New Haven may be small in size but packs a mighty punch when it comes to culture, history, and culinary delights. This city, founded in 1638, is known for its rich academic legacy, being the home of the prestigious Yale University, yet it’s much more than just ivy-covered walls and libraries. New Haven is an eclectic mix of classic American charm and urban cool, offering an intriguing blend of art, history, and some of the country’s most renowned pizza. Arriving at Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN, the gateway to this historic city, is the perfect way to begin your New Haven adventure. Though the airport serves smaller regional flights, it connects with major hubs like buzzing New York City, and United States capital Washington D.C., and even international cities like London and Toronto, making it a convenient start for travelers. From the airport, a quick car hire will allow you to dive right into the personality of the city, whether you’re cruising past the grand architecture of Yale or heading to one of the city’s many delicious dining spots.

Driving through New Haven and the wider area of Connecticut is a sensory feast, where the landscape constantly shifts in beauty. The road winds past sprawling meadows, tranquil lakes, and lush forests, with rolling hills that stretch out into the distance. In spring and summer, vibrant greenery dominates the scenery, while autumn ushers in a blaze of reds, oranges, and yellows, creating a painterly canvas. As you cruise along, the air is filled with the melodies of birds, from the song of a warbler to the distant call of a red-tailed hawk soaring overhead. Squirrels dart playfully through the trees, and deer can often be seen grazing peacefully in the fields. The skies in the State of Connecticut are famously wide and open, a perfect backdrop to the serene beauty of the countryside. Whether it’s the hazy pink and lavender hues of sunset or the bright blue expanse of a cloudless day, the ever-changing skies add a dynamic quality to the journey. From the bustle of New Haven's historic streets to the quiet roads that wind through picturesque villages, driving in Connecticut is a pure joy—a thrilling embrace of nature, wildlife, and the beauty of the open road. While New Haven may be famous for Yale University, it’s also a city that knows how to make history feel fresh. Start by taking a spin through the historic Green, the heart of downtown New Haven. This wide, tree-lined square is the perfect starting point for your journey. If you’re a fan of architecture, look around and you’ll see everything from classic colonial structures to modern skyscrapers. Yale University, founded in 1701, sits adjacent to the Green, its Gothic-style buildings standing proud beside newer architectural gems like the glass-and-steel beauty of the Yale School of Management. No trip to New Haven would be complete without sampling the world-famous pizza, or as the locals call it, “apizza.” The city is home to several pizzerias that have elevated the art of pizza-making, and you can easily drive to iconic spots like Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria Napoletana or Sally’s Apizza. Whether you prefer a traditional white clam pizza or a more modern twist, New Haven’s pizza is sure to be one of the highlights of your visit. Having a hire car makes it easy to jump from one pizzeria to the next, testing each slice with the excitement of a local.