Overview
East Haven is a town in Connecticut three minutes' drive from New Haven and 35 miles from Hartford. It is part of the Greater New Haven area, founded in 1683. The town's population was 28,000 as of 2020. While East Haven has been well-known for a large Italian-American population, the town has received many newer immigrants, particularly from Ecuador, since the late 20th century. The shape of the town is vertically long, and split into three different areas: Foxon, the Center, and Momauguin. Foxon is the northernmost section and is surrounded Branford and North Branford as well as New Haven. The Center is not geographically the center of town, but contains the town hall, library, and the green, surrounded by a suburban area. Momauguin, to the south, borders New Haven along the coastline and contains the Tweed New Haven Regional Airport.
2 sights · 1 things to do · 13 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about East Haven
Shoreline Trolley Museum
Includes displays and hands-on exhibits, a guided tour of nearly 100 vintage trolleys, as well as a variety of trolley rides along the historical Branford Electric Railway. April, November, December through the 17th: Sun…
East Haven Historical Society Museum
Hours: Wednesday from 11AM to 2PM or by appointment.
AMF Circle Lanes
Bowling.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 15°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Aug. (climate data from nearby Waterbury)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HVN Tweed New Haven Airport, New Haven — 3 mi away. Directions
- ISP Long Island MacArthur Airport, Islip — 37 mi away. Directions
- BDL Bradley International Airport, Hartford — 45 mi away (major hub). Directions
I-95 South exit 52 or 51 I-95 North exit 51 I-91 which is on the west of town and it intersects with the town at the Foxon line and connects with the north of Branford Rt 1 is parallel to I-95 through, what is called, the "Center" of town and connects to State Route 100.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Shoreline Trolley Museum, East Haven Historical Society Museum
- Lunch Aniello Pizza and Italian Restaurant
- Afternoon AMF Circle Lanes
- Dinner Capotorto’s Apizza Center
- Evening Foxon Park sodas
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
I-95 South exit 52 or 51 I-95 North exit 51 I-91 which is on the west of town and it intersects with the town at the Foxon line and connects with the north of Branford Rt 1 is parallel to I-95 through, what is called, the "Center" of town and connects to State Route 100.
Two nearby train stations: Union Station, 3 miles from the center of New Haven, and a commuter station an equal distance away in Branford.
Tweed New Haven Regional Airport on the border of New Haven at 155 Burr St. +1 203-466-8888.
Get around
CT Transit – Public bus system running throughout Connecticut, including within East Haven.
Route 100 runs across East Haven to connect the "central" area with the "Foxon" area.
See
See Shoreline Trolley Museum
Includes displays and hands-on exhibits, a guided tour of nearly 100 vintage trolleys, as well as a variety of trolley rides along the historical Branford Electric Railway. April, November, December through the 17th: Sundays 10AM-5PM with trolleys running all day. May, September, October: Sa Su 10AM-5PM. Summer hours (Memorial Day-Labor Day): every day 10AM-5PM. Scheduling may vary, see website for details.
Do
- East Haven Town Beach. Located along Cosey Beach Ave. Includes picnic area, playground, volleyball and bocci courts. Fee for non-residents to park and use the beach.
Seasonal Town Events. In the fall, typically late September, the town hosts the Fall Festival in the center of town, where they set up merchant and food stands, carnival rides, band performances, a classic car show, and raffles. On Independence Day, the town hosts a beach party on the East Haven Town Beach. Every year the town has a popular Memorial Day Parade, and every fifth year it hosts the Columbus Day Parade, which is shared with five other cities and towns in southern Connecticut.
Buy
Eat
Eat Aniello Pizza and Italian Restaurant
Italian cuisine and grinders ranging from $6 to $20 depending on meal type, with most falling evenly in between. Normal and gourmet pizzas are available, as well as stuffed breads.
Eat Capotorto’s Apizza Center
Traditional thin-crust pizza with a variety of toppings. Stuffed breads, calzones, Italian grinders, pasta dinners and more available.
Eat Country Kitchen
Serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and has a kid’s menu. The menu is varied but sticks to traditional American/Southwestern foods typically found in diners.
Eat Foliage Chinese Restaurant
Chinese take-out.
Eat Jennifer’s Ice Cream
22 flavors! Also serves cakes and other frozen treats. The milkshakes are delicious.
Eat John and Maria's
A cute little pizza shop on the Foxon side of town. Since 1990 they have been serving Southern Italian recipes. They have catering and a great variety of food; anywhere from a salad to a pizza or eggplant parmesian.
Eat La Pergola Cucina Mediterranea
Italian cuisine.
Eat Minervini’s
Pizzeria and restaurant, also serving calzones, stuffed breads, subs, pasta, and other items. Though small, the place is nicely decorated and the service friendly, making it a cozy spot. The pizza's good, too!
Eat The Rib House
American restaurant and sports bar featuring barbeque. Take-out available.
Eat Sandpiper Restaurant
Specializes in seafood, yet carries other options such as steak, chicken and pasta dishes. Kids menu available. Restaurant area as well as front area to order ice cream and smaller meals. Popular spot for beach-goers, with the East Haven Beach is right across the street. Prices range from about $4 to $27 depending on meal type.
- Tolli’s Apizza, 410 Main St. +1 203-469-9582. . Brick oven pizza (normal and gourmet), wraps, grinders, and some Italian meal options ranging from $10 to $15. Lunch menu with wraps, burgers, and other items available all for under $10. It is beautifully decorated, inside and out, in a distinctly Mediterranean style. Includes a bar.
Eat Twin Pines Diner
Large and varied menu with breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, along with a lot of specials. Typically good service and food. Price average is $10, give or take a few.
Drink
Drink Foxon Park sodas
Sold at most pizzerias in town, as well as at certain grocery and convenience stores. Foxon Park Beverages, Inc. is a soda manufacturer located in East Haven, whose products can be found in restaurants throughout the state, most notably in the more famous pizzerias in New Haven. They are a local favorite, known for their 18 unique flavors and the use of real sugar.
- Dunkin Donuts. 91 Frontage Rd (+1 203-468-3800) and 320 Main St (+1 203-469-9211).
Sleep
Go next
- 3 miles away is the city of New Haven, home of Yale University.
- 35 miles away is Hartford
- 85 miles is New York City.
Nearby
Branford
City / town · 14 listings · 3 mi away
New Haven
City / town · 52 listings · 4 mi away
West Haven
City / town · 6 listings · 6 mi away
North Haven
City / town · 3 listings · 7 mi away
Hamden
City / town · 23 listings · 7 mi away
Orange
City / town · 3 listings · 9 mi away
Guilford
City / town · 16 listings · 9 mi away
Bethany
City / town · 2 listings · 11 mi away
My experience
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