Between Long Island Sound and the Pequonnock River lies the beautiful Connecticut town of Bridgeport. In a state with so many beautiful towns, travelers should definitely stop in the city of Bridgeport. With a long history stretching back to the 17th century, this city is the perfect place for travelers who want to experience the local history of Connecticut.

The area was originally home to the Paugussett Native Americans, who were forced out upon the arrival of Europeans in the 1600s. Despite being a center for fishing and farming, the village wasn’t officially incorporated into the state of Connecticut until the year 1800. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Bridgeport became an area of industrialization with many factories. In the modern era, Bridgeport is an up-and-coming location in Connecticut, with many things to do for any type of traveler.

UPDATE: 2023/06/30 17:07 EST BY NOAH STAATS

There Are More Fun Things To Do In Bridgeport, Connecticut!

This article has been refreshed with new spots to visit in Bridgeport, Connecticut, as well as tips and tricks for a perfect vacation. Whether travelers prefer to stay in town, watch a comedy show, head to the harbor, or even tour a museum, Bridgeport is the place to be. Don't forget to pack a jacket, and have so much fun!

Things To Do

There are so many things to do in Bridgeport; it’s hard to know where to start! Bridgeport is known for its many discovery centers, like zoos and aquariums, as well as its many ocean-side parks.

There are also many opportunities for visitors to experience the area’s rich local history. With so many cool things to do in Connecticut, visitors should definitely take a few days to explore Bridgeport.

The famous P. T. Barnum Museum, which is popular in this area, is currently closed for renovations and will be for some time, which is why it is missing from this list.

1 Captain Cove's Seaport

One super popular thing to do while in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is Captain Cove's Seaport. Here, tourists are treated to a marina, restaurant, and bar nestled on the Black Rock Harbor.

What makes this the perfect daytime or evening outing is that there is plenty to see and do. Not only is there a stunning harbor to enjoy for sunrise or sunset, but this location serves some of the best food and drinks in town. Captain Cove's Seaport is a local favorite, as well as a top choice for students at nearby colleges and universities.

Plus, the marina regularly hosts fun events depending on the holiday or season, and this is a nice area to pull up to on a boat and grab food and drinks in between water sports and adventuring. Bridgeport is the perfect place to explore the water, so why not also look at it from the table?

• Address: 1 Bostwick Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605
• Hours: Open every day except Monday / Tuesday-Thursday, 11 am to 12 am, Friday-Saturday, 11 am to 1 am, and Sunday, 11 am to 12 am

This is one of the more rowdy venues in town, often staying open well into the morning hours. For people wanting to party, Captain's Cove Seaport is a highly-recommend location, as well as a great choice for late-night bites. The drinks here are good but expensive, so keep that in mind too.

2 The Stress Factory Comedy Club

For anyone wanting to laugh out loud while in Bridgeport, Connecticut, visiting the Stress Factory comedy club is sure to check off that box. Here, tourists of the town can experience weekly shows from aspiring comedians in the area, including many college-age artists starting their careers.

What makes the Stress Factory different is that it has a main floor seating area and a VIP balcony where guests can reserve private tables for their comedy show. This could be the perfect spot to decompress after a long day hiking or adventuring through the city, all while supporting a local business.

Shows at the club can be found on their website, so make sure and check that before heading over.

• Address: 167 State St, Bridgeport, CT 06604
• Hours: Open every day except Monday, Tuesday-Wednesday 10 am to 5 pm, Thursday 10 am to 10 pm, Friday-Saturday 10 am to 12 am, and Sunday 2:30 pm to 12 am

3 Mongers Market

Another top thing to do while in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is to head over to Mongers Market. Here, tourists can shop vintage, industrial salvage, and antique items in a 75,000-square-foot refurbished factory.

Over the years, this market has become a major hot spot for local artists and collectors, bringing guests from all over the state. Furthermore, Mongers Market boasts food and live events with performers during peak season, making this the perfect day trip.

For people coming here to score vintage clothing, art, and memorabilia: it's recommended to get here as the gates open at 10 am to ensure others don't buy everything right away. Because of its popularity, Mongers Market has become a top spot for buying one-of-a-kind finds.

Luckily, people don't have to pay to enter but are encouraged to support the local businesses there. One nice thing about coming to smaller US towns like Bridgeport is that there is a sense of community everywhere one turns. There's certainly magic to the area.

