On the doorstep of New Haven, West Haven is a laid-back coastal city in Connecticut’s far south, overlooking the waters of Long Island Sound. It was settled in 1648 as part of the English-run New Haven Colony and was once home to a famous seaside amusement park known as Savin Rock.
Things to do in West Haven
Some of the city's most beautiful buildings are located around West Haven Green, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Gaze up at the whitewashed spire of the West Haven Congregational Church and admire the red-brick facade of the West Haven City Hall. The green is dotted with memorials and features plenty of wooden benches for watching the world go by.
On West Haven’s waterfront is Savin Rock Park, which was home to an amusement park of the same name from the late 19th century. Artefacts from the site are on display at the Savin Rock Museum while seafood is served up at the long-established Jimmies of Savin Rock. A breezy boardwalk hugs the park’s sandy beach, which is packed with swimmers in the summer months.
West Haven makes a good base for visiting the PEZ Visitor Center, which is located in the neighbouring town of Orange. It’s home to the largest collection of PEZ memorabilia in the world, including huge candy dispensers and a PEZ-themed motorcycle. You can get a behind-the-scenes look at the production floor through the viewing window and try unique PEZ flavours in the factory store.
Getting around West Haven
West Haven is around 10 minutes’ drive from the centre of New Haven and 15 minutes from Tweed New Haven Airport, which has flights to destinations across the United States. Regular trains connect to the West Haven railway station and buses travel throughout the city.