Just 40 miles away from the magical New York City lies the charming Connecticut town of Stamford. Founded in the 17th century, this city has long been a place for New Yorkers to find an escape from the bustling city. Famous for its many parks, Stamford is the perfect place to slow down and appreciate the wonders of nature. Since it’s within driving distance of New York, it’s a great place to stay for travelers who need some countryside charm after a few days in the Big Apple.
Visitors to this ocean-side city will enjoy the many restaurants, cultural spots, and art museums that can be found here. Stamford is home to some amazing art galleries, like the UConn Stamford Art Gallery and the Henri Bendel Mansion. While dining, they should be especially on the lookout for New England classics, like clam chowder and steamed mussels, and for authentic Italian restaurants. Discover how to get the most out of a trip to Stamford, Connecticut, in this ultimate travel guide!
Top Things To Do In Stamford
In a state with so many cool things to do, there is no shortage of things to do in Stamford. Stamford is a great place to step away from the big city and experience the natural world with its many parks.
Visitors here will be able to see beautiful gardens during all times of the year, will be able to walk down both calming and rigorous hikes, and will be able to enjoy Stamford’s natural wildlife.
Visitors should also try to enjoy at least one of Stamford's many beautiful beaches. Spending time at the beach is a great way to make the most of a hot New England summer's day!
15 Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens
Founded in 1907, this arboretum has been a pillar of the Stamford community for over 100 years. Visitors to this park will enjoy seeing the beautiful plants and exploring the many gardens. They have an herb garden, a sensory garden, a fern trail, a vegetable garden, a wildflower garden, a native plants garden, and more.
Of course, their main attraction is the Kate and Robert Bartlett Jr. Magnolia Collection, which is home to more than 40 magnolias. Visitors should be sure to see the “Survivor Tree,” a pear tree that survived 9/11 and serves as a memorial to the tragedy.
- Hours: 6:30am-8:30pm, daily
- Address: 151 Brookdale Road, Stamford, CT 06903
- Admission: Free
- What to do here: Enjoy the many gardens, including an herb garden, a sensory garden, a fern trail, a vegetable garden, a wildflower garden, and a native plants garden, see the Survivor Tree, enjoy the many magnolias, connect with nature
14 UConn Stamford Art Gallery
The UConn Stamford Art Gallery is a hidden gem of Connecticut! Featuring up-and-coming artists, this gallery focuses on art from underrepresented communities and local creators.
Their collection seeks to feature works in a diverse array of mediums, like photography and painting. Visitors here will be able to see thought-provoking art from people from all different walks of life.
- Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-1pm, closed Sundays
- Address: 1 University Place Stamford, CT 06901
- Admission: Free
- What to do here: see thought-provoking local art, enjoy the museum
13 Stamford Museum & Nature Center
For a day of fun, nature, animals, and museum exploration, visitors should definitely check out the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. The museum—which is contained within the Henri Bendel Mansion, which is on the grounds—contains an impressive art gallery that features five permanent exhibits.
These exhibits range from natural history to American art to Native American art. After spending time in the museum, visitors can head to the Heckscher Farm, an educational space where visitors can see live animals and an organic garden.
Another of the most popular attractions at this site is the otter pond, which features a family of river otters that visitors can see. Finally, visitors can enjoy walking the center’s many trails.
- Hours: 9am-5pm daily
- Address: Main entrance: 39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford CT 06903, Farmhouse entrance: 151 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford CT 06903
- Admission: Adults $14, Seniors $12, Children $8, children 3 and under are free
- What to do here: learn about local history at the site’s art museum, interact with animals at the Heckscher Farm, see river otters at the otter pond, hike the many trails of the nature center
12 Cummings Park
When traveling to Stamford, Connecticut, visitors are bound to want to spend at least one day at the beach. Cummings Park is a perfect place to do just that! With 79 acres of park to explore, visitors will thoroughly enjoy spending a summer’s day swimming at the beach and walking along the boardwalk.
- Hours: 5:30am-9pm
- Address: Shippan Ave Stamford, CT 06902
- Admission: $42.00 per car
- What to do here: Swim at the beach, enjoy the many ball fields, walk the boardwalk, get a snack at the snack bar, fish on the fishing pier
11 Fort Stamford
Founded during the American Revolution, Fort Stamford is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the perfect location for visitors to learn about 18th-century history.
This area, which had once also been a private residence in the 20th century, contains garden structures from that time that visitors can enjoy. This section of the park is called the Goodbody Garden, named after the 20th-century family who lived there.
