Darien Nature Center
120 Brookside Road Darien, CT Phone: 203-655-7459
Open: Year-round, Monday - Saturday
This center has a natural walking trail and exhibits featuring live animals. Childrens programs are held year round. Free admission.
Public places offer lots of walking and hiking in Fairfield and southwest CT
Devil's Den Preserve
33 Pent Road Weston, CT Phone: 203-226-4991
Telephone: 203-226-4991 Open: Daily, year-round
More than 20 miles of hiking trails and several historical sites are featured on this preserve. Programs are scheduled throughout the year. No admission fee.
Earthplace
10 Woodside Lane Westport, CT Phone: 203-227-7253
Open: Year-round, daily except major holidays
Interactive natural history museum, hands-on exhibits for children,
live animals, trails, playground and a gift shop are all part of this
62 acre wildlife sanctuary. Admission: Adults and children older than 12, $7; children and seniors, $5. Grounds and outdoor bird enclosures free. Information: www.earthplace.org
Indian Well State Park
Howe Avenue Shelton, CT Phone: 203-735-4311
The park's scenic waterfalls and splash pool give this park its name, Indian Well. The lovely falls, and shaded picnic grove at the water's edge make this park a great place to spend a lazy summer day.
Activities include boating, picnicking, field sports, hiking, river fishing, and swimming.
Facilities: bathrooms, picnic shelter, and boat launch (trailered, open April through September, 203-735-4311).
Park fees: Weekends, $14 for residents and $20 for non-residents; weekdays, $10 and $14. All days, $8 after 4 p.m.
Mianus River Preserve
Westover Road Stamford, CT Phone: 203-977-4692
Open: Daily, year round
Facilities for walking, hiking, biking and fishing. No charge for admission.
New Canaan Nature Center
144 Oenoke Ridge New Canaan, CT 06840 Phone: 203-966-9577
Dedicated to helping people of all ages better understand, appreciate and care for the world of nature
Take a fascinating look into the science and nature in the area. Set on 40 acres, the nature center features gardens and a solar-heated greenhouse, as well as many trails, exhibits, an arboretum, live animals, and a maple sugar shed.
Hours: Grounds open dawn to dusk daily; buildings and officer open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Donation requested.
Hours: Grounds open dawn to dusk daily; buildings and officer open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Donation requested.
Old Greenwich
Greenwich, CT
Open: Year round
One of Connecticut's most picturesque spots features a lovely park, surrounded by historic homes and churches. A favorite setting for wedding photographs and the perfect place for a stroll.
Ordway Preserve
165 Goodhill Weston, CT Phone: 203-226-4991
Telephone: 203-226-4991 Open: Daily, year-round
This preserve is home to an arboretum with 3 miles of walking trails. Special programs are scheduled on the site throughout the year. No admission fee.
Weir Farm National Historic Site
735 Nod Hill Road Wilton, CT Phone: 203-834-1896
Open: Year Round; April - October, daily; November - March, Mon - Fri
A national park that was the impressionist artist J. Alden Weir's summer home. The park hosts many exhibits and special programs. Visitors can enjoy fishing, hiking and nature trails.
Audubon Center of Greenwich
613 Riversville Road Greenwich, CT Phone: 203-869-5272
Open Year Round Monday - Sunday
This 285-acre nature sanctuary in the backcountry of Greenwich CT has 7 miles of walking trails, nature exhibit displays, a children's learning center, a nature gift shop and nature arts gallery. Nature programs year round for all ages, summer nature camp and school programs. Admission fee.
Bartlett Arboretum
151 Brookdale Road Stamford, CT Phone: 203-322-6971
Open: Daily, year round
Set on 63 acres. Visitors will find woodland and swamp environments, as well as a pond. There are several ecology trails, a swamp walk, library and greenhouse. No charge for admission.
Connecticut Audubon Society Birdcraft Museum
314 Unquowa Road Fairfield, CT 06824 Phone: 203-259-0416
Open: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
Historic (1914) museum highlights natural history of the state with dioramas, wildlife exhibits, and dinosaur footprints. Adjacent 6-acre sanctuary with trails. A National Historic Landmark, first nature center in America, on the Connecticut Women’s Heritage Trail. Admissions: Adults, $2; children, $1.
CT Audubon Society Nature Center
2325 Burr Street Fairfield, CT Phone: 203-259-6305
Open: Year round, Tuesday - Saturday
On this site visitors will find exhibits, a library and a gift shop. In addition, there is an injured bird compound where visitors can observe the treatment and recuperation of birds that have been harmed in the wild. The 160 acre Larsen Sanctuary has many trails that wind through the woods and around ponds, including walks for the blind, elderly and disabled.