Stamford Museum & Nature Center Reviews

We went here on a Sunday to check out the farmers market. The Sunday we went there were only 4 stands open. The nature center is beautiful to walk around. Dont forget to check out the otters.

I had a great time ..my boys they loved the horses and the nice walk...the baby goat were so cute...ill go back ..💝

Great place to bring kids or just by yourself. Different every season and lots of changes. If is always fun to visit. Every time I visit I have a different experience. Everyone who works here is super friendly and helpful.

Great place for families or anyone.
Lots of different events go on throughout the year such as Making maple syrup, hayrides, and shows

There are many things to do and see here and lots of land to cover. There is a farm area with animals, an area with treeforts, indoor museum and sculptures scatter all over the place. It's definately worth the trip!

My animal loving son absolutely loves coming here - and so does his (not so animal loving) sister. It's a perfect place to come get a little exercise in a very laid back, not overly rushed or crowded place. This is much more like a farm than it is what you would imagine a nature center to be. The playground is really awesome - but not well suited for kids under 4, really - my kids are now almost 5 and only within the past year have they able to play independently on the playground.

It is nice to get away from the loud distraction of downtown Stamford. Every now and then, my family takes a ride over to the Nature Center to see the animals and enjoy the quiet of nature. Sometimes you forget that peace is only a short drive away.

Great place for a Sunday hike with the family. The staff is very helpful and knowledgable. Great place to bring the family or a date

Very cute place. Lots of animals and the trails are beautiful. The museum didn't have much in it, but still a beautiful building to check out
10$ to get in.

A day at play for the entire family. Hiking, animals, art they have it all. Treasure hunts, fresh organic eggs daily, farmers market, trails to hike, otters, maple syrup harvest, and so much more. We love the nature center.

What a great place to go especially on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. And now is a great time lot's of babies! The piglets are so cute. Mom and dad are really lazy though. There are baby goats.

I enjoy the walks, the new venue (concerts, exhibits, presentations), the original house, animals and instructors,

Nice walking trails for little kids. Mostly farm animals. Frequently they have small special attractions.

Have made the 30 minute drive several times in the past year, with kids, well worth it. The outdoor animal enclosures and indoor exotic animal exhibit are usually our first stops. The excellent wooden playground with slides of various sizes is usually how we end the visit. The hiking trails are fun too, time permitting.

we went with kids aged 2-10. they all had a nice time. grounds nicely kept. staff friendly. also made for some nice pictures.

The Stamford Museum is a find - right on High Ridge Road and only 1/2 mile from the Merritt Parkway. The grounds are beautiful and the changing exhibits are varied and appeal to all ages. The playground, heritage breed farm and the walking trails are all to be enjoyed. You could spend a day here or a few hours and have a great time. If you need to get out of the car and stretch your legs - this is a good spot to do it.

Great place to walk and farm is fun for little children. The observatory is great to learn about the solar system.

I am a Stamford native, and this is one of the oldest places for kids that there is in the city. It is a combination of a nature center, small farm, observatory, museum and more. There are exhibits of many different local and non-local animals, and you should bring some bread ends or crumbs to feed the many hungry ducks, geese and occasional swans that swim in the main pond. There is also a fairly extensive trail system through the woods, which will take you to the Bartlett Arboretum, and to further trails extending northward from there.

It is a great place to take kids, and my children demanded a visit there every time we were in town to visit my parents. Soon, they will be bringing children of their own to visit.

Pleasant winding pathways through a pretty extensive farm just north of the Merritt Parkway in Stamford CT. Preschoolers love seeing the animals up close and mimicking their sounds. Grandparents appreciate the level walking paths, wide enough for strollers and family groups. There is a farmer's market in the summer, baby lambs in the spring, maple sugaring, birthday parties, etc. Lots of nature at your fingertips. I particularly loved seeing the teenage volunteers mucking out the pens and caring for the animals because they are working so hard and developing empathy for nature and animals.

GREAT Place for families or singles too. tour the farm and see the animals then visit the museum which usually has some sort of exhibit going on. Watch the ducks swim on the pond. And there are walking trails through the woods. Bring bug repelant (deer wonder the woods so you'll want to prevent inviting ticks to visit). Bring a picnic and enjoy the out of doors. I live in Stamford so I can visit any time.

Great resource for kids and adults, quiet and serene, fun to see the animals at the farm. Great way to spend a morning or afternoon. NO dogs (makes sense as there is a farm there!)
Oh, and they have otters, in case you havent seen one in the wild in CT (yes, they do exist)

Great spot for a family. On a nice day, you can enjoy walking around the grounds and seeing the farm animals. If it's not a nice day there are things to do inside as well. Lovely, central location in north Stamford.

We love SMNC. It's great for young and old alike. There's a small farm with livestock, nature trails, an amazing playground, an observatory, an art museum, tons of seasonal activities: maple syrup in the spring, harvest fest in the fall, etc.

I stayed here with my kids, they are 5, 7 years old.

They could see some animals, and especially, they love to play at playground.

I am very enjoyed this place too. It was good place to walk out too

I just visited a 2nd time in the same year. Adorable place for children of all ages. Easy to spend 4-6 hours in a relaxing and fun place.

My family loves the nature center. It has a working farm, veggies, baby farm animals that the children can interact with. There is also an educational animal program with more exotic animals and people on hand to teach and answer questions. It is an unbelievable place , worth a visit when in the area!

We walked thru the Museum. It appeared they were cleaning up after an event, Noone paid us any attention. We enjoyed the farm animals, and especially the River Ferrets. That was the only time we saw a worker. He was very imformative about the Ferrets. The gift shop was sparse. The park was absolutely beautiful, but not informative.

I have been going here since I was a young boy and wanted to learn about both science and nature. The exhibits and trails do not disappoint. For those looking for a wonderful way to both exercise and enjoy nature, the trails are fabulous.

I always enjoy reading the information for the exhibits and learning more about the climate, wildlife, and environment in Connecticut.

From the playground to the lake, the mini zoo, as well as the hiking trails, this place has it all. So lucky to have grown up in Stamford :) I loved the special events as well, such as the Harvest Festival, Maple Sugar Festival, etc.

We wanted to spend a few hours here but after the nature trail and animal park we just ran out of things to do. We walked up to the museum which displays next to nothing. It's far from being a museum. School groups seem to be well catered for but others I'd have to question. Very disappointing indeed and the entrance is far too high for what you receive.

This place desperately needs a cafe/coffee shop.

I was surprised to find this lovely nature center so close to the city.

Nice enough grounds and trees providing good shade from the 90degree heat. Museum building itself is a nice building but contains virtually nothing to see and the gallery bit was closed. The guy who took our $10 entry fee omitted to say that. Nice grounds, but a bit of a rip off as the countryside is basically free. Maybe the farm bit to visit with children is ok but It closed soon after we arrived (4pm) so I'll never know. Not really a museum at all.

The center is well run with a variety of things to do. One can walk in the woods, play in the great playground with a birds nest, visit the animals (my favorite are the otters), picnic by the lake or visit the exhibits. They do special events year round and all are interesting. They also involve the community, such as the boy scouts. In addition, they have summer classes for all ages. it is great for a short midweek visit or a day long outing.

This was a very nice change from the hustle and bustle. Nice walkways thru the woods. The Museum is a beautiful tudor styled mansion and has a variety of exhibits

walk in the woods, enjoy the exhibits, mindlessly stare at the little animals, a good place to enjoy a day or many days with your kids.

Very nice. Great family day. staff extremely friendly. Beautiful patio area. I am sure they will excel.

We go once a month. Quaint mix of (1) animals (chase the ducks!), (2) playground (super slides!) and (3) rotating random display (Lego Land was awesome! Ginger Bread House Competition was a mixed bag. Spider display was icky. Telescope display was a MUST MISS). This place is GREAT! If you're looking to burn a few hours with the kids. On a Sunday afternoon. Before you try to eat an early afternoon lunch in Scott's Corners . . .

Museum portion left a bit to be desired. Kind of empty. Not much interaction for the kids.
However, the petty farm and animal section was really enjoyable.
Nice afternoon with the family.

This is such a great place to go especially with younger children. It is clean and a fun place to go as a family. The kids love the playground and the farm is well spread out so you can really see all of the animals. There are always events going on so be sure to check their website often. I have always loved the observatory on Friday nights. This has been one of my favorites since I was a child myself. Highly recommended!

Fun place for a variety of activities: animals (otters, cows, sheep, pig, chickens, reptiles, camelids), garden, trails and museum.

What a fun place to hang out for a couple hours - a farm, a museum, a large playground, and the woods to walk in. They are def family friendly and is easy to manage in a strolled or wheelchair. The staff is most courteous and knowledgeable.

Grand-kids really enjoyed all the interesting things to see and do. They took part in some of the activities. Staff was very informative.
Of course, we enjoyed it, too. It was easy to get to.

My girlfriend and I visited the nature center on a Sunday morning and loved it. It was a beautiful day and it was lovely to get out and see the animals (many of which are pretty interesting and obscure). Lots of kids around, so this is a great place to take family. Really awesome, relaxing outdoor experience. Highly recommended.

We became members which a great deal. We can run over here with our son whenever he gets bored. They have alot of special events also

Great place for families or couples to do an easy hike, enjoy the trees, and fresh air. There are sometimes family events and for trucks. There is a small farm animal zoo. Also an amazing playground for kids not to be missed. Recommend a visit or more.

When I watch my life flash in front of my eyes before death, this will be a picture of great significance. I went all my life. My cousin and sister worked there. Love this place

You only need an hour here. Take a picnic- tables available.
And walking shoes. Easy to push strollers and get some exercise.
Enjoy the farm animals and their little museum of reptiles.

We went to their fall festival activity. There were not as many children's activities as we thought there would be but the apple slingshot was fun. The dress exhibit in the museum was interesting but the rest of the museum was pretty empty. The trails look nice but we didn't get to hike when we were there so would like to go back to do that sometime.

We took our young grandchildren to enjoy a playground in the woods with a visit to various animal attractions. It was GREAT and for too many years we just rode by it. Give it a try!

So much fun...animals, activities, a great playground and walking trails. Never been to museum as kids (and me!) are always too tired. Prepare to spend the day. Always a good time!

This is where I went as a kid and I'm so glad they are still around. They always have events and activities for kids and it's great for parents too!!

I went here on a trip late last summer and enjoyed the walk through the woods. They have a wooden pathway so that even if you are in a wheelchair (or are paranoid about ticks) you can enjoy a walk through the woods. They had various stations with activities set up for children so the children could learn about plants or whatever. The farm was very interesting and I could see a wonderful attraction for the children. I did not get to the museum but will the next time I come I will make a point to see it.