• Address: 1155 Railroad Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605
• Hours: Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm

4 Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

Children will have a blast when visiting Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. Believe it or not, this zoo is actually the only accredited zoo in the entire state of Connecticut!

The museum’s exhibits have a range of animals, from American species such as bison and alligators to African animals like the Grey parrot and giant millipede to Asian animals like tigers and the Central Asian tortoise.

This museum also has many endangered and threatened animals, including the Siberian tiger, the red wolf, and the golden lion tamarin, among others. They also have a carousel and a café.

• Hours: Daily, 9am-4pm
• Address: 1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06610
• Admission: Adults 12 and older $19.00, Children $15.00, Seniors $15.00
• What to do here: see animals from all over the world, see endangered and threatened animals, enjoy the carousel, eat at the café

Related: 10 Best Things To Do In Hartford, Connecticut

5 Seaside Park

The 2.5-mile long trail of Seaside Park gives visitors the opportunity to explore the coastline of the Long Island Sound. With beautiful views of the ocean, visitors can’t go wrong by taking a walk down this gorgeous trail. Visitors can also enjoy other amenities, like picnic areas.

• Hours: 8am-8pm daily
• Address: 1 Barnum Dyke, Bridgeport, CT 06604
• Admission: Free
• What to do here: Walk along the 2.5-mile trail, have a picnic, see the ocean views

For people wanting to get out and enjoy nature, Seaside Park is a free way to do so. Here, visitors can stroll the 2.5-mile trail as well as take a seat near the water to watch the sunrise or sunset. This is a laid-back, quiet location in the city, making it a nice escape from the hustle and bustle.

6 Sacred Heart University’s Discovery Science Center And Planetarium

One great activity for travelers with children is to visit the Discovery Science Center and Planetarium. With exhibits on science in motion, a STEM gallery, the human body, a stuffed animal doctor’s office, the universe, and the deep sea, anyone who is interested in understanding the Earth and its history will enjoy a trip to this museum.

• Hours: Monday-Thursday 10am-6pm, Friday-Sunday 10am-5pm, Mondays are for museum members only
• Address: 4450 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604
• Admission: Children from 3 to 17 $15.00, Adults $18.00, Seniors $17.00
• What to do here: See the many different exhibits on the human body, the deep sea, and the universe, visit the STEM gallery, learn about the medical community with the stuffed animal doctor’s office

7 Housatonic Museum Of Art

For those looking for a bit of art and culture at Bridgeport, a visit to the Housatonic Museum of Art should definitely be at the top of their list. The museum has a permanent collection of art from local Connecticut artists, as well as art from Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. They also have rotating exhibits that change depending on the year and season.

• Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-7pm, Saturday 9am-2pm, closed Sunday
• Address: 900 Lafayette Blvd. Bridgeport, CT 06604
• Admission: Free
• What to do here: See the permanent collection featuring local artists as well as indigenous art from Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, and enjoy rotating exhibits

8 Fayerweather Island Lighthouse

One of the most iconic sights in Bridgeport is the Fayerweather Island Lighthouse. This octagonal, white-painted lighthouse stands out against the deep blue of the sky and sea.

Built in 1823, this lighthouse has been important to the sailing community of Bridgeport for 200 years. Visitors here can enjoy the beautiful ocean views of this historic landmark.

• Hours: 8am-8pm, daily
• Address: 2470 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605
• Admission: Free
• What to do here: See an early 19th-century lighthouse, enjoy walking by the ocean, enjoy nature at this park

This lighthouse is located at the tail end of Seaside Park, so visitors can easily do both in one day.

9 Fairfield Museum And History Center

For visitors who are interested in the long history of this region, Fairfield Museum and History Center is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. This museum seeks to teach the local history of the area, with collections that include art, archeological objects, photographs, and furniture.

In the summertime, the grounds are beautiful, with lots of trees and an expansive grassy front.

One of the biggest draws to this museum is the Ogden House & Dooryard Garden. This is a 1750-built house that has been preserved to teach visitors about life in the 18th century.

The Center is part of the Historic Town Green, which is home to many other amazing and enticing locations, including a Victorian cottage, a Victorian barn, and the Sun Tavern. The Sun Tavern is an immersive experience where tourists can learn about 18th-century history.

