Yale is the focal point for much of the intellectual and cultural life of New Haven. Yale offers two symphony orchestras, a symphonic wind ensemble, a jazz ensemble, the Yale Repertory Theater, the Art Gallery and the British Art Center, and more than a thousand informal concerts, recitals, and theatrical productions each year. Many of these events are presented by undergraduate members of Yale College; others are presented by the Schools of Fine Art, Drama, and Music.
Beyond the campus is a small Yankee town of 136,000. New Haven dates back to 1638; and in the midst of a busy urban center, several areas of the city retain the atmosphere of earlier days. Moreover, New Haven has a rich cultural life independent of that provided by the University. There is an excellent resident theater company, the Long Wharf, which produces plays from the standard repertoire and one or two new works each season. The historic Shubert Theater and the Palace present a wide selection of musical theater and drama. New Haven also has its own professional symphony orchestra, chamber ensembles, and a small ballet company.
Several clubs in the area feature jazz and rock bands. A late-night coffee house has opened near campus, where you can sit for hours over a cup of the best espresso south of Boston. Nearby is a 24-hour bookstore, a haven for fantasy and alternative literature enthusiasts. There are many movie theaters in the area, several featuring art films and retrospective shows.
New Haven boasts a wide variety of culinary establishments, from the mundane to the exotic. Available at just about any hour is the "sub" sandwich and pizza, but a variety of other fare is available at restaurants within walking distance of the central campus: Italian, northern Chinese, Mexican, Japanese, Thai, Indian, and "natural".
For outdoor and sports enthusiasts, New Haven boasts an American Hockey League team in the winter, baseball in the spring, the Connecticut Tennis Center and street festivals in summer, and over 800 acres of beautiful trails and fields at nearby East Rock Park for jogging and biking enjoyment. Yale's famous Payne Whitney Gymnasium is open to Graduate Students at no charge during the academic year and for a nominal fee in the summer. Graduate students also have the opportunity to participate in numerous intramural sports activities during the year as well as individual sports activities such as golf, tennis, and figure skating. Sailing, rowing, and canoeing are available at Yale facilities in nearby towns.
A farmer's market is held on the weekends, and New Haven has its share of flea markets and junk shops cum antique stores where you can hunt for modest furnishings. Plant stores and crafts galleries can provide you with decorative touches. A weekly alternative newspaper and two dailies exist; the New York and Boston papers are also available.
If all else fails, New Haven is only 75 miles from New York, connected by hourly train service.