Stamford, CT

1. Stamford Museum & Nature Center

The Stamford Museum & Nature Center is a museum that focuses on art, history, nature, and agriculture. Set on 118 acres of beautiful landscapes about half a mile north of the Merritt Parkway that were originally a private estate, the museum is situated alongside a 10-acre working farm, an interactive nature center, a large planetarium and four-story observatory with a research telescope, and 80 acres of outdoor trails. The museum features seasonal family-oriented exhibits, interactive displays and year-round childhood educational programming, along with summer camps, and volunteer opportunities. Outside the museum is a large playground designed for children that provides them with the opportunity to experience animals' perspective on nature.

39 Scofieldtown Rd, Stamford, CT 06903, Phone: 203-322-1646

2. Cove Island Park

Located on Long Island Sound, Cove Island Park is an 83-acre park, beach and recreation area that features a wealth of recreational facilities and outdoor activities. The park features two sandy beaches, a children's play area, a one-mile loop walking/running trail, and rollerblade/cycling path, and expansive lawn areas for picnicking and kite-flying. The park is also home to a small salt marsh and intertidal mudflats that attract a wide variety of diverse birdlife and provides excellent bird-watching. A state-of-the-art nature center with interesting exhibits is also found at the park, and the Terry Conners Ice Rink can be found near the park's entrance, which is open during the winter and offers skating lessons for children.

363 Weed Ave, Stamford, CT 06902

3. Curtain Call, Inc

Curtain Call, Inc is a longest-running community producing theatre company that presents a calendar of full-scale productions each year in two venues, namely the traditional 184-seat Kweskin Theatre and the 100-seat cabaret-style Dressing Room Theatre, a three-quarter thrust stage venue. Curtain Call, Inc was established to provide entertainment for the community and encourage an environment for learning. The theatre company offers a range of educational programs including Young Actors Workshops, Writing Workshops and Young Writers Workshop, Acting for Kids, Improv for Kids, Comedy for Teens, Acting Workshop, Shakespeare Theatre, and Dance & Movement.

1349 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT 06905, Phone: 203-329-8207

4. The Ferguson Library

The Ferguson Library is a community library in Stamford that gathering space for the community to enjoy a wide range of literature, as well as provides many books, magazines, multi-media, and reference materials. The Ferguson Municipal Public Library offers a variety of children's programs, including Baby Time, Toddler Time, Family Story Time, Summer Reading Club, and Book Discussions and Preschool Story Time. Teen programs at the library include Teen Reads, Book Discussion, Booklists, Volunteering, Summer Reading Club and various special events and vacation week programs throughout the year.

1 Public Library Plaza, Stamford, CT 06901, Phone: 203-964-1000

5. First Presbyterian Church of Stamford

The First Presbyterian Church of Stamford is a famous church designed by architect Wallace K. Harrison that is renowned for its unusual shape. Nicknamed Fish Church, the architectural landmark is an outstanding example of modernist architecture and features a 260-foot-tall Maguire Memorial Tower which is home to a 56-bell carillon that was initially of 36 bells called the Nestle Carillon. The unusual shape of the church has been likened to that of a fish - a symbol used in early Christianity – and is apparent both in the profile and in the floor plan of the structure. Enormous stained-glass windows in the sanctuary containing more than 20,000 pieces of faceted glass enhance the shape of the church and depict the story of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. The Chancel is dominated by a 32-foot-high cross faced with wood.

1101 Bedford St, Stamford, CT 06905, Phone: 203-324-9522

6. The Palace Theatre

The Palace Theatre is a theater company with two venues, namely the beautifully restored Palace Theatre on Atlantic Street and the Rich Forum, both of which host a variety of performances including plays, music concerts, and dance recitals. The Palace Theatre on Atlantic Street is a historic theater with 1500+ seats that was originally a vaudeville house designed by Thomas W. Lamb and opened in 1927. After falling into disrepair, the theater was lovingly restored and renovated in 1983 to become the Palace Theatre with an enlarged stage, new dressing rooms, new technical-support facilities, and improved services. Today, the theater presents a diverse variety of art exhibitions, concerts, and live theatre.

61 Atlantic St, Stamford, CT 06901, Phone: 203-325-4466

7. Half Full Brewery

Half Full Brewery is a locally-owned and operated microbrewery and tasting room that produces a range of craft brews, including Bright Ale, Pursuit IPA, Toasted Amber, and a delicious new Onward APA. A hip, modern tasting room offers a comfortable place for beer-lovers to gather to taste up to 12 different brews on tap, including the Core Series, CSA Project Series, Limited Release, and Tasting Room Exclusives. The brewery offers pints and flights, along with 20 oz pours for Mug Club members, along with a selection of merchandise such as hats, t-shirts, hoodies, and glassware. Local food trucks visit the brewery to serve casual fare, and during the summer months, a laid-back beer patio is open on the weekends. Half Full Brewery is only on the weekends and hosts a variety of beer-centric events throughout the year such as pub runs and rare beer nights.

43 Homestead Ave, Stamford, CT 06902, Phone: 203-658-3631

8. Bartlett Arboretum

The Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens is a beautifully manicured 93-acre parkland featuring gorgeous gardens and natural landscapes that are home to a diverse variety of local fauna and flora from the Southwestern New England. Open to the public every day of the year, the Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens has several collections including an herbarium with over 3500 specimens from around the world. The Arboretum also features the Conifer Garden, a collection of conifers; the Mehlquist Garden, a unique collection of azaleas and rhododendrons; the Nut Tree Collection; the Pollarded Tree Display; the Magnolia Collection; and the Theaceae collection, which features camellias, franklinias, gorgonias, and stewartias. The Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens offers a range of educational programs, summer camps art classes, yoga hikes, and clinics, along with hosts several functions and events throughout the year.

151 Brookdale Rd, Stamford, CT 06903, Phone: 203-322-6971

9. Fort Stamford Park - Goodbody Garden

The Goodbody Garden is a quiet oasis in the heart of the Fort Stamford Site, a public park and home to Fort Stamford. Nestled next to the remnants of the Revolutionary War outpost of Fort Stamford, the beautiful formal garden was initially owned by New York financier Marcus Goodbody whose imposing home with formal gardens were based on the site in the early 20th century. After falling into disrepair, the gardens were lovingly restored to their former glory by the Stamford Garden Club and the Glenbrook Garden Club and today is open to the public. The tranquil gardens feature lovely local fauna and flora, a sunken garden and shady stone-pillared pergola, and grass lawns that are perfect for picnicking.