• Hours: museum open daily from 10am-4pm, Ogden House June 4-September 3 from 1pm-4pm on Sundays
• Address: 370 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT 06824
• Admission: Adults $5, Seniors $3, students 6-22 $3, children 5 and younger are freed
• What to do here: Learn about local history from the museum’s many artifacts, explore the grounds, see the Ogden House, enjoy rotating exhibits, see the Victorian cottage and barn, visit the Sun Tavern

The Ogden House is only open from June 4-September 3 from 1pm-4pm on Sundays

10 SeaQuest Connecticut

Just a short drive from Bridgeport, this Trumbull-based aquarium is a must-see for anyone traveling to this area. People of all ages will be entertained by the hands-on exhibits and the exotic animals that this location boasts.

Not only do they have plenty of marine life to see, but they also have land animals, as well—some of which are even open to petting! Visitors can also purchase tokens to feed some of the animals by hand.

• Hours: Sunday-Friday 11am-6pm, Saturdays 10am-6pm
• Address: 5065 Main St Suite 1106, Trumbull, CT 06611
• Admission: General admission ticket Adults $19.99, Children $13.99, Seniors, military, and college students $16.99, animal feeding tokens $2.00 each
• What to do here: See marine and land animals, pet and feed animals

11 Explore The Roosevelt Forest

Just a little way out of the city lies the beautiful Roosevelt Forest. Dedicated as a park during the 1930s, this area has been a source of beauty for Connecticut residents and travelers since then.

This park includes woodlands, wetlands, and a pond, and even has a playground for children.

• Hours: Monday-Thursday 7am-8:30pm, Friday 6:30am-8:30pm, Saturday 6am-10pm, Sunday 6:30am-8pm
• Address: 700 Peters Ln Stratford, CT 06614
• Admission: Free
• What to do here: Enjoy nature, see forests, wetlands, and a pond, play at the playground

Related: This Is Why You Should Visit The Mark Twain House And Museum, Where 'Tom Sawyer' Originated

12 The Best Time To Go To Bridgeport, Connecticut

• Fall is one of the best times to visit Bridgeport, Connecticut.
• This location has a combination of humid subtropical and continental climates.

Located on Long Island Sound, Bridgeport has a combination of humid subtropical and humid continental climates. This means that the temperature ranges greatly throughout the year, with cold, blustery winters but hot, humid summers.

This is characteristic of the Northeast area of the United States. Winters in coastal Connecticut can range from sunny and warm, with temperatures in the 40s, to cold and windy, with temperatures in the 20s. They can even have snow on occasion! Despite the variation, exploring Connecticut can be very rewarding in the wintertime.

Fall is also a great time to see some of Connecticut’s most beautiful towns. With the leaves changing in late October, the Constitution State is a great place to spend the autumn. Summers in this region are usually hot and sunny, though thunderstorms may occur occasionally.

The warm season starts in April and ends in November. While humid, summers in coastal Connecticut are gorgeous, with plenty of sunny days, warm temperatures, and green, leafy trees found in the local deciduous forests.

The best months to go to Bridgeport, Connecticut, are June and August.

• Months: June and August
• Temperatures: 70s

Related: Embrace The Bloom: 10 Of New England's Best Spring Destinations For Nature Lovers

13 Best Ways To Get Around Bridgeport

Rent a Car

The best option to get around when visiting Bridgeport is to rent a car. Whether a traveler is driving through New England on business or if they’re traveling with children, renting a car is a great way to see all the sights this city has to offer.

• Renting a car in Bridgeport usually starts at $30 per day.

Walking

For travelers who want to stay only within the Downtown area, walking is a great way to see some of Bridgeport’s iconic sights!

Public Transportation

Utilizing the public transportation of Greater Bridgeport is an excellent way to make use of local resources while traveling.

• A single fare is $1.75, while an all-day pass is $4.00, a single fare for the elderly and those with disabilities is $0.85

Rideshares

Rideshares are a great option for those who want to enjoy the many sights that Bridgeport offers that are outside of the immediate city.

• Rideshares are usually anywhere from $17-26, depending on the location and time.

