By Julie O’Brien Deasy
Question: Can you suggest some local attractions that would be good to visit this summer?
Answer: Continuing our summer series about good excursions in this area, this week’s featured spot is the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens in Stamford.
The Bartlett Arboretum is a natural preserve, featuring 93 acres of open space, gardens, and walking trails.
The miles of trails wind through gardens, champion trees, into native Connecticut habitats, alongside colonial stone walls, and over pristine wetlands. The trails are perfect for children (and leashed dogs) of all ages!
Many of the trails are in wooded areas, making them a great spot to explore on a hot summer day.
The Bartlett considers itself a “living classroom” to experience and enjoy nature. The grounds feature 13 gardens to explore including Kitchen, Butterfly, Native Sun Plants, and Tropical Gardens.
The Bartlett is open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk with no entry fee.
In addition to the outdoor trails, the Bartlett offers summer programming including concerts, book clubs, and other special events like birding and gardening workshops.
Summer concerts will be outside and will feature a wide variety of music genres. Visitors are asked to bring chairs or a blanket, and a picnic dinner. Food trucks will also be on-site if you prefer to purchase food there.
For more information on visiting, to purchase concert tickets, or to make a donation to purchase a membership,, visit www.bartlettarboretum.org.
The Maritime Aquarium is located along the SoNo waterfront, and gives visitors a window into aquatic and plant life in the waters around our area and beyond. There are several special exhibits and events planned for this summer.
Now open through September 2024, is the “Travel Back in Maritime” exhibit, highlighting modern-day descendants of ancient species that can still be found swimming in Long Island Sound, and underwater giants that went extinct with the dinosaurs.
Visitors can see these fossils come to life in two 4-D movies: “Sea Monsters 4-D: A Prehistoric Adventure,” which rewinds 82 million years in the past to some of the most dangerous seas in history, and “Dinosaur Safari Adventure.”
The theater features sensory special effects, such as scents, bubbles, wind, mists, and visitors also wear 3D glasses that enhance the experience. The two movies continuously alternate every 20 minutes, every day.
Several permanent exhibits at the Aquarium focus on Long Island Sound and the aquatic life it contains. “Pinniped Cove” is a 22 feet deep seal habitat, home to a group of harbor seals. It’s the largest display in the Aquarium’s history, allowing visitors to observe the seals from three different viewpoints. Seals are fed at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily.
A newer area of the Aquarium consists of several separate biomes, whose regions’ climates are either created or influenced by the oceans. A diverse group of animals are on exhibit including owls, lizards, meerkats, a skunk, and a porcupine.
If your child would like a more in-depth experience, the Aquarium hosts weekly summer camps. Separate sessions are held for ages 6-8, 9-12, and 13-15, each with appropriate curriculums and activities centered around marine life.
The Aquarium also runs tours of the Sound from their 64-foot catamaran, R/V Spirit of the Sound. As of July, the catamaran is currently undergoing restoration, but once these improvements are completed, visitors can book tickets. Check on the website for updates and to view schedules.
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is open daily from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. The Aquarium cafe offers lunch, snacks, and drinks on weekdays from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm and weekends from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. For more information visit www.maritimeaquarium.org.
Future columns will feature additional places to visit in our area. Let us know if you have a specific interest and we can make suggestions of places to visit this summer!
What do you want to know about living in New Canaan? Is there a resource you are looking for or something you need in our area? We want to hear from you! Send in your ideas or queries to Julie@NewCanaanSentinel.com and your question may be featured in a future column.
