Blake Walsh

20 Best Things to Do in Danbury, CT

  • Published 2022/09/05

Danbury, Connecticut, is arguably best known for one of Alfred Hitchcock’s most renowned films.

It combines New England charm with modern global appeal, and there is much to keep tourists amused.

This charming setting, along with the seemingly endless number of things to attempt, makes it an excellent location for people seeking adventure and enjoyment.

Now let’s look at the 20 best things to do in Danbury, Connecticut!

Go for a Walk at the Tarrywile Park & Mansion

View of Tarrywile Park & Mansion

Nancy Kennedy / Shutterstock.com

Whether hiking alone or with friends, this is a great place to take a long walk and unwind.

The park and mansion are spread across 700 acres, and there are several ponds, lakes, walkways, and numerous areas for picnics.

If you want to go hiking, there are more than 20 miles of paths in this park, all of which are free to use.

You’ll also find a couple of picnic spots and a beautiful lake tucked away in the forest.

View of Tarrywile Park & Mansion

Carlnlisa, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

You can also check out the park’s two historic homes, including the 19th-century Hearthstone Castle and the Shingle Style Mansion.

Both of these mansions are on an 11-acre property with a gatehouse and several other structures on exhibit that you will discover.

Buy Yourself a Meal at TK’s American Café

During its famed Tuesday Wing Nights, the café has served more than 15,000 chicken wings every week since it opened its doors in 1991.

Among the mild and hot wings to choose from are the classics, such as salt and vinegar, sweet Thai chili, and honey teriyaki.

Other options include Cajun ranch, tequila-infused Caribbean, and the restaurant’s renowned flavored Bushwacker extra hot wings, and many more.

There’s also a wide variety of shared bar snacks, baskets of fries, burgers, and sandwiches to share with your friends.

Have a Relaxing Weekend at the Westside Nature Preserve

Whether you’re seeking a restful haven following a hectic week or the hazy dawn of a warm summer day, the Westside Nature Preserve’s woods offers something for everyone.

Whenever the time of day and the year’s season vary, you will notice new and different things.

All About the Danbury Museum & Historical Society

Exterior view of Danbury Museum & Historical Society

Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Danbury Museum and Historical Society house a diverse collection of art.

It’s a private museum in Danbury, Connecticut, whose mission is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret the area’s history in teaching, information, and research.

It also has five unique buildings representing various periods in the town’s history, making it an intriguing site to visit if you are also curious to learn about the city’s history.

Huntington Hall, accessible Tuesday through Saturday, is where most of the museum’s exhibitions and displays are kept and may be seen.

You may take a guided tour of the other buildings every Saturday between 10 am and 3 pm.

Check Out the History of a Train Station at the Danbury Railway Museum

Interior view of the mail train at Danbury Railway Museum

Jennifer Yakey-Ault / Shutterstock.com

This historic railway museum is located in the center of Danbury, Connecticut.

Today, the train station has evolved from a thriving transportation center to a flourishing volunteer enterprise.

A Train in Danbury Railway Museum

Jennifer Yakey-Ault / Shutterstock.com

In addition to railroad history, tours, and train rides, the museum also has a collection of original and rebuilt rolling equipment, as well as chances for hands-on railroad work at a scale of “12 inches to the foot.”

The Museum and train yard are open daily throughout the year.

Every weekend between April and December, family-friendly train rides are available.

Restored train engine at Danbury Railway Museum

Jennifer Yakey-Ault / Shutterstock.com

Take Skating Classes at the Danbury Ice Arena

Danbury Ice Arena, located at 1 Independence Way in Danbury, Connecticut, should be on your list of potential destinations.

They provide activities for individuals of all ages and abilities, including public skating, skating, playing hockey, leagues, camps, and clinics.

They offer experienced instructors and employees for ice hockey, figure skating, and various other sports, and you may participate in their training programs.

A new café and bar, which offers craft beer, RTD drinks, and coffee, are also available here.

Produce Your Wine at the Shelter Rock Winery

If you’re good at making wine and want to share your knowledge with others, head over to Shelter Rock Winery.

