Southwestern Connecticut
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Southwestern Connecticut - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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14 Recommendations
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1. Bruce Museum of Arts and Science
Museum/GalleryThe owner of this 19th-century home, wealthy textile merchant Robert Moffat Bruce, bequeathed it to the town of Greenwich in 1908 with the...
The owner of this 19th-century home, wealthy textile merchant Robert Moffat Bruce, bequeathed it to the town of Greenwich in 1908 with the stipulation that it be used "as a natural history, historical, and art museum." Today this diversity remains, reflected in the museum's collection of some 15,000 objects in fine and decorative arts, natural history, and anthropology, including paintings by Childe Hassam, sculptures by Auguste Rodin, and stained glass by Dale Chihuly. On permanent display is a spectacular mineral collection. Kids enjoy the touchable meteorite and glow-in-the-dark minerals, as well as the fossilized dinosaur tracks.
1 Museum Dr., off I–95, Greenwich, 06830, USA203-869–0376Sight Details
Rate Includes: $7 (free Tues.), Tues.–Sun. 10–5 -
2. Sherwood Island State Park
Summer visitors congregate at this state park, Connecticut's first, which has a 1½-mile sweep of sandy beach, two picnic areas at the water's edge, sports...
Summer visitors congregate at this state park, Connecticut's first, which has a 1½-mile sweep of sandy beach, two picnic areas at the water's edge, sports fields, and several food stands (open seasonally). The on-site nature center offers various programs from bird-watching to nature walks.
Sherwood Island Connector, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, USA203-226–6983Sight Details
Rate Includes: Memorial Day–Labor Day: $15 per vehicle weekdays, $22 weekends, Nature Center: closed Mon. and Tues., Labor Day--Memorial Day, No alcohol, no pets -
3. The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
Cutting-edge art is not necessarily what you'd expect to find in a stately, 18th-century structure that, by turns, served as a general store, a post...
Cutting-edge art is not necessarily what you'd expect to find in a stately, 18th-century structure that, by turns, served as a general store, a post office, and, for 35 years, a church. Nicknamed "Old Hundred," this historic building is just part of the vast facility, which includes a 17,000-square-foot exhibition space that puts its own twist on traditional New England architecture. The white-clapboard-and-granite structure houses 12 galleries, a screening room, a sound gallery, a 22-foot-high project space for large installations, a 100-seat performance space, and an education center. Outside is a 2-acre sculpture garden.
258 Main St., Ridgefield, Connecticut, 06877, USA203-438–4519Sight Details
Rate Includes: $12; every third Saturday, admission is free, Closed Tues. -
4. The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
This 5-acre waterfront center, the cornerstone of the city's SoNo district, explores the marine life and maritime culture of Long Island Sound. The aquarium's more...
This 5-acre waterfront center, the cornerstone of the city's SoNo district, explores the marine life and maritime culture of Long Island Sound. The aquarium's more than 20 habitats include some 1,000 creatures indigenous to the Sound, including sting rays, sea turtles, harbor seals, river otters, and jellyfish. You can see toothy bluefish and sand tiger sharks in the 110,000-gallon Ocean Beyond the Sound aquarium. The Maritime Aquarium also operates an Environmental Education Center, leads marine-mammal cruises aboard R/V Spirit of the Sound, and has the state's largest IMAX theater.
10 N. Water St., Norwalk, Connecticut, 06854, USA203-852–0700Sight Details
Rate Includes: $30 -
5. Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens
This 93-acre natural sanctuary is home to 13 gardens with more than 2,000 varieties of annuals, perennials, wildflowers, and trees. There's a greenhouse, marked ecology...
This 93-acre natural sanctuary is home to 13 gardens with more than 2,000 varieties of annuals, perennials, wildflowers, and trees. There's a greenhouse, marked ecology trails (dogs are welcome), a pretty pond, and a boardwalk through a red maple swamp. Brilliant, bold colors make the wildflower garden stunning in spring.
151 Brookdale Rd., Stamford, Connecticut, 06903, USA203-487–5264Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
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6. Bush-Holley Historic Site
Historic District/SiteIn the 1890s visitors from New York's Art Students League journeyed to the Cos Cob section of Greenwich to take classes taught by American...
In the 1890s visitors from New York's Art Students League journeyed to the Cos Cob section of Greenwich to take classes taught by American impressionist John Henry Twachtman at a boarding house for artists and writers run by Josephine and Constant Holley. Thus the Cos Cob art colony was born, flourishing until 1920. Today the 1730-vintage house is the Bush-Holley Historic Site, which displays a wonderful collection of 19th- and 20th-century art by sculptor John Rogers, potter Leon Volkmar, and painters Childe Hassam, Elmer Livingston MacRae, and, of course, Twachtman. The visitor center, set in the historic site's circa-1805 storehouse, holds changing exhibitions on art and history.
39 Strickland Rd., Greenwich, Connecticut, 06807, USA203-869–6899Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10, Mar.–Dec., Wed.–Sun. noon–4; Jan. and Feb., weekends noon–4 -
7. Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
The indoor, walk-through South American rain forest alone justifies a visit to this zoo. It comes alive with dozens of species, some rare and endangered...
The indoor, walk-through South American rain forest alone justifies a visit to this zoo. It comes alive with dozens of species, some rare and endangered such as keel-billed toucans, broad-snouted caimans, and black-and-gold howler monkeys living in a lush environment of waterfalls, ponds, greenery, and bamboo. The zoo itself has 36 acres of exhibits featuring more than 300 animals: bison, tigers, leopards, timber wolves, sloths, a red panda, bald eagles---and proud peacocks that freely roam the property right along with you. There's also a colorful carousel and a New England farmyard.
