My partner and I just moved here in June so I’m still discovering, but here are some of my favorites: Explore the various neighborhood shopping areas. The number of small businesses here is way higher than other places I’ve lived. East rock, Hamden, westville, even east haven has some cute places.

Barcade and Elm City games on Orange. Elm city has Friday game nights and weekly Magic gatherings.

Visit strange ways and get a diy fix at Make Haven.

Peruse antique stores. Key to the past is pretty cute, but the one in Stanford can keep you entertained for hours.

Somethings on my list to check out: Savvy tea gourmet in Madison does tea tastings, Mongers market in Bridgeport.

I also recommend following New Haven channels on Instagram-we’ve learned about last minute events that way.

Chiming in for East Haven - especially the area south of 95. My family (kindergartener) just moved to east shore/Morris cove in new Haven. If you can find a spot there, Nathan Hale is known as a good school and there’s a real sense of community. We often do things in east haven and it’s also a nice, safe, and convenient area to live.