Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Milford, CT

The city of Milford boasts the longest coastline of any municipality in Connecticut, situated west of New Haven and bordered by the Housatonic River.

One fascinating aspect is the remarkable diversity of Milford’s shoreline, ranging from the avian-rich Charles Island and Milford Point to the sandy expanses of Walnut Beach. The entire coastline is ideal for outdoor pursuits such as paddleboarding, kayaking, and sailing on a schooner.

Each year, on the third Saturday of August, the city hosts the Milford Oyster Festival, an event renowned beyond the borders of Connecticut. This festival celebrates the city’s historical oystering industry, attracting prominent musicians alongside hundreds of artisans and vendors.

Inland, the city features an unusually long green space, complemented by a wide array of dining establishments on its eastern side. Additionally, you’ll find the Connecticut Post Mall, the largest enclosed shopping center in the state.

1. Silver Sands State Park

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A stunning segment of preserved coastline, Silver Sands State Park encompasses a variety of habitats within its 300 acres.

This area features a beach bordered by a boardwalk, along with dunes, woodlands, and restored salt marshes.

Notably intriguing is the reportedly cursed Charles Island, located in Long Island Sound and serving as a sanctuary for birds.

From August to May, visitors can walk to Charles Island via a tombolo that appears at low tide.

The interior of the island is off-limits due to its heron and egret breeding grounds. However, visitors are welcome to explore the shoreline and enjoy plentiful birdwatching opportunities.

It is wise to be mindful of the tide schedule prior to your visit.

On the mainland, the park serves as a feeding ground for least and common terns, while raptors such as snowy owls, short-eared owls, and rough-legged hawks are frequent winter visitors.

2. Walnut Beach

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A short distance from the state park, this sandy beach is bordered by a tranquil residential area.

A boardwalk extends behind both Silver Sands Beach and Walnut Beach, leading to a small fishing pier at Walnut Beach where visitors can gaze over Long Island Sound.

As is common with public beaches in Connecticut, parking for non-residents incurs a considerable fee.

Regardless, Walnut Beach is delightful, featuring safe, shallow waters that gradually increase in depth, with lifeguard supervision available until mid-afternoon during the summer.

A handful of restaurants and an ice cream parlor are located on the streets leading away from the shore. Additionally, an ice cream truck typically parks on the beachfront during peak hours.

The ideal time to visit is late July for the annual Sand Sculpture Contest, an event that has flourished for about 50 years.

3. Boothe Memorial Park and Museum

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Technically speaking, this attraction is situated in Stratford, yet it is conveniently located near Milford on the high west bank of the Housatonic River.

At Boothe Memorial Park and Museum, visitors experience Connecticut’s early history.

The Boothe Homestead foundations can be traced back to 1663, although the current structure was rebuilt circa 1840.

This estate and its surrounding 32 acres were home to the Boothe family for generations prior to being bequeathed to Stratford in 1949.

In the 1910s, the Boothe brothers, David Beach Boothe and Stephen Nichols Boothe, welcomed visitors to their estate. Today, the park showcases 20 historically significant structures accessible for tours during the summer.

Among these are a trolley station, blacksmith shop, chapel, carriage house, windmill, Americana Museum, miniature lighthouse, and Connecticut’s last operational highway toll booth.

Complementing these curiosities is a delightful formal rose garden featuring a pergola and fountain.

4. Milford Oyster Festival

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Throughout a significant portion of the 19th and early 20th centuries, oystering served as a vital source of income for many Milford residents, attributed to the productive beds at Milford Point where the Housatonic meets Long Island Sound.

This tradition was first honored through an oyster festival initiated in 1975. Since then, the event has evolved into a cherished Milford tradition, occurring annually on the third Saturday in August, regardless of weather conditions.

The festival has hosted renowned classic rock acts over the past 20 years, including Blue Öyster Cult, Lou Gramm, Kansas, The Marshall Tucker Band, Jefferson Starship, and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

However, the real focus remains on the oysters, with approximately 30,000 harvested from Milford’s waters and served at an expansive food court.

In addition to seafood and music on two stages, the festival features craft beer, premium wines, a children’s stage, and more than 200 arts and crafts vendors.

