The Toyota Presents the Oakdale Theatre (or as it's commonly known, The Oakdale) is one of the area's premier venues. Located between Hartford and New Haven, this theater is known as one of the best live entertainment venues in Connecticut. Theater fans should not miss the Broadway Classics performances. Famous artists like Coldplay, Steely Dan, Dave Matthews, Van Morrison, Seinfeld, Kevin James, David Copperfield, Mariah Carey have performed here.
A Gutenberg Bible, rare prints by the famed ornithologist John Audubon, and other remarkable manuscripts and journals are all located in this library in the heart of the Yale campus. Beinecke houses one of the largest rare book collections in the world, including more than 500,000 printed volumes and several million priceless manuscripts. The building is a rarity itself, designed to protect its holdings from solar damage with translucent marble "windows" that allow in only minimal light.
Famously known as the "most beautiful street in America," the Hillhouse Avenue Historic District is a site that spreads over 18 acres of land. With several traditional homes located here dating to the 19th-century, the site also features homes of some renowned people. The site is worth a visit to watch the beautiful elite constructions of New Haven.
This museum boasts of the most comprehensive collection of British art outside the United Kingdom, which includes paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings and rare books that chronicle British life from the Elizabethan period to the present. Fifteen hundred paintings showcase the likes of great landscape painters John Constable and JMW Turner. The museum also hosts concerts, lectures, family education days and symposia. The gift shop offers a wide range of collectibles, art reproductions and literature for both children and adults.
The Congregational United Church of Christ, as it is more formally known, has stood on the New Haven Green since 1639. The current Georgian structure dates to 1812. Architect Ithiel Town incorporated large windows into the design to capture sunshine, as there was no heating system. A beautiful Tiffany window, installed in 1890, depicts the Rev. John Davenport leading the first service in the new colony. The historic crypt contains the remains of Benedict Arnold's first wife. There is a small burial ground behind the church, where regicide John Dixwell is laid to rest.
The Yale University Art Gallery, founded in 1832, and with more than 100,000 pieces in its permanent collection, is the oldest university art museum in the country. The gallery offers an excellent overview of art history, ranging from ancient to modern. There is an exquisite collection of American paintings, and an extensive display of 20th-century European paintings. Classic objects from ancient Egypt and the Middle East, and treasures from the South Pacific and Far East are also on display. Guided tours, lectures, and family programs are all available. Admission is free.
Pardee-Morris House—beautifully restored and preserved home near Lighthouse Point Park shows you what life was like for a prominent New Haven family in the 1700s. The home is maintained and run by the New Haven Colony Historical Society, and is open weekends June through August. After your tour of the museum, walk around the park to enjoy a panorama of Long Island Sound.
In 2009, the Playhouse Theatre Group decided to open the doors and present some of the best classic plays and other performance pieces on stage. From comedy and children's shows to Othello and modern, interpretive dance, there is something for all tastes. Tickets are relatively inexpensive and the organization constantly provides outreach programs to foment a love for the arts in the greater Hartford region.
This theater in downtown Hartford is where you come and see freestyle performances that take the word improv to a new level. From spoken-word sessions with the audience to choreographed miming and situational comedy, the Sea Tea group always provides a laugh or two. Many of their members have learned from the best at renowned comedy institutions such as Second City, Groundlings and the Upright Citizens Brigade.
A Gutenberg Bible, rare prints by the famed ornithologist John Audubon, and other remarkable manuscripts and journals are all located in this library in the heart of the Yale campus. Beinecke houses one of the largest rare book collections in the world, including more than 500,000 printed volumes and several million priceless manuscripts. The building is a rarity itself, designed to protect its holdings from solar damage with translucent marble "windows" that allow in only minimal light.
Little known to many visitors to the New Haven and Yale area, this museum is a wonderful treasure with displays of nearly 1000 musical instruments and other artifacts. The museum is one of the largest and most important repositories of musical instruments in the world, and is especially known for its collection of clavichords, harpsichords and pianos. Located on historic Hillhouse Avenue (described by Mark Twain as "the most beautiful street in America"), this quiet museum is not to be missed.
Nestled in the scenic Parkville region, Our Lady of Sorrows is one of the most important churches in the city. The church dates back to be built in the 19th Century and is affiliated to the Roman Catholic faith of Christianity. Our Lady of Sorrows has many followers and holds masses in both, English and Spanish languages. Besides, it also hosts several religious events and choir sessions regularly. Even if you're not religious, you can't miss the impressive grandeur of this beautiful church.