New Haven was one of the first planned cities in the United States. It was founded by English Puritans in 1638, and after just one year, eight streets were laid out in a symmetrical grid. The central block is New Haven Green, a 16-acre square at the center of downtown. In 1716, New Haven was established as a center of learning when the Collegiate School relocated there. Shortly after the school received a large donation, it was renamed Yale. In 1784, New Haven was incorporated as a city, and in the late 18th century, a Yale graduate developed the cotton gin and set up an armaments factory bringing significant economic benefits to the region. New Haven soon became a center of manufacturing with clock-making and brass hardware sectors, and in 1836 the revolver was invented by Samuel Colt. After the Civil War, the population continued to grow and doubled by the start of the 20th century, mainly due to immigration from Italy. Roughly half of New Haven’s population today is of Italian-American descent. In the past 20 years New Haven’s downtown area has been revitalized with restaurants, small retail stores and nightlife. There has also been an influx of new apartments and condominiums in New Haven Green.

New Haven is the home of the life-size replica of the historic schooner Amistad. Tours can be taken at Long Wharf Pier during the summer. Also at Long Wharf Pier is the schooner Quinnipiack, offering sailing cruises throughout the summer.

The New Haven Green is the site of many free music concerts, especially during the summer months. Concerts have included the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, the July Free Concerts on the Green, and the New Haven Jazz Festival in August.

New Haven was named the Best Foodie City in the country in 2014 and has the most restaurants in all of Connecticut. In fact, there are 56 highly rated restaurants in the city but a total of more than 120 restaurants are located within two blocks of the New Haven Green.