Day Tripping to New Haven
Exploring the Museums at Yale via Metro North
One Friday in mid-October my friends Trish and Kathy and I met at Grand Central for a day at Yale. This was our first time, with me relying on my mobility scooter, to trek to New Haven, Connecticut via Metro North. I was cautiously optimistic that the trip would go smoothly but silently nervous we’d hit a few glitches.
It’s always easy for me to get to Grand Central via the NYC subway. A quick trip to Time’s Square/42nd Street via the #2 or #3 trains, a transfer onto the Shuttle and then possibly an elevator down to the platform depending on the assigned track. I use the MTA app for purchasing train tickets so as soon as we found each other, at the clock in the center of the station, off we headed to board the train.
Whenever the conductors see me, they ask where I’m headed and if I need a ramp. Usually in Grand Central, the trains and the platform are evenly matched although there are a few platforms where the gap is a bit wide. In those cases, I do ask for a ramp but otherwise, none is needed. Most of the train cars have one area set aside for wheelchairs, mobility devices and bicycles, but unfortunately, the spaces are small and parking in them is difficult. My Pride Victory tri-wheel is a bit to big so I had to park at an angle in order for people to get past me. But the train was not packed, and people were very kind making their way around me.
We chose a car with a restroom (not all cars have one). It was a pretty fall day and after enjoying beverages we brought with us, we settled in for the two-hour ride enjoying the scenery, chatting and eventually napping.
At Union Station there is an elevator on every platform (thankfully the one I needed was working), which takes you down to an underground tunnel that leads into the station . After a quick pit stop at the restroom in the station (the handicapped stall with multiple pullup bars is very roomy and easily accommodates my scooter and I’ve always had the good fortune to find it clean), we headed out to the front of the station.
Elevator from Platform to underground Tunnel to the Station.
Out on the sidewalk Trish spotted the Yale University free shuttle waiting for passengers. Having read it is handicapped-accessible, she ran off to flag the driver to let him know we would need the lift.
He was a cheerful young man who immediately went into action positioning the van for the lift to drop down. I rode on and after one minor stall, was soon sitting on my scooter inside the van. About 7 minutes later we were dropped one block from the Yale University Art Gallery, which is located on the northwest side of New Haven Green.
Free transportation to the Yale Campus including the museums.
We couldn’t believe how quick the trip is from Union Station to the Art Gallery. The shuttle leaves you one pretty block from the entrance where an accessible elevator sits off to the right side of the entrance. You will need someone from the museum to assist, but a security guard appeared within seconds of my pushing the buzzer. Trish and Kathy headed up the stairs to the left as I drove onto the lift and met them at the ticket counter. The Gallery is free but be forewarned not even water bottles or umbrellas are allowed. Lockers are provided to store these items. They are very strict with this rule.
Main Lobby view from the elevator entrance.
But once you’ve taken care of that, you are free to wander and gaze and photograph to your heart’s content. The newer galleries blend seamlessly into the gothic architecture of the original building and both art and architecture are a feast for the eyes.
After a couple of hours it was time for lunch. Surprisingly the museum does not have a cafe or restaurant, most likely because there are many excellent options on Chapel Street. Our first choice was directly across the street, in the building that houses the Yale Center for British Art. It’s a casual sandwich shop with lots of seating. But it was very busy and noisy and we wanted something more upscale and hopefully quieter.
A short walk down Chapel headed back toward the Green, we spotted New Haven Taste of China, where after a quick look at the menu posted outside and a peek in the window, the three of us nodded yes, and in I rolled. As we were past prime lunch hours, there were a handful of diners and plenty of room for me to navigate. I could and probably should have plugged in while we ate, but didn’t—but outlets were available.
Lunch was absolutely delicious and splitting the meal three ways we each paid about $50. Well worth it.
After lunch, we headed back up Chapel Street to explore the Yale Center for British Art. Unlike its Gothic neighbor, this building is a simple square box made of matte steel and reflective glass, houses four stories of galleries with two courtyards. I found it awesome.
Three boats magically float inside the main entry. A changing exhibit.
No need for a lift or special elevator to enter this building. Just roll through the sidewalk level doors and stop for a moment to take it all in. On this day suspended from the ceiling were three boats by Scottish artist Hein Locke—the Survivor, Desire and the Relic. More of his art was on display upstairs.
Off to the right are the ticket desk, coat check, restrooms, elevators and the spiral staircase pictured below. The design reminded me immediately of the Great Court inside the British Museum in London with it’s circular gallery inside its own courtyard—spacious, grand, and filled with natural light.
Spiral staircase inside the Yale Center for British Art
The galleries are grand and filled with plenty of seating. We found we could take our time to enjoy the art without feeling the need to rush or move away so that others could have their moment with each piece.
Nearing 5 p.m. we decided it was time to make our way to the pickup spot for the free shuttle to Union Station and head home.
344 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut. Free shuttle to Union Station stops here.
Within a couple of minutes of arriving at the stop, the shuttle arrived, but this van was older and the driver could not get the lift to work. Not to worry, she assured us. She radioed her dispatcher who informed her he would have a special van enroute to get me shortly. Fearful it could take longer than a couple of minutes, I suggested Trish and Kathy get on that van and head home. I go in and out of Union Station (without my scooter, but using a rollator instead) frequently when I head visit family near New London so I was fine with getting back by myself. It took a lot of encouragement but finally they agreed to get on that van and off they went. To my delight, however, the special van arrived a minute later and the three of us arrived at Union Station at the same time! Back on the train we went and two hours later we were in Grand Central. It was an AMAZING day. We can’t wait to go back.