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City in Connecticut, U.S.
Photo: John9474, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Stamford, Connecticut is the second largest city in the state by population, a center of regional activity in Fairfield County, and a hub of the Metro New York area. Its position between NYC and the rest of Connecticut defines Stamford’s character. Stamford takes on a big-city atmosphere in its downtown and the adjacent neighborhoods, then transitions to a more traditional suburban small-town Connecticut atmosphere in its northern sections. Stamford plays an active role in the NYC metro and Fairfield County art and music scene. It also has one of the largest and most diverse selections of restaurants and shopping in Fairfield County. Many large corporations are headquartered in Stamford, so it hosts a large reverse-commute from New York City in addition to commuters from Connecticut and nearby Westchester County, New York.
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Has a farm with cows, horses, pigs, chickens, llamas, and other animals. It also has a small museum and a playground with a huge slide.
Not too far from the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, a great park with walking trails provides a variety of trees and plants.
The southernmost point of Stamford, Shippan Point is home to some of the wealthiest residents of the city and some of the most historic and expensive homes. Shippan Avenue runs north/south and is the only way in and out of the neighborhood. Heading to the end of Shippan Avenue there is a stonewall overlooking a rocky beach. This wall and beach overlook the Long Island Sound, and an expansive view of Long Island across the water. On clear nights locals claim the Manhattan skyline is visible in the distance..
Usually filled with a diverse crowd from local kids, homeless people, to businessmen and street musicians. It is also central to a large live music and nightlife scene; the park is surrounded by bars and restaurants. Meter parking is also available directly surrounding the park. Also home to Alive @ Five in Stamford (See Do).
It has a small beach and several paths that you can walk or rollerblade. Very close to downtown, you can escape there for a quiet lunch during a hectic workday. Beach stickers are required for parking there during the summer months.
Stamford Center for the Arts
Hosts a variety of shows in a historic building. Prices and hours depend on the show being held. Parking on the street is scarce and parking in lots costs about a dollar an hour. Make sure you feed the meter because you will get a ticket if your time runs out.
Two ice rinks in one building. Bar/restaurant area on second floor with an exercise room. Skate shop on the first floor. Low prices. Free skate times alternate by day. Free parking. Space rentable for parties.
A music festival in the summer months (usually June through August) located outside in two block off streets with Columbus park in the center. The main act takes the stage around 8PM
The Long Island Sound beach has a fishing pier, pavelions, and public restrooms. Contains tennis courts, handball court, a basketball court, and four softball fields. There's also a popular local sledding hill the park. Parking at the beach requires a season pass during the summer months that can only be purchased at the Stamford Government Center, and the booths at the entrance only sell $20 day passes. However, there is parking on multiple streets, directly around Cummings. On McMullen Avenue and Wascussee Lane, both directly off Soundview Avenue, parking on the street is legal. Warning: This beach has an unsavory reputation at night. Also a small homeless population lives at the beach and the woods directly surrounding it at night. Use caution here at night, don’t travel alone, and avoid extreme intoxication. The police usually make an appearance here at least once a night.
Large park with a baseball field, soccer field, enclosed roller hockey rink, tennis courts, a playground, and a large skating bowl. Free parking lot. Warning: Scalzi has a reputation at night. The Westside of Stamford is one of the more dangerous parts of Stamford and that is reflected at Sclazi. Extremely safe during daylight hours but avoid after dark.
An outdoor standup comedy festival with music and food trucks!
Only two theaters in a historic building. Seats are comfortable. Typical movie theater food available. Limited parking is free in a lot behind the building.
Movie theater playing the most recent popular releases for movies. Standard movie food, popcorn, candy and soda.
A nice Peruvian restaurant in downtown Stamford.
The quintessential bar sized pizza, it's the only thing on the menu. Try the sausage and hot oil pizza and be prepared to order more than one. Widely regarded by locals as the best restaurant in Stamford.
Selection of sandwiches, wraps, salads, and breakfast food. Most popular item here is the special: chicken, French fries and seasoning in a bag in ¼-, ½-, ¾-, and 1-pound increments. Also very popular are the potato cones, mashed potatoes deep-fried in batter in a cone shape. $5-10 per person.
Small ice cream shop that is very popular in the late afternoon and on nights. Regularly full of families taking their children out. Expect to spend $5-10 on average per person. Free parking in back.
A popular bar and restaurant among locals, located in the historic Springdale neighborhood. Vinny's has extremely popular wings and thin crust pizza. Accessible from exit 36 on the Merrit Parkway. Also within walking distance from the Springdale train station and the Hope Street bus line. $10-15 a meal.
Traditional diner fare. Serves donuts, coffee, breakfast and brunch menus. Secluded location on Long Ridge road with a view of Holts Ice Pond as well as some brilliant foliage in the fall. Free parking outside.
Italian Deli located on High Ridge Road. Sells sandwiches, breakfast fare, traditional Italian dishes, as well as groceries and convenience items such as cigarettes. Import their bread and meat directly from the Bronx. $10-15 a person.
Located in downtown Stamford. Café with Italian and American cuisine. Large amount of outdoor seating located on a busy central street in downtown Stamford. Very popular on weekday afternoons and weekend nights. An average meal is $10-15.