1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport, Connecticut, 06610, USA203-394–6565Sight Details
Rate Includes: $19 -
8. Discovery Museum and Planetarium
Visitors young and old learn about science and technology through hands-on STEAM learning experiences and demonstrations that explore electricity, computers, sound, light, magnetism, and energy....
Visitors young and old learn about science and technology through hands-on STEAM learning experiences and demonstrations that explore electricity, computers, sound, light, magnetism, and energy. Particular draws include the Hall of Space, where you can touch a real meteorite and Skylab artifacts, and Teddy Bear Triage, where little ones can apply first-aid treatments to their own stuffed animals. Don't miss the planetarium shows—some geared to young children and others to all age groups. Bring a picnic to enjoy in adjacent Adventure Park.
4450 Park Ave., Bridgeport, Connecticut, 06604, USA203-416–3521Sight Details
Rate Includes: $18, Closed Mon. -
9. Greenwich Audubon Center
Opened in 1943 as the National Audubon Society's first educational nature center, the sanctuaries and trails are the best location in the area for bird-watching....
Opened in 1943 as the National Audubon Society's first educational nature center, the sanctuaries and trails are the best location in the area for bird-watching. During the Fall Festival and Hawk Watch each September, you can spot large numbers of hawks and other migrating raptors. Other events include early morning bird walks, summer and winter bird counts, birding classes, and field trips. The center is filled with interactive exhibits, galleries, classrooms, a wildlife observation room, and a deck with sweeping views of wildlife activity. Outside are 7 miles of hiking trails passing through 285 acres of woodland, wetland, and meadow.
613 Riversville Rd., Greenwich, Connecticut, 06831, USA203-869–5272Sight Details
Rate Includes: $6, Center closed Mon.-Wed. -
10. Sheffield Island and Lighthouse
Sheffield Island is a prime spot for a picnic and some bird-watching; the lighthouse, built in 1868, has 10 rooms on four levels that you...
Sheffield Island is a prime spot for a picnic and some bird-watching; the lighthouse, built in 1868, has 10 rooms on four levels that you can explore. A ferry departs from the Sheffield Island Dock on N. Water Street for the 3-hour excursion, including 1.5 hours on the island. Clambakes are held Tuesday evenings June–August.
4 N. Water St. at Washington St., Norwalk, Connecticut, 06854, USA800-838–9444Sight Details
Rate Includes: $40, Closed Oct.–Memorial Day; closed weekdays, May, June, and Sept., Reservations recommended -
11. Stamford Museum & Nature Center
Oxen, sheep, pigs, and other animals roam this 118-acre New England farmstead. Once the estate of Henri Bendel, the property includes a Tudor Revival stone...
Oxen, sheep, pigs, and other animals roam this 118-acre New England farmstead. Once the estate of Henri Bendel, the property includes a Tudor Revival stone mansion housing exhibits on natural history, art, and Americana. Nature trails wind through 80 acres of woods—perfect for a daytime hike year round or on a summer evening. Special experiences include maple sugaring in February, a farm market on summer Sundays, and apple cidering on fall weekends.
39 Scofieldtown Rd. (Museum), Stamford, Connecticut, 06903, USA203-977--6521Sight Details
Rate Includes: $14 -
12. Stepping Stones Museum for Children
The ColorCoaster, a 27-foot-high kinetic structure in constant motion, is the centerpiece of this hands-on museum with exhibits organized by age. Visit the Energy Lab,...
The ColorCoaster, a 27-foot-high kinetic structure in constant motion, is the centerpiece of this hands-on museum with exhibits organized by age. Visit the Energy Lab, where youngsters learn about wind, water, and solar power while splashing around the extensive water play area. The Light Gallery has colorful LED displays; Studio K has a green screen and video feed for real-time "newscasting"; and for babies and toddlers, Tot Town is a safe place where they can play with toys and puzzles, "cook" in a play kitchen, and learn about animals on Old MacDonald's Farm.
303 West Ave., Norwalk, Connecticut, 06850, USA203-899–0606Sight Details
Rate Includes: $16 -
13. The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum
This ornate tribute to Victorian decorating, built in 1864 as the summer home of financier and railroad tycoon LeGrand Lockwood, remains one the oldest (and...
This ornate tribute to Victorian decorating, built in 1864 as the summer home of financier and railroad tycoon LeGrand Lockwood, remains one the oldest (and finest) surviving Second Empire–style country homes in the United States. It's hard not to be impressed by its octagonal skylighted rotunda and more than 50 rooms of gilt, frescoes, marble, intricate woodwork, and etched glass. Movie buffs will be interested in knowing that the mansion was used as the location of the Stepford Men's Association in The Stepford Wives—the original (1975) film.
295 West Ave., Norwalk, Connecticut, 06850, USA203-838–9799Sight Details
Rate Includes: From $10, Closed Mon.–Tues. -
14. The Barnum Museum
Under RenovationThis Romanesque red sandstone-and-brick building stands out in downtown Bridgeport, much like P.T. Barnum, the "Greatest Showman on Earth" and former mayor of Bridgeport, did...
This Romanesque red sandstone-and-brick building stands out in downtown Bridgeport, much like P.T. Barnum, the "Greatest Showman on Earth" and former mayor of Bridgeport, did in his day. The museum exhibits depict the life and times of Barnum, who founded his circus in 1871 and presented performers such as General Tom Thumb and Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale. Among the exhibits is a scale model of Barnum's legendary five-ring circus, containing more than 3,000 pieces. During renovations to the historic museum building—and in the spirit of "the show must go on," the exhibits have been installed in the adjacent People's United Bank Gallery.
820 Main St., Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA203-331–1104Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sat.–Wed.
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