Sun or Shade at Greenwich Point Park

Spend an afternoon in sun or shade at Greenwich Point Park. On a peninsula in Long Island Sound the nature scenes are as varied as there are activities in the park.  In the summer, beach goers love to soak up the rays on soft sand.  There are amenities for active water sports like fishing and boating, and families love to pack a picnic and cook out on one of the park’s many grills.  Trails meander throughout habitats in the park, including salt marshes, meadows, and woodland.  Visit the Secret Garden maintained by a local garden club for a colorful and picturesque view.  Greenwich residents can pay a small yearly fee for unlimited access all season, otherwise it’s $20 plus $5 per person for parking.

Greenwich Point Park
6 Tods Driftway
Greenwich, CT 06870
www.yelp.com/biz/greenwich-point-park-greenwich

Beldotti Bakery: Brilliant Baked Goods

For the past 25 years Beldotti Bakery has prided itself on exceptional baked goods and outstanding customer service. With a full line of products made from scratch, it's the perfect place to stock up on cakes, pies, mini pastries, cookies, donuts, and much, much more. Handcrafted artisan bread also comes out of the oven fresh every day, and specialty cakes and custom orders are easy to make, too! You can also sit and enjoy a nice cup of Green Mountain Coffee while getting some work done or hanging out with friends. Beldotti is also a kosher bakery, offering a full line of both dairy and parve items as well as delicious challahs. With an incredible assortment of high quality baked goods, Beldotti Bakery is the ideal spot to relax with a treat.

 
605 Newfield Ave
Stamford, CT 06905
(203) 348-9029
 
 

Half Full Brewery: Drink Delicious Brews

Half Full Brewery is always a fun place to visit, with excellent beers in numerous styles. The Cherry Vanilla Dry Stout is something special, with a light and dry body complemented with a creamy tartness and subtle vanilla nose. Also popular is the house IPA, a robust and hoppy brew with an earthy, spicy character to it. Stop into the tasting room to try the great concoctions here, or take home a growler full of your favorite selection. Every other Friday Half Full does an open house, and Saturday afternoons the brewery has a guided tour complete with sampling! An incredible addition to the scene in Stamford, Half Full Brewery combines a delicious product with great service to make for a place that's sure to put a smile on your face.

 
43 Homestead Ave
Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 309-2821
 
 
 

Shop & Dine at Stamford Town Center

Shop and dine at Stamford Town Center. This regional mall is a destination for Fairfield County shoppers looking for everyday brands in a relaxed setting. With over 100 shops from casual to designer there is something for everyone. The Loft, Gap, H&M, J. Crew, and Coach are some of the favorite places to update your wardrobe. Spruce up your space with decor from Pottery Barn, and Yankee Candle and try out new gadgets at Brookstone, Williams-Sonoma, and Apple. An updated food court provides a quick bite and sit down restaurants in the outdoor plaza are perfect for a relaxing meal after a long day of shopping. Metered parking is affordable at fifty cents for three hours.

Stamford Town Center
100 Greyrock Place
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 324-0935
www.shopstamfordtowncenter.com
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Southport Brewing Company: Taste Great Beer

Excellence and expertise combine at Southport Brewing Company to make for a fantastic place to eat and drink. There are numerous great brews on tap here. Whether you're in the mood for a light and crisp pilsner or a dark, hoppy ale, you'll find just the pint to wet your whistle. There are rotating seasonal selections, as well! To accompany your delicious drink, take a look at a food menu full of pub favorites. You can get nachos and wings, or choose from numerous salads, burgers, and pizzas. Service is consistently great, with a friendly staff happy to help with any questions. Nights here are always lively, and if you come on Thursdays you'll be in store for karaoke. With a great menu and friendly service, you should consider a visit to Southport Brewing Company.

