Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Fairfield, CT

Summary

Jennings Beach
Fairfield Historic District
Fairfield Museum and History Center
Penfield Beach
Lake Mohegan Recreation Area
Fairfield University Art Museum
Quick Center for the Arts
Connecticut Audubon Society Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary
Sasco Beach
Greenfield Hill Historic District
The Warehouse at FTC
Rock Climb Fairfield
Perry’s Mill Ponds Open Space Area
Gould Manor Park
Westport Astronomical Society (WAS)

Fairfield, a prosperous town along Connecticut’s Gold Coast, is distinguished by its charming beaches on Long Island Sound and its historic neighborhoods situated around picturesque town greens.

During the summer, Jennings Beach transforms into a vibrant destination for leisure, featuring food trucks and family movie screenings on Friday evenings.

Fairfield University contributes to the cultural fabric of the area through the Quick Center for the Arts, which presents a series of live performances and discussions with cultural figures.

A personal favorite is the downtown area, where a selection of restaurants and unique shops is nestled among 18th-century architecture.

The Fairfield University Art Museum warrants a visit for its compelling collection of Renaissance and Baroque artworks, in addition to plaster casts of renowned ancient sculptures.

Let us examine the premier attractions in Fairfield:

1. Jennings Beach

The expansive Jennings Beach presents a long, wide shoreline, gently curved and backed by serene residential neighborhoods. This beach, oriented to the east, features a fishing pier at the mouth of Ash Creek to its northernmost point.

This idyllic location is perfect for enjoying summer hours, with calm, shallow waters ideal for children’s safe enjoyment.

During summer evenings, Jennings Beach often hosts lively events, such as the popular Sand Jam Family Dance, followed by an outdoor movie screening, so attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket and a picnic.

A potential drawback is that access to the parking lot requires a resident beach sticker or incurs a substantial fee; thus, parking downtown may be a viable alternative.

2. Fairfield Historic District

Fairfield’s historic center is located along the Old Post Road, extending from Turney Road to U.S. Route 1.

Inscribed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1971, the district features a collection of 75 notable buildings, many of which date back to the 18th century, evoking a sense of historical appreciation.

The area includes the town hall, topped with a cupola, a quintessential New England Town Green, the public library, and an array of remarkable historic homes.

Prominent structures include the Rising Sun Tavern at 1 Town Hall Green, established in 1783, and the Silliman House at 543 Old Post Road, constructed in 1791, which once served as the residence of two congressmen during the early 19th century (Jonathan Sturges and his son, Lewis Burr Sturges).

Fairfield’s thriving downtown, situated along U.S. Route 1, boasts numerous upscale restaurants and boutiques spanning from Beach Road to Ruane Street.

3. Fairfield Museum and History Center

Located adjacent to the Town Green, this museum features temporary exhibitions that illuminate Fairfield’s history.

The Fairfield Museum and History Center includes the museum building, several galleries, a research library and reading room, and an 80-seat theater within the Town Green.

During a recent visit in the fall, I experienced the intriguing exhibition “Dearly Departed: Mourning & Memory,” which presented how local residents have grappled with the theme of mortality through art, costumes, artifacts, and memorabilia.

The Fairfield Historical Society oversees various local properties, including the David Ogden House, a saltbox house dating from 1750, which opens to the public on Sunday afternoons from early June until the end of September.

4. Penfield Beach

Traveling southward from Jennings Beach, you’ll arrive at Penfield Beach, a captivating stretch of sand covering 3.5 acres and equipped with a variety of amenities. Walking from downtown, this location can usually be reached within 20 minutes.

Situated along the serene Long Island Sound, Penfield Beach features pristine sand that is carefully maintained during the summer season. The beach offers facilities such as a swing set, lockers, a large covered deck, picnic tables, and grills, all available on a first-come, first-served basis.

On a poignant note, Penfield Beach includes a play area that was constructed as part of the Sandy Ground: Where Angels Play project, which honors the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012 and celebrates the life of Jessica Rekos.

