16 Issues to Do in Stamford, CT if You’re New to the Metropolis

Are you prepared to find all that Stamford, Connecticut has to supply? From the breathtaking pure fantastic thing about its parks and the Lengthy Island Sound, to the colourful arts and tradition scene, this metropolis is a veritable treasure trove of thrilling actions and experiences. Whether or not you’re contemplating renting an condominium in Stamford, or probably shopping for a house in Stamford’s considerably aggressive housing market, there’s one thing for everybody.

On this article, we’ll take you on a journey by means of a number of the most enjoyable and distinctive issues to do in Stamford, CT. From visiting world-class museums to exploring the good open air, and experiencing town’s wealthy arts and tradition scene, you’ll be amazed in any respect the enjoyable and journey that awaits you. Dive into the colourful metropolis of Stamford, CT and benefit from your new environment.

aerial view of Stamford, CT in the fall

1) See town’s stunning native artwork

One of many many issues to do in Stamford, CT is wandering by means of town and discovering eye-catching murals alongside the best way. “You possibly can discover our many murals throughout Stamford, together with the Stillwater Hummingbird by Alissa Siegal and the refurbished Stamford Arts Affiliation mural positioned in Downtown Stamford,” says Matt Conway, Govt Director of The RiseUP for Arts, a non-profit organizing centered creating world-class artwork that’s neighborhood inclusive and accessible to everybody. 

RiseUP helps artists, cities, different nonprofits, corporations, and area people members in making their mural tasks come to life by serving to create the imaginative and prescient and handle the complete course of to beautify communities by means of public artwork.

2) Expertise upscale eating and Prime Stamford

“I might dare to say that this is among the finest steakhouses in Stamford,” states Tom Cooper, journey blogger at Holiday Parrots. “With its unbeatable view subsequent to the ocean, Prime Stamford gives a spacious and chic environment that’s excellent for any event. Their menu options steak and seafood entrees, cocktails, and an in depth wine checklist. I attempted their lobster bisque, and it was essentially the most scrumptious I’ve had. The cocktails are additionally nice, and I might extremely advocate the gnocchi.”

3) Go to the Stamford Museum & Nature Middle

“One in all my favourite issues to do in Stamford is spending a number of hours on the Stamford Museum and Nature Center. It is among the most beloved points of interest in Connecticut with one thing for everybody,” shares Malerie Yolen-Cohen of journey weblog Getaway Mavens.

As guests enter the Stamford Museum & Nature Middle, they’re instantly struck by the grandeur of the constructing, with its intricate lead-glass home windows, elegant archways, and majestic Nice Corridor. This former personal residence as soon as belonged to none apart from designer and division retailer proprietor Henri Willis Bendel, a Louisiana native who rose to fame within the trend worlds of New York and Paris within the Twenties and ’30s, and amassed a fantastic fortune within the course of. The mansion was his dream dwelling, and at this time it serves as an iconic piece of Stamford’s cultural heritage.

 Additionally on the property is The Heckscher Farm, a ten acre rural oasis, the place guests can calm down and revel in a slower tempo of life.“The farm has quite a lot of barnyard animals from bygone days, together with a dozen breeds of chickens, pigs, sheep, and bovines,” says Yolen-Cohen. “Nature trails characteristic sculptures and wildlife. Unbelievable packages are supplied all year long, together with “Nights Out” for excellent date evening concepts (portray, tacos and tequila, personal gallery excursions to call a number of). I’ve cherished this healthful place for many years, and think about it considered one of Stamford’s nice treasures.” 

4) Eat like an area at Pellici’s

“One in all my favourite issues to do in Stamford, CT is to eat at family-owned Italian restaurant, Pellicci’s, working since 1947,” shares Kim Orlando of journey website SheBuysTravel.

Pellicci’s is thought for its genuine Italian delicacies, which is made utilizing the freshest components and conventional recipes. The menu options all kinds of dishes, together with pasta, seafood, and meat dishes, in addition to a choice of pizza. The restaurant’s historical past and heritage are a giant a part of the attraction, and the long-standing household custom is clear within the high quality of the meals and the nice and cozy, welcoming environment.

Bowl of pasta with red sauce

5) Find out about Lengthy Island Sound

One other exercise Orlando recommends is packing a picnic for a sail on a Nineteenth-century styled schooner at Soundwaters, a educating vessel that provides training about Lengthy Island Sound.