 
131 Summer St
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 327-2337
 
 
 

Wilton Fencing Academy: Learn the Sport & the Art

The sport of fencing has been taught for centuries, and you can learn it too at the WWilton Fencing Academy. Located on River Road near the Library, the Wilton Fencing Academy is new, but the instructors are very well versed in the ancient art. Whether you want to learn foil, epee or saber, there is an instructor who will be happy to help you. You will be lucky to be learning at a state of the art facility, with quality floors, regulation equipment, a retail shop to buy equipment and even an armory for repairs. Yearly, quarterly and monthly fees are available to accommodate any time schedule and budget. Plan a special event at the Academy – what a different idea for a birthday party! The fun for kids continues with a yearly summer camp.

Wilton Fencing Academy
5 River Rd, 2nd Fl
Wilton, CT 06897
(203) 529-3260
http://www.yelp.com/biz/wilton-fencing-academy-wilton

The Maritime Aquarium: Deep Sea Treasures

Devoted to increasing public awareness of marine wildlife, the Maritime Aquarium was established in 1988 in a refurbished factory at the mouth of the Norfolk River. The aquarium boasts 34 exhibit areas with 259 different species of animal. As you walk through the facility, you’ll trace the path of water into Long Island Sound, starting with a river and salt marsh and proceeding into open water. In addition to a variety of fish, there are seals, otters, sea turtles and sharks to see. All of the settings do a great job of re-creating their natural habitats while still providing lots of opportunities for observation. The aquarium also boasts the largest IMAX theater in Connecticut, with a six story high screen that shows educational programs during the day and Hollywood blockbusters at night.

The Maritime Aquarium
10 N. Water Street
Norwalk, CT 06854
(203) 852-0700
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-maritime-aquarium-norwalk

Stepping Stones Museum: A Fun and Funky Children’s Museum

Located in Norwalk's Mathews Park, this fun and funky children’s museum has a little of everything and is a great place to bring the little ones for a day of learning and play. Every aspect of the building is forward-thinking, from the LEED certified energy efficient features to the roof garden that absorbs rainwater and cools the building. All of the exhibits are planned with the same attention to detail, with visitors raving about the “Water Works” area at the entrance, which lets kids get hands-on with fluid dynamics. Be warned: your kid will get wet, no matter how much you wrap them up. Other favorite exhibits include the fog maker, which always draws a crowd, as well as the Build It! section that lets kids explore the world of architecture and construction with a LEGO raceway, roller coaster, in-progress house and more. It might be one of the best children's attractions near Stamford Corners Apartments.

Stepping Stones Museum
303 West Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850
(203) 899-0606
http://www.yelp.com/biz/stepping-stones-museum-for-children-norwalk

 

The Glass House: Throw No Stones

This 47- acre campus is a glorious place to explore and learn about modernist architecture. Philip Johnson founded the Department of Architecture and Design at New York’s Museum of Modern Art in 1930, helping establish the discipline as creative field. He designed and built The Glass House in 1949 as his own home.

This gorgeous structure pushed the boundaries over 60 years ago and still looks fresh in the 21st century. Johnson died there in 1966 and the property was eventually gifted to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. They opened it to the public in 2007, and it’s been a destination for architecture and sculpture lovers ever since.

Tours start at the visitor center in downtown New Canaan and last 45 minutes. They also host a number of special events throughout the year.

The Glass House
199 Elm St Ste 11
New Canaan, CT 06840
(203) 594-9884
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-glass-house-new-canaan

 

Cove Island Park: Hit The Beach

Located in the Cove Island section of Stamford, this is one of the most popular beach recreation destinations in town. That’s because it has facilities for just about everyone. Runners and walkers flock to the one-mile loop trail, with a separate path for bikers and rollerbladers. On the shoreline, there are many great fishing spots that lure local anglers. It’s a great place for birdwatching as well, with over 300 native species present. An interpretive trail running along the water’s edge provides great information on the flora and fauna of the region. There’s even a small aquarium on the grounds run by SoundWaters, a nonprofit educational organization. The one thing to keep in mind is that admission to the park is not free.  Non-residents pay $20 for a one-day pass, but Stamford residents can apply for a year-round pass for free. On Saturdays and Sundays there are public sails around Long Island Sound, which are a great value.

Cove Island Park
1125 Cove Road
Stamford, CT 06902
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cove-island-park-stamford

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