Related: 10 Best Things To Do In Greenwich, Connecticut

14 Where To Eat In Bridgeport

Breakfast: The Tasty Yolk

• Price: $$
• Address: 3530 Main St, Stratford, CT, 06614; 2992 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT, 06605
• Hours: Monday 7am-2pm, Tuesday-Saturday 7am-8pm, Sunday 8am-2pm
• What to get here: all kinds of breakfast sandwiches, breakfast burritos, egg-based dishes like scrambled eggs

Lunch: Frank Peppe’s Pizza

• Price: $$
• Address: 238 Commerce Dr, Fairfield, CT 06825
• Hours: 11am-10pm daily
• What to get here: some of the best Italian pizza in Connecticut, salads, Italian desserts

Lunch: Harborview Market

• Price: $$
• Address: 218 Harborview Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06605
• Hours: Monday-Friday 6am-5pm, Saturday 6am-4pm, Sunday 6am-2pm
• What to get here: soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, omelettes

Dinner: Joseph’s Steakhouse

• Price: $$$
• Address: 360 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604
• Hours: Monday-Thursday 4:30pm-9:30pm, Friday-Saturday 4:30-10:30pm, Sunday 4:30pm-9pm
• What to get here: steak, wines, hamburgers, vegetable meals, desserts

Drinks: Tautog Tavern

• Price: $
• Address: 2926 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT, United States, Connecticut
• Hours: Monday 6pm-1am, Tuesday-Thursday 4pm-1am, Friday-Saturday 4pm-1am, Sunday 12pm-1am
• What to get here: cocktails, beer, fries, burgers, nachos

15 Where To Stay In Bridgeport

Bridgeport has plenty of accommodation options ranging from budget stays to luxe hotels.

Budget Locations

Quality Suites

• Address: 1500 South Avenue, Stratford, CT 06615
• Price: $106 per night
• Amenities: indoor pool, beachfront, free parking

Mid-Tier Price Locations

Trumbull Marriott Shelton

• Address: 180 Hawley Lane, Trumbull, CT 06611
• Price: $170 per night
• Amenities: outdoor pool, indoor pool, fitness center, restaurant, bar, free parking

Luxury Hotels

The Surfside Hotel

• Address: 10 Washington Parkway, Stratford, CT 06615
• Price: $250 per night
• Amenities: Private beach, restaurant, fitness center, free parking, bar, lounge

16 Tips To Know When Visiting Bridgeport

• Bridgeport is a college town: it can get noisy on weekends and holidays.
• The city is home to four colleges and universities.
• There are nearly 35 public parks for guests to enjoy.

This city is also a college town! Bridgeport is home to four colleges and universities—the University of Bridgeport, Housatonic Community College, Paier College, and Sacred Heart University.

Locally, this city is nicknamed “Park City.” With 35 public parks, Bridgeport is the perfect place to relax and unwind, especially for travelers who just visited the busy New York City.

Because of the four schools located here, it's not uncommon to see the streets filled with college students on weekends and holidays. Especially during breaks, tourists may be met by wild students at bars and restaurants, which is something to keep in mind. Although Bridgeport is a calm town, it's still very college-directed.

17 How To Spend The Perfect Day In Bridgeport, Connecticut

The perfect day in Bridgeport begins with breakfast at a classic New England diner for some eggs or pancakes. Afterward, visitors should definitely check out the Fairfield Museum and History Center.

Walking around the Historic Town Green will transport travelers back in time. The overall experience will be very helpful in teaching travelers about the unique history of this area.

After getting a hearty lunch at the waterfront Harborview Market or the iconic Frank Peppe’s Pizza, travelers should spend the warm summer afternoon at one of Bridgeport’s beautiful parks.

With 35 parks to choose from, visitors will have no shortage of beautiful areas of the city to walk in and explore.

Travelers should be sure to take a photo of the gorgeous 19th-century Fayerweather Island Lighthouse. The perfect night in Bridgeport will end with drinks and dinner at one of the city’s upscale restaurants.

FAQ

Q: What is Bridgeport famous for?

Bridgeport is famous for its many universities, its museums, its 35 city parks, and its zoo!

Q: How much is a train ticket from Bridgeport to New York?

Getting a train ticket from the lively, bustling New York City to the quieter, greener Bridgeport is around $14.00 per trip.

Q: Is Bridgeport a good day trip?

When road-tripping across New England, Bridgeport, Connecticut, is a great place to stop. With so many attractions to see, this town is a great place to stop along the long car ride from New York to Boston.