The sound gives a variety of actions, from swimming, boating, fishing, and kayaking to seashore lounging and sunbathing, that can present a fantastic alternative to calm down, unwind and benefit from the pure fantastic thing about the realm. It’s additionally dwelling to all kinds of wildlife, together with varied species of fish, birds, and different marine animals, making it an ideal vacation spot for nature lovers and out of doors lovers. 

6) Tour the Hoyt-Barnum home

“One in all our favourite issues to do in Stamford is to tour the Hoyt-Barnum home, which is Stamford’s oldest dwelling constructed within the 1600s,” says Stamford Historical Society. “It was positioned the place the police station is now and was moved to our campus in 2016 on 1508 Excessive Ridge Street. The Hoyt-Barnum home has a number of colonial objects like butterchurns, beekeeps, and different instruments.”

One of many important causes to go to the Hoyt-Barnum Home is its historic significance. The home has been dwelling to generations of Stamford residents. It’s a time capsule of early American historical past and provides a glimpse into the previous, together with the day by day lives, customs and structure of the time. The home gives guided excursions, lectures, and workshops that permit guests to study in regards to the historical past of Stamford, the Hoyt and Barnum households and the function of the home in the neighborhood. 

7) Indulge on pizza at Colony Grill

“No go to to Stamford is full with out a journey to the Colony Grill”, says musician Chapell, initially from Stamford. “My household goes method again with the unique homeowners – they hosted considered one of my first live shows method again when.”

Colony Grill is thought for its specialty thin-crust pizza, which is cooked in a coal-fired oven. The menu additionally options quite a lot of salads, sandwiches, and appetizers. The environment of the restaurant is informal and family-friendly, with a classic decor and a vigorous environment. It’s thought of an area favourite and has a loyal buyer base.

People taking a slice of pizza.

8) Go to the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens

In case you dwell in Stamford and also you’re on the lookout for a peaceable and serene escape from the hustle and bustle of on a regular basis life, the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens in Stamford is the proper vacation spot for you. The Arboretum is dwelling to over 90 acres of gorgeous gardens, woodlands, and meadows, offering guests with an opportunity to reconnect with nature and admire the fantastic thing about the pure world.

One of the vital hanging options of the Bartlett Arboretum is its numerous vary of gardens. The arboretum additionally boasts an in depth assortment of uncommon and unique plant species, that are certain to please botanists and plant lovers.

Along with its pure magnificence, the Bartlett Arboretum additionally gives quite a lot of academic packages and occasions all year long, similar to guided excursions, fowl watching, and gardening courses – one of the crucial fashionable issues to do in Stamford, CT. These packages are a good way to study extra in regards to the pure world and the vegetation and animals that decision the arboretum dwelling.

9) Spend a day at Chelsea Piers

In case you’re on the lookout for an thrilling and action-packed day trip in Stamford, CT, you’ll be able to’t go flawed with a go to to Chelsea Piers. This state-of-the-art sports activities and leisure complicated gives a variety of actions which are certain to attraction to individuals of all ages and pursuits.

One of many important points of interest at Chelsea Piers is its world-class athletic services. The complicated options a variety of sports activities fields and courts, together with soccer, baseball, basketball, and volleyball. It additionally has a health middle, and an ice rink for skating and hockey.

Past sports activities, Chelsea Piers gives a variety of different actions to get pleasure from. For youths, there’s an enormous indoor playground, in addition to an journey course. Adults can get pleasure from bowling, mountaineering, and even a driving vary. There’s additionally quite a lot of retailers and eating places the place you’ll be able to seize a chew to eat or do some purchasing.

10) Reap the benefits of the outside

“Regardless of its metropolis stature, Stamford has over 40 parks and leisure areas, with many together with entry to Lengthy Island Sound, that includes a marina, tennis courts, softball fields, horseshoe pits, playgrounds, skating rink, picnic areas, fishing, and extra,” states Noelle Stevenson, Director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism. “Mill River Park has develop into a mini–Central-Park within the coronary heart of Downtown Stamford, with varied occasions all year long in a superbly landscaped park. One of the vital anticipated occasions of the 12 months, Alive@5 is an outside summer season live performance sequence in Stamford’s Columbus Park that brings in large names annually, similar to Cee Lo Inexperienced, Plain White T’s, Third Eye Blind, Sugar Ray, and rather more.”

spending time at Mill River Park is a popular thing to do in Stamford, CT

11) Take a day journey to Bridgeport

The bustling metropolis of Bridgeport gives a variety of actions and points of interest which are certain to make for a memorable day trip. From its wealthy historical past and cultural landmarks to out of doors recreation and scrumptious eating choices, Bridgeport has one thing for everybody.

