New Haven - Worth a visit?
Sep 8th, 2011, 12:42 AM
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New Haven - Worth a visit?
Hi
I will be travelling from Springfield to Boston at the end of September and there is the option of stopping in New Haven on the way.
I had planned on an extra night in downtown Boston, around Copley, before staying with a friend a little outside the city centre. Would a night in New Haven be time better spent?
As I said in my earlier post, I would like to spend a night in a nice small town...would New Haven fit the bill?
Any advice much appreciated.
Thanks
Emma
I will be travelling from Springfield to Boston at the end of September and there is the option of stopping in New Haven on the way.
I had planned on an extra night in downtown Boston, around Copley, before staying with a friend a little outside the city centre. Would a night in New Haven be time better spent?
As I said in my earlier post, I would like to spend a night in a nice small town...would New Haven fit the bill?
Any advice much appreciated.
Thanks
Emma
Sep 8th, 2011, 02:55 AM
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Absolutely, positively NO.
For starters, it is NOT on the way, it's a several hour detour. Boston is a hundred times more interesting. If you want something to do BETWEEN Springfield and Boston you could consider Sturbridge which is a living history museum, set in 1830, with recreated houses, stores, farm buildings, etc. But depending on how long you will have in Boston I'd add the extra night there.
For starters, it is NOT on the way, it's a several hour detour. Boston is a hundred times more interesting. If you want something to do BETWEEN Springfield and Boston you could consider Sturbridge which is a living history museum, set in 1830, with recreated houses, stores, farm buildings, etc. But depending on how long you will have in Boston I'd add the extra night there.
Sep 8th, 2011, 03:31 AM
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I agree with the advice above becaause it is not on your route. It is on the direct route from NYC to Boston.
Otherwise, I would very much suggest stopping, though not necessarily overnight. Yale's museums, the Center for British Art, the Beinecke Rare Book Library are all very interesting, and much of the architecture of Yale University has merit, particularly the bildings by Louis Kahn. Inside Sterling Library, the main university library, the tops of columns and bosses have carved portraits of university librarians where gargoyles might ordinarily be.
New Haven is also the site of what are reputed to be the first pizz restaurant in North America, and, if I recall correctly, the first fried clams and hamburgers!
Otherwise, I would very much suggest stopping, though not necessarily overnight. Yale's museums, the Center for British Art, the Beinecke Rare Book Library are all very interesting, and much of the architecture of Yale University has merit, particularly the bildings by Louis Kahn. Inside Sterling Library, the main university library, the tops of columns and bosses have carved portraits of university librarians where gargoyles might ordinarily be.
New Haven is also the site of what are reputed to be the first pizz restaurant in North America, and, if I recall correctly, the first fried clams and hamburgers!
Sep 8th, 2011, 04:18 AM
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Check your maps again. As previously noted, New Haven is way off your route from Springfield to Boston. You're talking about an approximately 130-mile round-trip detour between Springfield and New Haven.
Sep 8th, 2011, 05:28 AM
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Lots of good advice here, especially from Ackislander. New Haven is well worth about two days of sightseeing, but not as a way-station between Springfield and Boston as it's well out of your way.
Yale University has plenty to offer, including three worthy museums (two art and one natural history), the rare book library, and plenty of interesting sculpture scattered around the campus -- plus the campus architecture itself is interesting. There's also a modest-sized local history museum as well as a lot of excellent eateries.
New Haven's pizza is justifiably famous, with Frank Pepe's, Sally's, and Modern Apizza all top-notch examples of the type -- plus much positive mention online can be found about Bar's mashed potato pizza (haven't been to the last of these). Louis' Lunch claims to have invented the hamburger, and it's an eccentrically fun place to try once (they only allow cheese, tomato, and onion as toppings, use toast instead of rolls, and serve potato salad instead of fries). Plus there are many other cuisines represented in the city -- for its size, the food scene here is really good.
Yale University has plenty to offer, including three worthy museums (two art and one natural history), the rare book library, and plenty of interesting sculpture scattered around the campus -- plus the campus architecture itself is interesting. There's also a modest-sized local history museum as well as a lot of excellent eateries.