Beautiful Park with something for everyone. Wonderful Historic Farm with horses, cows, goats,pigs, chickens... Lovely Duck Pond and stream. There is an accesssible board walk nature trail by the stream, and many other hiking trails and paved walking trails. They a have a cool playground with nature inspired slides and equipment. There are several designated picnic areas around the park. The museum is sited in an historic home on the property and always has a fabulous exhibit gong on which is fun for young and old alike. The SM&NC has several fabulous events throughout the year, Harvest Festival, Maple Sugar Festival, Spring on the Farm....My favorite part of the farm is the otter enclosure and otter feeding time! Worth the Trip to say the least. One can visit for an hour or an afternoon. Comfortable outdoor walking shoes recommended. There is no food venue on site, so pack a lunch and a snack and go check it out!!!

Lots to see and do -my kids always liked seeing and feeding the animals . Also a nice place to meet families from the area .

Great farm with a lot animals that kids will love it. Also good place to walk and enjoy the nature. Will return again.

Went with my husband and three year old granddaughter. She loved seeing all the animals and playing on the fabulous playground, which has activities for kids of all ages.
The park is beautifully laid out and easy to navigate.

We came on Sunday when the farmer's market was set up. Lots of local businesses selling a variety of items: honey, jam, kombucha, pesto. Once we got our fill there, we headed to the nature center portion. Plenty of animals and a lot of area for them to run around in. One of the horses came up to us (or maybe it came to the apple tree we were standing at) as we went by as did several piglets. We didn't go towards the playgrounds as the youngest in our group was 24 but it appeared to be a fairly large area for kids. The museum was nice; they had an exhibit that was very kid-focused and was about 2/3 of the museum. The other third was paintings and sculptures but not a lot of them though. The statues and fountains outside were also nice, especially since they were around a walking path back down to the parking lots. Plenty of hiking trails here too if you wish to make use of them.

Stamford Museum brings visitors back to nature. Whether its walking their trails, gazing at the starts from their planetarium or seeing how a New England farm operates, there is something for everyone to connect to nature. On top of that they have interesting exhibits from art to anthropology, so it's a very worthwhile way to spend an a day.

A wonderful place to get in touch with nature and the "natural", specially if you have kids! Here kids can run freely and just be kids surrounded by the woods and animals. The staff is friendly and courteous! The playground is just the "cherry on the cake"! If you live in Stamford or neighboring town I highly recommend getting the membership as there are events worth visiting all year around.

My boys love the outdoor playground built on the side of a hill. There are 8 or more slides, areas for small kids and a pirate boat to climb aboard. There is a small shop and nature center that sells healthy snacks and coffee for the parents. We also spent some time in the small museum and animal area with an indoor display of snakes, spiders, et. & an outdoor area for more traditional farm animals. We were there for about 3 hours and it went by pretty fast.

We have lived in Stamford for over a decade but we just discovered this gem as a place to take our grandchildren. There is a fabulous nature playground as well as farm animals to see. They also have specialized activities for children.

There are several key attractions the Stamford Museum and Nature Center offers:
1. The Museum: hosts a variety exhits that change every few months and also features guest speakers on different topics.
2. The Farm: The farm features a variety of animals and runs a variety of educational programing for kids and adults including the care of farm animals, how to make maple syrup and other farm related topics.
3. The trails: Great nature walks that connect with the botanical gardens. Educational programing for kids an adults. Camp outs, hikes, etc.
4. Playground: An imaginative wooden playground that children enjoy.
5. Preschool
6. Observatory - Stargazing thorugh telescope and special lectures. Available to the public.
7. Picnic areas
8. Seasonal festivals

We really liked how close this place was to NYC, where we were staying to visit family. We went for an Easter egg hunt and were shocked at how packed it was when the event opened. We were also not entirely thrilled to pay $10 per person (annual membership is $100). I was frustrated when the goody bags ran out and I felt gypped out of $20, but then we had lunch and walked around. By the afternoon, most people had left and I enjoyed the peace and quiet. We felt the Center was well-maintained and I was suprised by the unique variety of animals on the farm and the different exhibits they had. I was not happy to find only one bathroom and, with the line, ended up changing my toddler outside on the ground (grr). Had it not been a holiday weekend, I'm sure I wouldn't have a single complaint. We felt the staff were responsive to questions (even if they didn't have an answer!), we loved the playful otters and the beautiful property (waterfall, beautiful otter pond/water garden), separate huts/houses for the chicken, the parrot, snake, etc. We liked it and would go again to get away from the city for a couple of hours.

The Stamford Museum and Nature Center has been part of my family for decades. It is perfect for a stroll around the grounds watching the antics of the animals,, taking in all the special exhibits in the main building, feeding the ducks, and visiting the seasonal Farmer's Market.

Something for the whole family to enjoy. Set on about 80 acres of land, the number of animal exhibits is impressive, you could spend half a day just meandering from one animal pen to another. They also have a great system of woods walking trails and a fantastically well designed and well integrated woods theme playground with small climbing walls and elevated bridges. Especially not to be missed is the on site observatory, which functions every Friday night with a well educated astronomer who's always ready to point out the notable features of the sky, very cool! Throughout the year the Nature center also hosts a number of festivals and events so it's a good idea to check the website to see what's going on. Highly recommend!

Gorgeous facility with beautiful grounds and terrific farm experience for all ages! Particularly lovely in the fall! Chili contest coming up 11/6 and that's a great event! So much to see and do. Don't miss it!

No glitz, just pure wonderful nature for kids to take in and breathe peace.
It is a treat to have this exist.

We attended a wedding here and thought the space was great. Beautiful location just outside the museum for the ceremony. Cocktails down by the Otter Bridge was a lot of fun as well as the rest of the animals that were close by. Reception was inside the museum and the space accommodated our group of about 100 very well. Really enjoyed the space...and the wedding!

This is an amazing place to spend with family and become closer to the nature together!Amazing Animals are doing their job with the kids staying unbelievable emotions for long time period. Higly recommended!

If you go with young children be sure not to miss the playground and everyone should visit the exotic animals building! I believe all the animals in it are rescues.

Wonderful for kids, not overwhelming, just the right amount of animals to keep young children interested. Playground after a walk that isn't too challenging and that most kids can do.

It is a mix between farm/ zoo and nature trails. Very beautiful for photos and a good laugh at all the animal noises you can hear. Deff recommended for kids and couples all ages really.

Great place to visit, just adults or with kids too. Most awesome playground with huge slides for the kids to play on. All manner of animals to see: otters, ducks, geese, chickens, sheep, goats, cattle, horses, etc... Also a wonderful museum with a changing exhibit (currently a fascinating ant exhibit) and a great Lego room for the kids to play in (hard to get my kids out of there!). Years ago I seem to recall paying by the car load. Now it is $10 for adults and $5 for each kid. That's $$35 for my family, which isn't horrible but I usually try to go places that are free, cheap or I can get into with a pass from my library. My library doesn't offer a discount to go here, so we can't go as often as we'd like but it is a very nice place!

Great place for families. We all had a wonderful time. Let's you appreciate nature at its finest.
Everyone should visit here.

The Stamford Museum and Nature Center offers family fun, any time of the year. Wander through the grounds and enjoy the forest. Take the little ones to the farm and let them touch the animals. The Museum has revolving exhibits that are usually interesting. A visit is a nice way to spend an afternoon.

Really amazing playground for your toddlers you'd like to tire out! No swings fyi. But a beautiful wooden playground with great slides. Nice little farm in a beautiful setting. Great for people any age, especially kids.

Stamford Museum is open year round. there are spring, fall, summer and other special events for children. Snacks are sometimes available. The Easter egg hunt and Halloween event are
fun for the little ones. Nice selection of farm animals and children's playground area. Parking is limited - on street parking is available. Also on grounds is a planatarium. There is a fee per car about $10. I believe.

Took our grandkids. They loved it and we had fun too! Staff was helpful and knowledgeable about animals. Special Lego exhibit was really spectacular. The outdoor play apparatus is creative and they have numerous hiking trails. Good family fun!

If you have small children, bring them to the Nature Center where there is a fabulous, inventive playground, archaeological "dig" area, paths, farm animals, a lake with a waterfall, and a fabulous otter exhibit that you can watch for hours. You can picnic, and periodically there are special events, like tapping maple trees in the fall.

Imagine a working farm and a forest in a city! Wonderful boardwalk Wheels In the Woods, ideal for moms with strollers, though intended for wheel chairs...but very pleasant for a walk. Horses, lambs, llamas, pigs, chickens, goats, guinea hens, cows abound. Also the Animal embassy hosts incredible reptiles. Special weekend events for maple syrup,

Fantastic working farm to bring the kids of all ages. Beautifully laid out and scalled; fowl, goats, chickens, cows, pigs, horses, burros, and don't miss Edie the otter and her friends.... although sleeping is a big part of her day. The museum has the most perfect interesting small scaled managable shows. Perfect for kids and those of us with a short attention span.... I visit all the time and have been a member over the years.

Lots to do! So much fun for kiddos! The exotic animal house was very cool and the woman working the house even took animals out and let my son touch them and answered any questions we had!

I love this place! The farm is fantastic! Especially around the spring time when the babies are born. The museum is great, they are constantly changing the exhibits, and I have never been disappointed. There is a wonderful playground, and the walking trails are a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle. I do feel that the entry fee is a little high if you just wanted to visit the walking trails or the museum, but if you are able to make a day of it, it is definitely well worth it!

be a visitor and i bet you will become a member.
no kidding.
smnc is such a treasure. a working farm with options for any, all, and many volunteers right in a stamford neighborhood.
the center continues to grow into its possibilities - great exhibits are launched quarterly, animals get birthed in the spring, wine parties occur ...maple trees are tapped for syrup...pumpkins are carved...sleepovers happen...and star-viewing is a must at the observatory.
and that is just a little bit of what awaits you.
it is always new.

We have been annual members since our first visit 10 years ago. My son loves animals and would visit SMNC every day if he could. He has special needs and this is a wonderfully inviting place to have an enjoyable and relaxed time. The staff is very kind and accommodating and we highly recommend a visit/membership. Also, they do great birthday parties both onsite and they will bring small animals to your home...we did it three years in a row!

Cute farm with interesting variations of typical farm animals. Great for young children. Great paths that are easy to navigate with stroller.

Self guided. A docent or volunteers to ask questions about the animals would have been helpful. Inside the reptile building there is someone to chat with and was very helpful on my last visit. We didn't go in to see the reptiles this time.