The Petretta family has been manufacturing wine in Italy for almost 500 years, and Giovanni Petretta runs the Shelter Rock Winery in Danbury with his brothers and sister.

Customers may learn how to make artisan wine using cutting-edge technology from Giovanni Petretta, a wine industry veteran with more than a decade of expertise.

A passionate community of wine enthusiasts gathers at the Shelter Rock Winery in Danbury, Connecticut, where life, love, and wine are celebrated.

Have Some Fun at the Danbury Sports Dome

The Danbury Sports Dome is a 3.5-acre field enclosed within a 90-foot-high climate-controlled dome, the biggest on the East Coast at the time of construction.

It’s an indoor space where you can stroll, run, or perform fitness drills.

Anyone may utilize the dome’s track membership, which is free!

There are leagues for people who want to compete and leagues for those who want to have fun on the field with their friends and family.

Both sorts of gatherings may be accommodated in the dome.

Aside from established soccer, softball, and lacrosse leagues, you may also rent out the fields for your team or group of friends!

Treat Yourself at the Danbury Fair Mall

Outside View of Danbury Fair Mall

Mike Kalasnik from Jersey City, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When planning a trip to another nation, it is impossible to avoid visiting malls since everyone would be eager to see how the institution differs from the malls in their city.

Aside from being one of New England’s largest shopping centers, Danbury Fair Mall is also home to the region’s most extraordinary collection of restaurants and entertainment facilities, as well as a variety of stores and food businesses.

Inside View of Danbury Fair Mall

Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Apple, lululemon, Anthropologie, Macy’s, and Pottery Barn are just a few of the well-known companies that can be found in the heart of southwest Connecticut.

Hungry customers may choose from a selection of delicious eateries, including The Cheesecake Factory, Chick-Fil-A, Chipotle, Starbucks, Papa-T, and many other alternatives.

Visitors shopping at Danbury Fair Mall

Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Catch the World-Class Performances at the Musicals at Richter

The Musicals at Richter, located in the hills of Western Connecticut, serves as the picturesque background for over 80 musicals.

They also strive to provide high-quality musical theater, operettas, music revues, and children’s theater to all audiences interested in the performing arts.

Musical and theatrical performances from iconic movies, such as Titanic, Legally Blonde, Into the Woods, Shrek, Disney classics, etc., are available here.

Try Fresh Beers From the Charter Oak Brewing Company

If you like drinking beers and want to try something different from the norm, here is the spot for you.

The Charter Oak Brewing Company handcrafts all-natural ingredients, resulting in the most delicious, fresh beers available.

Their primary goal is to brew each type of craft beer in small batches regularly.

It is brewed to style, focusing on well-balanced, rich flavor and copious amounts of hops.

The products, however, may only be purchased by persons above the age of 21.

Unwind at the Bear Mountain Reservation

Bear Mountain Reservation is located in Danbury, Connecticut.

There are numerous side trails to explore, and they all eventually connect back to the red route.

The orange route descends to the beaches of Candlewood Lake, providing a gorgeous view of the lake.

You’ll get a good workout if you do both the red path and the orange trail.

The walk down to the lake’s shore is a little steep and rough, so you must keep an eye on your step.

This location is ideal for taking a breather, meditating, or treating oneself before returning to the zone where reality sets in.

Be Adventurous at the Wooster Mountain State Park

Wooster Mountain State Park is an undeveloped public recreation area inside the municipal limits of Danbury, Connecticut.

View of Wooster Mountain State Park

Sphilbrick, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The state park is managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and is perfect for people seeking adventure and learning about the area.

You may engage in leisure activities, such as hiking, hunting, and shooting, when you visit this region.

It’s perfect for a family outing or a group of friends, but you may go alone if you want!

Visit a Gallery at the Still River Editions

You may also view the work of professional photographers, painters, art publishers, historical societies, galleries, museums, printmakers, interior designers, and devoted fans in this gallery.

The major goal of the gallery is to display traditional and digital prints of photography and fine art.

The gallery holds quarterly exhibits with open receptions with the artists, which are always free and open to the public.