Grill/diner located in the Stamford downtown. Lucky's has a 1950s American theme and the atmosphere and the menu both reflect this. Burgers, fries, and malted shakes are a Lucky's standard. Salads and other dishes are available. Large glass windows present a view of downtown Stamford pedestrian traffic.
Cove Pizza & Restaurant has seen multiple different owners in its time, but has never compromised its quality. Right in the heart of the Cove, and walking distance from the park, sits this focal point of the neighborhood. It is an Italian Restaurant that serves pizza (now slices), salads, and all kinds of Italian dinners. Very affordable, one person should not need more than $15 to be satisfied.
A traditional Stamford bar catering mainly to Stamford's born-and-raised; but it's also a bar inhabited by happy hour goers from the surrounding businesses. It can be unreasonably crowded at some times; usually during the weekends and Thursday nights. Metered parking along Bedford Street as well as parking lot located off Forest street.
Irish pub in downtown Stamford across the street from Columbus Park and the adjacent bar and live music scene. Known for a selection of imported beers. Live entertainment Thursdays to Saturdays. Free wireless Internet and several large plasma televisions. Tiernan’s rarely ever holds of a policy of a cover charge.
Sports Bar located in downtown Stamford across the street from Columbus Park; owned by Bobby Valentine, a Stamford native and the former manager of the New York Mets. The walls are covered with sports memorabilia and this is a popular local spot to have a beer and watch sports on one of the several large TVs. Award winning wings; these are half priced as well as the drinks from 4-7PM, Monday to Friday. Wednesday night is popular, drawing amateur singers for karaoke and ladies' night specials.
Offers 500 guest rooms and six suites covering 17 floors, with great views of Long Island Sound, downtown Stamford, and the Manhattan skyline. In addition the Stamford Marriott offers the Agora Spa. The day spa features treatment rooms, private locker rooms and steam room.
Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, upscale accommodations with 484 guest rooms and suites. IACC-approved Executive Meeting Center with 45,000 square feet of flexible event space.
Off I-95 Exit 6 on the City's West Side. Very few hotels fall under $100 as the Super 8 does, and you absolutely get a lot of bang for your buck.
Stamford Mall
Plenty of stores to meet any shopping need or interest. Anchors include Macy's, Saks Off Fifth, and Barnes & Noble. Also generally good prices. The best part is a seating area that also functions as a set of stairs between floors. Make sure you get a pretzel (at Wetzel's) before you leave. Minimum of 50 cents (equaling four hours) for parking
A formal attire store that keeps a log of who bought what so you'll never wear the same outfit as someone else to a party. Generally expensive. Very friendly service. In-shop tailoring available. Free parking in the strip mall lot. Hours: Monday-Wednesday 10AM-6PM. Thursday: 10AM-7PM. Friday Saturday 10AM-6PM. Sunday noon-5PM.
There is a wide range of fine jewelry and watches available at surprisingly low prices and excellent quality by top designer names like David Yurman, Tag Heuer, Swiss Army, Roberto Coin, Marco Bicego and Hearts on Fire. They have in-house professional watch and jewelry repair and appraisal services.
One of the more select footwear and apparel stores in downtown Stamford. Located directly off exit 8 on I-95 this store offers popular brands such as Nike, The North Face, Ecko, South Pole. They carry a selection of basic footwear and apparel as well as rarer more unique clothes and shoes. Also carries a selection of fitted hats focusing mostly on New York Yankee hats but still they still carry multiple other popular teams. Parking on Atlantic Street and adjacent streets around Broad.
This large shopping center is located in the Ridgeway neighborhood of Stamford. Close proximity to downtown with a large selection of shopping including clothing, electronics, furniture and groceries. Also in the center is a Michaels and a Staples. Two levels of free parking lots as well as meter parking spots on Summer Street.
Located on the High Ridge Road strip this shopping center offers clothing, several delis, a jeweler, appliances, a Borders and an art gallery. More upscale shopping relative to downtown Stamford. In the summer there is a farmers market on Tuesdays 10AM to 2PM. Starbucks located in the shopping center is very popular spot for locals even into late at night. Also coffee shop inside Borders and a Crumbs (a café chain that sells, baked goods, coffee, and tea). In the warmer months at the Burger King parking lot across the street there is a show for classic cars and the overflow end up in the High Ridge Center. Police Substation located in the shopping center. Free parking lot in front and in back.
By train
The other train stations in the city are served by the New Canaan Branch of the New Haven Line, which provides mostly shuttle service to Stamford Transit Center:
By car
I-95 is the major interstate highway that goes through downtown Stamford. Merritt Parkway goes parallel to I-95 about 5 miles north.
By bus
Bus routes travel along all major roads to all ends of the city and to other cities in Fairfield County as well as running to White Plains, NY, and Port Chester, NY.
By train
The New Canaan Metro-North line runs from downtown Stamford through the Eastside of Stamford with stops in the Springdale, and Glenbrook neighborhoods.
By taxi
There are several taxi companies serving Stamford. Among them are Stamford Taxi, +1-203-325-2611, Eveready, +1-203-655-8779, and USA Taxi, +1-203-487-0007
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White Plains · Regional · HPN
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