This place is great espically for kids. You can feed the bull but be careful of the horns if you pet his head. All different kinds of farm animals to see and some you can feed with grass only. The gallery was closed when i went but will have to go back.

a great place to take your kids or grandkids. They always have special events- sheep shearing- maple syrup making . Or just go see the animals. We have also attended fundraisers in the main building. I believe they still have great summer arts programs for children in that main building.

We enjoyed our visit. We were short on time and only went to the Heckscher Farm. My granddaughter enjoyed seeing lots of farm animals. She was able to pet one of the horses. They have sheep, chickens, llamas, alpacas, cows, pigs, goats, rams. There is also a vegetable garden. In addition there is a Nature's Playground, picnic tables, Nature Center, and Observatory. We forward to returning and seeing more.

The farm, the woods and the animals are all the best attraction for kids. Don't forget to visit the museum to see the latest exhibit.

Lots of seasonal attractions here! The Maple Sugar festival is very educational. The Christmas season kicks off with a spectacular Lego construction!

This place is awesome for kids and adults. We totally loved it and we didn't even get to do it all because we got there late and it was pouring but the place is so very cool. It's def a place to take your lil ones and just for a small price of $10 for adults and I'm sorry that I don't remember how much is for kids but it should be less than that but I guarantee you will all love it! I will be returning! Enjoy!

Nice place to go and spend a few hours. It's so beautiful. Lots to see and do. Bring your lunch and hang out for a while. Everyone loved it.

Enjoyed every second and will go back. Loved the scenic amenities and the trees. The crew was amazing and helped the experience

This place is great for families with young kids or people who are young at heart. It has a working farm, a playground and a museum. I will always bring my out of town visitor with kids here. Its easy local and usually just enough for them to handle. The playground has large wooden structures and slides. It kept my kids entertained for hours. Farm has cows, otters, pigs, chickens, sheep, turkeys, llamas and a variety of other animals as well. There is also a small indoor exhibit of reptiles. Don't miss the museum it always has something offbeat and interesting.

fabulous North Stamford hidden gem .Animals for the kids nice walks playground and museum Farmers market on a Sunday

This is a great place to take the kids. It has animals, walking trails and a play area for the kids. This is a working farm. They have special activities periodically suck as maple syrup making, trucks and other special events. We go regularly.

Went on memorial Day and had a beautiful time. There is a farm hiking trails, a museum, several picnic tables, gift shop. It's a lovely place and was not crowded. They had a cow there that looked liked a yak and it sneezed. So stay clear of the sneezing yak ;)
The people are really friendly and it's family friendly. Minor hills, that are maneuverable with a stroller.

This is always a fun place to visit. There are enough hiking trails to get a decent walk, and the farm animals are interesting/cute. Their museum has different exhibits and I try to catch the ones that sound interesting - loved the Lego exhibit.

There are picnic tables if you want to pack a lunch, and a really creative playground for kids. I was envious when I saw it - we didn't have playgrounds like that in my day.

You can spend 1-4 hours there (or more, I guess) depending upon what you feel like doing. I always feel like I've had a small getaway after visiting.

Nice area to visit with events happening all the time. There is a cost to enter, plenty of parking and nice staff.

Great place to go with family and friends. Has a little zoo, nice play area for kids, beautiful trail to walk. Enjoyed every minute I was there.

Otters, swans, cows, pigs, chickens, alpaca, goats, turtles and a playground in the woods. The Nature Center is a must do when in Stamford. Just follow chippy a trail to find amazing slides and climbing structures for pre schoolers and up! Different events occurs during the month so check the website. There is planetarium for learning about the night sky. There are picnic tables and restrooms.

The bad news is that this is a place for children. The good news is that this is a place for children of all ages. On the grounds are an entire farm with chickens, free roaming wild turkeys, ducks, geese, penned in cows, lamb, sheep, rabbits, a snake house, domesticated cats running around, even otters and geese and more ducks. You can watch the otters get fed each day and other species too. It's a great place to reduce the fear of animals in little children and to have them interact with the various domesticated ones. There is a museum on the premises but a visit to the farm is interesting enough. There are wonderful hiking paths on the premises and a complicated playground with all kinds of paraphenalia to keep youngsters and adults busy for hours at this delightful country farm in the city (of Stamford, CT)

Very family oriented nature center. Summer camps for kids of all ages and wonderful holiday oriented events. Especially strong is their Halloween events.

My wife and I hadn't been to The Stamford Nature Center in 6-7 years and we are happy that we've rediscovered this relaxing spot

It was our first visit to this place and we truly enjoyed our visit. Did some walking around the farm and then attended a workshop on maple syrup making. Great program and there is much more for all ages. We'll be back soon.

Great place to bring young children. They love the farm animals and there's a great playspace with big slides built into the hillside. Nice trails for hiking for older children and adults. Staff is friendly and helpful. LOTS OF FAMILY FUN!

There are several features to keep your children happily busy. A nature center, a Playscape designed to blend in with the natural landscape, various farm animals and a barn and maple sugar house keep the children engaged for a very hours. There are also short hiking trails through the property which we occasionally visit for a quiet after dinner stroll or snowshoeing in the winter.

SMNC is mildly interesting, but nothing really special. Don't go when school groups are there. It's worth a trip from anywhere as long as you're not more than a mile or two away.

wonderful oasis, with woods, farm, trails, pond, lambs, goats, lamas, horses, cowls and natural beauty and friendly staff

We have been coming here for years and my kids still love it! The farm is surprisingly large, walking trails are beautiful, the playground is so much fun!!

It should really include farm in its title. Plenty of farm animals, gardens as well as nature center and museum. Special events include preparing maple syrup all with an educational focus. Also attractive trails through the woods. Years ago we enjoyed taking our children, now we enjoy with our grandson.

Come, learn about Stamford history and see some of the unique items in the museum. During the seasons, there specialty exhibits, like Maple collection in the Fall.

We had a great time visiting the farm. We were able to interact with the animals. The Maple House was closed during our visit. There was a very interesting exhibit at the Bendel Mansion. I would have liked to have learned more about the mansion itself. There are two entrances one is closer to the mansion and one is at the top of the farm. There were what looked like nice trails but we didn't get a chance to walk them as we had walked a lot around the rest of the grounds. There is also a fun kids area.

They have chickens roaming around, 2 sea otters to watch, giant pig, lots of cows and horses to see. it is all outside, so go when there is good weather or bundle up! bring a picnic to eat at one of the many tables near the parking lot.

I was going there from when I was in my moms tummy. There's pictures and memories of that place..it will be part of the life that flashes before my eyes as a favorite place

There is so much to see and do at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center. We have been there many times, had our son's birthday party there and have attended some of the special events. Check out the website to see all they have to offer and do. Definitely a day well spent!

Beautiful property. ... took my 12 year old granddaughter...we walked through and enjoyed the farm animals. The otters were hiding under a bush. The museum is up a steep hill... there was not much to see in the museum. I am 64 years old... wish we had been informed of the empty museum... before making the up hill climb to the museum. We were there for an hour and a half. Play area and farm animals great for younger children.

We went to the nature center not knowing what to expect.
We were pleasantly surprise bu how wonderful it was.
Great easy hiking trails and a great assortment of animals.
Very peaceful.
Great for families with children

I have to first admit that I'm not a "nature person." I get frightened by too many animals running about. But a nice (short) walk in the trees on a boardwalk and a visit to some nice fenced-in animals was a good way to spend an afternoon. One sad point was the otter pond. Apparently one of the otters recently died, and her otter friend or colleague was too sad to come out to play though we did catch a glimpse of him. We did see some animals, ahem, in the act but it's to be expected I suppose!

I’ve been going to the Stamford museum
since I was a little girl as I was raised in
Stamford! They always have plenty to do
for the adults and the kids! They have corn
husking and watching the wool from the
sheep and roaming around to see all the
interesting animals they have! It’s s very
education place to learn things! Everyone
should go in their lifetime! I highly do
recommend it!

We could have spent much longer walking around here than we did. It was a great idea to work off some holiday calories and enjoy nature along very well-groomed trails. The working animal farm was fun and it was delightful to see happy children frolicking and learning and playing!

It is always fun to walk around the farm area and visit all the animals. my two grandsons then love to go to the playground. there are tables for people to sit at, eat lunch or just watch the kids in the play area. great place!

Nice day trip with kids. There's always something going on - crafts, exhibitions, animals, star-gazing. Good deal for your membership money.

My kids loved the Nature center. There is always something going on, no matter what time of year. The gardens and walks are beautiful, and stroller friendly. The playground is very rustic and unique. We also had a lot of fun interacting with the animals. Great place.

What a treasure we have in Stamford, CT ! I live a few blocks away for the past 45 years and I have over time brought my kids and now my grandkids to the 18th century farm which has farm animals and vegetable and flower gardens, the playground, the science building, the trails, the maple sugar processing in the spring, the sheep sheering in the summer and all the myriad activities and special events. there is also the museum building with the planetarium and the separate building for the observatory which allows the public to view the stars and the planets through the large telescope for a nominal cost on Friday nights. One can enter the property by paying a fee each time or by joining for the year which is a great deal. Definitely worth the trip.
Bette K

Great place to go year round especially with kids, family, or friends. Museum on the premises is great. and the animals are outstanding. There is always some event happening and they are always enjoyable.

Seeing common animals for a two year old is a wonderful experience. And, to be so close to them.

Bring my Grand daughters all the time and between the animals and the play ground its always fun! They have special exhibits and even a farmers market. I'm a member and intend on continuing to be one

Much like Cove Island, the Stamford Museum and Nature Center is another great jewel. It has evolved over the years. It's a peaceful retreat from the activity that now invades the city. It's also an ideal place to take kids. It's also a great location for shooting photos - either to shoot images of the center or by utilizing the great backdrops for shooting a profile pic of an individual. Unlike Cove Island (which requires a car sticker in the summer to park on site) there is a fee to enter. Not sure if there is a walk in fee.

It has a very nice farm. I really appreciated their staff's helpfulness. It should be great for family visits.

I have been going for 50 years and it continues to get better every year. It is clean, wholesome, educational fun for all ages. Staff is all friendly and enthusiastic about making your experience fun and safe. Nice way to spend a couple of hours.

Don't miss the observatory too. Summer Hours only: (April 1 - Labor Day) 8:30pm - 10:30pm

Buy a membership and enjoy it anytime 'for free'. well worth it to support this wonderful organization.

This not-so-little estate has a crazy range of offerings! Set on 118 acres, Stamford Museum & Nature Center has a pond, a working farm, sculptures, hiking paths and a museum with revolving exhibits.

