happyly approved

Stamford Nature Center

Stamford Museum & Nature Center, Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, CT, USA

Mon-Sun, 9 to 5; the museum opens at 11 on Sundays

$$

hikes, road-trips, run, outdoor-adventures

Make your way to Stamford for an outdoor adventure for the whole family!

An easy forty-five-minute drive from New York, the Stamford Nature Center in Stamford, CT is a fantastic day trip out of the city! It’s a short enough distance from downtown Manhattan to merit a day trip as long as you time things right with traffic.

Arrive early, because there is lots to do! First up is the museum, housed in an impressive historic structure just off the parking lot. Older children will enjoy the well-curated but manageable size of the exhibits, and the nature themes will appeal to younger children. We were just in time for the opening of an exhibit about birds in art on our last visit.

But the real draw here is the outdoors. First, we headed across the white bridge and pond, both beautiful no matter the season or weather. The center boasts 80 acres of land, with miles of nature trails to walk. Keep an eye out for foxes, deer, or woodpeckers! Even better is a “nature playground” for children to explore, including a kid-sized bird’s nest, hollow log to scamper through, a treehouse to climb, and lots of mud to get good and dirty. Any budding archaeologists can even dig for fossils in the sandpit.

Once the kids are thoroughly played out, head up the hill to visit resident farm animals, including a shaggy cow, guinea hogs, and the biggest horse we’ve ever seen. There is also an indoor nature center, with animals divided by biome.

The center is home to various special events throughout the year, including maple syrup tapping in the winter, egg hunts in the spring, and so much more.

Clean restrooms are on site, and there are a few snacks available for purchase at the gift shop.

Features

Good for All Ages Interactive Activities Nature Center
Thoughtfully captured by:
Rebecca Lemaitre
More activities by Rebecca
One of the largest, oldest botanical gardens in the United States.
Elevated garden, public park, and walking path on Manhattan's West Side.
New York City's largest remaining working farm!

Recommended Gear