5. Lake Mohegan Recreation Area

If swimming in Long Island Sound is not preferred, the tranquil Lake Mohegan provides an excellent alternative, nestled within over 170 acres of reclaimed parkland.

The expansive sandy beach, supervised by lifeguards during summer, features a designated swimming area marked with ropes indicating depth.

Fairfield Parks and Recreation offers swimming lessons for children starting as young as four years old within these waters.

Adjacent to the lake lies a children’s sprinkler park complete with misters and spouts, perfect for keeping kids cool during warm days.

Surrounding the lake, there are notable hiking trails (dogs are allowed off-leash), guiding outdoor enthusiasts over creeks and by small waterfalls; sturdy footwear is advisable due to the rugged terrain.

6. Fairfield University Art Museum

For a taste of high culture, the Fairfield University Art Museum is located within the elegant Bellarmine Hall, constructed in 1921. The galleries are accessible from Tuesday to Thursday during summer and Tuesday to Saturday for the remainder of the year.

The Meditz Gallery showcases Italian Renaissance and Baroque paintings, designed to emulate an early-Christian basilica.

Adjacent to this hall is the university’s captivating collection of historic plaster casts of significant sculptures, featuring pieces from Ancient Greece and Rome, including artifacts from the Parthenon.

Additionally, the museum features an exhibition of African masks, pre-Columbian vessels, and sculptures from Southeast Asia. Notably, a facsimile of the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript created at a Columban monastery in Britain or Ireland during the 9th century, is also on display.

One striking aspect on the Bellarmine Lawn is a series of oversized sculptures representing leaves from New England trees, created by Alan Sonfist to raise awareness about conservation.

7. Quick Center for the Arts

The cultural hub of Fairfield University, the Quick Center for the Arts was established in 1990, accommodating audiences of up to 740. The center offers a dynamic roster of theater, classical and contemporary music, dance, discussions, and programs for children.

This venue annually hosts the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Furthermore, it serves as the home for the Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut and the Live Music Project, a unique conductorless orchestra.

The calendar features regular screenings from The Metropolitan Opera, and I personally attended Verdi’s Nabucco, along with performances from London’s National Theatre. Also noteworthy are the riveting lectures provided through the university’s Open Visions program.

In recent years, notable guests have included director Spike Lee, who discussed the impact of his groundbreaking film, Do the Right Thing (1989).

8. Connecticut Audubon Society Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary

Founded in 1914 by Mabel Osgood Wright, a notable figure in the early Audubon movement, Fairfield is home to the oldest private songbird sanctuary in the United States.

This sanctuary encompasses six acres featuring a pond and meticulously designed gardens intended to attract avian life (with over 120 species recorded) and butterflies.

The teaching bridge and pavilion situated at a bend within the sanctuary provide a picturesque vantage point for appreciating the surroundings.

The museum showcases vintage dioramas with mounted animals, vividly depicting Connecticut’s biodiversity as observed in the early 20th century.

Among the many programs offered, Naturalist Training is an eight-week series designed to enhance knowledge regarding Connecticut’s flora and fauna.

9. Sasco Beach

Located just west of Kensie Point and south of the Country Club of Fairfield, this 10-acre beach offers a more secluded and serene experience compared to other local beaches.

Sasco Beach is open to the public; however, when this article was written, only residents possessing a special beach sticker could access the parking lot during the period from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day.

Featuring a broad area of soft sand along calm waters, the beach is flanked by the lush greenery of the Country Club of Fairfield’s golf course. Visitors are encouraged to stay into the evening to enjoy captivating sunsets over Southport.

As an alternative activity, the Carl Dickman par 3 public golf course is located just east of Sasco Beach.

10. Greenfield Hill Historic District

Just a few minutes from downtown Fairfield, the affluent neighborhood of Greenfield Hill features a picturesque historic district surrounding a classic New England common.

