Neighborhoods & Community

Beaver Hills is a historic neighborhood in New Haven, known for its tree-lined streets and distinctive early 20th-century architecture. Originally developed in the 1910s and 1920s, the area features many Colonial Revival and Tudor-style homes, giving it a cohesive and charming character. The neighborhood takes its name from the once-abundant beaver population that shaped its natural landscape.

Dixwell is a neighborhood rich in history, culture, and community spirit. From its historic churches and settlement house roots to vibrant arts initiatives and modern redevelopment, it remains a beacon of resilience and renewal in New Haven. Whether you’re drawn by its legacy, its evolving cultural scene, or its walkable charm, Dixwell encapsulates the best of heritage meeting forward momentum.

New Haven’s downtown is where Yale’s Central Campus is located, for easy access to the best of urban living – restaurants, nightlife, art galleries, concerts, shopping and theater. At the heart of Downtown sits the New Haven Green, a historic 16-acre park which remains a crossroads for the region’s religious, cultural and commercial life and where outdoor concerts and festivals are held during the summer. Shopping and dining districts - including Broadway, Audubon, and Chapel - have flourished all within walking distance of the Green. 

The Dwight neighborhood is known for its saints, including St. Thomas More, the Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale, and St. Raphael’s Hospital, founded in 1907 by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth and long recognized for excellence in patient care and medical education. Today, Dwight is also home to the Greater Dwight Development Corporation, a community-based nonprofit working to strengthen the neighborhood through housing, economic development, and cultural programming. 

The majestic red basalt cliffs of East Rock Park dominate this section of the city, giving the name to this area immediately to the east of the Yale campus. The scenic drive to reach the peak, 359-feet high, offers a spectacular perspective of the city and a number of places to picnic.

Edgerton Park, which is perfect for a relaxing stroll and a popular sledding venue in the winter, is also located in this area.

Long Wharf is a dynamic waterfront neighborhood in New Haven defined by its historic past and its vision for the future. The area’s name comes from a wharf originally constructed in the 19th century by William Lanson, a prominent Black engineer and entrepreneur, which was at the time the longest in the country.Today, Long Wharf is a mixed-use district with a combination of commercial, industrial, and recreational spaces. It is home to the popular Long Wharf Food Truck Paradise, a destination for diverse and authentic cuisine that draws visitors from across the city.

Fair Haven features a waterfront along the Quinnipiac River, which offers a number of unique attractions for outdoor enthusiasts, including canoeing, kayaking, fishing and boating. The river feeds into the Long Island Sound about three miles east of Downtown. The area around Ferry Street is the commercial center of Fair Haven, offering a number of cafés, grocery stores, and neighborhood services that reflect the Mexican, Puerto Rican, and other Latin American cultures that distinguish this area.

Bordering the southern edge of the Yale campus, is the Hill, which includes the Yale-New Haven Hospital and Yale University Medical School. The Hill also features an attractive waterfront area called City Point, which has a marina, views of the harbor and water view dining.

Single family homes, high-rise rental and condo buildings make up the majority of housing in this neighborhood.  It is also a multi-generational area with several housing developments catering to seniors.

Morris Cove, New Haven’s easternmost area, hugs the shoreline of New Haven Harbor and Long Island Sound. Morris Cove includes East Shore Park, Fort Nathan Hale, and Lighthouse Point Park, public spaces which provide access to the shoreline for swimming, fishing, hiking and recreation. Admission and parking for the popular summertime attractions of Lighthouse Point Park, with its sandy beaches, picnic areas, historic carousel, and playgrounds, are free to all residents of the City of New Haven. 

Newhallville, located in the northwestern section of New Haven, Connecticut, is a historically working-class neighborhood that developed around the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in the late 19th century. Known for its strong sense of community, it has been home to generations of families and maintains deep cultural and historical ties to New Haven’s industrial past. With its blend of historic architecture, active community organizations, and resilient spirit, Newhallville stands as a testament to perseverance and connection.

West Rock is a New Haven neighborhood named for the dramatic basalt ridge that defines its landscape. The area is home to West Rock Ridge State Park, offering miles of hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and a connection to nature right within the city. Residential streets blend with green space, making the neighborhood attractive to families and outdoor enthusiasts alike. With its rich natural beauty and close-knit community feel, West Rock highlights the balance between urban living and access to the outdoors.

The West Hills community has a strong neighborhood identity, evidenced by local efforts to maintain and improve shared spaces, such as the reopening of the West Hills Community Center, affectionately known as “The Shack.” This community-driven initiative serves as a hub for intergenerational activities and underscores the close-knit, self-reliant character of the neighborhood.

As its name implies, Westville is the westernmost area of New Haven, about two miles west of Downtown and the main Yale campus. Westville is bordered by the Yale Bowl and the Yale Golf Course, the West River, West Rock Ridge State Park, and lovely Edgewood Park, which includes a duck pond.

Sport & fitness lovers can enjoy parks for hiking, biking, running & Yale athletic contests (free to Yale students, employees & their families), recreational & world class tennis at historic Yale Field.