A gallery with a focus on community-building and education, while providing a platform to present the work of visual artists in the city of New Haven.

City Gallery

994 State Street
New Haven, CT

City Gallery is an artist run gallery featuring contemporary art. Exhibitions of painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, papermaking and/or mixed media rotate monthly.

Creative Arts Workshop Gallery

80 Audubon Street
New Haven, CT

An educational and cultural resource center devoted to fostering creativity through participation in, appreciation of and leadership in the visual arts. Offers many classes & workshops.

Public Art in New Haven

Various Locations

New Haven is home to more than 500 works of publicly accessible art throughout the city. This is a great excuse for a sightseeing tour on a beautiful day!

Shore Line Trolley Museum

17 River Street
East Haven, CT, 06512

The first half of the twentieth century comes to life throughout this large trolley yard and trolley system. Discover the stories behind painted trolleys, check out trolley equipment, and marvel at photos of days long past. You will need to take public transportation or a car to visit.

Eli Whitney Museum

915 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT

Museum focusing on Eli Whitney's life, his inventions and his legacy. In addition to historic exhibits, the museum also holds a water learning lab and outdoor study areas. The barn, built in 1816, is the site of special events throughout the year. You will need to take public transportation or a car to visit.