This Walkable Connecticut Hub Offers Sandy Beaches, International Flavors, And Harbor Views

For a coastal trip that combines a city atmosphere with sandy shores and global food, you can head to Stamford, Connecticut, about an hour's train ride from New York City. This closeness gives the city its welcoming character, with a walkable downtown that transitions into more suburban areas to the north. Your experience of Stamford is connected to its shoreline that's nestled on the Long Island Sound. The waterfront is accessible to you through a handful of public parks, which offer many ways to enjoy this stretch of Connecticut's coast.

You have miles of coast to explore, with quite a few key public access points. At Cove Island Park, you can enjoy many acres that have a sandy beach and trails for walking or beach jogging (bring water and sunscreen). You can also find two connected coastal parks, Cummings Park and West Beach, which work together to give you access to separate beaches, multiple sporting fields, and concession stands for a tasty seaside bite. In these parks, you can go swimming, tanning (safely), and have family friendly get-togethers during spring and summer.

For a look at the city's modern side, you can head to the redeveloped Harbor Point neighborhood, which is a hub for dining and water-centric activities. A boardwalk also goes alongside the water, bringing together different parks and giving you views of Stamford Harbor. If you're walking, sailboats and the historic Stamford Harbor Lighthouse make for stunning picturesque moments in Connecticut. The area has plenty of green spots and restaurants with outdoor seating. You can also use a free water taxi to get between different points along the harbor. The dining choices here truly show the city's international flavors, with many global options including Italian, Spanish, Moroccan, and Asian.

Your grub choices in the city go from casual coffee shops to higher-end restaurants. If you're looking for a coffee, check out Lorca Coffee Bar, which serves Spanish-style items such as churros with dipping chocolate. You can also try Humbled Coffeehouse or Coco Cafe, a cozy and quirky Connecticut cafe that's decorated with heart designs and flowers to make it an Instagrammable go-to.

For Italian food, book a table at Cafe Silvium, a popular trattoria on Shippan Avenue known for its classic dishes and homey feeling. Another spot is Columbus Park Trattoria, a downtown go-to that prides itself on using fresh ingredients and traditional recipes. If you want Asian-inspired dishes, try Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, a Michelin-recommended spot that started in Flushing, New York, and serves Shanghainese soup dumplings. You could also check out WONDER, a food hall that brings together entrees from chefs such as Bobby Flay and José Andrés, letting you try a bunch of different foods in one place.

If you want dinner with a view, head to Crab Shell, which has stunning views of Stamford Harbor from its patio (and you can get to it by boat or car). Tiernan's Bar & Restaurant on Main Street is an Irish pub where you can listen to live music and sling back a nice cold one. Another dinner spot is The Americano, which is inside an old building and serves American-style food in a room with modernistic and floral decor. You can also hit up Brickhouse Bar & Grill on Bedford Street, a neighborhood spot with drink specials and a chill vibe.  

Stamford's New England beauty and charm is bursting at the seams with cultural and recreational things to do. Visit the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, a large property with galleries inside an old mansion. Your day there can include a stop at the farm, where you can see animals such as llamas and cows. There are even daily otter feedings to join. Another spot to check out is the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens, a sanctuary that has 13 different gardens and many types of plants from all over the world. You can also walk the plethora of trails through the woods and meadows of The Constitution State.

If you're interested in performing arts, you can see a show at the historic Palace Theatre downtown, which hosts touring Broadway shows, concerts, and stand-up. It's the home of the Orchestra Lumos (formerly known as the Stamford Symphony Orchestra). Your trip might also line up with one of the large annual events thrown in Stamford. The city's Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of the largest helium balloon parades in the country, and you can join the many people who line the downtown streets to celebrate.

When you're planning where to stay, you have a few options. The Lloyd Stamford is a boutique hotel downtown that has modern furniture and complimentary skincare products. If you want a bigger, higher-end spot, try the Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa. Just outside the city, in Old Greenwich, you can stay at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich, which is known for its big, sun-lit atrium and indoor pool that makes you feel like you're at a resort.