Amity (New Haven) facts for kids
Amity is a neighborhood in the city of New Haven, Connecticut, in the United States. It's a mix of homes and businesses. Amity is bordered by West Rock Ridge to the northeast and the Westville neighborhood to the south. To the northwest, you'll find an area called the Flats in the town of Woodbridge, Connecticut. The official maps for New Haven also include two smaller, traditional neighborhoods, West Hills and Beverly Hills, as part of Amity.
This area sits in a valley carved out by glaciers long ago. The West River flows right through the middle of the neighborhood, heading south.
Getting Around Amity
Amity is served by three main roads that help people travel in and out of the area.
Major Roads
- Route 15: This is also known as the Wilbur Cross Parkway. It's a major highway that has a full exit, Exit 59, right in the Amity neighborhood.
- Route 63: This road is called Amity Road. It runs from northwest to southeast and actually starts in Amity.
- Route 69: Known as Whalley Avenue, this road also begins in Amity. It runs north to south, alongside the western side of West Rock Ridge.
The Heroes Tunnel
Near Amity, you'll find the western entrance to the Heroes Tunnel. This is a special twin tunnel that carries the Wilbur Cross Parkway through about 1,200 feet (366 meters) of solid rock under West Rock Ridge. It's the only tunnel on a major highway in Connecticut!
When you're driving south on the Wilbur Cross Parkway and leave the Heroes Tunnel, the road goes uphill very steeply. It climbs over 250 feet (76 meters) in less than 2 miles (3.2 kilometers)! This is the steepest climb on any major highway in Connecticut. If you're driving north towards Exit 59, the road goes sharply downhill into the valley. This offers amazing views of West Rock Ridge, the tunnel entrances, the city of New Haven, and the wide valley stretching north.
Local Spots
Amity is home to the Amity Shopping Center, which shares its name with the neighborhood. The neighborhood is also about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) southeast of Amity Regional High School. This high school serves students from the nearby towns of Woodbridge, Bethany, and Orange, Connecticut.
