Special Edition: Hamden Day Trip Itineraries
Beautiful. Diverse. Community.
Whether it be with visitors from out-of-state, some friends from across CT, a few Hamden neighbors, or with your own family and kids, here are 18 potential itineraries for fun exploration across Hamden during the warm weather months.
Note: Some of the suggested itineraries below are only available in the summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Others are available spring, summer, and fall. Please confirm beforehand.
Itinerary #1: Water Play Day
For the kids who love water play, with the added bonus of STEM connections and investigations…
Part 1: Start at the Eli Whitney Museum’s outdoor “water learning lab”, which is open (activated) for kids & families to investigate, experiment, and enjoy each summer day (11am-4pm). Additionally, they offer free weekend STEM projects for kids & families to build various watercraft inside the museum/workshop (10am-3pm) before heading out to the water lab so kids can experiment with their project creations.
Part 2: Walk across the street, past the historic Eli Whitney Barn, to the Whitney Water Park and explore the award-winning architecture and landscape architecture of the facility and the park, including the nature trails and spiral hill.
Part 3: Walk just a few more neighborhood blocks (or bike, or drive) to the Hamden Splash Pad @ Villano Park, accompanied by an awesome playground. If you go on a Tuesday afternoon in July or August, there is a free ice cream truck.
Itinerary #2: Four Corners & Four Summits
For those who love to hike and appreciate the scenic views from above, take on the challenge to conquer four summits from all four corners of Hamden in one day (or maybe one weekend)…
Southeast Corner: Start at the trailhead at the covered bridge at the Eli Whitney Museum. Cross the Mill River and hike any of the various park trails that lead to the East Rock Park summit. Once there, check out the beautiful “Sailors & Soldiers” Monument. Every Sunday in July and August, 10am-3pm, visitors can ascend the staircase inside the monument at the summit for one of the best panoramic views of Hamden, New Haven, and the Long Island Sound.
Southwest Corner: Start at the trailhead next to Lake Wintergreen and select from a wide variety of hiking paths that lead to the scenic summit of West Rock Ridge State Park. Once there, check out historic Judge’s Cave.
Northwest Corner: Summit Mt. Sanford, the highest elevation in Hamden, part of the Naugatuck State Forest, and accessible via the Quinnipiac Trail.
Northeast Corner: Decisions, decisions, decisions… so many trails to the iconic castle tower atop Sleeping Giant State Park.
Itinerary #3: Hands-on STEM
For Hamden’s science-loving kids, parents, and grandparents, here are 3 exceptional opportunities to explore, all within minutes of each other…
Part 1: Design, build, create at the Eli Whitney Museum. Free hands-on STEM projects for kids & families inside the museum/workshop (10am-3pm) every weekend, including the new LEGO Innovation Station.
Part 2: Make the short drive down Whitney Ave from the Eli Whitney Museum to the renovated, redesigned, and expanded world-class Yale Peabody Museum.
Part 3: Stroll over to the Yale Observatory & Planetarium (just off Whitney Ave, two blocks from the Peabody Museum) for an evening of hands-on intergalactic science and astronomic exploration.
Itinerary #4: Sunday Funday (Peak & Polo)
Part 1: Enjoy expert-guided, themed tours offered by SGPA on various Sunday afternoons 1-3pm. Or, pick your own path to hike any of the myriad trails to the castle tower at the peak of Sleeping Giant State Park to take in the 360 degree views.
Part 2: Next, head just around the corner to Giant Valley Polo Club to relax and enjoy a competitive polo match, played every Sunday afternoon in the summer at 3pm, with the beautiful Sleeping Giant as a backdrop to the action.
Part 3: Dinner beckons with several great options just minutes away from the polo grounds, including the iconic Glenwood Drive-In, rated #1 in Connecticut.
Itinerary #5: Sunday Funday (History & Hiking)
Part 1: Start with the popular Sunday Brunch at Mikro Depot in the historic train station adjacent to Sleeping Giant State Park, every Sunday beginning at 11:30am.
Part 2: Enjoy expert-guided tours of Sleeping Giant State Park. SGPA offers several different themed tours on various Sunday afternoons (including some history-themed hikes).
Part 3: End across the street from the park with more Hamden history at the Jonathan Dickerman House. Open to the public on Sundays from 1-4pm thanks to the Hamden Historical Society.
Itinerary #6: Hamden Family Fun Triathlon (Paddle, Hike, Bike)
Part 1: Paddle… Start with kayaking or canoeing the Mill River in East Rock Park past the Eli Whitney Museum and up to the Lake Whitney Dam. Kingfisher Adventures offers on-site equipment rentals, guides, instruction, etc.