- Hours: Saturday-Monday 6:30am-9pm, Tuesday 7am-9:30pm, Wednesday-Thursday 6:30-9pm, Friday 6am-8:30pm
- Address: 900 Westover Rd, Stamford, CT 06902
- Admission: Free
- What to do here: Relax at the Goodbody Garden, learn about Revolutionary War history at Fort Stamford, enjoy walking around the park
10 Mill River Park
When traveling to Stamford with children, one of the best things a tourist can do is to stop at Mill River Park. Not only does this park have plenty of green space for visitors to enjoy in the summer, but it also has the Whittingham Discovery Center, where visitors can learn about nature.
Children will be excited to enjoy the playground and carousel at this location! In the winter, the park has a skating rink that transforms into a fountain during the spring, summer, and fall.
- Hours: Daily 6am-10pm, Whittingham Discovery Center: Monday-Friday 4pm-8pm, Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday 10am-4pm
- Address: Whittingham Discovery Center address: 1040 Washington Boulevard, Stamford, CT 06901, Carousel entrance: 30 West Broad Street, Stamford, CT 06902, Playground entrance: 50 West Main Street, Stamford, CT 06902
- Admission: Free
- What to do here: Enjoy the park, learn at the Whittingham Discovery Center, play at the playground, have fun at the carousel
9 The Avon Theatre Film Center
This avant-garde film center is a great place for visitors to enjoy an evening. With the theater focusing on independent, international, and classic films, this is a great place for cinema lovers to experience a new piece of thought-provoking art.
While this film center was founded in 1939, it actually closed in the '90s and wasn't opened again until 2004.
This film center is best enjoyed by teens and adults rather than small children.
- Hours: Films are usually shown at 4pm and 7pm
- Address: 272 Bedford Street, Stamford, CT, 06901
- Admission: $14.50 per person
- What to do here: enjoy watching avant-garde movies, see unique international films
8 The Mianus River Park
Dedicated to the Mianus River, this park contains woods, wetlands, and fields, and houses a vast array of diverse Connecticut species of flora and fauna. This park is a full 391 acres, so visitors will have no shortage of woodland to explore.
The most popular hikes include the Nature Trail, which is 2.6 miles, and the longer Yellow Loop Trail, which is 4.5 miles.
- Hours: Sunrise-Sunset, daily
- Address: 71 Merriebrook Lane Stamford, CT 06902
- Admission: Free
- What to do here: Walk the park’s trails, enjoy the local wildlife, learn about the biodiversity of Connecticut
7 The Best Time To Go to Stamford, Connecticut
The climate of Stamford is typical of coastal Connecticut. With Long Island Sound to the south and Connecticut's forests to the North, Stamford is prone to cold winters and hot summers. The warm season in Stamford starts in April, while the cold season begins in November.
The best months to go to Stamford are June and October.
Traveling to Stamford during the summer is an ideal time to go since visitors can enjoy the area's many beaches and ocean views. It can get well into the 80s and 90s in the peak summer months, like July and August, so June is the perfect time to go.
- Month: June
- Temperatures: 70s
On the other hand, traveling to Stamford in October allows visitors to catch the beautiful New England fall foliage in their full colors! Connecticut is a great place to celebrate the fall, so visitors should be sure to plan a vacation for that time.
- Month: October
- Temperatures: 60s and 50s
6 Best Ways To Get Around Stamford
From walkable neighborhoods to bike-friendly areas of the city, here's how to get around in Stamford.
Walking
The most amenable places to walk in Stamford are the Downtown area and Harbor Point. However, if staying in any other part of the city, it might be a better idea to use a rideshare or a taxi.
Biking
For travelers to Stamford in the summer months, renting a bike can be a wonderful way to get around the city. The city of Stamford is considered a bike-friendly community, with many bike lanes and trails.
- Renting a bike in Stamford typically starts at $30 per day.
Public Transportation
Stamford has an easy-to-use system of public transportation! Taking public transit is a great way to save money while traveling.
- A two-hour pass costs $1.75, while an all-day pass costs $3.50
Rideshares
Taking a rideshare is a quick and easy way to get around the city. This option is ideal for those who want to visit destinations outside the city, like the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, but who want to stay in the downtown area.
- The cost of taking a rideshare across the city typically costs from $17-22, depending on time and location.
Rent a Car
Renting a car is the best option for those traveling to Stamford on business or for those traveling with small children.
- Renting a car in Stamford starts at around $30 per day.
5 Where To Eat In Stamford
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Dining out in Stamford is always an experience; try these eateries for the ultimate feast.