This area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and comprises 27 contributing structures across 175 acres.

Notably, the whitewashed Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, established in 1725, is the most striking landmark in the district.

The former site of an academy conducted by Timothy Dwight IV, an influential Congregationalist minister and the eighth president of Yale, is also located here, alongside the Bronson Windmill. This octagonal wood-framed windmill, dating from the 1890s, is the last of many such mills that once adorned the Fairfield skyline.

The annual Dogwood Festival at Greenfield Hill Church, occurring every May for almost a century, features activities for the entire family and attracts crafters from across New England.

11. The Warehouse at FTC

Managed by the Fairfield Theatre Company, this well-appointed venue located in central Fairfield serves as a cornerstone of the local cultural landscape. Its contemporary industrial design is complemented by a state-of-the-art staging area, sound system, and acoustics.

The Warehouse accommodates up to 640 attendees and shines as a premier space for live performances, having hosted numerous renowned artists over recent years.

12. Rock Climb Fairfield

This highly regarded indoor climbing gym was enhancing its offerings with a bouldering experience in recent years. For novices or those with limited experience, guided climbs with a qualified belayer are available at an hourly rate.

Open climbing sessions for beginners typically occur on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, with advance registration strongly encouraged due to the limited capacity of 12 climbers.

For those with climbing experience who can demonstrate proficiency in tying a figure-eight knot and belaying, a day pass can be purchased for unrestricted access to the gym’s top rope, lead climbing, and new bouldering areas.

Rock Climb Fairfield also offers certification courses and climbing classes for those seeking to elevate their skills further.

13. Perry’s Mill Ponds Open Space Area

This natural area provides an opportunity to study a segment of the Mill River and observe the impact of human activity on the waterway and its ecosystem.

The river once flowed unimpeded to Long Island Sound prior to European settlement; however, this changed with the advent of mills, dams, and quarries.

Perry’s Mill Ponds are partially a result of 20th-century gravel extraction conducted for road construction projects, including the I-95 and Merritt Parkway, while a dam related to Perry’s Mill, dating back to 1680 (the mill was destroyed by fire in 1705), can still be traced.

Featuring an upper and lower pond, both with steep banks originating from quarrying, this area boasts a level of biodiversity not typically seen in other natural spaces within Fairfield.

In the higher terrain, you will discover an upland forest of oak, black birch, and beech trees, while the lower areas contain open water and marshland. These sections are bordered by raspberry bushes, dogwood, buttonbush, and multiflora rose.

Perry’s Mill Ponds can be accessed via three separate trails, with the yellow trail starting at the entrance and leading to the two ponds.

14. Gould Manor Park

This serene local park, sheltered from the I-95 by a thicket and steep banks, presents a tranquil setting.

Gould Manor Park features a pond that attracts herons, geese, and various other waterfowl, and occasional visits from deer, particularly when foot traffic is low.

At the water’s edge, numerous turtles can be seen, and every April 1, the pond is stocked with trout for a youth fishing derby open to children aged 3 to 15. The playground areas are well-maintained, offering equipment suitable for toddlers and older children.

The south side of the pond, surrounded by tall trees, serves as an idyllic setting for a Little League field.

15. Westport Astronomical Society (WAS)

For over 50 years, the Westport Astronomical Society has illuminated the marvels of the cosmos for thousands of enthusiasts.

The observatory, situated just outside of Fairfield’s boundaries, is equipped with a 16′ Meade LX200 telescope paired with an Explore Scientific 102mm f/7 Essential Apochromatic ED Triplet Refractor.

Visitors can peer through this telescope on Wednesday evenings from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM, weather permitting.

On select nights, the impressive 25′ Obsession telescope is deployed on the lawn, representing the largest publicly accessible telescope in Connecticut—a must-see for all astronomy enthusiasts.

The WAS also organizes free monthly lectures and events featuring speakers from prestigious institutions such as MIT, Yale, Columbia, NYU, and the Hayden Planetarium.

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