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In a city as spirited, lively, and diverse as Stamford, there is always something to do. Whether you’re walking the 19 miles of shoreline, drinking and dining at the bars Downtown, or hiking the scenic trails of North Stamford, you’ll quickly find that there is never a dull moment in this city.
Downtown Stamford features a wide array of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs that make our city a weekend hotspot not solely for Stamford residents, but young adults from all over Fairfield County and New York. Enjoy gorgeous rooftop bars overlooking the scenic Long Island Sound, or the weekly outdoor movie projected in Commons Park on Wednesday nights during the summer months. A wide variety of bars, pubs, and restaurants spanning every taste imaginable populate the entire Downtown area, drawing people from all different ages and backgrounds for nights packed with fun and excitement.
Bedford Street & Stamford Downtown
One of Stamford's various millennial hotspots. Featuring an array of flashy bars, 5-star restaurants, and cozy coffee shops, making it one of the most popular areas in Stamford to spend Friday and Saturday nights. The bar scene includes Brother Jimmy's BBQ, Hudson Grille, Tigin Pub, and Bradford's. On weekend nights, food trucks line Bedford St. to serve up delicious late-night grub including hot dogs, poutine, and tacos. Bartaco and Barcelona are two Latin inspired restaurants with lively bars, just one block away on Summer St.
Harbor Point
Harbor Point features some of the liveliest bars and restaurants in Stamford. Bareburger serves up a delicious and unique array of burgers including ostrich and elk burgers while Fortina is a popular spot for people looking to grab classic crispy thin pizzas and other Italian fares. Pizza Surf Club on the rooftop of Fortina has become a local hangout and offers picturesque views of the sunset over Long Island Sound. Sign of the Whale features a spacious rooftop bar perfect for evening summer cocktails, while Mexicue dishes up fresh Mexican cuisine with a southern twist. Take the complimentary water taxi to Crab Shell for delicious, fresh seafood and live summer bands on the boardwalk, to Prime for the juiciest steaks, or to Half Full Brewery featuring local Stamford-made beers.
Stamford prides itself on the opportunities offered in terms of recreation, retail, relaxation, and more - all found within our city limits. Stamford has its very own mall with over 130 stores, relaxing beaches directly on the Long Island Sound, and over 40 sites for parks and recreation. Stamford offers an endless amount of entertainment that continues to impress not only visitors but Stamford's very own residents.
Athletic Attractions
When it comes to recreation, Stamford is unmatched by any city around. Chelsea Piers CT is one of the finest sports and recreational facilities in the country, and it is located here in Stamford, neighboring multiple movie theaters, concert venues, ice rinks, beaches, arcades, and more.
Stamford Museum and Nature Center
Located in the woods of Northern Stamford, the Museum and Nature Center is filled with art, histories of the New England Area, and a scenic 10-acre working farm. In addition to its multitude of facilities, the center offers seasonal family exhibits, weekend festivals, and year-round educational programs.
Stamford Town Center
Our very own city mall features over 130 retailers and stores such as Macy’s, Michael Kors, and Forever 21, as well as a full-size movie theater and dozens of five-star restaurants. Located in the heart of the city, the Stamford Town Center has been a staple for decades.
Parks and Rec
With over 40 recreational sites, including public parks, beaches, golf courses, sports field complexes, and more, Stamford has ample space and resources necessary for relaxation, entertainment, and recreation. In terms of accessible and enticing options for parks and recreation, Stamford holds the most options relative to its size in the area.
Stamford is home to numerous daily, weekly, seasonal, and annual events that make the city so enticing. Around Thanksgiving, we enjoy one of the largest helium balloon parades in the country, the UBS Parade Spectacular, attracting over 100,000 spectators every year. Alive@Five is a popular outdoor summer concert series located in Columbus Park, where people from all over the tri-state area come to hear popular bands and artists such as Andy Grammar, Shaggy, and CeeLo Green perform. Other events such as Slide the City, Stamford Downtown Farmer's Market, and Hope in Motion Walk/Run make this city worth calling your home.