We began our day at the museum, which is located in the Bendel Mansion (built for famous designer Henri Bendel). It's a gorgeous British manor house that now serves as a charming museum.
On the day we visited it's special exhibit was A Billion Bricks 3: Galactic Travels, a Lego Exhibit featuring Star Wars. It took about 15 minutes to walk through the exhibit. Before heading outside we made a stop at the Children's Corner so the kids could tinker with Legos and make some creations of their own.

After some cajoling we finally got all three of the kids outside and explored the 10-acre working farm. This was my favorite part of our day. Clean white snow covered much of the farm but the asphalt paths were clear and easy to navigate throughout the grounds.

In the Overbrook Nature Center we learned about local wildlife, studied their tracks then headed back outside to investigate. I was pleasantly surprised at how enthralled the kids were in investigating tracks.

In the farm area saw geese, ducks, horses, llamas, rabbits, cows, sheep and rams. The kids alternating between frolicking in the snow and chasing each other on the sidewalks. We took a few breaks to admire nature's beauty and study the animals. It was really a sweet afternoon.

This property is really special and the sun reflecting off the snow set an amazing backdrop for pictures. It was truly one of the more picturesque spots I've been to in a while. I image it's gorgeous in all seasons but the serene snow made me really happy.

Also located on the farm is Heckscher WILD, a small indoor reptile house where the kids were able to get up close and even interact with wildlife. The employees were extremely nice and taught us interesting facts about what we were seeing. They even had names for lots of the reptiles. Wallace the tortoise was a big hit and was out walking around in the space.

We spent about two hours touring the grounds. It was a lovely afternoon and I wanted to stay longer but we had to head home. We didn't have a chance to see the planetarium and the playground was closed due to the ice. The playground looked pretty awesome, it's designed for children to experience animals' perspective on nature. We'll definitely be back though. They have a sheep shearing event and maple sugaring day coming up that sound really fun. This sweet little property has a zoo, a sculpture garden, hiking trails, and a museum. It's rare to be able to experience so much in such a short visit.

Tips:

Everything is stroller accessible.
Bring a camera, this is a really gorgeous and photogenic property.
You can easily spend 2+ hours here.
Parking is free.
This is a great place to bring a picnic lunch, I wish we had.

My 4 year old twins and I LOVE the SM&NC. It is so peacefull and nice for them to be able to run and roam ahead of us without me worrying too much. There are lots of great animals, beautiful gardens and a wonderful playground. We spent the day roaming around and checking things out and then had a picnic lunch on the grounds. So relaxing. The only drawback was the restroom (near the gift shop)....needs an attendant to keep an eye on it during busy times...not very clean and lack of paper.

Been here many times, kids love it. Playground is lovely and the museum is great fun. The wildlife is always fun

My husband and I visited the Stamford Museum and Nature Center in Stamford Connecticut on Monday, April 19th, 2021. We found out about this museum because it is part of the CT Art Trail Passport Booklet, making it a good value. We visited primarily to see the Special Exhibit ‘Global Garden: Resonant Beauty, A Solo Exhibition of Orchid Paintings by Patricia Laspino’, which was excellent, being very inspirational. We were very impressed with this exhibit and feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to see it, since it is only on view until April 25th. I give this museum an excellent rating because of this exhibit. However, after it is over, I am not certain what will be on view at the museum because there is a gap of time between when this exhibit ends and when the next exhibit begins on May 21st, and the museum does not appear to have a permanent exhibit always on view. I provide more details about this exhibit in the Special Exhibit section of this write-up. The museum is located inside the Bendel Mansion, which has large rooms with nice architecture inside, but no rooms were set-up with furnishings depicting how it looked as a mansion.

The one issue we had with our visit was finding the museum from the farm parking lot. The directions say to park in the Heckscher Farm parking lot and not in the museum parking lot at this time. The museum is not close or even in view from the farm parking lot. We were provided with 2 maps as we entered the grounds, one in black and white the other a Trail Map. The museum is not very distinctively marked on the map that is in black and white, it just blended in with everything else. The Trail Map had it designated in red. Nevertheless, it took a while to find the museum from the Hechscher Farm parking lot. We were glad the weather was very nice because if it had been rainy or cold out, the walk from the parking lot to the museum wouldn’t have been very nice, in particular because it is hilly. So wear comfortable shoes. However, there was plenty of free parking in the Heckscher Parking Lot at the time of our visit. It just wasn’t convenient to the museum.

Special Exhibit: ‘Global Garden: Resonant Beauty, A Solo Exhibition of Orchid Paintings by Patricia Laspino’:

The paintings in this exhibit were both beautiful and impressive and together with the write-ups depicted a great mixture of art, culture, history, science, nature and addressed the impacts of Climate Change and Global Warming on various species of orchids as well as other types of flowers, including peonies. Each painting had a write-up with a title, flower facts, including specie of orchid or flower, bird (if applicable), native range (where each orchid grows) and artist notes. The artist notes were definitely quite interesting and educational and depicted specific features and characteristics about each orchid, including historic and scientific information, growth patterns, and the stories and experiences that the artist had with the flower.

This exhibit is truly amazing!! I never knew that there were so many diverse species of orchids from all over the world. The paintings and associated write-ups within this exhibit nicely reflect the many years of research studies that the artist put into their creation, effectively addressing the flowers and paintings from the perspective of their beauty, diversity, preservation and stewardship. It is definitely apparent that the artist was influenced by several artists, including Georgia O’Keeffe, as well as her botanist background. This exhibit was very well done and worth seeing.

The Heckscher Farm, Gardens, River Otter, Nature Center and Much More:

It was a nice walk through the farm, both to and from the museum. There was a nice variety of animals, to see and take pictures of that were all well-kept and had plenty of room to move about. The animals included chickens, goats, sheep, pigs, horses, cows and much more. The grounds and surrounding landscape were also scenic and nicely maintained.

We particularly enjoyed the River Otter, who didn’t come out until we opened the gate to where you could view him. Interesting information about River Otters, their environment, including their habitat and diet, was on display.

The Overbrook Nature Center and Gift Shop had taxidermy artifacts representing animals from the area on display, with educational write-ups as well as snakes and a rock collection. Interesting information about the seasons, bird migrations and the Atlantic Flyway were also on display.

The vegetable gardens were not in bloom at the time of our visit but did have garlic and leaves to strawberry plants sprouting up. These gardens, which are planted with over 50 varieties of fruits and vegetables, including dozens of heirloom varieties, would be nice to see later in the season.

The farm, which has an interesting history, is definitely great for families with young children but could also be enjoyed by adults. Picnic tables were available on the grounds making it nice for a family picnic. There were a variety of different trails, which we did not have an opportunity to take based on the amount of time we had available to us at the time of our visit. One that we missed, which would have been interesting to see, was the Sculpture Trail that appears to be relatively close to the museum based on the map in black and white. Our visit took about an hour and 20 minutes, with an emphasis on viewing the Special Exhibit in the museum, but included the areas mentioned above going to and from the museum.

It is great that this museum has been able to remain open with a wide range of hours during the pandemic and that we didn’t need timed tickets, giving a lot of flexibility in terms of the time of our arrival. The only issue we had with our visit was that we were not able to park close to the museum.

This was an OK place not sure it's worth $10 but it's basically a very small farm with some animals and a small museum that had a Lego exhibit when we visited. Not much to do but there is hiking trails if you like that.

Love the setting for this. Animal farm, museum, small store and playground all on large property. Plenty of things to do and they have children programs to sign up for. Well worth the visit if in the area. There is a cover charge per car.

The Nature Center is a great place to spend the day with the kids. There's a to to do and a lot to see. It's very educational for all, including adults. Springtime is also good if you want to see all the newborn animals!

Great place for "kids" young and older. The grounds are nice to roam anytime of year. There are nature trails winding through the scenic woods. Nice to see that they have "accessible" trails as well.
There are farm animals roaming the grounds (hens and ducks) and many other animals on the grounds that will delight (otters, pigs, alpacas, lamas, etc).
The "mansion" has rotating exhibits, that are always interesting, fun and educational.
I have never gone to the observatory but hear that on Friday nights, you can check out the sky on their telescope. Sounds like fun!

This place really does it right and you will not be disappointed when spending an afternoon here.

We visited on a beautiful summer day. We checked out the outdoor sculptures first. Then we went inside the museum. The artwork and building were very nice. Next we visited the otter and animals. Try to be there close to feeding time for the otter (12 or 1 pm based on the time of year) as he's animated and lively. The caretaker was friendly and knowledgeable. Then we walked through the farm and garden area. The animals are clean and well cared for. Don't miss the Heckscher Wild area. We also walked some of the trails. This is a great place to bring kids if you're looking for a fun, outdoor location.

We went to the mansion first, which was a mistake. It is underutilized, it feels like a pretentious art gallery when it could be more engaging and lively. It said there was a hall of gems and mammals in the history, but perhaps I missed something, I didn’t see either. However the true gem is outside. The Wheels in the Woods walk was excellent over some breathtakingly scenic River views, the farm was a delight, and the playground was enjoyable. Highly recommend for families (also check out the free arboretum just up the road).

Excellent place, so many beautiful artifacts, well described, well displayed and all for free. We'll worth the visit.

There are paths to travel through the woods. There’s also a petting zoo for the kids, as well as a small museum with rotating exhibits (the last one I saw was this thing in October 2017, with an exhibit of artwork and illustrations for early and “Golden Age” science-fiction and fantasy). Fun for the whole family

this is a nice spot in the spring or fall to get the kids out of the house and run around a bit
this lovely area has the traditional petting animals and

This place is always fun to go to. Besides the animals, the art museum often has interesting exhibits. The grounds are nice to walk, and there are special days that celebrate winter, maple syrup making, etc.

Children can set their own pace, either exploring with caregivers or enjoying a guided tour with "farmers"--staff members who are adept at stimulating the curiosity of young visitors.

The Stamford Museum and Nature Center is a wonderful attraction in Stamford, CT. The place is beautiful and there is so much to do!! There are animals to see, many seasonal activities (such as making apple cider) and exhibits (Gingerbread houses during the holidays).The mansion is worth checking out as well, very pretty. Many great opportunities to photograph!!

We parked in the expanded lot at their new Farmhouse Entrance, 151 Scofieldtown Road. After paying $7 each senior at the entry kiosk (using a card), we walked through the farmyard maze of fenced pastures and down to the pond bridge. Ahead was our goal, the Bendel Mansion built in the late 1920’s. While the main rooms/halls were open with historical pictures and information, the museum itself was closed. After seeing an 1862 garden sculpture of "Ruth," by Italian Giovanni Battista Lombardi, we returned along a wooded trail passing a large caged owl then along a stream that ended near the river otter pool where a multitude of ducks milled around the pond. Touring groups of children with their parents and sometimes grandparents were fascinated by the common farm animals which also included rare Mulefoot hogs, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Llamas and a Highland cow.
Clearly the focus here is to educate and entertain urban children and make a nice day outing for families in a natural setting.

