An Afternoon in Stamford, Connecticut

Stamford, Connecticut, is a small city which is in the New York metropolitan area. It is known as the headquarters for WWE wrestling and for a slew of shiny skyscrapers that can be seen from Route 95. Today we are investigating another side of Stamford. Although it has a downtown full of shops and restaurants, it has a diverse geographic makeup. We’re heading out of the city and into nature.

Helen Altschul Preserve

To go far away from the glitz of downtown, make a trek to the little-known conservation area, the Helen Altschul Preserve. There are a few entrances into the park but one of the easiest is on Dundee Road. Pull into this neighborhood and look for a patch of woods between houses on the right-hand side of the road. Look for the small sign and you’re there.

This green space is the antithesis of metropolitan Stamford. Hidden even to many Stamford lifers, it is a perfect place to take a quiet walk. Descend down a hill and follow the path through a classic New England woodland. Up and over hills dotted with stone walls, this is a perfect place for serene contemplation. You’re likely to see few others here, so find yourself a fallen tree and take some time to enjoy the solitude and the wind rustling through the timbers. 

Stamford has many other wonderful conservation areas including Mianus River State Park and Bartlett Arboretum. Check out the Stamford Land Trust for a list of protected areas. 

Cove Island Park

Another park that is worth a visit is Cove Island Park. This is quite the opposite of Altschul Preserve. This is located on the shore of Long Island Sound and is a well-known place for a jaunt. Come for a seaside stroll with the breeze in your hair. The park is located at the end of Weed Avenue. Park either by the marina or across in the park itself. In the summertime, this is a beach but during other times of the year, just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the grass or in the sand. One of my favorite features is the pedestrian footbridge connecting both sides of the park. Bring along Fido since this is a popular puppy promenade. 

Half Full Brewing

Of course, Stamford has many other worthwhile places to visit, including the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, the Ferguson Library, and United House Wrecking, but our last stop for the afternoon is at, of course, a brewery. Half Full is a subterranean brewery close to the downtown but in a nondescript warehouse-esque building. The taproom is comfortable with a nice selection of house-made brews including IPAs, blonde ale, and sours. The brewery is located at 43 Homestead Avenue with a second location on Pacific Street known as Third Place.

An Afternoon in Stamford

As in any city, there is much to do in Stamford, Connecticut. For a bit of an off-the-beaten-path take on the city, including log sitting in the woods, a breezy seaside escapade, and a below-deck brewery, check out these recommendations for an afternoon in Stamford. There’s always Ole Mole to eat at too in town!
For more afternoons of fun, check out Bristol, Wrentham, or New Jersey.