Top Rated Attractions in Fairfield

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.

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'.

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.

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.

Fort Stamford was built in 1781, in a bid to protect the coastline that extended from Horseneck to New Haven. The fort was restored and is used as a recreational park. The park with its lush green lawns, walking trails and picnic tables is ideal for a day picnic. It also features ruins of the fort and a garden.

With a name as mystical as Brú na Bó, and a colorful milieu of artworks adoring the window, you are lured to walk into this magnificent art and antique shop. If you have an eye for antiques or love to collect works of regional artists, then you will love browsing through the collection of Brú na Bó. Its ever-changing inventory of paintings, porcelain art, textiles and new furniture reflect the work of talented local painters and craftsmen. The collection of antique furniture found here is extensive, offering a lot of options in products which are handcrafted from reclaimed antique woods. And its association with art is not just restricted to visual artworks, as the shop also arranges special performances by local as well as upcoming national artists or bands, throughout the year.