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.

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Natural Expeditions

Block Island, RI [1]
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 [2]
Explore nearly 775 acres of rugged rock outcroppings, tall oaks, beeches, groves of mountain laurel, wetlands and magnificent bluffs.

Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park [3]
Activities include swimming, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, rock climbing, cliff jumping, wakeboarding, kayaking, hiking, biking, zip lines and a challenge course!

Connecticut Beaches [4]
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 [5]
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 [6]
Cruises on the lower Connecticut River aboard RiverQuest, a 64-foot vessel with a large covered cabin area.

Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust [7]
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 [8]
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 [9]
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 [10]
Sheffield Island, with its historic 142-year-old lighthouse, beaches and wildlife refuge offers abundant summer fun for visitors.

Take a Hike [11]
CT Department of Environmental Protection Hiking Maps.

Thimble Island Cruise [12]
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 [13]
Located on 1,500 wooded acres, the Yale Outdoor Education Center (OEC) is nestled on the south shore of a pristine mile-long lake.

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Urban Escapes

Branford Festival and Summer Jazz Series [14]
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 [15].

CitySeed Weekly Farmers’ Markets [16]
Weekly outdoor markets in different parts of New Haven.

Common Ground Urban Farm [17]
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 [18]
Learn the history of the Capitol, a National Historic Landmark.

Creative Arts Workshop [19]
Explore your creative side this summer with visual art classes and workshops for adults and young people.

Group Bike Rides with Elm City Cycling [20]
Weekly rides for cyclists of all levels, including children.

International Festival of Arts & Ideas [21]
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 [22]
Roller coasters, water rides, kiddie rides and shows.

Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium [23]
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 [24]
Learn to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration.

Neighborhood Music School [25]
Summer Session offers ongoing lessons and class instruction in both music and dance.

Pick-Your-Own Fruit at Bishop’s Orchards [26]
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, pears, apples and pumpkins!

Quassy Amusement Park [27]
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 [28]
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 [29]
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.

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Fun for All

Connecticut Wine Trail [30]
Follow the trail of the vine as it winds through some of the most picturesque towns in Connecticut.

Giant Valley Polo Club [31]
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 [32]
Sponsored by the Art's Commission this free concert series takes place at Town Center Park at Meadowbrook.

Lyman Orchards Sunflower Maze [33]
It's no secret sunflowers attract butterflies! Imagine what 350,000 sunflowers could attract: a 3-acre sized Butterfly!

Mansfield Drive-In Theatre & Marketplace [34]
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 [35]
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 [36]
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 [37]
Races of all shapes and sizes.

Triathlons in Connecticut [38]
Swim, bike, and run, all in one challenging event.

Waterfire Providence [39]

Over eighty sparkling bonfires on torch-lit vessels traveling down the Providence River in Rhode Island's capital city.

Yale Summer Cabaret [40]
A Summer Cabaret that is radically inclusive, artistically daring, and community-oriented.