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Connecticut > Fairfield Southwest > Things to Do and See > Great Things To Do in CT

Great Things To Do - Fairfield County & Southwest CT

There are so many fun things to do in coastal region of Fairfield County and Southwest Connecticut, with its blend of history, natural beauty, and vibrant seaside charm. Immerse yourself in the region's rich cultural tapestry, starting with a visit to The Glass House in New Canaan, CT. Discover the wonders of Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford, meander through the scenic landscapes of the Connecticut Audubon Society Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary in Fairfield, CT. Or, see the beloved Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, CT and much more.

Explore Greenwich - Stanton House Inn - Greenwich, CT
Stanton House Inn

76 Maple Avenue Greenwich, CT, 06830 Phone: 203-869-2110

Greenwich, and this inviting inn, offer a variety of attractions, activities for visitors

The warm hospitality, luxurious accommodations and convenient location make The Stanton House Inn the perfect headquarters for your fun getaway or vacation. At the inn itself, there’s a seasonal outdoor pool and lawn games as well as a book-and-games-stocked library and gorgeous gardens to stroll in. You can walk to upscale dining and shopping in Greenwich or take a short train ride into New York City. In the other direction, it’s a pleasant drive to Mystic, with its famous aquarium and maritime attractions. There are beckoning beaches and a variety of state and local parks with hiking trails, playgrounds and tennis courts. The inn’s hosts will be happy to recommend everything from garden tours to where the most picturesque mansions are located.
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The Glass House Exterior New Canaan CT
The Glass House

199 Elm Street New Canaan, CT, 06840 Phone: 203-594-9884

Astonishing glass home centerpiece of enchanting property in New Canaan

Visit the extraordinary Glass House and see where art and architecture intersect. Built in 1949 by renowned architect Philip Johnson, the house’s exterior walls are made of glass, with no interior walls. You could, as Johnson said, see sunset and moonrise at the same time, standing in the same place. The house led to the building of 13 other “pavilions” on the 49-acre pastoral property over several decades, including the Sculpture Gallery, Painting Gallery, Studio, Ghost House and Pavilion on the Pond. Owned and operated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, it also houses a permanent collection of remarkable 20th century paintings and sculpture as well as temporary exhibits and outdoor sculptures. Self-guided tours are offered April through December, and occasional public programs are also presented.
Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, CT
Visit the Giant World Through Its Animals

Plan to bring your young ones – or adults with a love of exotic animals – to Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo at 1875 Noble Avenue in Bridgeport. One of the state’s top family attractions, the zoo displays 300 animals: condors, tigers, ocelots, wolves, a giant anteater and a golden lion tamarin. The zoo is open daily and the carousel is open Thursday through Sunday. Feed your brood at the Peacock Café then go on for further explorations. Special areas include a tropical rainforest, an aviary, and a New England farmyard. This is a great activity for bad-weather days. Zoo is open daily, year-round.
bartlett gardens
Arboretum Is a Portal to Nature

Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens at 151 Brookdale Road in Stamford welcomes people every day from dawn to dusk to explore 12 gardens and many trails (with your dog, if you like), and to enjoy champion trees, gardens, wildflower meadows, red maple wetlands and boardwalks, and woodland walking trails. The arboretum’s Silver Center hosts art displays and summer concerts. Come for botany classes and doggy happy hours. Events, classes and concerts. Trail map. 203- 322-6971
Explore Ice Castles in North Woodstock, NH! Click here to explore.
weir farm in ct
Artwork Down on the Farm

Weir Farm National Historic Site on Nod Hill Road in Wilton is one of two national historic sites that preserves and displays a place for the visual arts. (The other is the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site in Cornish, New Hampshire.) From 1882 to 2005, Weir Farm was the home and workplace of three generations of painters, starting with J. Alden Weir. Visitors today can view the Weir home and studios, take guided walks of stone walls and painting trails, and enjoy the rotating art exhibits. In April 2020, the farm was featured in the newest coin produced by the U.S. Mint in its American the Beautiful Quarters program. The grounds are open year-round; hours at the Visitor Center vary seasonally. Phone: 203-761-9945
Stratford Antique Center CT
Treasures From the Past

With about 200 antiques dealers under one roof, the Stratford Antique Center on Honeyspot Road is a place where antiques buffs can become blissfully lost. The center is located off I-95 in Stratford and is locally known as the “big blue building.” It houses 16,500 square feet of antiques and collectibles. Browsers will enjoy the numerous dealer floor spaces and display cases, making this a great shopping attraction for anyone looking for things to do on an afternoon or weekend. 203-378-7754.
very and dash antiques in stamford ct for gthings
Antique Shopping Is Artful & Abundant in Stamford

Stamford, just a hop and a jump from the New York border, is a beehive of antiques stores, and a place where antiques lovers could get lost and put a grave dent in the checkbook. Among the places that are named in the upper strata of Stamford antiques shops are Avery & Dash Collections on Jefferson Street and Stamford Modern on Pacific Street.
CT Audubon Birdcraft Museum & Sanctuary - Fairfield, CT
Sanctuary Is Home to Birds of Many Feathers (and Species)

Connecticut Audubon Society’s Birdcraft Museum in Fairfield is an intimate natural history museum with its own songbird sanctuary. This family-friendly museum offers first-class natural history programs and exhibits to bird lovers of all ages. Planted in 1914 as a refuge to attract, and harbor migratory and resident birds, the six-acre site has sheltered more than 120 species of birds. A bridge over a pond on the property allows close-up views of the sanctuary and its inhabitants. Visitors can observe a honeybee hive, a collection of African animals, and other changing exhibits, and attend scheduled demonstrations of bird-banding in spring and fall.
Snowy Owl - Group Tours at CT Audubon Society in Greenwich
Private Group Tours of Animal Life

Greenwich Audubon is offering in-person, outdoor private adventures for groups of up to 8 people at the Audubon property at 613 Riversville Road in Greenwich or at Grass Island Park on Greenwich Cove. The adventures may include bird watching or bird counting, owl prowls, guided hikes, and exploration of ponds and wetlands.
Audubon Center of Greenwich, CT
Audubon Center Brims With Activity Year-Round

Greenwich Audubon Center at 613 Riversville Road in Greenwich offers lots of recurring classes and programs that encourage people of all ages and physical abilities to enjoy the center and its lessons about nature. All year round, the center offers activities like Nature Yoga with Brittani Kelly, emphasizing nature around us and the health of the environment; Family Yoga, which welcomes kids to join the experience; and Sensory-Sensitive Saturdays, welcoming people with extra sensitivities who would like to enjoy learning about nature in a quiet and soothing space. Check out the center’s events pages to learn more. These are great activities for cold-weather and warm-weather seasons.