Breakfast: The Stamford Diner
The Northeast is famous for its many diners. The most famous one in Stamford has to be the Stamford Diner. Visitors here can enjoy a plate of eggs, a stack of pancakes, or a plate of old-fashioned French toast.
- Price: $$$
- Address: 135 Harvard Ave Stamford, CT 06902
- Hours: 7am-11pm, daily
Lunch: Brenan’s By The Beach
After spending a morning at Cummings Park, a great seaside place to eat is Brenan’s By The Beach. Visitors here can enjoy classic Connecticut and New England meals, like clam chowder, fried calamari, or steamed mussels. They also have burgers and sandwiches.
- Price: $$
- Address: 82 Iroquois Road Stamford, Connecticut 06902
- Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-1am, Friday-Saturday 11am-2am
Dinner: Siena Ristorante
For those looking for an upscale Italian dinner in Stamford, Siena Ristorante is the place to go! Visitors can have a variety of pasta dishes, ravioli, or fish. They have plenty of Italian desserts, like tiramisu and torta di limoncello.
- Price: $$$
- Address: 519 Summer St Stamford, CT, 06901
- Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 5pm-9:00pm, Friday 5pm-10:30pm, Saturday 5pm-10pm
This restaurant requires a reservation!
Drinks: Barcelona Wine Bar
For a taste of the Mediterranean in the Northeast, visitors should plan a trip to Barcelona Wine Bar. Not only do they have excellent European wines, but they have cocktails, sherry, sangria, and gin & tonics as well. In true Barcelona fashion, they even have tapas available!
- Price: $$
- Address: 222 Summer St, Stamford, CT 06901
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 11:30am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-1am, Sunday 11am-11pm
3 Where To Stay In Stamford
Stamford has a range of hotels at various price points, so travelers should consider their budget, location preference, and desired amenities before booking a stay.
Budget Locations
Address: 1209 East Main Street, Stamford, CT 06902
- Price: $87 per night
- Amenities: Restaurant, bar, business center, free parking
Mid-Tier Price Locations
Hilton Stamford Hotel & Executive Meeting Center
- Address: 1 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT 06902
- Price: $211 per night
- Amenities: indoor pool, fitness center, bar, valet parking, restaurant
- Address: 26 Mill River Street, Stamford, CT 06902
- Price: $207 per night
- Amenities: fitness center, restaurant, bar, free parking
Luxury Hotels
Courtyard by Marriott Stamford Downtown
- Address: 275 Summer Street, Stamford, CT 06901
- Price: $557 per night
- Amenities: indoor pool, room service, bar, business center, valet parking, fitness center
2 Tips To Know When Visiting Stamford
The city has been experiencing new developments since 2008, with many renovations occurring at Harbor Point. Visitors should be sure to check out the many new restaurants that have been built in this area.
1 How To Spend The Perfect Day In Stamford, Connecticut
The perfect day in Stamford begins with a hearty breakfast of pancakes or eggs at an all-American diner.
Once travelers have had their fill, they should head to the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. There, they should enjoy seeing the multitude of farm animals at the Heckscher Farm, walking around the beautiful grounds, and exploring the art museum on the grounds. And, best of all, they should be sure to see the adorable river otters playing and eating at the otter pond!
Next, travelers should stop and have some delicious New England clam chowder for lunch, preferably by the ocean for some great views.
Afterward, travelers should spend the afternoon at the beach, enjoying the crashing waves and sea breeze at Cummings Park.
For dinner, visitors have to try one of the authentic Italian meals that this area is known for.
In the evening, they should absolutely catch a movie at the artistic Avon Theatre Film Center. For post-movie drinks, visitors should absolutely check out the Barcelona Wine Bar. After spending the perfect day in Stamford, visitors will be aching to return!
FAQ
Q: Stamford Harbor Point, Connecticut, with boats at the marina and beautiful blue lighting
A typical fare from beautiful New York to charming Stamford costs around $12 per fare. After experiencing all the must-see flavors of New York, visitors will be enthralled with the more natural charm of Connecticut.
Q: Is Stamford a fun city?
While Stamford, Connecticut, is smaller than its bustling neighbor, NYC, Stamford has so many fun things to do! Some of the city’s main attractions are its many parks, Nature Center, and avant-garde theater.
Q: What is winter like in Stamford?
Stamford has a typically charming New England winter, with three months of cold weather from December to March. Even with the cold temperatures, there are still plenty of fun things for travelers to do!
Many of the nature reserves and parks are still open at this time. Winter is also a great time to watch the snow fall on the ocean while holding a warm cup of clam chowder!