Science and nature attractions in Fairfield CT can enrich your vacation

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.

Devil's Den Preserve

33 Pent Road Weston, CT Phone: 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

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.

Ordway Preserve

165 Goodhill Weston, CT Phone: 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.

Rolnick Observatory

182 Bayberry Lane Westport, CT Phone: 203-227-0925

Open: Year-round, Wednesday and Thursday evenings

Sponsored by the Westport Astronomical Society. Call ahead, no admission charge.

Stamford Museum & Nature Center

39 Scofieldtown Road Stamford, CT 06903 Phone: 203-322-1646

Open: Monday-Saturday and holidays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Main Building galleries closed Mondays January to March.

Experience nature, science and the outdoors at this 118-acre site. Includes New England working farm, hiking trails, picnic area, nature's playground, boardwalk (accessible to wheelchairs), galleries for interactive exhibitions with hands-on area for children, two stores, special events, planetarium. Observatory Friday evenings (weather permitting). Admission: Adults, $6; seniors and children age 4 to 14, $5.

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.

Woodcock Nature Center

56 Deer Run Road Ridgefield, CT Phone: 203-762-7280

Set on 146 acres, the nature center has numerous walking and hiking trails. The area offers great opportunities for birdwatching and observation of geology. Regular walks and programs are scheduled throughout the year. Gift shop on the premises.

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.

Boothe Memorial Astronomical Society

Stratford, CT

We invite you to visit our site and sign our guestbook!

Bowman Observatory

Millbank and East Elm Streets Greenwich, CT Phone: 203-869-0376

Open: Year round, 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month

There is no charge for admission. Sponsored by the Astronomical Society of Greenwich.

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.