Fairfield County Tour

Explore the Wilton Historical Society in Wilton a two 18th-century classic center chimney homes showcasing 14 period rooms from the colonial to the Victorian eras plus an art gallery and exceptional toy and train collection. Be sure to view the working blacksmith demonstrations.

Take a tour at Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, a nationally recognized aquarium that puts you nose-to-nose with sharks, within inches of seals, river otters, sea turtles, jellyfish and more than 1,000 other marine animals. Then step aboard the Aquarium’s research vessel, the Spirit of the Sound, to learn about the marine life of Long Island Sound. Have lunch in Historic SONO (South Norwalk) With a variety of breweries, Indian cuisine, seafood, Mexican restaurants and more, there is something to suit every palate in Historic SONO.

Visit the Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk. This attraction located in a 19th-century stone carriage house that is dedicated to the art of printmaking. Take a tour that explains about the history of printmaking and current trends. On the tour, you will be shown how to collect and pull prints and then given the opportunity to use printmaking tools to create your own print.

Tour Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum that predates Newport’s mansions and is regarded as one of the earliest and most signifi cant surviving Second Empire Style country houses in the United States. The Mansion illustrates the splendor of the Victorian era with its unparalleled Gilded Age interiors and furniture.

Enjoy a late afternoon cruise through Norwalk Harbor to Sheffield Island. Tour an 1868 lighthouse, take a walk on the beach, explore the McKinney Wildlife Refuge and enjoy an authentic clambake on the island. 

Explore the The Glass House in New Canaan, a National Trust Historic Site designed by modern architect, Philip Johnson. Take part in a walking tour of this site’s pastoral landscape, The Glass House, the Painting Gallery, the Sculpture Gallery, Da Monsta and the changing exhibits. 

Visit the Silvermine Guild Art Center in New Canaan that showcases the work of more than 300 professional artists in its award-winning galleries. There is also a wide range of workshops available for all levels. Enjoy lunch at Baldanza in Wilton. This restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner offering the finest, local ingredients.

Explore the Bush-Holley House, Greenwich located in Cos Cob that was home to one of Connecticut’s first art colonies. The museum features interpretive rooms from two distinct time periods – the New Nation (1790-1825) and the Cos Cob Art Colony (1890-1920). The Collection includes works by artists of the Cos Cob Art Colony and other noted American Impressionists.

End the afternoon in Stamford at SoundWaters with a cruise on an 80 ft. three-masted schooner that is styled after a 19th-century Chesapeake Bay sharpie schooner. Board with your own fare or a caterer of your choice. Beer and wine may also be served. Here's some other nearby options to consider as alternatives: