A fine specimen of Gothic architecture, The Basilica of Saint John the Evangelist has expanded from a small church originally established in early 1850s to a large structure accommodating multiple immigrants of the Catholic faith today. In contrast to the Gothic exterior, the interiors are simple yet captivating. The church is famously called 'The Mother Church of Stamford'.
Stamford Museum & Nature Center is a one-stop destination for all educational and fun activities. Sprawled over 118 acres (47.75 hectares), it is home to the large Hecksher Farm and the Tudor-style Bendel Mansion that houses an interactive center and museum. It also boasts a planetarium for astronomical shows and a four-level observatory equipped with a 22-inch (56-centimeter) telescope. Every exhibit within the museum is tailored towards kids and features interactive artifacts to teach them about animal life, culture, history, science and fine art. The myriad trails take you through glacial erratic rocks, ephemeral pools, woods, pastures and farmlands with alpacas, pigs, chicken and llamas. The highlights are the Edith and Robert Graham Otter Pond and the playground where kids befriend a variety of animals. This center organizes events like maple sugar and harvest festivals, farmers' markets, astronomy projects, wildlife camps, antique car shows and wine tastings.
Famous as 'Fish Church', First Presbyterian Church of Stamford has seen multiple changes since it was first established in the late 19th-Century. However, its Modern architecture continues to leave visitors and congregation members spellbound with stunning stained glass interiors and a 56-bell carillon.
Cove Island Park is a nature lover's dream come true and borders the Cove Harbor and Holly Pond, with magnificent views of Cove Island. This park is a unique mix of beaches, meadows, grasslands, freshwater and salt marshes, mudflats, a deciduous forest and an estuary near the Cove River. The picturesque terrain comprises of large and small water bodies like lakes and ponds, and has trails winding through the rocky coastline, thick woods and meadows flecked with wildflowers. More than 300 bird varieties have inhabited this park and it is also a wonderful spot for fishing enthusiasts. Certain key scenes of the 2007 movie Reservation Road were filmed here.
Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens is home to the indigenous flora and fauna of Southwest New England. Sprawled over 91 acres (36.82 hectares), it comprises of natural and semi-natural habitats that interest botanists. Visit the Magnolia Collection to view beautiful pink, purple and white blossoms, the Pollarded Tree Display for spectacular deciduous trees and the Conifer Garden to observe pines, junipers, firs, yews and spruces. The Mehlquist Garden houses exotic flowers from Europe, Korea and Japan, while the Nut Tree Collection is home to pecan, chestnut, hazelnut and walnut trees. Numerous trails take you to the Red Maple Wetland, the Woodland Pond with arrow arum and lilies, a magnificent tea garden and meadows dotted with wildflowers. Bartlett Arboretum conducts several educational camps throughout the year for both adults and children.
The Ferguson Library is not actually a single library, but rather a network of four separate locations and a Bookmobile that travels throughout the city. Named after Ferguson Library's esteemed president, Ernest A. DiMattia, Jr., a magnificent early 20th-century building forms an apt home for the main branch of the library. Spread over four levels, it houses an extensive collection of books, magazines and other publications, alongside CDs, DVDs and multimedia resources. A Small Business Resource Center, a computer lab offering educational programs and the Purdue Pharma Consumer Information Center can also be found here. Just off the lobby is a room dedicated to new materials, while the second floor houses a variety of special collections. Author receptions, film screenings and other events are often hosted in the library auditorium. During library hours, the warm aroma of coffee wafts through the doors of the attached Starbucks cafe and into the award-winning Ferguson Library Bookshop. For bibliophiles and those with a thirst for knowledge, there can be no better place to explore than the Ferguson Library.
Located off New York State Thruway, Common Ground Coffeehouse is a popular venue for music concerts. In addition to hosting concerts in this cozy performance venue, they also host concerts in other locations like Irvington Theater in New York. This cozy venue is a great place to visit for music lovers.
If you want to prepare your kids for the future of science, Dolan DNA Learning Center is an excellent place to start. As the human genome begins to unravel beneath the glare of intense research, there is no better time to be educated on the principles of genetics. There are programs available for college, post-graduate students and the public; teacher training workshops are provided, as are summer day camps and the regular Saturday DNA! class, aimed at making genetics more fun and accessible for the general public. Call or check the website for more details.
The Smithtown Masonic Temple with its great event line-up and performers attracts music lovers from all over. Always abuzz with activities, there is never a single dull moment here. Music festivals, local concerts and musical events organized here are well attended. Truly, its a local venue not to be missed!
Dating back to early 1776, the Jacob Purdy House was the former headquarters of Sir George Washington. One of architect Samuel Horton's renowned works till date, the house, in 1979, was declared a registered monument in the National Register of Historic Place. Over the years, this historic structure has gone on to become an integral part of White Plains' rich history. Today, the house is the headquarters of the White Plains Historical Society.
Founded in 1998, the Toquet Hall Teen Center is a community space where youngsters can indulge in clean and safe fun. The idea is to provide a secure environment to the teenagers, where they can participate and enjoy different activities. Dance, music, theater and other creative avenues are explored here, thereby, introducing them to a different world. Every event and show held here is sans any drugs or alcohol. The hall can also be rented for events, provided it is in sync with the core values of the teen center.