Moreover, participants can engage in canoeing and kayaking races and enjoy unforgettable cruises aboard the SoundWaters Schooner.

5. Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point

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Where the Housatonic River converges with Long Island Sound, the 840-acre Charles E. Wheeler Salt Marsh and Wildlife Management Area offers a rich ecological environment.

This region, featuring dunes, barrier beaches, tide pools, and tidal salt marshes, is teeming with a diverse range of bird species, with 315 recorded.

Situated on a barrier beach at Milford Point is the Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center, where visitors can explore and gain insights into this natural bounty. The dedicated volunteers play an essential role in providing information during visits.

Noteworthy resident species include American oystercatchers and piping plovers that nest along the beach, while ospreys find a habitat within the marsh. Furthermore, various shorebirds gather in late summer, and snowy owls are known to winter in this area.

The Coastal Center presents intriguing interpretive exhibits and establishes observation cameras for ospreys and purple martins. Additionally, the preserve features four observation platforms equipped with scopes for birdwatching along with its scenic beaches.

6. Milford Green

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Milford is noteworthy for having the longest green space in New England. This picturesque, tree-shaded strip is meticulously landscaped and adorned with various monuments including a bandstand, flagpole, and a war memorial set within a circular flower bed.

Family-owned shops, local amenities, and enticing dining options are available throughout the green, particularly on the east end. As of the article’s writing, diverse cuisines such as seafood, Thai, Mexican, traditional pub fare, ice cream, and contemporary American dishes were on offer.

The Memorial Day parade takes place here at the end of May, and in late November, visitors can partake in the annual tree lighting ceremony, featuring sleigh rides, cookies, and hot chocolate.

7. Eisenhower Park

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For those seeking physical activity away from the beach, Eisenhower Park, situated in northern Milford, is an excellent choice and underwent significant renovations in the 2010s.

The park features riverside walking trails, tennis courts, soccer fields, horseback riding trails, a baseball field (Foote Field), and a recently enlarged dog park.

For younger visitors, Eisenhower Park contains an exceptional accessible playground. The area known as Bodie’s Place boasts an expansive new splash pad that quickly captivated my children.

Moreover, during autumn, it serves as a splendid location to enjoy the fall foliage. Adjacent to North Street lies the public nine-hole Orchards Golf Course.

8. Tribus Beer Co.

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Milford was comparatively late to embrace the craft beer movement that surged across the nation in the 2010s, with Tribus Beer Co. being its first brewery established in 2017.

Nonetheless, Tribus has quickly become a favored gathering spot known for its family-friendly atmosphere, welcoming both children and pets.

An interesting aspect of the brewery is its continual innovation, with ongoing experiments and recipes, as well as a separate category for creations deemed “Beergatory.”

Currently, there are 15 beers available on tap, including IPAs, a Pilsner (BIER), and my personal favorite, a coffee Imperial Stout (Wakey Wakey).

Tribus Beer Co. operates from Tuesday to Sunday and hosts a range of events, including live music, trivia nights, seasonal festivities, and daily food trucks featuring options from tacos to BBQ.

9. Milford Historical Society

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To gain a deeper understanding of the town’s history, consider visiting the Milford Historical Society. This organization safeguards artifacts pertaining to Milford’s past, along with three historic houses.

Among the society’s collection are Native American clay pots and arrowheads dating back approximately 10,000 years, as well as pieces of furniture from notable local families.

The society oversees three historic properties: the Eells-Stow House, which dates back to 1700 and is believed to be the oldest house in Milford.

Also included is the five-bay Clark-Stockdale House (1780) and the Bryan-Downs House, constructed in 1785, which was relocated to the Historical Society property in 1977.

The herb garden, expanded in 2013, is situated next to the Bryan-Downs House and is designed to resemble an 18th-century formal garden.

A delightful experience is offered by the Country Store & Gift Shop, filled with an eclectic assortment of items ranging from Colonial-style hats to traditional games like pick-up sticks and dominoes.