The prints may be made in color or black and white, and the average individual will have difficulty distinguishing between the excellent copies and original artwork.

This is great since it allows all art lovers to experience the works of famous artists and skilled photographers.

They can even make your treasured antique photographs look as good as new ones!

Still River Editions’ Gallery is located at 128 East Liberty Street, Suite 3, Danbury, Connecticut.

Experience Some Adventure at the Thrillz High Flying Adventure Park

In Danbury, Connecticut, an indoor action-adventure park for fans of adventure games opened its doors to the public for the first time.

It’s the first of its type in the world, and it’s unique.

Rock climbing walls, trampoline launch pads, ninja courses, and gigantic rotating sweepers are just a few of the exciting activities available here.

Furthermore, there is a virtual reality roller coaster, an ax-throwing range, and an E-sports gaming room for Xbox and other games, as well as next-generation laser tag.

If you’re planning a birthday party, a group trip, or a business team-building event, you should consider Thrillz High Flying Adventure Park.

Watch an Inspiring Performance at Ives Concert Park

Ives Concert Park is a prominent, top-notch performing arts venue.

Ives Concert Park, hidden away in a lush haven of stunning features on Danbury’s west side, welcomes well-known performers in various musical and theatrical genres.

Visitors can find a pond, gorgeous flowers, and public hiking paths on the 40 forested acres where the magnificent outdoor theater is located.

The venue, which bears the name of renowned local composer Charles Edward Ives, honors its illustrious tradition in classical music while recognizing the continued development of the live performance medium.

It represents the broad, ethnic neighborhood it is located and embraces the distinctive qualities artists and fans bring to the venue, with performances ranging from inspiring to instructive.

Perfect Your Golf Skills at Richter Park Golf Course

The Richter Park Golf Course, a gorgeous 18-hole golfing facility boasting 14 water features, was established by golfer and architect Edward Ryder.

Even though the golf course is accessible to the locals and tourists, everyone must wear proper golf attire and carry their pair of clubs.

Players may rent clubs on the business grounds.

Players can finish the entire course in less than five hours, and if they need to, they can lease golf carts.

You may perfect your skills on two training grounds, and golfers of all skill sets can receive personalized lessons there.

National, regional, and club championships are at this golf course.

Repair a Picture at Still River Editions

Still River Editions in Danbury, Connecticut, has been providing lasting, graphic art digitized giclée reproductions in hues of black & white since 1987.

They also provide scanning for flat artwork and pictures, digital image repair, and retouching.

They specialize in the finest giclées, from full display printing to individual prints, on fine art materials or canvas.

Customers will learn that it is often difficult for typical individuals to distinguish between excellent prints and authentic rare art.

It makes it possible for everyone who enjoys art to admire the creations of well-known painters and skilled shooters for a tenth of the price of the actual products.

They may even make your treasured old images appear brand new.

Exercise and Complete the Ives Trail Greenway

The Ives Path Greenway is a 20-mile hiking trail that runs across Bennett’s Pond in Ridgefield to Redding Open Space and is named for Charles Ives, an American modernist composer.

The Ives Trail Greenway is mostly utilized for picnics, hiking, and backcountry camping.

The path traverses public and personal grounds, passing four communities, and features a variety of topography, from gently sloping hills to cliffs.

The path has a few sections that new hikers should avoid.

The path is off-limits to motorized vehicles; however, some portions are open to horses and mountain bikers.

Visit Veterans Walkway of Honor

The Veterans Walkway of Honor, situated at the Danbury War Memorial, was created in 2012.

It is a permanent memorial pathway surrounded by bricks bearing the names of remarkable men and women who have serviced their wonderful homeland.

The American soldiers’ names, titles, and military branches are listed on bricks that border the pathway.

Several veteran-related charities received some of the earnings.

Final Thoughts

Danbury, Connecticut, has magnificent vistas, hiking trails, museums, and theaters.

Given the numerous outdoor activities available here, you may find yourself having a great time while admiring nature’s beauties.

When it comes to fantastic vacation spots, consider a trip to Danbury in your itinerary.

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