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From Wikitravel

Hamden is a city in Connecticut.

[edit] Get in

If you are driving into Hamden, Ct. from surrounding areas get directions from your location by going to mapquest [1]Otherwise, the easiest way would be to take I-95 to exit 48. Then follow this route to exit 10 which leads you into the center of Hamden. Alternate means of transportation include the Amtrak train, which you can take into the New Haven station and then look up local transportation.

[edit] Get around

Need to rent a car in Hamden? Visit Budget Rent A Car located on 1039 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, Ct. (203)773-5023. If you'd rather travel by bus, the CT Transit is also available, stopping in main areas such as the Hamden plaza, Hamden Hills/Centerville, Circular Avenue, and Putnam Place. Regular cash fares are $1.25 but you could also purchase a 3, 5, 7, or 31-day pass. These prices range from $7.50-$45. For more information visit [2]

[edit][add listing] See

• Quinnipiac University, 275 Mount Carmel Ave, + 203 582 8200, [3]. Located right across from the picturesque Sleeping Giant, Quinnipiac University is a private university that offers 52 undergraduate majors and 20 graduate majors as well as the JD program. With it's modern brick style buildings and scenic grounds, Quinnipiac provides it's students with the feel of a small, New England town.
• The Eli Whitney Museum, 915 Whitney Avenue ((203) 777-1833‎). The Eli Whitney Museum is the site of the former Eli Whitney Armory, where muskets and rifles were produced during the 1800s. The Museum's main attraction is the Cotton Gin exhibit (invented by Eli Whitney). The museum still houses the original water powered machinery used at the factory during the Industrial Revolution.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Sleeping Giant State Park, [4] A great place for people of all ages to hike, take a walk or plan a picnic. The mountain is actually in the shape of a sleeping giant. There is also an authentic stone castle at the top of the mountain and trails that range in all levels of difficulty. Whether you are mountain climbing or taking a leisurely hike, Sleeping Giant offers a view like no other!

• The Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop, 915 Whitney Ave, + 203 777 1833, [5]. Home of the Cotton Gin, The Eli Whitney Museum provides historical information on Eli Whitney and his invention. A great field trip for students and the family, the museum provides experimental learning for everyone.
• Farmington Canal. The Farmington canal is a paved leisure trail along side of an old water canal used in the 19th century that stretches from Hamden to it's neighbor town Cheshire. The trail can be used for walking, jogging, cycling and rollerblading.  edit

• Sleeping Giant Golf course, 3931 Whitney Ave, ☎ 203 281-9456. Sleeping Giant Golf Course is a 9 hole public Golf courses nestled next to Sleeping Giant State Park. Sleeping Giant Golf Course is a friendly course for beginners and intermediates alike. Tee times are available in advance and there is also 300 yard Driving range open until sunset. Clubs and carts can be rented from the pro shop.  edit
• Lake Wintergreen, Wintergreen Avenue (Take Exit 60. Turn right off the exit ramp onto Dixwell Avenue/Route 10 South. Take a right at the next light onto Benham Street. Follow Benham Street to the end. Turn left onto Main Street. At a sharp left, turn right into the parking lot for the Lake Wintergreen area.). Lake wintergreen (part of West Rock State Park) is a large lake located in the west part of town. Lake wintergreen offers car top boating, fishing, hiking, picnicking, mountain biking and horse back riding. There are various walking/biking trails along the lake with a map key for referencing. There is no parking fee for Lake wintergreen.  edit
• The Space, 295 Treadwell St, ☎ 203-288-6400. "CT's" premiere all ages music and arts venue" The space is a small friendly venue/concert hall popular with the younger crowd but appeals to all generations. The space is a volunteer run facility, that has shows mostly put on by locally or regionally known artists. The space has an annual Battle of The Bands competition where 10 local bands play and compete to win the title.  edit
• Hindinger Farm, 810 Dunbar Hill Road, ☎ 810 Dunbar Hill Road. Hindinger Farm has been a family owned farm since 1893, Located in the Wintergreen section of Hamden, Hindinger farm sells fresh home grown produce, know for their fresh corn, strawberries and fruit pies. Hindinger holds an annual strawberry festival which includes a barbecue, strawberry recipes and even a petting zoo.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

There are no really unique non-consumable products offered in Hamden, Ct that you cannot get somewhere else. Never the less you can find anything you might need while visiting. Some stores include Bon-ton (a department store comparable to Sears), Kohls, Walmart,Payless,and other well-known commercial businesses.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Copa Cafe, 3500 Whitney Av., Phone: 203-281-0505. Spanish/Portuguese in the American style.

• Glenwood Drive-In, 2538 Whitney Ave, + 203 281 0604, [6]. If you miss the fifties and have a craving for hot dogs then Glenwood is the place for you! Having been Voted #1 hot dogs in Connecticut Magazine and being around since 1955, Glenwood Drive-In isn’t going anywhere! Providing a blast from the past, every Wednesday Glenwood holds antique car shows in their parking lot for all those who wish to enjoy the classic menu and atmosphere of this Hamden institution.