New Haven's pizza is justifiably famous, with Frank Pepe's, Sally's, and Modern Apizza all top-notch examples of the type -- plus much positive mention online can be found about Bar's mashed potato pizza (haven't been to the last of these). Louis' Lunch claims to have invented the hamburger, and it's an eccentrically fun place to try once (they only allow cheese, tomato, and onion as toppings, use toast instead of rolls, and serve potato salad instead of fries). Plus there are many other cuisines represented in the city -- for its size, the food scene here is really good.
Sep 8th, 2011, 05:40 AM
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I repeat, as I am travelling by train it does NOT take me out of my way by much at all...the difference in journey time is 46 minutes. Could you please advise on the town and whether it is a nice place to spend a night?
Sep 8th, 2011, 06:11 AM
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Now I am utterly confused. The distance from Springfield to Boston is approximately 90 miles. Now, if you detour to New Haven, I calculate a total distance by train to Boston to be about 215 miles (65 from Springfield to New Haven and about 150 from New Haven to Boston). By these calculations, you've added about 125 miles to your trip, which would certainly consume far more than 46 minutes. What am I missing here?
Sep 8th, 2011, 06:34 AM
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Selecting Sept 13th, I checked the Amtrak schedule just out of curiosity, you may want to look at those schedules and prices again. It's $50 more expensive I noticed to detour via New Haven, even via the cheapest options. The fastest I see you could do it would be to take the Acela Boston-New Haven (2 hours 1 minutes) plus the fastest listing between New Haven & Springfield (Amtrak shuttle bus) which is listed at 1 hour 23 minutes. So, 3 hours 24 minutes (at least $112 for Acela-shuttle bus option) is the fastest actual travel time, and it's roughly 4 hours all-told using the cheaper regional trains ($69), but still a good bit more money than Boston-Springfield direct train ($19) which is 2 hours 15 minutes, so over an hour and closer to two hours more likely travel time longer with the New Haven detour under the best of circumstances.
At the same time, I apologize for the above analysis... I think people are getting stuck on your statement of wanting to do something that's "only a little out of the way". I get it, you're considering a detour because you're curious about New Haven (and in the grand scheme what's 2 hours) and you're not too far way. I like doing detours like this too and I'd advise, but I've never stopped in New Haven.
Hope you get more responses on New Haven to add to ackislander's and bachslunch's good advice!
Best wishes, Daniel
At the same time, I apologize for the above analysis... I think people are getting stuck on your statement of wanting to do something that's "only a little out of the way". I get it, you're considering a detour because you're curious about New Haven (and in the grand scheme what's 2 hours) and you're not too far way. I like doing detours like this too and I'd advise, but I've never stopped in New Haven.
Hope you get more responses on New Haven to add to ackislander's and bachslunch's good advice!
Best wishes, Daniel
Sep 8th, 2011, 07:09 AM
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Daniel's observations are correct. You can take an Amtrak train directly between Springfield and Boston (the one that originates in Chicago and ends in Boston) and it's likely both cheaper and faster then the one heading down from Springfield and connecting in New Haven for Boston. There's also good bus service via Peter Pan between Springfield and Boston which is timely and cheap.
That being said, if you want to explore New Haven for a couple days, there's nothing wrong with that -- I've done so, myself, and am glad I did. There are certainly enough attractions and eateries to make it worthwhile. Note well that if you do go and are without a car, choose where you stay wisely (downtown, and as close to the Yale campus as possible) as New Haven is a good sized city with its share of crime and urban issues. It's not a charming city, but one would go here for the museums and restaurants and culture and academic advantages, not to experience anything resembling small-town charm.
That being said, if you want to explore New Haven for a couple days, there's nothing wrong with that -- I've done so, myself, and am glad I did. There are certainly enough attractions and eateries to make it worthwhile. Note well that if you do go and are without a car, choose where you stay wisely (downtown, and as close to the Yale campus as possible) as New Haven is a good sized city with its share of crime and urban issues. It's not a charming city, but one would go here for the museums and restaurants and culture and academic advantages, not to experience anything resembling small-town charm.