I hadn't been to the Stamford Nature center in at least 15 years but recently went with my 2 yo daughter and 9 yo niece. Both enjoyed the visit. The park was a big hit with the slides and all of the litle "nooks". The farm was great to walk around and see all the animals including the llamas. We didn't walk on any of the trails but once my daughter is older a family membership is a definite and at some point I want to check out their farmers market on Sundays. I can see coming here regularly for afternoon trail hikes and visiting the animals.

Great for even young children. Zoo/Farm and museum with rotating exhibits. I've been going since I was a child and I'm 64!

This is a wonderful place to go, truly any time of year. The playground is incredible! The animals are always exciting. The new reptile room is fabulous. I have gone here with adults and children alike, and there is definitely something for everyone. I cannot wait to explore more of what they has to offer in the coming months. I'm sure Fall is a fantastic time. Highly recommend!

I used to spend almost every weekend at the museum when I was a teenager. I even started going as a youngster, taking classes. I wish however, that membership for individuals was a little more affordable. I truly miss belonging to the museum.

such fun with little kids... loved every minute of our visit. the playground is amazing and one of the biggest draws for our grandkids.

I first came as a child myself, then brought my kids and now I've introduced my grandkids to this wonderful place! There have been many improvements over the years but the charm of the place remains the same! My kids even became Junior Curators for a time! They have a preschool, educational classes, family and adult events!

I've gone here numerous times every since I was a child, and now with my own children. The animals are always a winner with the kids, and the annual maple sugaring is always fun. However, I haven't been there in over a year, simply because it is downright expensive for two adults and four children.

I like it. Shouldn’t be a paid parking though. It is good with the lake and all sort of animals. Museum was good too. It was kite decoration when we visited.

plenty to see and do here, different special events all year. we have been here for summer festivals as well as the museum attractions in the winter

A unusual place with the Bendel mansion and then a working farm with pigs, cows, chickens, goats etc. A great place to take a family with children. The gentleman at the desk in the mansion wasn't very helpful, almost to the point of rude, but I won't hold that against them. He must have been having a bad day.

To walk around the farm, greeting and petting the animals is one of my favorite things to do. I love all those beautiful animals! My family, friends and I visit The Stamford Museum & Nature Center very often. The farm should be an educational sanctuary. Also, deers should have a home there too. I recommend to visit The Farmers Market during June and October.

It is small but lovely get away with the little kids. They have one of the best Bald Eagles that exist along with other birds of prey.

The over 100 acre walking trails are scenic and spectacular.

The host camps for children in the summer with a great playground as well as harvest festivals.

Quite convenient with hours throughout the day from morning to evening each day.

The nature center is really a great place to spend the day. you can get a real feel for "old Stamford" and the museum just tops it off.

Extensive grounds, including a planetarium. Lots of farm animals and local flora and fauna. Interesting exhibits often available at the main building. Seasonal activities such as maple sugaring.

Great place for kids. Farm animals, nature exhibits and super pre-school. For adults, great art shows and exhibits. Plus a Planetarium!

My wife and I wanted to spend an afternoon "on the farm" so took a trip to the Stamford Nature Center to see the baby goats, chickens and piglets. What a wonderful way to spend a day. Felt like we were FAR away from the hustle and bustle and that was worth it but seeing and petting the baby goats were a highlight! The Nature Center has so many activities and things to see you really can make a day of it. treat yourself and have fun with a trip to the Stamford Nature Center!

I love SMNC. It's a little gem in the middle of our city. There are short walking trails that are a great escape. They are completely manageable for kids which I love. The playground is great. The farm is awesome. I love seeing all the baby animals in the Spring. The museum is small but good! The events are great. They even have a small planetarium.

The SM&NC participates in a library musrum pass program. Go to your local library reference desk and take out a pass like you would a book. Worth your weight in gold. Great program for every ljbrary to have.

I was babysitting 3 found children and took them to the Stamford Nature Center. They have a ton of animals, geese, otters, chickens, cows, oxen, goats, rabbits, horses, llamas, alpacas, ferrets and reptiles. The kids are allowed to get up close to the animals. The only one I would be weary of is the oxen he wasn't very friendly and did try to get the kids through the fence. They also have a critter house where the reptiles and ferrets are located. If you ask nicely the caretakers let you pet the iguanas, or ferrets. Besides animals they have a wonderful playground area. It's geared towards older kids 5+ so if you have little ones it's kind if scary. Overall it was a good experience and the kids had fun which is what's most important.

Located just north of the Merritt Parkway, this 118 acre park offers a wealth of activities year round, from maple syrup making in the spring to sheep shearing in the fall. Check out their website to see what activities they have underway at any given time. They also offer a summer camp and numerous educations programs. It's a great place to take kids to teach them about the natural and agricultural sciences.

This is a good place to go if you are into hiking and trails and to see some farm animals. This is a nice place to go and spend a few hours but needs improvement. They should really get a new chicken coop because they paint is all chipped, the glass is dirty, and there is poop everywhere. They should also get maybe and owl or two because there is this huge empty cage with nothing in it but could really be used for something. The playground is pretty fun for the kids, and the horse comes up pretty close.

Very close to Stamford, easily accessible (just off Merritt Parkway), a very large forest space (120 acres...) with a working farm, a great playground,, shady walking trails, a nice pond / lake to picnic and a manor which houses exhibits. Many activities throughout on the farm - check the website to schedule your visit. One thing to note : there aren't any really good catering options onsite.

Every summer I plan on going to Stamford nature center. It's a great place to bring kids and your family.
There are so many cute animals and most of them run freely around the place.
The goats love being cherished!!
It's definitely a fun place to walk around and be part of the nature.

This is a great place to take the kids. There is a farm area where a variety of farm animals are displayed, including a petting zoo for the young ones. Spring is a great time to go as many of the flowers and tress are in bloom and there are new baby animals to see. There is also a great playground, where even the older kids will have a good time. It all makes for a nice day.

We visited today with twin 8 yr old grandsons. They were awed by their experience and vowed to go back very soon. We were here more than 10 years ago with the older grandson, and were pleased to see the improvements made over the years. The grounds are very clean and well maintained. The highlight for the boys was the playground area, with several slides, elevated walkways, "bird nests" , log tunnel, pirate ship etc. There are several nature trails (wooden walkways as well as natural footpaths), that take you into the peace of the woodlands and small streams. The trails are relatively short and easy to negotiate. After a stroll, we visited the farm area, with livestock and natural attractions (bee hives, flower and vegetable gardens). There are barns and pens scattered about. Horses, cows, bulls, goats, llama's, chickens and pigs roam the fields. Many more attractions than I can now write about right now. Definitely a worthwhile attraction for the young and old alike. Would advise taking a cooler with snacks, sandwiches, and soft drinks. There are limited snacks available at the gift shop if you plan a short trip. There are picnic tables available on the grounds.

My four year old Ioves the playground and the farm area. We go a few times a year.

Check the hours of the reptile house before you go. Kids love it but the last couple of times we went, we missed the daily hours.

We took our little guy here for the Easter egg hunt. While it was a chilly day the staff at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center couldn't have been nicer. This is a great kid family adventure. We have been here once before for a car show, but this was a kid friendly day filled with tons of happy kids and parents. The actual farm is filled with assorted animals that the kids can get up close to. I highly recommend this as a family outing. I highly recommend you borrowing your local library pass for a discount admisson as it is pricey if you have a big family.

Take a picnic lunch and enjoy the woodsy setting. Great for young and old children. Staff/volunteers are friendly and helpful.

This place saved my life when my kids were small. I bought a membership and we were there daily, to walk the farm and see the animals. Have lunch on a picnic bench by the water. Occasionally they had great exhibits for kids like Lego, trains, etc. They usually had a kids room where you could make your own crafts using recycled material. I also had my kids take several classes art classes and workshops in the studio building. I even had a fantastic birthday for one of my sons at the farm. There's also an astronomy night weekly you can view the stars. If you live closeby and have small kids its the absolute best!

A lovely place if you need some peace. Lots of species of plants and animals. Reasonably kid-friendly.

Okay - we have been going to SM&NC for years. Our kids have enjoyed walking through and seeing the farm animals (and Otters).There are a couple places you might miss if you aren't careful - 1) Nature's Playground - a GREAT set of slides and other activities, and 2) the museum in the big house set above. Sometimes they have trains and lego exhibits, so make sure that you don't miss if they have something good going on.

Great place to take the kids, especially under 10. Get your eyes off the screen and enjoy nature at its best. Love it in the spring when all the baby animals are at their cutest!

nice little farm, nice playground, duck pond, and pretty grounds, no bikes but lots of walking trails and nature

We are SMNC members and have been coming here for over 2 years. Our daughter never tires of all the animals and they have several wonderful events each year. There is a great playground and walking trails in the woods for toddlers and above.

Had a meeting for our senior company members and it turned out great. They supplied food and had the lunch outside under a pavilion. It was nice to get out of the meeting room and get some fresh air. Some folks took advantage of the time to take a short walk as well.

It is a.very well maintained center.. in the.summer they host farmer's market...
They have a small farm where the children can play and interact with small farm animals... the center is well maintained..

amazing place to take kids; we have season pass and go there every week... the playbook is amazing in the middle of the trees; kids love it to see the farm animals and be closer to our roots.

The Museum and Nature Center is such a wonderful gem in Stamford. You can take a stroll around the farm and visit all the animals, of which there are MANY, and not just your typical farm animals (my son prefers the otters, turtles and pigs)! There are many lovely hiking trails to enjoy (even one that is wheelchair accessible), with nature facts along the way. There is a wonderful playground built into the hillside with some unique features that the kids love. And there is always a new and enjoyable exhibit inside the museum. Plus they have great special events for kids. Become a member (which is quite reasonable) and admission is free.

Very nice walking trails. Great for a family or a couples stroll. We walked in a drizzle, but still enjoyed the whole area.

Stamford Museum and Nature Center has it all: animals, museum, decks, walking trails and a fabulous playground. There is something for almost every family member.

This small farm and museum is just off the Merritt Parkway in Stamford. It is quiet and pristine with a parklike setting along a small brook. This is a great place for grandparents to bring the kids. They can get up close and pet horses, donkeys, llamas, pigs, goats and many more animals. They also loved the otter pair and the chickens and geese. Lots of delighted giggles. The farm also has a spectacular wooden play area with many slides, a pirate ship and a huge natural sandbox, with lots of shady seating for adults. Bring a picnic and enjoy it next o the brook.