Part 2: Hike… After a family pit stop at Wentworth’s or Kelly’s Cone Connection for scoops of Hamden homemade ice cream, hike the family-friendly (non-strenuous) trails weaving through Brooksvale Park. And spend some time visiting the barn and farm animals.
Part 3: Bike… Pedal the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail (short and flat) from Brooksvale Park to Mikro Depot or Sergios Pizza (both located on the bike path) for a family meal before a return ride back to Brooksvale Park.
Itinerary #6: Art Tour
Part 1: Visit the Yale University Art Gallery to appreciate world-class art right at our doorstep. Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, Manet, Degas, Cezanne, Rodin, Seurat, Dali, etc. Free, with docent-guided tours every Saturday & Sunday. Plus, frequent kid-focused, hands-on activities and tours many weekends.
Part 2: Explore an assortment of art related to Ireland’s Great Famine of the 19th century in the Lender Family Special Collection Room at the QU Library. Wander through the library a bit to see more original artworks related to The Great Hunger. (Also, although the museum is closed, the online collection of Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum is still available).
Part 3: Visit Hamden’s “Messy Hands & Happy Hearts” during their “Open Studio” time to create your own art with kids, family, and friends.
Itinerary #7: Links & Lyrics
Part 1: Gather a few friends for a Saturday or Sunday afternoon round of golf at Hamden’s new and improved The Vue (formerly known as Laurel View Country Club before the current multi-year, multi-million dollar renovations and upgrades).
Part 2: Next, move from the links at The Vue to the lyrics of Ireland at The Playwright Irish Pub. Live Irish music every Saturday (7pm) and Sunday (4pm) served with traditional Irish food, beer, and spirits.
Itinerary #8: Dinner & A Movie
Part 1: Enjoy a nice dinner at the new Bistro Latino, Cafe Amici, or the popular Cumin Indian Restaurant. All 3 are just a few blocks away from BVFCC.
Part 2: Trust the experts at Best Video Film & Cultural Center as they select, present, and discuss curated films (spanning all genres) every Tuesday Night at BVFCC at 7pm in Spring Glen. Enjoy wine, beer, coffee, and snacks from the BVFCC Cafe. Free popcorn at every show.
Itinerary #9: Hamden Leisure Triathlon (Paddle, Hike, Bike)
Same triathlon concept as the “Family Fun Triathlon” above, but just a bit more challenging — though still leisurely. A great day with friends/family connecting 3 of the great natural resources across Hamden in one big loop…
Part 1: Start with a canoe or kayak trip or paddle board around Lake Wintergreen at West Rock Ridge State Park. Kingfisher Adventures offers on-site equipment rentals, guides, instruction, etc.
Part 2: Hike the trails (Regicide & Quinnipiac) connecting West Rock Ridge State Park to the Naugatuck State Forest and Brooksvale Park.
Part 3: Bike the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail back from Brooksvale Park. Pause to relax and refresh at any of the numerous restaurants or watering holes alongside the trail. To finish, resume pedaling the trail through town, past the Mill River and Lake Whitney and the future site of Six Lakes State Park, then use Morse/Arch St to cycle past the SCSU campus and back to West Rock Ridge State Park and Lake Wintergreen where the adventure began.
Itinerary #10: Birding, Brews, & Bocce
Part 1: The CT Audubon Society has designated East Rock Park an “IBA” (Important Bird Area). Over 200 species of birds have been recorded in the park. The “river trail” behind Hamden’s Eli Whitney Museum, following and crossing the Mill River, is the most popular birding spot in the park. Hamden’s Fat Robin and various birding organizations from around the area (e.g. NH Bird Club) offer guided tours periodically. Or, beginners can bird independently any time of year with binoculars and free birding apps available on mobile phones.
Part 2: Hike the park trails along the river to the other side of the park to arrive at East Rock Brewery & Beer Hall, where you can enjoy locally-crafted pints and a game of bocce at their indoor game garden (also shuffleboard, cornhole, foosball, etc.). The East Rock Market food hall is next door for those seeking a variety of high quality culinary choices.
Itinerary #11: Bluegrass & Biergarten
Part 1: Enjoy a live concert or jam session with nationally-renowned Bluegrass musicians and bands courtesy of Hamden’s very own GuitartownCT Productions. Sometimes indoors, sometimes outdoors, always great music.
Part 2: Explore the menu of local craft beers at Hamden’s Haven Beer Company while enjoying their outdoor biergarten.
