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.

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.

Mianus River Park is a 389 acre (157.4 hectare) stretch of forest squeezed between populated urban areas. This protected piece of forest land aims to reconnect people to nature through various initiatives. Full of lengthy trails, the park is ideal for hiking or walking, while exploring all that this magnificent green stretch has to offer. Revel in the serenity of nature, away from the harsh sounds of the city, with nothing but the sweet sounds of birds and rustling leaves filling the air. Included in its landscape is the majestic Mianus River which is also a good spot for fishing.

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.

In the heart of Stamford lies an oasis of calm: the Mill River Park. Designed around the course of the serene Mill River, this park offers a recreational haven for the city's residents. Among the facilities on offer are a playground, basketball court, an amphitheater, carousel, an ice skating rink and a launch for kayaks. The park is a part of a massive project to restore the Mill River and preserve the surrounding environment. Visitors can choose to spend a day with the family, enjoying the various facilities at the park, or they can come for a jog, walk or a bicycle ride along the gorgeous Greenway.