Things slow down a bit on the Yale campus in the summer, but there is certainly no shortage of fun activities and events to enjoy in New Haven and beyond. Summer is especially a great time to get out and explore different parts of Connecticut and New England. We hope these suggestions will keep you entertained throughout the summer months, in any kind of weather.
Natural Expeditions
Block Island, RI
Take a ferry to Block Island and enjoy the beaches, salt marshes and wildlife. The island is easy to navigate by bike or moped with great places to grab lunch in town.
Branford Land Trust
Explore nearly 775 acres of rugged rock outcroppings, tall oaks, beeches, groves of mountain laurel, wetlands and magnificent bluffs.
Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park
Activities include swimming, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, rock climbing, cliff jumping, wakeboarding, kayaking, hiking, biking, zip lines and a challenge course!
Connecticut Beaches
Enjoy some sand and sun on one of Connecticut's many beautiful beaches such as nearby Lighthouse Point Park, the West Haven beaches and Hammonasset State Park.
Connecticut College Arboretum
The Connecticut College Arboretum provides a welcome connection with the natural world, offering opportunities for teaching, research, conservation, recreation and public education.
Connecticut River Expeditions
Cruises on the lower Connecticut River aboard RiverQuest, a 64-foot vessel with a large covered cabin area.
Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust
Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust promotes the understanding and appreciation of nature and supports the conservation, preservation and management of natural resources.
Joy Ride Charters, LLC
Whether it’s a small family gathering, a romantic sunset sail, birthday, therapeutic sail or memorial, Joy Ride Charters is here to make it possible.
Marsh Botanical Garden
Eight acres of gardens and greenhouses located on the north end of Yale's campus, with historic Marsh Hall on the front of our property.
Sheffield Island Cruise
Sheffield Island, with its historic 142-year-old lighthouse, beaches and wildlife refuge offers abundant summer fun for visitors.
Take a Hike
CT Department of Environmental Protection Hiking Maps.
Thimble Island Cruise
Join Captain Mike and the crew of the Sea Mist as you tour the famous Thimble Islands off the coast of Branford, CT.
Yale Outdoor Education Center
Located on 1,500 wooded acres, the Yale Outdoor Education Center (OEC) is nestled on the south shore of a pristine mile-long lake.
Urban Escapes
Branford Festival and Summer Jazz Series
Every Father’s Day Weekend in June, the Branford Festival takes over the town green with crafts, activities, food, live music and much, much more family fun. The celebration continues with the free Annual Summer Jazz Concert Series.
CitySeed Weekly Farmers’ Markets
Weekly outdoor markets in different parts of New Haven.
Common Ground Urban Farm
Enjoy spring on the farm with a walk in the gardens, visits to the animal yards, and a self-guided hike on the trails that depart from the farm and venture into West Rock
Connecticut State Capitol Tours
Learn the history of the Capitol, a National Historic Landmark.
Creative Arts Workshop
Explore your creative side this summer with visual art classes and workshops for adults and young people.
Group Bike Rides with Elm City Cycling
Weekly rides for cyclists of all levels, including children.
International Festival of Arts & Ideas
Each June, the Festival takes over the theaters, open spaces, and courtyards of New Haven with performances and dialogues that tickle the senses, engage the mind, and inspire the soul.
Lake Compounce
Roller coasters, water rides, kiddie rides and shows.
Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium
Weather permitting, the telescopes at the observatory will be set up for public viewing on Tuesday evenings after the planetarium show, starting at about 9 pm.
Mystic Aquarium
Learn to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration.
Neighborhood Music School
Summer Session offers ongoing lessons and class instruction in both music and dance.
Pick-Your-Own Fruit at Bishop’s Orchards
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, pears, apples and pumpkins!
Quassy Amusement Park
Sitting on the south shore of Lake Quassapaug, Quassy's 20 plus acres boasts of 22 rides, a variety of thrill rides as well as attractions for the very young.
Six Flags Amusement Park
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, Six Flags New England features roller coasters, rides, games, a carousel and a water park—don’t forget your bathing suit!
Yale Summer Carillon Concert Series
Every summer, the Guild organizes a Summer Concert Series where we invite carillonneurs from around the world and the United States to come to Yale to perform.
Fun for All
Connecticut Wine Trail
Follow the trail of the vine as it winds through some of the most picturesque towns in Connecticut.
Giant Valley Polo Club
Bring a picnic and enjoy a fast paced game of Polo on a Sunday afternoon, along with magnificent views of the Sleeping Giant mountain.
Hamden Summer Concert Series
Sponsored by the Art's Commission this free concert series takes place at Town Center Park at Meadowbrook.
Lyman Orchards Sunflower Maze
It's no secret sunflowers attract butterflies! Imagine what 350,000 sunflowers could attract: a 3-acre sized Butterfly!
Mansfield Drive-In Theatre & Marketplace
Take in a double feature on an outdoor screen every night of the week and visit Eastern Connecticut’s largest flea market every Sunday.
Music Mountain Festival
Music Mountain is the home of the oldest continuing summer chamber music festival in this country, having been founded in 1930 as the permanent home for the renowned Gordon String Quartet.
Norfolk Chamber Music Festival
The Yale Summer School of Music - Norfolk Chamber Music Festival has a dual teaching/performance purpose. Audiences from around the country come to northwest Connecticut to hear world-class artists.
Running Races in Connecticut
Races of all shapes and sizes.
Triathlons in Connecticut
Swim, bike, and run, all in one challenging event.
Over eighty sparkling bonfires on torch-lit vessels traveling down the Providence River in Rhode Island's capital city.
Yale Summer Cabaret
A Summer Cabaret that is radically inclusive, artistically daring, and community-oriented.