• Wentworth's Ice Cream, 3697 Whitney Ave, + 203 281 7429, [7]. If you're in the mood for real homemade ice cream then Wentworth's is the place to visit. Located in a house about a century old and designed like an old-fashion ice cream parlor, Wentworth's provides parlor chairs around tiny tables. On those warm summer days you'll find people enjoying their ice cream in the charming white gazebo and benches located on the grounds.

• Eli's Brick Oven Pizza and Market*, 2402 Whitney Ave, + 203 288 1686, [8]. Voted "HAMDEN'S FINEST PIZZA" by hamdendailynews.com, Eli's Brick Oven Pizza and Market offers its famous thin-crusted pizza, italian dinners, and New Haven style pizzas and calzones! Their pizza topping combination's are like no other! After you enjoy one of their pizzas, go next door to Eli's On Whitney Restaurant where you can enjoy a nice drink or two!

• Ristorante Luce*, 2987 Whitney Avenue + 203-407-8000, Ristorante Luce serves regional italian cuisine and has a large selection of fine wine. It has a relaxed Tuscan atmosphere and was awarded "The most romantic restaurant in New Haven County" by Connecticut Magazine.
• Eli's On Whitney, 2392 Whitney Avenue, ☎ 203-287-1101. Eli's is an American style restaurant that serves anything from fresh fish and steaks, to their signature buffalo wings. Eli's also has a popular bar with a large selection of drinks. Downstairs Eli's offers a large banquet room available to be be rented for various functions.  edit
• The Corner Deli, 2773 Dixwell Avenue, ☎ 203) 288-9800. The Corner Deli is a very popular Deli in town, especially with Quinnipiac and Hamden High School students. The corner Deli offers an array of sandwiches and salads such as the "Pastrami Monster" and the "Chicken Fajita Wrap." During the Week the deli gets very busy during lunch hours so call ahead for your order.  edit
• Ixtapa Grille, 2547 Whitney Ave, ☎ (203) 230-2586. Ixtapa Grille serves authentic mexican cuisine, ranging from the standard tacos and burritos to more exotic dishes. Ixtapa has a small bar in the back and offers various mixed and frozen drinks. The desert menu also has many authentic mexican deserts such as their well known fried ice cream.  edit
• Ashley's Ice Cream, 2100 Dixwell Ave, ☎ (203) 287-7566. Ashley's Ice cream Was voted the #1 ice cream parlor in Connecticut, with up to 24 flavors daily and a weekly special. Ashley's also makes ice cream cakes and various other ice cream deserts available to purchase in store or have made.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Side Street Grille, 15 Dickerman Street, + 203 407 1539, [9]. Restaurant and Bar, Side Street is located literally on a side street right off of Whitney Ave. Great food, drinks and comedy nights, Side Street attracts more of a younger crowd due to the presence of Quinnipiac University right down the street. Though it can be pricey, they offer a wide variety of beverages and dishes that sound too appealing to pass up.
• The Playwright-Irish Pub and Restaurant* 1232 Whitney Ave, + 203 287 2401, [10]. Whether you are Irish or not, the Playwright is the place to drink in Hamden! This restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily, offers take out, and provides traditional Irish Music every Sunday and Tuesday! Bartenders with authentic brogue accents and a dining room that resembles an Irish cottage, its no wonder no one ever wants to leave this Irish vacation!
• Dunn's Pub, 2345 Whitney Ave, ☎ 203-287-0664. Dunn's is a down home Irish Pub with a freindly atmosphere. Dunn's offers happy hour monday through Friday.  edit
• SBC Restaurant & Brewery, 1950 Dixwell Ave, ☎ 203-288-HOPS. SBC Restaurant & Brewery serves brunch lunch and dinner with american and barbeque style dishes. The restaurant houses a full brewery where 28 home style brews are made. SBC also provides catering vfor various functions  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Clarion Hotel & Suites, 2260 Whitney Ave., Phone: (203) 288-3831, [11]. This hotel is minutes from Quinnipiac University, Yale University and Southern Connecticut State University. Weekday transportation to Yale University is available.

If you would rather stay in a B&B type setting, Hamden's neighboring town, New Haven offers a few.

• Touch of Ireland Guest House* 670 Whitney Avenue, Phone: (203) 787-7997, [12] Located on one of Hamden's main roads that leads straight into New Haven, this charming 1920's colonial B&B "has been named a 2008 Editor's Choice in Yankee Magazine's Travel Guide to New England."
• Farnam Guest House* 616 Prospect Street, Phone: (203)562-7121, [13] Located near Yale University Art Gallery, the Shubert Theatre, the Yale Peabody Museum and other local attractions, the Farnam Guest House can be found in " most exclusive and elegant neighborhood in New Haven." Luxurious furniture, a classic Georgian staircase and a grand piano are only a few features that this majestic home offers.

[edit] Get out

To leave Hamden, Ct is quite simple. All you need to do is follow the route you took in, back out. Whether you took the train, bus or car, you should be able to leave just as easily as you arrived. If you would rather take a highway that is less traveled on than I-95, the Merit Parkway is available right off the main road-Dixwell Ave-located on either side of the bridge just next to the local High School. Make sure you choose a decent traveling time so you do not hit any traffic on your way out!