Fairfield, Connecticut

The Fairfield Museum and History Center was established by the Fairfield Historical Society in 2007. The museum and library space spans 13,000 square feet and includes exhibition galleries, an 80-seat theatre, a reading room and special-collection research library, a family education center, and a museum shop. Some of the exhibits which you’ll see are Creating Community: Exploring 375 Years of Our Past, A Century of Theatre in Fairfield County, and Exploring Our Cultural Heritage. There’s tons of events and programs scheduled at the museum throughout the year; kids can participate in scavenger hunts, Halloween-themed spooky strolls, and vacation camps.

370 Beach Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824, Phone: 203-259-1598

With over 20,000 square feet of climbing space, there’s no better place in the area to enjoy rock climbing than Rock Climb Fairfield. The walls can reach heights of us up 40 feet, making it enjoyable and challenging to both new and expert rock climbers. Some of their features includes bouldering, top rope, lead climbing, systems boards, hang boards, and campus boards. Rock Climb also has a yoga studio and a fitness gym, making it a wonderful place to get a full-body workout in one stop. You’ll enjoy the experience no matter your age and can depend on guidance from experts to help you accomplish your rock climbing goals.

85 Mill Plain Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824, Phone: 203-416-5500

Beaches

Penfield Beach is a three-and-a-half acres beachfront property that offers an endless stretch of golden, sandy beach for people to enjoy. You can sunbathe or swim right along the Long Island Sound, which is surely a wonderful way to spend the day outdoor with friends and family. The beach can get crowded in the evenings since it’s a popular place for people to take a walk or jog and get some exercise. Kids love it there because it’s fun and filled with amenities such as a playground right on the beach. It’s a wonderful place to go and unwind, build sandcastles, collect seashells, and just enjoy yourself.

323 Fairfield Beach Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824

One of the largest beaches in Fairfield, Jennings Beach is a 27-acre expanse of sandy golden beach that offers stunning views of the Long Island Sound. The beach is one of the most popular places to spend a lovely, sunny day, and is one of the area’s best choices to witness the 4th of July fireworks. To ensure the comfort of their visitors, Jennings Beach has amenities and features such as concession stands, volleyball poles, sailboat racks, and bathroom facilities. The beach shares its parking lot with the adjacent Rowland Memorial Playground, at which you will find a skate park and a sand castle playground. The beach is protected by lifeguards during the summer season and there are swimming lessons offered as well.

880 S Benson Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824, Phone: 203-256-3145

For Teens and Tweens

Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and a part of a U.S. National Historic Landmark District, the Connecticut Audubon Society Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary is one of the oldest private sanctuaries of its kind in the nation. The six-acre site was originally planted by Mabel Osgood Wright in 1914 as a way of attracting, feeding, and providing refuge to resident and migratory birds. Visitors will be able to see some of the 120 species of birds which come there. Additional aspects include a bird banding station and a natural history museum displaying dioramas and mounted preserved animals.

314 Unquowa Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824, Phone: 203-259-0416

An integral part of Fairfield University, the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts is an indoor theatre which was opened in 1990. It was recognized as the “cultural epicenter of Fairfield County” by Westport Magazine and often houses an array of events such as theatre performances, dance, musical concerts, and other programs for audiences of all ages. The center is also home to the Open VISIONS Forum which allows the community and its visitors to engage in several lectures with humanitarians, authors, artists, politicians, and more. Stop by and catch a performance by their resident choir, the Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut, or partake in one of the several other events held there.

Fairfield University: 1073 N Benson Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824

Recommended Activities for Families

The Roy and Margot Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary spans over 155 acres, making it one of the largest sanctuaries in Fairfield and surrounding communities. Within the sanctuary you will find a great variety of wildlife habitats which are home to a number of flora and fauna. You can spend your time exploring the seven miles of trails available there, some of which is wheelchair-accessible as well. Unique aspects include a replica of an Algonquin wigwam, the migratory ducks in the sanctuary ponds, and owls and other species of birds in the many nest boxes scattered throughout. Other wildlife that is commonly seen are frogs, snakes, turtles, and deer.

2325 Burr St, Fairfield, CT 06824, Phone: 203-259-0416

Formerly known as the Bellarmine Museum of Art, the Fairfield University Art Museum was established on campus in 2010. There are three distinct galleries which take up 2,700 square feet of space, much of which is dedicated to Asian, baroque, Celtic, Renaissance, Medieval, and Classical art. Having such a broad and rich collection of paintings, sculptures, and more, it is no surprise that the museum is considered one of the most amazing college museums in the United States. One of the museum’s most popular aspects is its collection of plaster casts after exemplary works from ancient Rome and Greece.

200 Barlow Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824, Phone: 203-254-4046

Having started out as a traveling food truck in 1992, the owners of Super Duper Weenie eventually opened up a shop in 2000 to meet the demands of their customers. You can’t go there without trying out the famous hot dogs they’re named after; be sure to top it with their house sweet or hot relish. If hot dogs aren’t your thing, Super Duper Weenie has you covered with their Super Duper burger - a half-pound of all-natural, grass-fed, hormone and antibiotic free, burger. During the colder months, you can feast on delicious soup that is made from scratch using fresh ingredients - crowd favorites include the beef barley, curried sweet potato, and the Rhode Island chowder.

306 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, CT 06825, Phone: 203-334-3647