10. Outdoor Activities

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Located directly on Walnut Beach, Scoot & Paddle offers rentals for kayaks, paddleboards, motor scooters, bicycles, and beach accessories seven days a week from mid-May until Labor Day.

Equipment can be rented for durations ranging from one hour to a full weekend. For those new to paddleboarding, private or group lessons are available.

Additionally, Scoot & Paddle organizes a series of special “Group Paddles,” scheduled for sunset or sunrise, with some events incorporating yoga on the beach.

The kayak options include single or tandem “sit-on-top” models, both designed to accommodate users of all experience levels and requiring minimal instruction.

The open cockpit design ensures that the kayak will not fill with water in the event of a capsize. During my visit, I encountered a mishap but was able to reboard and continue my adventure.

11. Sports Center of Connecticut

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A day filled with active entertainment awaits at the Sports Center of Connecticut. This family-oriented fun center features facilities for a multitude of sports and activities.

Available activities include a skating rink for hockey lessons, a TopTracer driving range, batting cages, a basketball court, duckpin bowling, a paintball arena, a state-of-the-art 100-game video arcade, and a newly renovated laser tag arena.

A standout attraction for families is the mini golf course, which consists of 18 holes designed without gimmicks and is beautifully landscaped with a river and waterfall.

In the event of inclement weather, Sports Center provides complimentary waterproof ponchos for players.

12. Robert Treat Farm

Located on a picturesque property in Milford is a charming family-run farm, with a lineage connected to agriculture dating back to the 17th century. The current family has resided here since the 1940s.

Robert Treat Farm prioritizes sustainability, offering a rotating selection of fruits and vegetables throughout the growing season. Also present on the farm is a garden center where visitors can procure everything necessary for their gardens, from rare annuals to fruit trees.

During my visit, the farm store was open from Friday to Sunday, stocked with a variety of local specialty goods, including fresh bread, milk in glass bottles, artisan cheeses, and honey.

13. Connecticut Post Mall

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As the largest shopping center in the state, the Connecticut Post Mall spans three stories and accommodates over 200 retailers.

Originally opened in 1960 as an open-air shopping center, it underwent enclosure in 1981 and has since experienced multiple expansions, the latest occurring in the mid-2000s at an investment of $118 million.

During my shopping trip, prominent anchor stores included Macy’s, Boscov’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target, and Dave & Buster’s, with the overall retail selection primarily featuring mid-market brands. Notable national and international brands present include H&M, GameStop, American Eagle, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hot Topic, and Victoria’s Secret.

For dining options, visitors can choose from a variety of popular chains such as Johnny Rockets, Starbucks, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chipotle, and Charleys Philly Steaks.

Furthermore, the mall offers entertainment through its 14-screen Cinemark multiplex, which includes an IMAX theater.

14. Wilcox Park

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This quaint urban park enjoys a picturesque position at the head of Milford Harbor.

Visitors can partake in a brief hike or bike ride along the water’s edge while observing various waterfowl, or utilize the tennis courts, basketball courts, and baseball fields.

A lovely pavilion overlooks the water and serves as a venue for the Milford Oyster Festival, in addition to providing public boat launches (permit required). At the main jetty, it is occasionally possible to board the Schooner SoundWaters for educational cruises.

Milford’s principal dining district is situated just across the North River, easily accessible via a pedestrian bridge.

15. New Haven

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While Milford possesses its own distinct identity, it is conveniently located within a fifteen-minute drive of New Haven, home to Yale University.

This proximity offers a wealth of cultural opportunities, as the university’s museums are world-renowned and open to the public.

Exquisite ancient artifacts and masterpieces by Van Gogh and Gauguin can be found at the Yale University Art Gallery.

Young visitors will be thrilled by the mounted dinosaur fossils at the Peabody Museum of Natural History. Meanwhile, the Yale Center for British Art presents extraordinary paintings from renowned artists such as Reynolds, Gainsborough, Turner, and Constable.

Exploring New Haven on foot can be a rewarding venture, and one must not overlook the city’s unique style of pizza, which is also available locally.

It is advisable to participate in a university tour to gain insights into the climate-controlled inner workings of the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, which houses a copy of the Gutenberg Bible alongside numerous other invaluable texts.