Sep 8th, 2011, 07:13 AM
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I've been in New Haven , because my son lives there. I competely agree with the posts above that say it has much that is worthwhile (all related to the university) and excellent eating, but it is not a quaint or charming "village".
Sep 8th, 2011, 08:26 AM
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I agree with the general trend of opinion: New Haven is well worth a visit, but it is not a small town. On the other hand, it offers a lot more to see and eat than a typical small town. I'd say if the idea appeals to you, give it a go, there is certainly no reason to warn you away from New Haven. Modern Apizza alone would be reason enough for me to make a detour!
Sep 8th, 2011, 08:41 AM
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>>
That's my son's favorite, too (and my DH and DS had the mashed potato pizza somewhere and said it was great!). They didn't really "appreciate" Louis', but that may be because my son really likes his ketchup
)
That's my son's favorite, too (and my DH and DS had the mashed potato pizza somewhere and said it was great!). They didn't really "appreciate" Louis', but that may be because my son really likes his ketchup
)
Sep 8th, 2011, 09:36 AM
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Back to the other part of the OP's inquiry....whether to spend that day in New Haven or Boston. My vote goes to Boston. (And, I confess that this opinion comes from someone who actually spent 24 of his first 28 years in New Haven and its suburbs....but spent the other 4 plus another 5 in Boston and its suburbs.) Nothing against New Haven, but Boston has so much more to offer.
Sep 8th, 2011, 05:48 PM
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I'm sure New Haven has some nice restaurants and some museums, and as colleges go, Yale has a nice campus. But overall as a city Boston is far more interesting and pleasant and has way more to do for a tourist (or a resident for that matter).
The OP also mentioned a "nice small town". And New Haven is not that at all. There are plenty of nice small towns between Springfield and Boston, although without a car they are difficult to visit. As a day trip from Boston there are several options doable by public transportation.
The best public transportation between Springfield and Boston is the bus, not the train. (Bus and train stations in Springfield are a couple blocks apart).
The OP also mentioned a "nice small town". And New Haven is not that at all. There are plenty of nice small towns between Springfield and Boston, although without a car they are difficult to visit. As a day trip from Boston there are several options doable by public transportation.
The best public transportation between Springfield and Boston is the bus, not the train. (Bus and train stations in Springfield are a couple blocks apart).
Sep 8th, 2011, 08:13 PM
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Actually, the difference in travel time really is as little as 46 minutes (by train, at least). Springfield-Boston shows up as 3:17 on Amtrak site, with Springfield-New Haven-Boston as little as 4:03 non-Acela (travel time only, not counting layover, which would be moot in this case).
That said, I'm not sure I would opt for New Haven. Worth a visit, yes, but in my opinion it doesn't offer the contrast to Boston the OP is looking for (especially without a car).
That said, I'm not sure I would opt for New Haven. Worth a visit, yes, but in my opinion it doesn't offer the contrast to Boston the OP is looking for (especially without a car).
Sep 9th, 2011, 03:06 AM
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Thanks for the correction, Cranachin, from the Amtrak web site.
I see bizarrely enough that Springfield to Boston is indeed 3 hours 17 minutes by the Lakeshore Limited, while curiously enough Boston to Springfield on the Lakeshore Limited (which is what I looked up; I know, the wrong direction but I didn't think it would be SO different) is 2 hours 15 minutes. (?!) The Peter Pan Bus website by the way has trips that take an 1.5 hours from Springfield to Boston, just of note.
I see bizarrely enough that Springfield to Boston is indeed 3 hours 17 minutes by the Lakeshore Limited, while curiously enough Boston to Springfield on the Lakeshore Limited (which is what I looked up; I know, the wrong direction but I didn't think it would be SO different) is 2 hours 15 minutes. (?!) The Peter Pan Bus website by the way has trips that take an 1.5 hours from Springfield to Boston, just of note.
Sep 9th, 2011, 05:14 AM
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I'm dumbfounded by the fact that it would take 3 hours and 17 minutes to go by train for a 90-mile trip from Springfield to Boston. Since that apparently is the case, it would be my last choice of transportation options between the two locations!
