An Unmatched Intellectual Environment
Situated on 82 acres atop a hill overlooking the New Haven skyline, with views of Long Island Sound, our residential campus is conveniently located a mile north of Interstate 95 between New York City (75 miles away) and Boston (135 miles away).
Our safe, secure campus community offers a wealth of world-class amenities, while West Haven provides a true college-town feel, featuring parks, shops, recreational activities, and restaurants to explore. West Haven also boasts the longest coastline in Connecticut, putting you never more than steps away from some of the nicest beaches in the state.
Just a mile or two away, New Haven is a thriving center for both industry and culture. With seven colleges and universities in the immediate area, it’s also a center for academic and technological innovation. Students and faculty come to New Haven from around the world to immerse themselves in this unparalleled intellectual environment.
West Haven History
City motto: Nil Desperandum, Latin for "Never Despair"
Population: 55,584
When you come to the University of New Haven, you’re never far from history. West Haven was a frequent arrival point during the Revolutionary War. New Haven is home to Yale and the historic New Haven Green and is credited with introducing pizza to Connecticut. The area surrounding the University is home to a number of iconic firsts, and the history of our region is second to none.
A Gateway to New York City, New England - and Beyond
No matter which direction you head from our campus in West Haven, there’s something new to discover. You are only two hours away from Boston to the north and New York City to the south. You’re three hours from skiing in New Hampshire or seeing the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. Plus, the history and hustle and bustle of our nation’s capital in Washington, D.C., is only five hours away.
Are We There Yet?
Our proximity to New York City, one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations – and truly the city that never sleeps – gives you regular access to acclaimed Broadway plays, 10 major league sports franchises, shopping on Fifth Avenue, and such well-known sites as Central Park and the Empire State Building. And, you are only three hours from Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore and five hours from Washington, D.C. Or, stay in New England and enjoy an endless array of opportunities. From the ski slopes of Vermont to the lakes of New Hampshire to the miles-long coastline of Rhode Island to the stunning state parks of Maine, New England has something for everyone – no more than a few hours away.
41
Miles to Hartford
Connecticut's capital
132
Miles to Albany, N.Y.
New York's Capital
75
Miles to New York City
Are you Yankees...
141
Miles to Boston
... or are you Red Sox?
Go Exploring
What To Do
"Connecticut offers such a dynamic blend of things to do. From beautiful beaches along the Connecticut coast to scenic green trails throughout the state. From some of the world’s most exciting casino resorts to some of New England’s most picturesque camping grounds. From challenging adventure parks to stimulating museums. They’re all so close to you — and all so close to each other." - CTVisit.com
- NCAA Division I Athletics at University of New Haven
- Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge
- Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium at Yale University
- Long Wharf Theatre
- Rocky Neck State Park
- Thimble Islands
- Beardsley Zoo
- Lake Compounce
- IT Adventure Ropes Course
- Gillette Castle
- Six Flags New England
- Foxwoods Resort
- Bradley Point Park
- Connecticut Science Center
- Yale Bowl
- Yale Center for British Art
- Mystic Aquarium and Seaport
- R.J. Julia Booksellers
- Yale Peabody Museum
- Hammonasset Beach
- The Shops at Yale
- The Meadows Music Theatre
- Pez Factory
- Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum
- International Festival of Arts & Ideas
- New Haven Area Beaches
- Hubbard Park & Castle Craig
- White Sands Beach
- Mohegan Sun
- Yale Marsh Botanical Garden
- Meigs Point Nature Center
- Bishop's Orchards
- Hartford Yard Goats at Dunkin' Donuts Park
- Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
- Toyota Oakdale Theatre
- Shore Line Trolley Museum
- Eli Whitney Museum
- Connecticut Children's Museum
- Lighthouse Point Park
- Lyman Orchards
- Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort
What To Eat
Beyond the many on-campus food options, the cities of West Haven and New Haven are go-to locations for food lovers. In fact, Connecticut has claimed the title of "Pizza Capital of the U.S." and Louis’ Lunch is the birthplace of the hamburger. There are more than 50 local restaurants and national chains within a three-mile radius of the campus, and some of them accept Charger Cash.
Most will start with the Great Pizza Debate, adding their opinion about the best “ah-beetz” (our unique way of pronouncing apizza). The consensus top 5, in alphabetical order:
- BAR
- Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
- Modern Apizza
- Sally's Apizza
- Zuppardi's Apizza
- Cappetta's
- Bear's Smokehouse
- Little Lotus
- Anthony Jack's Wood-Fired Grill
- Claire's Corner Copia
- Stowe's Seafood
- Tavern on State
- Neil's Donuts
- Ola Restaurant
- Georgie's Diner
- Abbott's Lobster in the Rough
- Prime 16
- Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill
- Michael Jordan's Steak House
- Long Wharf Food Trucks
- Archie Moore's
- Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay
- 116 Crown by Hachiroku
- ZINC
- Barcelona Restaurant
- Louis' Lunch
- ROLi
- Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale
- Union League Cafe
- Olmo
- House of Naan
- Mr. Cookbop
- Stew Leonard's
- Lobster Landing
- 744 West
- Ted's "World Famous Steamed Cheeseburgers"
- Dockside Seafood & Grill
- Ashley's Ice Cream
- Consiglio's Restaurant
- La Cochera
Experience the Northeast
"The natural beauty, culture, and history of New England attract and delight visitors from around the world... Fall is for viewing the colorful foliage; winter brings all manner of snow sports; spring is the time for urban fun, museums, and cultural attractions; and summer is for getting outdoors in the mountains, meadows, and beaches." - VisitNewEngland.com
- Nauset Lighthouse
- Statue of Liberty
- Derry Opera House
- Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
- Worcester Art Museum
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Boston Public Garden
- Fenway Park
- Times Square
- Mohawk Trail
- Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site
- White Mountain National Forest
- American Museum of Natural History
- Faneuil Hall
- Fire Island National Seashore
- The Appalachian Trail
- Castle In The Clouds
- Great Vermont Corn Maze
- Freedom Trail
- Apollo Theatre
- Yankee Stadium
- Grand Central Terminal
- Freedom Tower
- The Butterfly Place
- Staten Island Ferry
- Salem Witch Museum
- Boston Common
- Acadia National Park
- Central Park
- Bromley Mountain
- Quincy Market
- Newport Mansions
- Broadway
- Plymouth Rock
- Pirate’s Cove Adventure
- Prospect Park
- Coney Island Cyclone
- Boston Pops Orchestra
- New England Aquarium
- Basketball Hall of Fame
- Bronx Zoo
- Empire State Building
- Citi Field