Connecticut - 50 Great Things To Do in Connecticut in Fairfield/Southwest

Sports in All Seasons

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The SportsCenter of Connecticut on River Road in Shelton doesn’t give a darn about the weather. This covered and weather-protected facility offers a golf practice range, 18-hole miniature golf course, baseball and softball batting cages, laser tag arena, bowling, and the world’s only double-decker ice arena. You like sports? Now, inclement weather doesn’t need to slow you down. Phone: 203-929-6500.

Treasures of Nature; Treasures by Man

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The truly beautiful and inspiring Bruce Museum in Greenwich offers a first-class mixture of exhibitions in the arts and sciences. A Connecticut gem’s holdings include 15,000 objects in fine and decorative art, natural history and anthropology. Special features include environmental galleries, a marine touch tank, educational workshops, museum store.Phone: 203-869-0376

African Penguins: Not Just for Africa

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It’s a fishy world at the Maritime Aquarium on North Water Street in Norwalk, where visitors can examine sharks nose-to-nose, and enjoy close-up visits with seals, river otters, sea turtles, jelly fish, sponges, crabs, sea stars, reptiles and more. New in 2009 is an exhibit of African penguins. They waddle comically on land but swim gracefully in the water, all while dressed in formal attire. The penguins will be stealing hearts daily in an outdoor display on the Aquarium’s riverfront courtyard. Phone: 203-852-0700.

Ambler Farms Welcomes the Public to
Stop in and Enjoy Farm Life

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Ambler Farm, at 257 Hurlbutt Street in Wilton is a 200-year-old farm now managed as a working farm, educational resource, and open space for the benefit of the entire community. Repair and preservation of the red barn, ice house and white carriage barn is complete. People are welcome to drop in any time to walk, visit the animals, stop by the farm stand, spread a picnic. Adults and kids can watch the sheep-shearing; learn to knit and do other traditional crafts; enjoy the maple syrup harvest; and much more. Annual special events include Ambler Farm Day, the Art of the Wreath Party, Holiday Greens Sale, Valentine’s Tea, and the Summertime Barbecue. New events are in the works. Open every day of the year from dawn to dusk. Phone: 203-834-1143.

Antique Shopping Is a Dream in Stamford

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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 the Accessory Store on Jefferson Street; Harbor View Center For Antiques on Jefferson Street; Mid Century Antiques on Pacific Street; Greenwich Living Antiques-Design on Canal Street; Hamptons Antique Galleries on Canal Street; Hiden Galleries on John Street; Connecticut Antiques Center on Canal Street; and John Street Antiques Center.

Artwork Down on the Farm

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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. The grounds are open year-round; hours at the Visitor Center vary seasonally. Phone: 203-761-9945

Be Ready to Stomp the Divots

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Here’s a fun outdoor adventure to tuck into your weekend calendar for September. The Greenwich Polo Club at 80 Field Point Road in Greenwich hosts public polo matches on Sundays in June, July, and September. The grounds open at 1 p.m. and matches begin at 3 p.m. Feel free to arrive early and tailgate. Pack a picnic lunch and bring a blanket or chairs. Children are always welcome, and so are dogs as long as they are kept on a leash. Attire is casual or garden party chic. During breaks in play, it is traditional for spectators to go onto the field and stomp down the divots, thank you very much. Check the club’s website for details.

Beautiful Babies of Beardsley

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Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo on Noble Avenue in Bridgeport is a wonderful place to visit; your hosts are more than 300 animals from North and South America. Among the great exhibits are the South American rainforest with free-flight aviary, a prairie dog residence with pop-up viewing areas, a New England Farmyard, and a walk along the hoofstock trail, featuring bison, pronghorn, deer and more. Before you leave grab a bite at the Peacock Café or take a ride on the carousel. Phone: 203-394-6565.

Boothe Memorial Park Offers
Outdoor Fun Through the Seasons

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Boothe Memorial Park & Museum on Main Street in Stratford sits on an idyllic, 32-acre site in the north end of Stratford by the Housatonic River, which was the estate of the Boothe family for many generations. There are many architecturally unique buildings and attractions on the grounds as well as a new, handicapped-accessible playground with two climbing walls. The annual Great Pumpkin Festival is a huge attraction in the fall, while outdoor concerts and Shakespearean plays beckon visitors in the spring and summer. Tours of the historic buildings are seasonal (May - October). The park is open and free of charge year round. Phone: 203-381-2046.

Cabaret and Off-Broadway at the Fairfield Theatre

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Fairfield Theatre Company is a place to watch for an astounding variety of live stage entertainment. Since it opened at 20 Sanford Street in Fairfield, Fairfield Theatre Company has presented over 200 performances of eight theatrical plays directly from their original Off Broadway runs. FTC is also becoming known as an intimate venue for concerts. Among the performers slated to appear in 2010 are Simon Felice, Turbine, Corey Chisel, King for a Day, Sam Weiser, Jason Reeves, Willy Porter, The Disco Biscuits, Graham Parker, and many more. The theater also hosts a periodic cabaret series. Phone: 203-259-1036.

Check All Stones at the Door

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Built in 1949 by experimental architect Philip Johnson, the Glass House in New Canaan features exterior walls of clear glass. This remarkable home became a National Trust Historic Site following the architect's death in 2005. Philip Johnson's Glass House is now open to the public for tours daily except Tuesdays through November in 2010. The Visitors Center, 199 Elm Street, is located across the street from the Metro-North train station in New Canaan. Tours begin at the Visitor Center. Phone: 203-594-9884 ext. 0

Connecticut Art Trail: Fairfield Region

Here is a project that can keep you busy year-round: explore the 15 world-class museums and historic sites that comprise the Connecticut Art Trail. The trail meanders among historic sites, bucolic farms, art studios and artists' houses to grand and modern art museums in vibrant downtowns. The trail includes a feature called Trail Getaways that presents recommended itineraries along with helpful suggestions for nearby places to visit and dine. In the Farifield region, the trail includes Bruce Museum in Greenwich, the Bush-Holley Historic Site in Cos Cob/Greenwich, the Weir Farm National Historic Site in Wilton/Ridgefield, and the Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk.

Dairy Treats Served
With Moo-sical Entertainment

Stew Leonard's , with stores in Norwalk, Danbury, and Newington, is a dairy store abd more. Offerings include wine, cheese, meats, produce, fish and a packed calendar of cooking events. Other attractions at Stew Leonard's are its milk processing plant, costumed characters, scheduled entertainment, petting zoo, and other fun for children. A favorite entertainment for younger visitors is the Farm Fresh Five, a band of state-of-the-art animatronics that that entertains the kids while adults shop. Phone: Norwalk, 203-847-7214; Danbury, 203-790-8030; Newington, 860-760-8100.

Fast Pups

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Shoreline Star Greyhound Park & Entertainment Complex on Kossuth Street in Bridgeportcalls itself home to the best thoroughbred, harness, greyhound and jai-alai simulcast action in the country, offering live greyhound racing (seasonal) and year-round simulcast wagering on Thoroughbred and harness, greyhounds, and jai alai. The complex opens daily at 11:30a.m. Watch and wager on the best thoroughbred, harness, greyhound and jai-alai action in the country. Watch and wager on jai-alai in the Cancha Theatre with stadium-style seating. At mealtime, action moves to the complex’s two restaurants. Free admission and parking. Open daily. Phone: 203-576-1976.