We came here by cab as a boating destination and absolutely loved it! The museum had a fantastic Lego exhibit in it's mansion museum. The park is beautiful and lush with a brook running through it. It is a great place for photo ops! Cross over to the nature preserve to visit rabbits, horses, and other farm animals. Stop in and see their house tortoise roaming around a room filled with other reptiles. Be sure to peek in at the otters swimming about. And then make your way over to the natural playground- a beautiful wooden play area nestled in the woods with nests and tunnels to explore. It is artistically built into the landscape and from there, enjoy the boardwalk paths through the forest. Much to offer!!

We went for my Mother's Day adventure and while we enjoyed the museum, we were disappointed it was so tiny. However, the outside hiking trails really made our day. Creeks running through it, just beautiful. What I really liked was it is handicapped friendly in areas. It's a great place to bring small children as their are chickens, cows, sheep, you name it for them to view. I would return anytime the weather permits ;)

Great location great for my daughter to see nature nice playground to keep her busy and the long walks result in a easy naptime win win

I loved going to the nature center as a child to picnic by the pond, visit all the farm animals and walk the beautiful property at our own relaxed pace. Now I bring my own children there as often as possible and they enjoy it just as much. They've added a great playground and wooden walking path through the woods that's stroller friendly so there's truly something for everyone.

What a great place for families, singles, couples, old and young. I was reluctant to spend the money as it was a cool damp day. It was worth it. There is so much to do, see and enjoy. Really a gem. It is beautiful, very well laid out, welcoming, interesting, and engaging.

Walked through the lovely yellow and blue cottage gardens and admired the combination of manicured and wilder gardens.

A working farm with a small museum and regular festivals. Super fun for young kids - they can see and interact with animals, and there's a great playground.

This is one of my favorite spots in Stamford to relax, reflect, and enjoy nature. There is also often an interesting exhibit in the gracious museum building (formerly the home of Henry Bendel). A large duck pond and working colonial-era farm with a variety of farm animals (including the "babies", which are raised here) add interest and enjoyment, especially for children. There are also special seasonal events - like maple sugar tapping in the spring - as well as hiking trails and an astronomical observatory, which is open to the public on certain evenings. Stamford is fortunate to have a center like this!

If you are looking for something to do on the weekends this fall, this is a great place to go. Kids will love seeing all the animals on the property, and its a decent walk so the fresh air and walking will guarantee a nap for little kids later. There are also a few hiking trails, and the museum sometimes has visiting exhibits that appeal to teens too. Check their website for special events.

At the Stamford Museum & Nature Center you can see the Bendel mansion/sculptures, walk trails, learn about tree tapping (in season), visit the observatory & planetarium, and watch/touch animals at Heckscher Farm. There are enough attractions to keep adults and children entertained for several hours.

As a "city kid" who had no interaction with farm animals as a child, the farm has always been the most interesting attraction for me. You are allowed to touch horses, goats, sheep, and cows. Alpacas and pigs are also on view. If you arrive at the museum and nature center for an event, you will probably meet child volunteers standing with the animals. The children appear to be 10 years old to 15 years old, and it's amazing to hear how they have taken care of the animals. The museum and nature center should be applauded for giving kids the opportunity to learn about farming from a hands-on approach.

If you're in the area with family and you're looking for something to do, the Stamford Museum and Nature Center is a wonderful place to visit.

We had a wonderful time at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center. We got to see a lot of animals. Play with the pigs.

If you're expecting to find a large museum packed with historical objects, you've come to the wrong place. If you'd like to spend an enjoyable afternoon getting up close and personal with nature, including goats and chipmunks, you'll be happy you've come. The Stamford Museum & Nature Center has beautiful walkways designed perfectly for those in a wheelchair or pushing a stroller. You can enjoy a picnic at one of the many quiet benches, take a quiet stroll through the woods, or visit the animals at the farm. The Museum itself was a bit disappointing. The staff were unfriendly and ignored me when I was there - despite the fact that no one else was in the building. They gossiped amongst themselves without even giving me a courtesy "hi." There wasn't much to write home about within the building, but the sculptures outside were nice. The museum shop/nature center are worth a visit, especially if you have kids. They have a pet snake and turtle, as well as important conservational information on display. You can buy a popsicle and borrow a backpack for a childhood adventure through the grounds.
Overall, I'd visit again for a nice day spent outside.

Just off the Merritt Parkway, this is a perfect stop to stretch your legs, let kids burn off some energy at a wonderful playground, see the swans and ducks in the river and pond, and best of all, stroll thru the historic farm. For us, it's also a favorite outing while visiting family in the area. Enjoy this little hidden gem!

Visited earlier this Summer with my husband and we both enjoyed it so much that we will become members. We don’t have kids, and still enjoyed it just as much. The otter feeding was fun to watch and of course we asked a million questions to the guy who was in charge of it that day. He was really cool and informative during and after the feeding. It was a nice weekend and still the park didn’t feel crowded at all. Perhaps during the weekday with school groups it can get busy. Didn’t do the trails, but will try that next time. There was a farmers market going on, but it was not too spectacular, so we bought a cookie from on vendor and that was about it. We really enjoyed the casual, laid-back vibe of this place. Also, checked out the Bendel mansion to. They had a few Warhols up that day, which was cool to see. I think this place is a great Stamford venue or thing-to-do for families or just anyone who wants to get out of the house for a few hours and stretch your legs. Can’t wait to go back!

SM&NC is the best place in all of Stamford. Great trails, a playground, a farm, a museum. Beautiful foliage in the fall, a gorgeous rushing brook in the spring, a snowy playground in the winter, and plenty of shady areas in the summer. We have been members for 5 years and plan to be for many more. A really, great, GREAT gem in the city!

Awesome playground with Eagle's Nest for kids to climb in and tree-trunk slides, but the stars of the show here are the otters, heritage hens, sheep, oxen and pigs on the farm side. People often overlook the incredible museum, which features some terrific, kid-centric exhibits - like Lego sculptures. There's even a small nature center. You can spend hours here on nature walks and watching the animals. An amazing place.

Was visiting friends in Stamford and wanted to give them some down time so headed to the nature center for a hike. It's a great place for one. There's even a path fir wheelchairs.

Great place to take the kids, from the wonderful playground, to the animals, to the special exhibits, to the hiking trails, to the special events and activities. We visit almost everytime the grandkids are here.

Always enjoy going to the Stamford Museum and Nature Center. Fun seeing the farm animals and otters. However they also have a wonderful trail system.

This is such a great place to come for a day. If you don't have a car, you can take the bus and it drops you right outside the entrance gate. It runs every hour. The grounds are meticulous, lovely playground, lots of picnic tables (bring your own lunch as there are few on-site eating options). Heckscher Farm is fantastic and the Heckscher Wild exhibit a must-see. You can spend the days wandering the trails, visiting the animals and checking out the organic garden. The new Farmhouse is also tremendous. It's open seven days a week from 9 am to 5 pm. Do make a visit - you will become a member if you live in the area. Lots of adult stuff going on at night like cooking classes, art after dark and the art museum is very very well done. Staff are friendly and helpful. Definitely a win/win!!

The SM&NC hosts several interesting forums
during the year. Check out their schedule to
ensure you don't miss any of these unique
exhibits. The property is also home to a diverse
group of animals that adults and youngsters
will enjoy. A most pleasant way to spend a
few hours especially when the weather is
conducive to an afternoon stroll. Kids love it.

For families with children up to age 8 or so, SMNC is a nice day trip. Farm animals, two otters, phenomenal playground and rotating special events makes this a nice choice. Our children are now 10 years old and have aged out. But I took my son today and he admitted that it was nice to visit this place again.

This is a great place for a day out with or without the kids. There are walking trails, a wheelchair accessible trail, a beautiful nature playground, an otter pond, a planetarium.observatory, a nature center that rescues animals (Animal Embassy), a nature center, and a small museum with changing exhibits.

The playground is really lovely, but it is in the sun, so it can get very hot mid-day and you'll need sunscreen.

There is a day care center onsite, as well as summer camps, afterschool programs, and adult/child classes. Animal Embassy also has its own classes and camps, including a Keeper in Training program for 6th-9th graders.

There are many wonderful events planned for families including family campouts, scavenger hunts, and stargazing.

The only thing I don't like is that many of the farm animals are not to touch which can be very frustrating for animal-crazy kids. However, many of the animals at Animal Embassy are touchable. Check the hours for Animal Embassy, because they do not always match up with the hours of the Nature Center.

Also, there is no food here, and not much nearby, but it is a great place for a picnic!

people were nice and kids loved it including me,lol

The Museum is a nice way to spend time outside whether with family hiking, sitting by the pond, or enjoying the incredible playground.

The Nature Center is a great place to walk around (with or without kids), see the animals outside and feel like you are in the country, while only a few miles north of downtown Stamford. In addition to the outdoor animals, there is also an inside animal exhibit with more exotic animals, but that is not always open. The museum has interesting exhibits, particularly the Lego exhibit spanning through New Year's and other good exhibits throughout the year. Staff engages you (particularly kids) and appreciates your interest. Playground is very good and kids love it.

Several animal exhibits and a pleasant place to walk around. Low key environment and kid friendly. Exhibit in main building changes regularly so it is good to check listings. Best to visit on a fair weather day to enjoy outside exhibits. A long time Stamford treasure to enjoy!

This nature center has a lot to keep younger kids occupied and active in the outdoors. They played on the playground, we picnicked by the lake, and hiked on a stroller-and-wheelchair friendly loop in the woods. The farm was a manageable size for my 5 year-old with cows, llamas, chickens, sheep and a small vegetable garden. We spent 4 hours and never even made it in the museum. All for one price of admission!

We came here for the maple festival even and had a blast. Wish the weather was nicer because you could easily spend hours here especially with little ones. Animal, play ground and learning about maple syrup from Boy Scouts was a treat. We will definitely return when it’s warmer so we can enjoy the beautiful grounds and take a little hike.

If you like animals this is a great place to be with friends and family.
kids seem to love it here :)

We went here with my two year old grandson on a lovely June day. The farm is really well laid out with easy access to the fields with the animals, which include cows, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, alpacas, poultry and water birds. There is also a pond with otters. The setting is lovely with a beautiful old Connecticut barn. There is a small lake and the area is scattered with numerous picnic tables with plenty of shade. Apart from the farm there is a museum which we didn't visit and a wonderful playground built into the side of a hill. Everything is made from wood and there are very long plastic slides from the top to bottom of the hill. It is suitable for a two year old with an adult and great fun for older children of all ages. We didn't go into the shop which I believe sold snacks. All in all well worth a visit and if you bring a picnic certainly a place to enjoy a few hours in a rural atmosphere. It is amazingly close to towns and highways but you would never know it. It took us about 30 minutes from Larchmont.

Located just north of the Merritt Parkway, this attraction offers a tremendous number of activities and sites for kids of all ages. Seasonal activities, such as maple syrup tapping demonstrations, are usually on the agenda, as well as regular activities, such as petting the animals in the barn. It's an excellent way to help children explore an older way of life.
There's also an excellent day care facility on the premises.

Lots of things to do here. Farm animals and some exotics all housed and pastured in pristine conditions. A great playground for young kids. A gallery in an old mansion onsite hosts exhibits. During school vacations the exhibits are geared towards children. Parking is plentiful. No food onsite, but plenty of restaurants down the road. You can bring food in and eat on one of the many picnic tables on the main green.

If you live here, you probably already know about this gem just above the Merritt Parkway. If you are new or visiting - spend a day - visit a working farm with heritage breeds, playground with lots of structures for climbing. Take a look at the organic garden and walk on any of the trails in the woods. The Wild Exhibit is really fascinating with snakes, turtles, tarantulas, etc. and very very well done. Walk the farm paths and see lots of newborn babies. Stop into the Museum Gallery exhibit on Asian Kites - lovely and interesting for all ages. Handicap access on a path into the woods where you can have a picnic.
Do bring your lunch as the food choices are limited at best and you can spend an entire day with plenty of parking and lots of things to do.

It is a nice park to go. Farm animals, birds. Playground.. I find it is expensive for often visits..

We visited on a late Friday morning and felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. The admission of $10 for seniors and $12 for adults seemed steep until we were in. The grounds were absolutely beautiful with outdoor sculptures and many walking trails. There was a Gallery that had a permanent exhibition and a brand new exhibition featuring the work of loft artists in the area. The displays were varied, tasteful, and thought provoking - a lovely find.

There is also a resident preschool on the property as well as other attractions for children - the Overbrook Nature Center, Nature’s Playground, Heckshire Wild!, a barn and maple sugar house to name a few.

This would be a great place for city kids to explore the outdoors and wildlife education.

I went to the Stamford nature center with a friend and his 2 year old yen boys. What fun! We explored the playground, climbing and sliding for over an hour. Then we walked one of the trails and ended our visit with the animals. We were all so happy and so exhausted. It was a great day.

Good if you are looking for some short trails. Stamford Museum has lot of educational activities and workshops for kids and adults. Its worth a visit.

Great place to take the kids.The farm is great for the youngsters. The museum and the planetarium are always fascinating.

Great museum, farm, and classes. Admission fee is very reasonable. Park for kids to play and lots of weekend activities!

Wonderful place to visit with kids or for relaxation. Unusual rustic playground, bucolic farm, interesting museum with changing exhibits. Nice pond. Great place to picnic, read, or just wander.

This attraction has so much packed into a few acres. There is a museum, which was originally the home of Henri Willis Bendel, of Bendel's Department Store fame. It has worthwhile exhibits. It is also rented out for birthday parties. There is a small petting zoo area, as well as my favorite animals, the river otters, whom you can watch for hours while they play and swim. There is an Observatory for astronomical events, there is a country store where you can buy ice cream in the summer, and there is a wonderful playground, with a dinosaur dig. Whether you want to stroll and just view nature, or interact with the animals, or watch kids play, this is easily a full day's visit for active people interested in the beauty of nature. You can get a yearly membership as well, that helps support the Nature Center and the family activites it offers.

We wanted to go when they had a special event going on. The kids loved it. We stayed about 2 hours and saw many animals.

My girlfriend and I stopped by on a rainy day while driving from MA to NYC, and were very glad we did! Park staff was very friendly. Museum was interesting, and we enjoyed seeing all the animals (which are the highlight of the park). Lots of activities for families! Stopping by here also has your GPS take you on a very scenic highway -- a great alternative to the typical highway that goes by the industrial areas of CT.

we often take our granddaughters to play in the park, see the farm animals, otters, etc. We check out the exhibit inside and their fave: animal rescue. What a place to picnic as well.

When we lived in Stamford we actually became members - I can't remember how much the annual fee was but it was well worth it. There are a lot of animals, an indoor house where snakes and lizards and turtles are and a really unique outdoor playground built into a hillside. If your kids like animals this is the best around.

I'm a nanny who regularly drives from New Rochelle to Stamford to take the kids here. We love it. They always have a quaint, interactive, and educational exhibit. Our favorite was the tarantula one where we saw dozens of them and the kids got to help feed them. We also enjoyed the Snoopy in Space exhibit, the one about bats, and the recent one about homes in nature. The talks they give outside are informative and child friendly, though they would be much better if parents controlled their children during them. The farm is great. There are many species and breeds of animals. My youngest charge loves to pet the goats, the oldest likes to search for the dog, and my favorite are the piglets. Stop in the gift shop on the way to the farm and take out a backpack for each kid. They're free to borrow and packed with activities like a farm animal scavenger hunt. There's also an adorable otter area where you can see them up close, but their habitat looks great for them. None of that depressing, staring at animals in tiny cages here. But the BEST part is the playground. The kids and I agree that it is the best we've ever seen. They have a pirate ship for playing on, a giant birds best to climb into, some incredibly long slides, and lots of nooks and crannies to explore. It's perfectly blended in with it's natural setting and oh so much fun.

We decided to stop here on our way back home. It was very quiet (but it was also in the high 90's). My younger daughter wasn't too happy (because it was extremely hot and she didn't think it had enough entrainment for her) but my teenager, myself and my hubby really enjoyed it. We were able to walk around and touch some of the animals. The museum didn't have much of an exhibit but it was still a nice walk through. The area itself was very calm and beautiful. The nature playground is amazing. Next time we would visit on a cooler day.

We have two boys and they love coming here. So many awesome special events, but even on days with no events going on, it’s great for them to run around. Membership pays for itself the second time you go. Totally worth it.

If you want to have down time with your family, head to the Stamford Museum and Nature Center.
Nature, animals, trails and even a mansion with a lovely exhibit and special sitting area where you can play Legos. One of the great features of the Center is that it is not too huge a place and is certainly doable for families (or anyone) to spend a half day (or more) in. Now, I notice there were many families with young children there, but we were with my 18 year old son and we all loved it!!!

Babysat our 3 grandchildren(all boys, ages, 3,5,8) during holidays...found this online and in parents magazine. It was so fascinating! All of us loved it! Our "boys" spent 1.5 hours in there just looking at it all! No lines, crowds, or anyone rushing us. We highly recommend this to all parents and grandparents! I believe it is open thru March. Our grown children(parents of the kids) told us the boys still keep talking about it!

The farm is so silent, small yet spacious and quiet. There are outdoor tables across the property so you can pick one and have a peaceful pic-nic. The attractions are the farm animals, such as horses, rabbits, chickens, ducks, gease, cows and so on. It´s great for kids who can get close to animals in gree surroundings. There are wide tree shades so even in hot days it´s easy to get a shade so set your pic-nic sheet.
There is an observatorium which runs on evenings only but check out their webiste first for the working hours.
Admission: Adults: $10;Seniors (65+): $8; Students (18+): $6 (with valid ID)
Children (4-17) $5; Members - Free; Children 3 and under: Free

Those who arrive on the city bus and are holding bus passes or bus transfer tickets are admitted free.

Observatory: Adults $5, Children $3.
Ages 5 and up.
Members are admitted free.

A perfect place to spend the day. Lots to see and plenty of trails to hike. Very relaxing and fun for the whole family.

I grew up in Stamford when the museum was in Court land Park until I95 took it only to move back in the late 1950s to beautiful place it is now. Hope see it this summer after 60 years

This place is great!! I saw a Groupon for this place and noticed that it was only a 40 minute drive from the Bronx. I did some more research and saw tons of great reviews. After looking at the website and seeing all that was available including the current Lego Superheroes Exhibit which my little guy (and me) absolutely love, I knew we had to check it out, especially given the Groupon deal was for about $16 for up to four people. (The gate price is $10 per adult) I was worried that going on a day in the winter may not be enjoyable, but decided to go anyway. We went on a nicer Saturday in the winter (50ish degrees). It took up about 40 minutes to get there, North bound along the Hutchinson River Parkway/Merritt Parkway. We pulled up to the parking gate and they had no problem accepting our Groupon. There are a bunch of things to do. The Museum (which had the Lego Superheroes exhibit) is straight ahead to your right, while the farm/animals and kids play area is to the left. We decided to see the Museum first. The Lego Exhibit was awesome with tons of details and hundreds of characters in various environments. I...a'hem....my little guy, really loved it. The museum also had a little shop area and some smaller sculptures which were interesting. Afterward we passed the smaller otter area (he actually was out if the water) there was a large barn area with goats, cows, horses and chickens. There was a small indoor animal area that had a bunch of reptiles which was particularly a treat. The staff there was very interactive and knowledgeable, even taking certain animals out their cages upon request. You can tell they have passion for this stuff. Afterward we ventured around and found the planetarium building which was unfortunately closed at the time. Be sure to check the website for planetarium hours. We ended our day at the kids play center which was great and had tons of slides and other obstacles to keep the kids occupied for hours. On the way back to the car we stopped by the small gift shop which had a few small items like small rubber reptiles and pencils. They also had some snacks and juices there for purchase. The staff throughout our entire trip was very kind and helpful. I would love to go back in the warmers months as well as during their special events such as the Maple Syrup festival. There are also a bunch of trails that you can take which I would love to do when its warmer. I highly recommend this place to everyone. For the gate price, this place is a steal...if you can snag a Groupon or similar deal it would be foolish not to go.

Came here to get the Oldest Geocache in CT and found a hidden gem! We will be back. It is a drizzly day, but everything is just greening up and the stream and small waterfalls made it idyllic.

What a great place to take the kids to learn about nature and have fun, too. There were lots of farm animals, walking trails, and a playground, so anyone with little kids will love this place to let off some energy outside. Also, there are seasonal indoor exhibits, which are always interesting. The staff there is very knowledgeable. You're sure to learn a lot about the areas' history and nature. Best times to go are in spring, when there are lots of animal babies, and around Halloween, when the center offers all kinds of activities, like a costume parade and scarecrow making. Families with young kids are sure to enjoy themselves! I've been coming here since I was a little kid myself.

I visited the grounds right after school got out (I'm a teacher) with my two girls- four months old and 2.5 years old. I paid my ten dollars to get in and parked along the lake. I had never been and was excited.

I decided we would first explore the farm area, and since I didn't know what to expect, I put my baby in the Ergo and my toddler walked. We saw the otters first- very nice setup and the deck was perfect for my toddler to get a good view of those cute little guys. We then went through the farm. It was lovely! My toddler loves animals and was excited to walk pen to pen and explore. The pigs just had piglets and they were adorable! There were baby goats, as well, and a Tom cat that chased a bit up by the horses. The farm was well maintained and it was a nice walk around.

After our visit to the farm, we went back to the car and for our picnic lunch. There are plenty of picnic tables in the shade but we laid out a big blanket so the girls could stretch out.

After lunch we used the stroller to venture over to the giant playground. It's amazingly fun! It's well shaded and has a ton of structures - both natural and man made - to climb on. Several huge slides that my brave toddler went on, as well! The nice thing- I had my huge double City Select stroller and was able to navigate the playground and the trails leading to and from it. We stopped at the little gift shop for a cold drink- we had run out! - and I was pleased to see they had some nature inspired trinkets perfect for toddlers and my wallet. My daughter picked a few farm animal toys that cost under $2 each.

We didn't do all the hiking trails but all are handicap accessible which means they are also great for us moms with strollers!

I highly recommend this nature center and think I'm going to sign up for a membership! Well 2worth $100 in my opinion.

We've gone many times with our kids. The farm animals (not to mention otters and reptile house) are fun, and there are nice hiking trails, a wonderful playground, and interesting changing exhibits up at the mansion, like lego sculptures. The cub scouts and schools do a lot of programs here, and the docents are really good.

I took my one year old here and he loved it. It is a great place to walk around. They have animals and a pretty creek flowing through it.

Great getaway spot to hike, walk your dog and enjoy clean trails right on the NY border with CT. Parking can be limited but I have always found a spot

This is nature at it's finest. A great place to entertain the little ones. Lots of little animals, goats, sheep, llamas, chickens, ducks, ponys, pigs, calves, horses. Nice gardens, spring festival is coming up. Enjoy the great outdoors, get away from the city. Lots of activities for the kids. Activities for adults as well such as the wine tasting and various of functions. A really fun and active place to enjoy.

Just visited for half day. Was great for grandson.....liked it all...will return in the fall as the trails should be beautiful

A Great destination to strech your legs and get away from Stamford Town .. bring the kids .. enjoyable for all

There isn't a lot of things for a tourist to do in the area, so we decided to give this place a try. There were no exhibits in the museum at the time we went, so we were disappointed in that. The conservatory was closed, and some of the animals weren't around. The otters were cute and although it was a hot day and they were sleeping when we arrived, later one of them was putting on a show with his antics in the water. We ran into an elderly gentlemen who told us he brings his grandchildren here several times a week because they have a great playground and the kids enjoy the animals. We looked elsewhere in town trying to find a Connecticut Christmas ornament (I collect them from all the different states) and couldn't find one. We lucked out because we found a Nature Center key chain with Stamford, CT carved into it that will suffice as a Christmas ornament :) We enjoyed our time here.

when I googled petting farm, it did not even come up. I got the address from a lady who has private showing of animals.

We went for the art museum but it was fun to watch the otters play! The Stamford is a combination of several experiences: a museum that offers a nice selection of Gutzon Borglum and interesting sculpture. And offered a great exhibition of photorealistic art when were visited. Plus there's a sculpture park. And a nature walk. And an animal park with animals for the kids & otters for everyone. Fun place to spend a couple hours enjoying the art and the walkways.

Nice place. Well done. Small and very walkable. Many different trees. A peaceful place. Dogs welcomed

This place connects via trail with the arboretum and the Woodley Rd bird sanctuary. Wonderful place for a walk in the woods. The staff is kind and helpful.

A great place to spend a day with friends and family. A great place for the kids and the do have a great summer camp.

Very cool park. Everyone was very friendly. The barn area was nice. Unfortunately the otters were asleep under a bush while we were there, but they have a nice little open area. The museum was small, but building artwork surrounding are beautiful. Nice trails for hiking too. The planetarium definitely wasn't the best I've been to, but still worth a visit.

Fun all around, from guided nature walks, to all kinds of animal exhibits, including otters! The farm is a truly amazing place to show a kid real nature up close and personal. Also has a large modern playground, and all kinds of seasonal/holiday events on the calendar, like cider milling, and a sugar shack! A gem of a park, and one of the best kept secrets in the region for a simple day out of the city. Enough to keep a teen occupied, but more so for the youngsters. There is even a stroller-friendly wood path now.

The Stamford Museum and Nature Center has it all: a fantastic playground in the woods, a farm, events for families throughout the year, lectures for adults, summer camp for kids, a planetarium, changing exhibits, and more. Bring a picnic lunch!

We recently hosted our daughter's 5th birthday party at the Stamford Nature Center. It was quite an experiential event as in addition to eating cake, all the little guests got a chance to delve into nature with a comprehensive tour of the animal farm. They even took turns to pet and feed a few animals. Happy faces all around!

My perspective is there are times for bouncy houses and computer influenced chicanery for kids. Having a opportunity to immerse in nature within the natural habitat of animals is a balance that is good for every soul, young and old.

There is a lot going on here - come for an hour or the day! There are trails for hiking and a playground in the trees! Lots of animal and nature to see - we LOVE the otters! I hear it's rated #1 place to visit in Stamford and I believe it.....Become a member and take advantage of this gem.

How lucky we are to have such a place. It offers beauty for every season, educational programs for children and adults and tranquility for those that want to take in the nature of it all.

Our almost 2 year old.lobes this place. It's a manageable size with well spaced paddocks of typical and not so typical farm animals. There is also a fantastic playground. On a beautiful sunny day this is a great place to be.

Museum changes exhibits a few times a year, we always love the annual Lego exhibit, but have enjoyed many others over the years. Otter habitat (make sure you go in the doors on the bridge!) is always a treat, overall the farm is a lovely walk and the gardens too. The indoor building with reptile, amphibians and much more is very cool too. Overall farm area not very large so quite manageable. Trails are great for mini-hikes too. Lastly the large playground for the kids is always a hit!

Lots to do. great walking trails, of course many barnyard animals, outdoor gym, and many weekend event/activities

We have been members at the Stamford Museum for 3 years and it is well worth it. My son loves going to see the animals. When the babies sre born it is especially fun getting to see newborn animals. In the fall there are hayrides, pumpkin contests and fall festivities. In the spring they make maple syrup. We will continue our membership for years to come.

Just the right size and the right mix of farm animals to explore in a half-day with kids 4-11 years old. Small, but fun discovery center with lizards, snakes, spiders and tortoise. Very nice playground built into the side of a hill with long slides and wooden walkways. Military and dependents admitted free of charge.

we spent a morning in this nature center. It was both relaxing and educational. There is farm on the property and a nice nature museum. My kids loved it.

Nice place for a family outing with small kids. I would not recommend this for teenagers. Good indoor exhibit and makers space. Playgrounds are great. Definitely geared towards preschool to elementary school aged kids.

One of the best place to be especially if you like animals and natural habitat. I personally liked llama trekking where in you would be allowed to walk and pat with llama along with the staff for 5 minutes. The staff are quite friendly and helpful. The visit is informative, entertaining, memorable and I thoroughly enjoyed everything :)

Great farm with lots of animals. Interesting visiting exhibits in the museum. There are several hiking trails which are family friendly. Only complaint would be the cost. It was much better when admission was free for Stamford residents on Wednesdays.

A lovely spot for walking, bringing kids or hanging out with friends. A bit tough to find in south Stamford but well worth looking for. kids zoo and trails are outstanding.

What is not to like? We have visited this site many times throughout the year and have always enjoyed our visit. We usually have our grandchildren along and they just can't get enough of the place. From the working farm, the reptile museum, the walking trails, exhibits, and the ice cream, they love it. I recommend buying a membership, thus avoiding to gave to pay each time you want to visit. That process was a bit annoying. But, in the end, worth the hassle. Sign up! You will be glad you did. And in the late Spring through the fall, they have a nice farmers's market with locally grown produce, breads and crafts.

nice trails and fun to see the animals, great to visit with children
Have visited during the summer months and during the fall both times of the year provided a nice outing

Lovely spot for an outing. We ordered a food truck and brought a cooler for beverages. Lots of space for group activities.

its something different to do. Nice with family. They always having somethign going on. the best part of this for us is the kids park, super super fun, the slides are unique and amazing.

The Stamford Museum is the same but better than it was 40 years ago. Animals, nature, discoveries, and family. All in your backyard. The terrain is the same, the expositions change over time. Its a North Stamford haven, not only for locals, but for anyone who wants to escape from the grind of the world and be in nature and at peace for an hour or all day (if you are a hiker). I love this place, I feel the earth below my feet and look up to the canopy of trees over my head. The sound of the birds, the rustle of trees, the smell of nature. It GROUNDS me.

The only thing i don't like is the way they treat the horses in the winter. No blankets, grooming, toe clipping, anything. But other than that, it's the best place to go. At Stamford Museum of NAature Center, nothing is boring. The staff are all very nice and super friendly.

This is a beautiful place to visit with your kids. We took our one year old son and he loved it. The cows to the horses to the fowl. Bring your kids, brings lunch, and enjoy the atmosphere and animals.

We arrived here oin a chilly Sunday morning and were pleasantly pleased with the property. It has several attractive features - nature walks, a small l farm and a small museum inside the former Bendel summer mansion. There were a few animals of each variety - cows, chickens, goats, pigs and sheep. They appeared to be well cared for. The cows included two heirloom species which looked unlike any other cows I have ever seen. It was too chily for any exteded nature walks. The museum had a display of an obscure artist's work of varied quality. This would be a great place to spend more time in warmer weather. Don't miss the small buildings housing small animals, reptiles and insects.

The Superhero Lego show was AMazing! What a wonderful display; we could look at it for hours.
And the petting reptile room, farm & otters were very well worth braving the cold.
In the last 3 months I've taking 3 separate sets of guests, with kids, and we all had a great time.

What a great place to just take a walk or bring the children for a few hours of country air. Hecksher Farm offers a variety of animals to view: chickens, donkeys, llamas, horses, sheep, pigs - otters it's great fun and exercise. The main building always has some sort of exhibit to view. Spend an hour or more, bring a picnic and have fun.

Great place to being kids of boared or need something close! Great playground and pond area with cool animals! Also a beautiful historic house that often has exhibits to see and just a great place for a light hike and go chil!

it has plenty of animals, small and big and great playground (huge slide that adults are using as well as kids). The trails are made by long wooden structures hanging above the stream, between trees into the forest and have railings, so kids can run safely ahead of you.