- Alive@Five
- ARTWALK
- Arts and Crafts on Bedford
- Bark in the Park
- Brews on Bedford
- CANtoberfest
- Downtown Farmers Market
- Downtown Sidewalk Sales
- Fourth of July Fireworks
- Greek Fair
- HarborFest
- Heights and Lights
- Hey Stamford! Food Festival
- Hope in Motion
- Pizza in the Park
- Slide the City
- Stamford Restaurant Week
- St. Leo Fair
- The Beer Garden
- Wednesday Night Live
Alive@Five
One of the most anticipated events of the year, Alive@Five is an outdoor summer concert series in Stamford’s Columbus Park that brings in big names each year, such as Cee Lo Green, Plain White T's, Third Eye Blind, Sugar Ray and much more. Alive@Five runs an impressive six Thursday concerts in a row, ensuring that there's always time to see a few after work.
Stamford Thanksgiving Day Parade
Stamford’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of the largest helium balloon parades in the country, drawing over 100,000 spectators annually. It features award-winning marching bands, eye-catching floats, large colorful balloons, and guest appearances. Great fun for the whole family!
Stamford Fourth of July Fireworks
Every year, the City of Stamford puts on a spectacular fireworks display for the public to enjoy on our nations birthday. Set in Cummings Park, thousands flock to West Beach to watch the fireworks light up the night sky and listen to music by professional DJs. It's a night full of family, friends, BBQs, and apple pie!
Stamford is home to many gorgeous parks, golf courses, fields, and playgrounds. From the 2015 Design Award winner, Mill River Park, to Mianus River Park, Stamford has expansive outdoor space in our rural and urban areas. To view all the city's parks, visit the Stamford Parks website.
For the kids, the city offers various programs including yoga, dance, horseback riding, music, art, tennis, skiing, swimming, soccer, T-ball, and ice skating. To view all recreational activities offered by the city, visit the Recreation Services website.
Parks & Beaches
- Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens
- Boccuzzi Park
- Cove Island Park
- Commons Park
- Cummings Park
- Dorothy Heroy Park
- Jackie Robinson Park
- Kosciuszko Park
- Mianus River State Park
- Mill River Park
- Newman Mills Park
- Scalzi Park & Stadium
- Sleepy Hollow Park
- Stamford Museum & Nature Center
- Veterans Memorial Park
- West Beach
Golf Courses & Clubs
- BETA Climbing
- Chelsea Piers CT
- E. Gaynor Brennan Golf Course
- Halloween Yacht Club
- Innis Arden Golf Club
- Italian Center of Stamford
- Newfield Swim & Tennis Club
- Oak Hills Park Golf Course
- Rockrimmon Country Club
- Roxbury Swim & Tennis Club
- Stamford Jewish Community Center
- Stamford Yacht Club
- Sterling Farms Golf Course
- Terry Conners Ice Rink
- Wire Mill Racquet Club
- Woodway Beach Club
Stamford has a long history of being involved in the art community and served as inspiration for many artists including WPA artist James Daugherty, and world-renowned color theorist Faber Birren. Today, Stamford is home to a wealth of artistic groups and galleries and has a thriving performance community. Additionally, Stamford is less than an hour away by train to New York City, the arts and theatre capital of the world. In 2017, Mayor David Martin created the Stamford Arts and Culture Commission to help organize community and professional projects. Additionally, the commission will work to increase awareness of artistic endeavors that are ongoing by maintaining a community arts calendar.
Performing Arts
- Amadeus Performance Space
- Avon Theatre Film Center
- Carriage House Recording Studios
- Connecticut Ballet
- Curtain Call/Kweskin Theatre
- Locust Performing Arts Center
- Long Ridge Music Center
- NBCUniversal’s Stamford Media Center
- New Paradigm Theatre
- Palace Theatre
- Stamford Symphony
- The Ballet School of Stamford
- The Stamford Chorale
- Young Artists Philharmonic
Visual Arts
- Art at the Ferguson
- Danger Gallery
- The Glass House - Philip Johnson House
- GR Art Gallery
- Hoyt-Barnum House Museum
- Loft Artists Association
- Russ Hollander Jewelry Gallery
- Stamford Art Association
- Stamford Museum & Nature Center
- Stamford Mayor's Gallery
- UCONN Stamford Art Gallery
- Ukrainian Museum & Library
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