Take a stroll by means of the attractive Seaside Park and benefit from the contemporary sea breeze whereas taking within the gorgeous views of the Lengthy Island Sound. Go to the historic Housatonic Museum of Artwork and discover its spectacular assortment of American artwork. In case you’re feeling adventurous, take a stroll on the wild facet and go to the Beardsley Zoo, dwelling to over 300 animals from world wide. The town can also be a consumer’s paradise, with loads of boutiques and specialty retailers to discover.

12) Catch a present on the Stamford Middle for the Arts

The Stamford Middle for the Arts is dwelling to the Palace Theatre, a historic venue that hosts all kinds of performances together with theater, dance, and music. The Middle additionally contains a wealthy artwork assortment and gallery, which showcases native and regional artists, including to the cultural richness of town. The middle additionally gives academic packages, similar to workshops and courses, which offer alternatives for the neighborhood to find out about and take part within the arts. 

Whether or not you’re a theater lover, artwork fanatic, or simply on the lookout for one thing enjoyable to do, the Stamford Middle for the Arts all the time tops the checklist for finest issues to do in Stamford, CT.

13) Stroll alongside the Harbor Level Boardwalk

The Harbor Level Boardwalk is one other enjoyable factor to do in Stamford, CT and an absolute must-visit. This picturesque stretch of waterfront gives guests the proper alternative to calm down, unwind, and take within the gorgeous views of Lengthy Island Sound.

One of many important attracts of the Harbor Level Boardwalk is its abundance of pure magnificence. The boardwalk itself stretches for miles, providing breathtaking views of the water, the close by islands, and the Stamford skyline. Alongside the best way, you’ll discover loads of quiet spots to sit down and benefit from the surroundings, in addition to loads of alternatives to identify native wildlife, similar to seagulls and dolphins. The boardwalk is positioned close to various eating places and retailers, the place you’ll be able to seize a chew to eat or do some purchasing after your stroll.

spending time at Mill River Park is a popular thing to do in Stamford, CT

14) Discover the South Finish Historic District

The South Finish Historic District is an enthralling and picturesque neighborhood with a number of the metropolis’s most stunning and well-preserved historic houses and buildings. The architectural types vary from Victorian to Colonial Revival, and are actually gorgeous to behold. Strolling by means of the district’s tree-lined streets, you’ll really feel as if you’ve stepped again in time.

One other beauty of the South Finish Historic District is its cultural significance. The neighborhood is dwelling to a number of historic websites and landmarks, such because the Stamford Historic Society, the place you’ll be able to study in regards to the metropolis’s previous and its function within the area’s historical past. Moreover, the district is dwelling to many artwork galleries and cultural establishments, such because the Stamford Museum and Nature Middle, the place you’ll be able to expertise the most effective of native and worldwide artwork, music, and theater.

15) Expertise all that Stamford has to supply

“Stamford is a various and vigorous metropolis with an abundance of nightlife, revered eating choices and leisure experiences,” states Noelle Stevenson, Director of the Connecticut Workplace of Tourism.

“To absorb town, Signal of the Whale is a rooftop bar identified for its sweeping views of Stamford Harbor,” says Stevenson. “Get pleasure from a drink because the solar units, slowly fading away amidst Stamford’s cityscape earlier than dancing the evening away at a number of the metropolis’s liveliest golf equipment together with The Palms Evening Membership. Whether or not you’re having fun with the greater than 80 bars and eating places, strolling the 19 miles of shoreline, or mountaineering the scenic trails of North Stamford, you’ll rapidly discover that there’s by no means a uninteresting second on this metropolis.”

16) Store and dine alongside Bedford Avenue

What makes town so nice is that you simply don’t should strive laborious to search out issues to do in Stamford. The charming and historic Bedford Avenue is the proper place to discover town’s vibrant native tradition and uncover all that it has to supply. This space has an abundance of native boutiques, retailers, and eating places. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for a brand new outfit, a particular reward, or a scrumptious meal, you’ll discover all of it right here.