A Home Run: Yale’s Iconic and Historic Sports Scene
For collegiate sports fans and sports history buffs, round the bases of Yale University’s rich athletics legacy for a home run. Want to join the crowd? Check out Yale Bulldogs Calendar. Depending on the season, you could catch the action as Yale football, basketball, or ice hockey defends the Bulldogs’ home turf! Boola Boola!
For a memorable tour of Yale sports venues, make your first stop historic Yale Bowl. Built in 1913 as the world’s largest stadium, the bowl is home to Bulldog football. While you’re here, immerse yourself in the grand scale of the Walter Camp gate, honoring the father of American intercollegiate football. Nearby, Yale baseball plays at George H. W. Bush Field, named in honor of the 41st U.S. president and 1948 team captain. You can also encounter one of the finest multi-purpose athletic venues in college sports, Reese Stadium, where the fast-moving play keeps up with Yale soccer and lacrosse. Closer to the heart of Yale in New Haven, see the classic sports spaces of Payne Whitney Gymnasium, where walls echo with team sports including Yale basketball. A final must-see on your Yale sports venue tour is the unique modern architecture of the stand-alone David S. Ingalls Rink, famed site of Yale ice hockey action, the “Yale Whale”.
No sports tour of Yale is complete without a nod to Handsome Dan, Yale’s iconic Bulldog mascot. A Yale tradition since 1889, the current Handsome Dan XIX loves to attend big games and meet new people. Fans can keep tabs on Handsome Dan’s public appearances at his website. You’ll find plenty of Handsome Dan and Yale sports memorabilia, jerseys, and souvenirs at Campus Customs or The Yale Book Store, part of The Shops at Yale. While you’re on Broadway, visit Broadway Island, across from Apple/lululemon/Cookie39, to take a selfie on Yale’s one-of-a-kind Bulldog Bench – and don’t forget to tag @theshopsatyale!
Continue your shopping streak at Raggs, J. Press, J.Crew, Sneaker Junkies and Apple for men’s and women’s fashion, accessories, and more. For game-changing unique items and gifts, visit dwell New Haven, lou lou boutique, Uni Life or Soap-edi.
Hungry? Check out the casual eateries around The Shops at Yale, with something for everyone on the team. Just some among the line up are Shake Shack, Ay Arepa, Tomatillo Taco Joint, Tropical Smoothie Café, Yamasaki Teriyaki, Yorkside Pizza, and Nice Day Chinese.
After lunch, walk it off with tours and activities. Explore more of Yale University with The Yale Campus Tour App, a walking tour experience complete with navigation, photos, audio narration and text showcasing significant architecture and sights among Yale’s rich, 300-year history. Or step up your game by scheduling a live, guided tour through Yale Visitor’s Center. For another way to plan your stroll, scroll through the Yale Walking Tour and pick your favorites. Feeling a bit more adventurous? Take a hike at nearby East Rock Park and enjoy the awesome views.
For a tour where you can take in some culture, Yale museums await, free of charge! Step inside world-class Yale University Art Gallery and wind your way past thousands of works of art, from ancient times to classic and modern masterpieces. Another fan favorite is the newly renovated Yale Peabody Museum, home to over 14 million specimens and objects, and featuring exhibits like the Burke Hall of Dinosaurs, where the world’s original Brontosaurus takes a stand.
Heading into the home stretch, stop by Old Heidelberg at Graduate New Haven, steeped in Bulldog culture and serving up signature cocktails and German pub-style snacks. Or relax at The Owl Shop with a premium cigar in a sophisticated setting.
Cross the finish line with a memorable dinner in New Haven’s vibrant foodie scene at one of many restaurants at The Shops at Yale. For a cultural cuisine excursion, consider the pan-Caribbean menu at Anchor Spa or modern Mediterranean fare from Midpoint Istanbul. Go Nuevo-Latino at Pacifico or try Mediterranean and Latin inspired cuisine at South Bay. Enjoy classic Indian fare at Sherkaan Indian Street Food, or experience modern American cuisine with Asian, Latin, and Mediterranean influences at Harvest Restaurant & Wine Bar.
Insider tip: Visiting on the weekend? Free parking is available behind the Payne-Whitney Gym at Yale University’s Lot 78, located at 78 Ashmun Street; and at the parking lot at 433 Temple Street, behind Hot Pot, New Haven’s newest Chinese restaurant.