Itinerary #12: Three Unique Parks, One Parking Lot
All 3 border each other, and yet each has a unique mission and focal point. All 3 can be visited together, leaving the car (or bikes) in just one parking lot as you and your group explore the unique qualities of each…
Part 1: At Edgerton Park the focus is on horticulture with the maintained gardens and greenhouses, with the added bonus of the history of the mansion that was formerly at the site.
Part 2: At Whitney Water Park the focus is on the science of water and its connection to the surrounding environment, with the added bonus of award-winning modern architecture, landscape architecture, and two historic buildings.
Part 3: At East Rock Park the focus is on the raw, untamed, natural geology and biology, with the added bonus of the Eli Whitney Museum for STEM exploration, activities, and education.
Itinerary #13: Japanese & Jazz
Part 1: Choose from several great Japanese/Hibachi/Sushi restaurants in Hamden for dinner: Sushi Palace, Jasa, Roishi, Kumo, Sonobana, Sakura Garden, or the newest additions Genki Sushi and Donburiya.
Part 2: After dinner, skip over to BVFCC for a live jazz performance at their monthly “Jazz Night.” Enjoy wine, beer, coffee, and snacks from the BVFCC Cafe.
Itinerary #14: Rock & Rolls
Part 1: Sushi Rolls for dinner… choose from these great sushi restaurants in Hamden, several of which are just a few blocks away from Space Ballroom: Sushi Palace, Jasa, Roishi, Kumo, Sonobana, Sakura Garden, or the newest addition Genki Sushi.
Part 2: Catch live rock concerts (and other genres, too) several nights per week, year-round, at Hamden’s popular Space Ballroom, which draws a wide-range of touring bands from across the region and the nation.
Itinerary #15: Hometown Team & Homemade Ice Cream
Part 1: Cheer on Hamden’s Division 1 teams at QU’s dozen+ outdoor sports in either the spring or fall season. All QU games for outdoor sports are free.
Part 2: Celebrate the home team victory with homemade ice cream at Kelly’s Cone Connection, just minutes from campus. Dozens of flavors (all made on site), including some recipes featuring locally-grown, farm-fresh fruits from Hamden’s Hindinger Farm.
Itinerary #16: CT’s Tallest Waterfalls
The #2 and #3 tallest waterfalls in the state are a mere 10 minutes apart and ripe for combining into a warm weather outdoor excursion. Both are at their best in the spring or after a heavy rain…
Part 1: Mt. Caramel Spring Falls in Hamden’s Sleeping Giant State Park is the third tallest waterfall in the state. It is low volume with a small spring as its source, but volume increases after substantial rainfall.
Part 2: Enjoy 2 fresh scoops of homemade Hamden ice cream at Wentworth’s - perfectly placed on Whitney Ave between the 2 waterfalls.
Part 3: Roaring Brook Falls is just across the Hamden town line in Cheshire, offers a more traditional waterfall volume, and is the second tallest waterfall in CT.
Itinerary #17: Exploring Hamden History
Part 1: Start at one of the Hamden sites listed on the National Historic Register of Historic Places - Lock 14. Park across the street at Aunt Chilada’s Mexican Restaurant. Explore the historic lock-keeper’s house, grounds, and the remains of the canal and lock behind it.
Part 2: Walk or bike the scenic Farmington Canal Heritage Trail 3 miles (flat and easy) to Lock 12 in Cheshire. Tour the completely restored historical park to see what the canal and locks looked like when functioning in the mid-1800s.
Part 3: Return to Aunt Chilada’s for a tasty Mexican meal and cool, refreshing beverages.
Itinerary #18: Trails, Trucks, & Tunes
Part 1: Hit the trails at West Rock Ridge State Park, which include a nice mix of degrees-of-difficulty. Families with littles can find easy, short, flat trails around Lake Wintergreen, while more adventurous groups will find more challenging terrain up and down the ridge.
Part 2: Just a short distance away from the park and the lake, find the Hindinger Farm summer/fall concert series every other weekend (roughly). Each event includes live music, a food truck, a dessert truck, and an adult beverage truck. Additionally: a large, fun, fenced-in, farm-style playground for kids. (Bonus: the Hindinger farm stand/market with farm-fresh produce.)
Itinerary #19: Create Your Own
Take any combination of the above activities and rearrange them to fit your own interests and tastes for your own customized Hamden Day Trip with family, friends, and/or neighbors.
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Please share with your Hamden neighbors, friends, and community groups. Thank you!
Thanks so much for assembling this wonderful list and for mentioning my husband’s monthly jazz night at Best Video. I will be consulting this list all summer!