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Stamford is a city of about 135,000 people on Long Island Sound in Fairfield County, Connecticut, about 35 miles northeast of Manhattan. Puritan settlers founded it in 1641, and for two centuries it was a small farming and shipping town. The railroad, and later the interstate, turned it into a commuter city and eventually a major corporate center, with more company headquarters than almost any city of its size.
Today Stamford's downtown skyline of office towers sits beside a lively district of restaurants, bars and the Palace and Stamford Center for the Arts theaters. The Harbor Point neighborhood has transformed the old industrial waterfront into apartments, marinas and a boardwalk, and the city's train station is one of the busiest on the Metro-North line.
Away from downtown, Stamford has surprising nature. The Stamford Museum and Nature Center includes a working farm and woodland trails, the Bartlett Arboretum protects 93 acres of gardens and forest, and the Mianus River Park follows a rocky river through old woods. Cove Island Park and Cummings Beach offer views and swimming on Long Island Sound.
Stamford's compact downtown around Bedford Street and Atlantic Street is lined with restaurants, bars, cafes and shops, with corporate towers nearby. Bedford Street closes to cars for outdoor dining on summer evenings. Use the city garages, as street parking is limited.
A newer waterfront district in Stamford's South End built on former industrial land, with apartment towers, restaurants, a marina, a boardwalk along the harbor and summer events. It is pleasant for an evening stroll and dinner by the water. The free trolley links it to the train station.
A grand Beaux-Arts building from 1905 at the meeting of Atlantic and Main streets that served as the town hall for decades and was restored after years of neglect. It anchors the downtown green and hosts events. Its ornate facade is best photographed from the plaza in front.
Known locally as the Fish Church, this 1958 modernist church by architect Wallace Harrison is shaped like a fish and lit by thousands of pieces of colored dalle de verre glass. A carillon tower stands beside it. Visit on a sunny day to see the glass glow; check hours before going.
A restored 1927 theater on Atlantic Street with an ornate interior, now hosting touring concerts, comedy, dance, children's shows and local productions. It is one of the main venues of the Stamford Center for the Arts. Book ahead for popular shows and use the nearby garages.
A nonprofit independent cinema on Bedford Street in a 1939 movie house, screening art-house, foreign and classic films, often with director talks and special series. Tickets are affordable and members get discounts. Combine a film with dinner on Bedford Street.
A museum set on wooded grounds in north Stamford with a stone Tudor mansion holding art and history exhibits, a working heritage farm with animals, nature trails, a pond and an observatory. It is especially good for children. Allow half a day and check the event calendar.
A 90-plus acre arboretum in north Stamford with labeled champion trees, gardens, wetlands boardwalks and woodland trails, plus a greenhouse and educational programs. It is peaceful in spring blossom season and in fall color. There is a small admission fee for non-members.
A large wooded park on the Stamford and Greenwich border with miles of trails along the Mianus River and through rocky forest, popular with hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers and dog walkers. Trails can be muddy after rain, so wear sturdy shoes and carry a trail map.
A downtown park along the restored Mill River with a carousel, walking paths, a playground and a grove of Japanese cherry trees that blooms each April for a popular festival. In winter there is often an ice rink. It is an easy walk from Downtown Stamford's restaurants.
A large city park on Long Island Sound with a sandy beach, a paved loop for walking, cycling and skating, a wildlife sanctuary for birdwatching and picnic areas. Non-residents pay a parking fee in summer. Weekday mornings are quiet, and the sunsets over the water are lovely.
Cummings Park and its beach on Long Island Sound offer a sandy shore with lifeguards in summer, a fishing pier, sports courts, a playground and a snack stand. Parking passes are needed in season and non-residents pay more. It is calmer on weekdays than on hot summer weekends.
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