Although it is paired with the mega-chain Barnes and Noble, it does not take away from the breathtaking selection at this bookstore, the largest in Connecticut. You can take a book or periodical to the cafe, which serves Starbucks coffee and other delectable goodies. If you promised someone a souvenir Yale t-shirt or baby onesie, this is the best place in town to find insignia clothing and university paraphernalia. If you need stationery supplies, you can get those here, too.
Culture abounds on quiet Audubon Street. There are galleries (Artspace, Small Space Gallery), performance spaces (The Arts Hall), arts organizations (City Spirit Artists, the New Haven Ballet), a host of art schools (the Neighborhood Music School, the Educational Center for the Arts, Creative Arts Workshop), and even the annual Audubon Arts on the Edge Festival. Shops and restaurants have also begun moving into the neighborhood. Ongoing activities are listed in the Arts Council Calendar, available free at the Arts Council office at 70 Audubon St across from Leeney Plaza.