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.
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.
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.
Encompassing a historic mansion, natural history museum, and a Planetarium with a 60-feet (18.28 meters) domed Sky Theater, the Vanderbilt is a Suffolk County attraction well worth the drive. Take a "living history" tour through the 24-room mansion, view the specimens and exhibits of the museum, and round out the day with a show as big as the sky - the Planetarium features educational explorations of outer space throughout the year and several times each day. At night, however, the show turns musical: Laser showings of classic Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin songs draw fans of all ages for an unbeatable experience.
Spend an idyllic day in the lap of nature with a visit to Bruce Park. Featuring beautiful, tranquil ponds surrounded by lush green grass and towering trees, the park is a spectacular recreational attraction for the entire family. Take a leisurely stroll around the pond, explore the winding paths that meander through the verdure, offering lovely views of Long Island Sound. Apart from its natural beauty, Bruce Park also features sprawling picnic areas with gazebos, tables, grills and restrooms, along with tennis courts.
Alternatively called Davids–Garrison House or Grapevine Inn, the Jug Tavern was built around the 1760s at the intersection of Rockledge and Revolutionary roads. Possibly the oldest buildings in town, the structure sports a charming 18th Century facade. The Jug Tavern was enlisted as a National Historic Place in 1976.
Leland Castle was built as a home to Mr. Simeon Leland in 1855. In 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This castle boasts stunning Gothic Revival architecture on sweeping grounds of 2.6 acres (1.05 hectares). Guests will find plenty to marvel at, from the architecture to the contemporary art inside the Castle Art Gallery.
Connecticut Air and Space Center is located in Stratford, Connecticut. It was founded by George Gunther in the year 1998. It features displays which speak about the history of the Stratford Army Engine Plant, and there are 14 aircrafts on display and eight engines that were built at the plant. The space center is spread on eight acres (3.2 hectares) of land and has six buildings out of which two are operational. Only visitors above the age of 18 are allowed inside the space center.
Since its inception in 1931, Greenwich Historical Society has been showcasing the vibrant history and culture of Greenwich. Storing most of its historic artifacts at the Bush-Holley Historic Site, which also serves as a museum, visitors are taken through the life and times in Greenwich and are also offered a glimpse of its evolution. Extensive collection of literature and archives offer brilliant research material and detailed accounts of significant events and also of prominent personalities of this little town. A number of camps and excursions for kids, as well as tours and exhibitions are also conducted on site.
The Cloisters is the medieval outpost of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Overlooking the Hudson River, it is a deeply relaxing and spiritual place that explores beautiful medieval art. The interlocking cloisters are faithful reconstructions of French monasteries and abbeys. They were erected between 1934 and 1938 on a site offered by John D. Rockefeller Jr. Travel back to the Middle Ages with a visit to the museum, wander through resplendent Gothic chambers, discover solitude and serenity in the Fuentidueña Apse, and sit like a monk at the Chapter House from Notre Dame de Pontaut. The sprawling museum gardens are as beautiful as the chapels and cloisters.
Covering 250 acres (100 hectares), New York Botanical Garden is a picturesque blend of rocks, waterfalls, hills, rivers, woods, ponds, plants, and of course, flowers. The property, which is a National Historic Landmark, also includes an interactive area for children. Another marvelous attraction is the beautifully restored Enid A. Haupt Conservatory is a Victorian-era greenhouse. Don't forget to visit the NYBG Shop - a store which offers a wide range of goods, from books and garden supplies to jewelry and body products. For those interested in fresh fruits and vegetables, the garden also hosts a seasonal farmer's market.