Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Danbury, CT

Recently recognized by USA Today as one of the most livable locations in America, Danbury is a compact city situated near the southern shore of the affluent Candlewood Lake.

This area lies in the southern foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, characterized by peaks exceeding 900 feet, cloaked in lush forests.

Danbury evokes thoughts of outdoor recreation and vibrant fall foliage. The city boasts an array of parks and safeguarded natural areas, offering ample opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and boating, or simply enjoying the warmth of the sun during summer.

Additionally, Danbury is home to a professional ice hockey team and a farm where visitors can enjoy apple and pumpkin picking in the fall. Furthermore, one of New England’s premier upscale malls is conveniently located within the city.

Let us delve into the top attractions in Danbury:

1. Tarrywile Park & Mansion

Tarrywile Park & Mansion transcends the typical urban park, encompassing 722 acres of undulating greenery that once served as a farm and orchard.

Its true distinction lies in the charming historic properties within its boundaries. The most notable is the Shingle Style Tarrywile Mansion, constructed in 1897.

This refined building is available for guided tours by appointment and is also rented for weddings and special events.

Another significant structure in the park is the Gothic Revival Hearthstone Castle, established in 1899 and currently under restoration.

During spring and summer, visitors can stroll through the flower garden, while the picnic area offers a serene orchard setting. The park’s extensive trails provide an opportunity to escape into the forest, ensuring coolness even on hot summer days.

The Children’s Garden features a pond populated with koi and bullfrogs, and yoga sessions take place in the park every Sunday morning from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

2. Danbury Railway Museum

Source: Danbury Railway Museum / facebook

Located at the historic Union Station on the Danbury Branch of the Metro-North Railroad, this museum narrates the history of railroads in southern New England and adjacent New York.

The station, dating back to 1903, ceased operations in 1993 as a new station was constructed nearby. It is a distinguished edifice exhibiting Richardsonian Romanesque architecture with Colonial Revival details.

Both the station and the six-acre railyard are a treasure for railroad enthusiasts, featuring over 70 historic pieces of equipment and artifacts.

Outdoor rolling stock is also on display, including the impressive Boston & Maine 1455 Steam Locomotive (1907), which allows exploration of various cars.

Train rides are available on weekends from April through November, accompanied by a year-round calendar of special events.

3. Danbury Museum & Historical Society

Source: en.wikipedia.org

For a deeper connection to the region, visit this museum on Main Street, which conserves a collection of five historic buildings.

The contemporary structure, Huntington Hall, completed in 1963, houses the offices, gift shop, and library. The historical buildings include the John Rider House (1785), John Dodd Hat Shop (1790), the Little Red Schoolhouse (late 18th century), and the Marian Anderson Studio.

The latter served as a studio for the renowned operatic contralto Marian Anderson (1897-1993), who resided in Danbury for over fifty years.

During my visit, the museum was open from Wednesday to Saturday. For comprehensive guided tours, plan your visit on Friday or Saturday.

The museum also functions as a community hub for various local societies and organizes a well-received cursive camp in July for children and their guardians.

4. Candlewood Lake

Source: tmphoto98 / shutterstock

This reservoir was established in the 1920s through the construction of a hydroelectric dam at the confluence of the Housatonic and Rocky Rivers. Candlewood Lake spans over 5,400 acres, making it the largest lake in Connecticut.

This splendid body of water lies to the north of Danbury and is understandably sought after for its stunning natural scenery. It is not surprising that some of Connecticut’s most valuable properties are located along its shores.

Along its 60 miles of shoreline, one can find small resorts that include golf courses, beaches, and marinas.

At the lake’s southern shore, just a few miles from Danbury’s center, lies the 11-acre Candlewood Town Park, which features a beach, picnic areas, a playground, and a boat dock all set within beautiful surroundings.

5. Downtown Danbury

The remarkable revitalization of Danbury’s downtown area is evident, particularly in recent years. During my last visit, a burgeoning community of local enterprises thrived in the historic storefronts along Main Street.

For an optimal experience, consider timing your visit for the first Saturday in June, when the Street Festival takes place. This annual event has been celebrated for over three decades and showcases local artisans, food trucks, and interactive exhibits.

A short distance away, the City Center Green is the venue for Danbury’s eagerly awaited summer concert series. The green also hosts the city’s farmers’ market every Saturday morning, from late June through October.

6. Blue Jay Orchards

Source: Blue Jay Orchards / facebook

Experience a delightful day in late summer or autumn at this 140-acre orchard and market, where you can pick your own apples and enjoy a nostalgic hayride to the pumpkin patch.

From early September to late October, a variety of apples are ripe for picking, including the sweet and juicy Galas early in the season, the crisp Braeburns later on, and the tart Granny Smiths towards the end.

Blue Jay Orchards cultivates 15 different apple varieties, and you can plan your visit accordingly by checking their website for availability.

While visiting, take a moment to explore the farm market, known for its jams, jellies, pastries, pies, and cookies. Visitors often travel considerable distances for the renowned cider and apple cider donuts, which are quite irresistible.

7. Danbury Fair Mall

Source: jjbers / Flickr

Danbury is home to the second-largest shopping mall in Connecticut, which ranks as the fifth-largest in New England.

Conveniently situated just off I-84, across from Danbury Municipal Airport, Danbury Fair features nearly 200 retail stores and services.

The majority consist of midmarket and upscale retailers such as Banana Republic, Macy’s, L.L. Bean, Gap, H&M, Michael Kors, and Abercrombie & Fitch.

