The leaves are turning and the calendar is filling up. Here are 12 ways to make the most of October without leaving North Haven.
Get outside
1. Climb Peter’s Rock. The town’s highest point, 373 feet, sits in its largest open space: about 220 acres with roughly five miles of trails, according to the town. The steep red trail climbs to a summit with views toward Sleeping Giant and New Haven Harbor. Trailheads are on Middletown Avenue (Route 17) and Hermitage Lane.
2. Walk the ridge at Hansen Park. This roughly 94-acre town park at 52 Patten Road is built around a traprock ridge above the Muddy River. Flat red and yellow trails loop the base; the blue trail climbs the ridge for the best views.
3. Follow the Quinnipiac. At Quinnipiac River State Park, the Banton Street trailhead off State Street leads to an easy riverside trail through floodplain forest. It can be muddy after rain.
4. Explore the Land Trust’s open space. The North Haven Land Trust protects more than 130 acres in town, including its property at 430 Clintonville Road. Check the Land Trust’s website for its properties and how to visit.
5. Picnic at Todd’s Pond. The town park on Maple Avenue has picnic space and some of the prettiest foliage reflections in town.
Music, wine and food
6. Catch a show at Small Batch Cellars. The winery at 37 Nettleton Ave. has live music most October weekends, including Big Brooklyn (Oct. 10), Mystic Dead (Oct. 16), The Blue Hounds (Oct. 23) and Garcia Project (Oct. 31).
7. Go to the free 21 Songwriters Music Fest. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Small Batch Cellars: workshops from 1 to 4 p.m. and two stages of performances from 4 to 8 p.m. Free, but reserve a pass.
8. Grab a burger on the patio. Gas Burgers, in a restored 1920s gas station at 277 State St., has a patio and a live music calendar; check its website for the lineup.
9. Late-night diner run. The Athena II Diner on Washington Avenue is open until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
History, safety and Halloween
10. Tour St. John’s Episcopal Church. The parish, organized in 1759, plans an open house Sunday, Oct. 18, from 1 to 4 p.m. at 3 Trumbull Place, with stained glass and tower restoration tours. Confirm with the office at (203) 239-0156.
11. Check your smoke alarms. Fire Prevention Week runs Oct. 4-10. This year’s theme is safe charging of lithium-ion batteries.
12. Do Halloween right. The North Haven Memorial Library, 17 Elm St., has spooky programs all month, from a teen murder-mystery vampire ball (Oct. 20) to trick-or-treating at the library on Oct. 31. That afternoon, Parks and Rec’s resident-only Trunk or Treat runs from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. at the North Haven Pool lot on Elm Street. Pre-registration is in person at the Rec Office, 7 Linsley St.
Know before you go
Most trails are open dawn to dusk. Wear sturdy shoes on rocky routes, and check event details before heading out, since schedules can change.
Doing something great in North Haven this fall? Send us your photos and tips.
Key Facts
- What: October 2026 things to do in North Haven
- Hikes: Peter’s Rock (Middletown Ave./Hermitage Lane), Hansen Park (52 Patten Rd.), Quinnipiac River State Park (Banton St.)
- Events: St. John’s open house Oct. 18; 21 Songwriters Fest Oct. 24; Trunk or Treat Oct. 31
- Cost: Trails and most events free; some concerts ticketed
- Links: Town hiking guide, North Haven Memorial Library
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Photo courtesy of the North Haven Land Trust
