Ahhh… winter in Connecticut. It’s cold and seemingly long as far as seasons go. The good news is that there’s still time to take in some of Fairfield County’s fun winter activities. Don’t let the seasons change without checking these off your list:
Winter Activities in Fairfield County
Hit the Rink, Outside
Where: Mill River Park in Stamford or Longshore Ice Rink in Westport
When: Daily open skates at both locations
Bundle up and head to an outdoor rink for the authentic winter skating experience. You can go online for Mill River to reserve your 90-minute timeslot. Adults are $10, kids under 12 and seniors are $8. Skate rentals are available for $4. Longshore also has daily open skate hours but be sure to check the website just in case it’s been reserved for the occasional private event. Longshore offers unlimited ice time per day for $12-$15 per adult or $10-$12 per child. Lessons are available at the rink, too.
Or inside, if you prefer
Where: Chelsea Piers in Stamford
When: Check website for open skate time
Chelsea Piers offers a whole host of year round activities along with its indoor Ice Skating and Ice Hockey programs. A ‘learn to skate’ program is offered to 3+ year olds, as is a ‘buddy & me’ skate for 3-6 yr. olds and their parent/caregiver.
Also try:
- The Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink in Greenwich
- Darien Ice Rink
- Sono Ice House in Norwalk
- Wonderland of Ice, Bridgeport
Each offers a variety of programs including; skating lessons, figure skating, ice hockey, public skating time, stick & puck time, clinics, birthday parties/ private ice rental, skate sharpening and equipment rentals. Most also offer a concession area.
Seal Spotting Cruise
Where: Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
When: Every weekend through April
Dress warm and jump on a two-hour cruise into Long Island Sound where you’re very likely to observe families of seals near the Norwalk Islands. Learn all about them as aquarium educators teach us about the Sound’s marine population during the winter months. As an added bonus, cruisers can catch a glimpse of the visiting birds on the water like buffleheads, Brant geese and long-tailed ducks. Tickets are $35 per person. Book online.
Sugar High
Where: Stamford Museum & Nature Center
When: February 25, March 3, March 10, 2024; 10am til 2pm
Head into nature and learn how to make maple syrup from the pros as Stamford Nature Center experts tap more than 200 maple trees found on the 118-acre property and turn their findings into the most delicious pancake topping around. Labeled as First County Bank Maple Sugar Fest Sundays, the Center will have lots of fun activities including tree tapping demonstrations and tastings, free popcorn and children’s games. Tickets are $10 for members, $20 for non-members. Preregistration is recommended, but walk-ins are allowed if space permits.
Sweet Spot
Where: Le Rouge Handmade Chocolates and Cakes by Aarti, 190 Main St., Westport
When: Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There’s hot chocolate and then there’s Le Rouge’s hot chocolate. The truly decadent and delicious hot chocolate at this adorable little chocolate shop and café will warm you right up after a full day of winter fun. They also offer some really inventive chocolate truffles and cakes as well as custom desserts made on premises. The owner, who is super sweet (no pun intended), is a skilled chocolatier and has traveled the world to learn her craft. She is truly passionate about what she does and you’re definitely not going to want to leave without a box of goodies for later.
Dinner, Fireside
Where: The Redding Roadhouse, 406 Redding Rd., Redding
When: Thursday through Saturday 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
One of the coziest spots to grab a good meal around here is Redding Roadhouse. Known best for its burgers and wings, the Roadhouse also happens to house four roaring fireplaces made easy for people to warm up on a cold winter night.
Ice Fishing
Fairfield County is home to 240 lakes. The CT Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) program will introduce you and your family to the sport of ice fishing! State Certified Instructors will teach you everything you need to know. Classes include an instructor lead fishing trip. All tackle and equipment is provided free of charge and family fishing courses are available. Classes begin in January 2013. For more information or for the class schedule please visit www.ct.gov/dep and enter CARE in the search box or call Island Fisheries at 860.424.FISH/ the CARE center at 860.663.1656. Also visit fishingworks.com for more Ice Fishing information.
Hiking, Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing
For guided outdoor adventures of this type in Connecticut please email The Bredeson Outdoor Adventures Co. at info@bredeson.com or call toll free 866.533.4361. In addition the hilly state forests and state parks in CT offer lots of places to get out on Cross Country Skis. Pierrepont State Park, Rt 116 in Ridgefield (203.431.2577), The Norwalk River Valley Trail (which can be accessed on the North side of the Maritime Aquarium and also from Matthews Park and Union Park) and the Booth Memorial Park in Stratford each offer miles of winter wonderland trails. For a full list of trails in your neighborhood please visit traillink.com.
Sled Riding
Always a winter family favorite! Cummings Park in Stamford, Bunnell High School in Stratford, Gould Manor Park, Sturges Park and Tunxis Hill Park in Fairfield each promise sledding squeals of delight and fast rides. For more information please visit sledriding.com, or check out our roundup of the best sledding hills in Greenwich.
Frost Biting: the sport of sailing in cold weather
Dry suits recommended, this is a wonderful winter adventure! First known in 1965, a single sailor can enjoy winter sailing in the Sound in a small boat (some of which may be: a Laser, an Etchell, an Ideal 18, JY14’s, or JY 15’s) from November through March. Many Ct yacht clubs offer Frostbiting during the fall and winter months.
Fayerweather Yacht Club, Bridgeport
Pequot Yacht Club, Southport
Cedar Point Yacht Club, Westport
Norwalk Yacht Club, SoNo
Stamford Yacht Club , Stamford
Indian Harbor Yacht Club, Greenwich
Riverside Yacht Club, Greenwich
For more information on Frostbiting opportunities please visit windcheckmagazine.com. “Our programs been going since 1968 and the boats we use are Fayerweather Dinghy’s and they were designed at Fayerweather. They look like optimist prams but they’re really not, they carry double the amount of sails,” said Terry Roach of Fayerweather Yacht Club. “They’ve developed through the years to where we have them today. They’re very exciting little boats to sail because they’re so overpowered. It’s very very friendly and it’s addictive.” Safety boats are in attendance and frost biters compete in friendly races. For more information please visit each yacht clubs website or ctcommunityboating.org or call 855.99BOATS.
Wishing you Happy Holidays and many new adventures!