Fairfield is a small coastal town along the Long Island Sound in Connecticut.
It may lack in size, but it’s packed with charm and excitement, making it an idyllic location for rest and recreation.
This town is part of Fairfield County and is home to over 61,000 inhabitants.
It has numerous beaches, perfect for refreshing your mind and body from stressful city life.
Meanwhile, Fairfield’s downtown area is home to an eclectic collection of local boutiques, eateries, shops, art galleries, and entertainment venues.
Outside its charming downtown are pristine natural areas filled with outdoor recreational opportunities.
Regardless of your travel interests, Fairfield has something fun and fascinating for you.
If you need more convincing, here are the best things to do in Fairfield, Connecticut:
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Located along South Benson Road, Jennings Beach is the most famous beach in Fairfield.
It mainly highlights a curving pristine white sand beach and a quiet residential area nearby.
The sandy beach spans over 27 acres and offers a scenic view of Long Island Sound.
It’s a gorgeous place to spend your day, whether you want to get a tan or swim in pristine waters.
During summer nights, Jennings Beach comes alive with concerts and dance parties you can join with the locals.
It also hosts cozier activities, such as movie nights, where you can bring your blanket and picnic basket.
Fairfield Museum and History Center, located along Beach Road, is run by the century-old Fairfield Historical Society.
This 13-square-foot museum mainly features Fairfield’s rich and fascinating history.
There are fascinating exhibits, collections, galleries, and a library that provides all the information about the town’s backstory.
At the same time, you can visit the 80-seater theater and its family education center.
Besides museum tours, Fairfield Museum and History Center offers various activities and programs, including scavenger hunts, Holiday Express Train Show, Halloween Spooky Stroll, and its Vacation Camp.
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Off the shores of Fairfield is a tiny man-made islet where you’ll find Penfield Reef Lighthouse.
This historical lighthouse, constructed in 1874, was once a crucial guide for sailors along Long Island Sound.
Despite the lighthouse’s presence, numerous accidents occurred there, particularly the series of Blue line barges that ran aground on its reef.
Today, a private entity owns Penfield Reef Lighthouse, making it off-limits for visitors.
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However, you can still look at the lighthouse from a distance.
More fascinatingly, you can ask Fairfield locals about the creepy story of this lighthouse.
It’s been a common urban legend in town about the lighthouse’s haunted reputation, wherein the ghost of its old keeper still lingers on its premises and is often seen by locals from time to time.
Fairfield isn’t just known for its pristine beaches.
It’s also home to the calm and picturesque Lake Mohegan.
You can visit this 170-acre body of water off Morehouse Highway.
This lake is most famous as a swimming area for locals.
During summer, many of Fairfield’s locals flock to this freshwater lake to cool down and enjoy its sceneries without driving far off town.
Besides swimming, Lake Mohegan boasts a hiking trail that meanders through the lake.
The hike takes you to the lake’s most scenic areas, making it a perfect spot for nature photography and sightseeing.
Like the town’s beaches, this lake has sandy shores and plenty of natural shade from its surrounding forest.
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The Fairfield University Art Museum is a fascinating place to discover the local arts scene.
You can visit this museum along Barlow Road within the Fairfield University premises.
This museum has two spaces, the Walsh Gallery and the Bellarmine Hall Galleries.
Each gallery features a vast collection of permanent and rotating art exhibits.
You must see the permanent exhibit featuring American and European paintings dating back centuries.
You’ll also come across the 10 Baroque and Renaissance paintings from Samuel H. Kress.
The display includes photographs, plaster casts, and artworks from Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
The Fairfield University Art Museum has enough collections to make you spend your entire day browsing through its magnificent artworks.
Drop by the Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery at the Quick Center for the Arts inside Fairfield University.
This art gallery welcomes tens of thousands of visitors annually by treating them to a unique art experience featuring performing, visual and literary arts since 1990.
Also called the “White Cube” gallery, it mainly offers visitors its exhibitions and galleries that don’t just display artworks but also provide visitors with direct engagement.
They offer interactive programs for visitors to appreciate various arts.
You’re guaranteed a blissful experience visiting the Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery, especially if you’re a huge art fan.
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When Jennings Beach gets too packed with beachgoers, you can always head to Penfield Beach.
You can find this beach along Fairfield Beach Road if you plan to bask under the sun or go for a swim.
This beach mainly features a long stretch of beach area that overlooks the Long Island Sound.
It has numerous facilities, such as the Penfield complex, a banquet facility, sailboat launches, and a covered deck.
Since it has picnic tables and barbeque pits, you can enjoy a picnic with your travel buddies or family at Penfield Beach.
At the same time, kids can also have fun at The Sandy Ground: Where Angels Play Project, which honors the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting victims.
The Warehouse at FTC is an events venue along Sanford Street.
It’s where most of the town’s concerts, parties, and live performances happen.
The venue can accommodate as many as 640 people for its regular shows, such as concerts and parties.
It’s a favorite place among locals to catch local artists and bands singing their original music and covers, making it an ideal place to hang out.
If you’re looking for a place to party or watch concerts while visiting Fairfield, the Warehouse at FTC is your go-to place.
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Roy and Margot Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary is a 155-acre pristine natural area teeming with local flora and fauna.
Head to Burr Street to visit this wildlife sanctuary and enjoy various outdoor and nature-related activities.
Hike through its seven-mile trail and see various local wildlife and plants through self-guided or group tours.
Hundreds of species of animals and plants thrive at this wildlife sanctuary, including Eastern Screech Owls, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Eastern Phoebes, Eastern Box Turtle, White-Tailed Deer, Red Fox, American Mink, and many more.
While hiking, you’ll also learn fascinating things through interpretive signs.
In addition, it has numerous observation platforms, bridges, and boardwalks to provide you with the most scenic views of the wildlife sanctuary.
Visit Roy and Margot Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary for a memorable outdoor activity with nature.
The Quick Center for the Arts is a significant center for arts and theaters at Fairfield University.
This arts center is an excellent place to enroll or witness how this institution runs its programs.
It features various performing arts programs such as classical music, popular music, theater, dance, and other related programs for youngsters.
If you believe you have a hidden talent in arts, you should drop by the Quick Center for the Arts and learn about its program.
You’ll also enjoy watching performances such as theatrical, musical, and dance shows.
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The Connecticut Audubon Society Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary is a natural area spanning over 10 acres.
Fairfield philanthropist Annie Burr Jennings donated this piece of land in 1914.
You can visit this natural attraction along Unquowa Road.
It mainly features its pristine natural area, home to various bird species, some native to the region.
Visiting this place lets you explore gardens and ponds, which are home to over a hundred plant species to attract birdlife and butterflies.
One of the must-visit sections of the Connecticut Audubon Society Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary is the pavilion and its teaching bridge.
It mainly provides a scenic view of the sanctuary’s pristine beauty.
Meanwhile, you can proceed to its museum, which displays old dioramas representing Connecticut’s rich biodiversity.
The sanctuary is a worthwhile and charming place to connect with nature and enjoy various outdoor activities.
Gould Manor Park, located along Holland Hill and Crestwood Road, features a steep bank and a thicket home to various wildlife.
If you’re an avid birdwatcher, don’t forget to bring your binoculars when visiting the town.
You’ll likely find yourself camouflaging on the tall grass of this park to spot geese, herons, and other waterfowl hanging out on its pond.
At the same time, deer often drink on the pond, especially when there are fewer parkgoers.
Besides waterfowl and deer, there are also turtles thriving in this park.
Meanwhile, anglers love to cast their line at Gould Manor Park’s pond to catch some trout.
Fairfield’s neighboring towns and cities have their unique attractions making it equally exciting to visit.
Check out the best places to explore near Fairfield.
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Twelve minutes from Fairfield, Black Rock Harbor is a historical area that served as a significant commercial port back in the day in Bridgeport.
It’s an excellent place to dig for more historical facts about Fairfield County.
Its seaside park once served as a port for trade and shipbuilding in the 1800s.
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Today, it serves as a recreational harbor wherein locals enjoy fishing, strolling, and sightseeing.
Explore the harbor to learn about its fascinating backstory.
At the same time, enjoy birdwatching in the area or stroll and enjoy its pristine view of the Long Island Sound.
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The Sacred Heart University’s Discovery Science Center and Planetarium is a fascinating place to learn about the vast outer space and the celestial bodies.
It’s located 15 minutes northeast of Fairfield in Bridgeport.
The entire attraction spans three stories of interactive exhibits offering to play and learn for everyone.
You and your kids will likely come across huge replicas of the planets of our solar system, space crafts, space suits, and other related stuff, making it an exciting place to visit.
Visit Sacred Heart University’s Discovery Science Center and Planetarium for a spectacular experience.
Silverman’s Farm is a unique attraction that lets you feed animals, pick fruits, and harvest vegetables for a complete farm life experience.
This place is 18 minutes northeast of Fairfield in Easton.
Historically, this family-owned farm attraction has been running since the early 1920s and remains a famous place for everyone to visit.
After serving as a full-time farm, the owners transformed their farm into an attraction in the 1980s wherein visitors could pet and feed farm animals.
At the same time, they let the visitors pick fruits through their orchards and many more farm-related activities to enjoy.
Experience the simple but fulfilling farm life experience at Silverman’s Farm.
Fairfield offers a long stretch of coastal areas and beaches, making it an excellent place to relieve stress.
It’s also a magnificent place to connect with nature and explore historical attractions.
So, consider this town as your next travel destination and enjoy the best things to do in Fairfield, Connecticut.
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