A sizeable branch of the fast fashion retailer Primark is also located on the upper level of the former Sears store.

Notably, the mall was established on the site of a historic fairground, capturing that spirit with SummerStage, a program of outdoor concerts, crafts, and children’s activities during July and August.

8. Bear Mountain Reservation

Source: www.danbury-ct.gov

Situated north of the urban center, Bear Mountain Reservation offers another way to experience Candlewood Lake amid suburban surroundings.

This rocky terrain features twisting trails, providing access to stunning views of the lake while guiding visitors through dense woodlands and open meadows.

There are ten color-coordinated trails, with the longest being the Red Trail, measuring 1.7 miles. During my last visit, a new exercise station had just been installed at the trailhead.

9. Collis P. Huntington State Park

Source: Emily Read / Flickr

Named after the 19th-century railroad magnate Collis Potter Huntington, this state park encompasses 1,000 acres, made possible by land donated by his heirs in the 1970s.

The park’s landscape was designed earlier, during the turn of the 20th century, and features five man-made ponds, a network of trails, and a small stone lighthouse still standing on one of the islands.

Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by lifelike sculptures of bears and wolves, crafted by renowned sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington (1876-1973), who had her studio here.

Guests can engage in hiking, canoeing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing in the winter months. Autumn and early winter designate bow-hunting season, so it is advisable to refer to the park’s website if you plan to enjoy the fall foliage.

10. Hemlock Hills

In the beautiful and undulating landscape just beyond the Danbury Fair Mall lies a series of interconnected natural spaces. This expanse commences in the west with Hemlock Hills and extends eastward through Pine Mountain, Bennett’s Pond State Park, and the Wooster Mountain State Park Scenic Preserve.

With elevations just exceeding 900 feet, this densely wooded area is part of the southern foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, which extend from western Connecticut through Massachusetts and into Vermont.

The parks are interlinked by a network of walking trails, including the Yellow and Red Trails, linking Hemlock Hills with Pine Mountain.

I found both trails to be challenging yet suitable for families, providing access to stunning viewpoints.

The Red Trail intersects with the Blue Trail, leading to the 56-acre Bennett’s Pond, which is surrounded by pristine forest, ideal for fishing and mountain biking along its shores.

11. Ives Trail & Greenway

Source: Ives Trail & Greenway / facebook

Accessible without venturing far from Danbury, the Ives Trail & Greenway spans 20 miles; traversing through rugged terrain south of the city.

Ideal for more seasoned hikers, the trail begins at Bennett’s Pond in Ridgefield, guiding you through protected areas of Danbury’s southern reaches, extending into Bethel, and concluding in Redding.

Near the trail’s start in Ridgefield, you will encounter remarkable glacial erratics, massive boulders deposited at the end of the last Ice Age.

Among the most memorable features is the overlook at Charles Ives’ preserved cabin, perched atop a peak, providing breathtaking views of the rolling forest.

12. Richter Park Golf Course

Source: Richter Park Golf Course / facebook

Danbury’s municipal golf course is well regarded as the finest in the Tri-State area and is situated along the western shores of the West Lake Reservoir.

While greens fees are slightly higher for non-residents, they include a complimentary cart and a small bag of balls for the new driving range.

The scenery is breathtaking, with wildflowers in bloom during spring, and I can only imagine how stunning it becomes in fall.

The challenging 18-hole, par 71 course, designed by Edward Ryder, features undulating fairways. Notably, 14 of the 18 holes include water hazards, and the greens are protected by 49 recently renovated bunkers.

13. Danbury Ice Arena

Source: Danbury Ice Arena / facebook

Open daily, Danbury Ice Arena provides an excellent option for engaging in activities during inclement weather.

Established in 1999 and significantly expanded in 2004, the facility hosts special classes each week to enhance skating and puck-handling skills, along with youth leagues for children.

Over the past two decades, various professional teams have called this 3,000-capacity venue home.

The Danbury Whalers, formerly part of the NHL when based in Hartford, played five seasons here until 2015.

At the time of writing, the current team is the Danbury Hat Tricks, named in honor of the city’s hat-making heritage, competing in the Federal Prospects Hockey League against other Eastern franchises.

14. Squantz Pond State Park

Source: Jay Ondreicka / shutterstock

Situated just minutes north of Danbury, near the western bank of Candlewood Lake, Squantz Pond is a delightful destination during the summer months, offering swimming, motor-boating, and fishing opportunities on this 270-acre water body, created when the reservoir was filled in the 1920s.

The park also features a nature center, picnic areas, and a site for canoe and kayak rentals. Trails on the west side lead into the elevated terrain of the Pootatuck State Forest.

Follow the Blue Trail to reach a scenic overlook where you can enjoy views of the pond and Candlewood Lake beyond. Fall is undoubtedly a spectacular time to visit, as the vibrant colors are truly breathtaking.

15. Ives Concert Park

Source: wcmickle / Flickr

This scenic park adjacent to Western Connecticut State University, located west of Danbury, is named after the Modernist composer Charles Ives (1874-1954), who was born in the city.

Ives Concert Park celebrates this cultural heritage by hosting a variety of concerts and theatrical performances at its amphitheater during summer weekends.

This event series attracts over 60,000 attendees and is the sole stage in the vicinity dedicated to live entertainment. Be sure to look out for the annual reggae and Ecuadorian festivals, both of which are highly enjoyable.

The park’s 40 acres are open to visitors during the week for leisurely strolls through the gardens and along public hiking trails. Throughout the summer, yoga sessions are offered during sunset, with details shared on the park’s website.