(Photo & Text By Fred Bonilla)
This guide has been written for the guests of the neighboring hotel property next to the store. We figured you would enjoy it as well so here it is!
Welcome to Stamford!
Whether you are here for business or pleasure, this city of over 122,000 residents has made it's mark in American History. If you've ever gazed at the beauty of Mount Rushmore, you have Stamford resident Guston Borglum to thank. The first marathon ever run in America had it's starting line in the Stamford Armory in September 1896. And Stamford has been the birthplace (or home) of such varied characters as J.D. Salinger, Harry Houdini, Lucille Ball's beloved sidekick Vivian Vance, Number 42 (Jackie Robinson) and Michael Bolton. If you have some time during your stay, there are a number of places in Stamford that are quite picturesque and would be worth some space on your memory card. We'll start with 2 places located close to each other in North Stamford.
THE BARTLETT ARBORETUM- 151 BROOKDALE RD.
This 91-acre arboretum is home to more than 2,000 varieties of annuals, perennials, wildflowers, and woody plants. There's also a greenhouse, marked ecology trails, a pretty pond, and a boardwalk through a red maple swamp. Brilliant, bold colors make the wildflower garden stunning in spring. Sunday afternoons are the time to visit for guided walks. And right down the road is theSTAMFORD MUSEUM AND NATURE CENTER - 39 SCOFIELDTOWN RD.
Oxen, sheep, pigs, and other animals roam this 118-acre New England farmstead. Once the estate of turn of the century New York retailer Henri Bendel, the property includes a Tudor-revival stone mansion housing exhibits on natural history, art, and Americana. Also here are a planetarium with a 22-inch research telescope—perfect for stargazing—and nature trails winding through the woods.Moving towards downtown, you should catch the
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF STAMFORD - 1101 BEDFORD ST.
Designed by architect Wallace K. Harrison, it is nicknamed the Fish Church, for its unusual shape, it is a unique example of modernist architecture, and an architectural landmark. Its 260-foot-tall (79 m) Maguire Memorial Tower holds a 56-bell carillon.If you love the open sea and care about the environment, you may wish to visit
SOUNDWATERS - Cove Island Park 1281 Cove Rd
Soundwaters offers a free small aquarium, music, canoe trips, school and family activities on land You can also sail aboard aboard the schooner SoundWaters for an unforgettable adventure on Long Island Sound.The Schooner sails from April to November and they will be holding their annual “HarborFest 16” on Saturday August 27th with numerous photo opportunities by the harbor. When there, you will be right by Cove Island Beach which is a popular spot for Stamford residents to rollerblade, bike, walk, barbecue, and ride the tram around the island.And finally, you should check out
STAMFORD OLD TOWN HALL
The Old Town Hall is located at the southwest corner of Main and Atlantic Streets, occupying a portion of a triangular block bounded on the south by Bank Street. The rest of the block is occupied by the modern portion of Stamford's city hall. The building is an elegant Beaux Arts structure, designed by the New York City firm of Mellon and Jossely and built in 1905.The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 2, 1972.
If you've discovered some great place to photograph in Stamford or you have any suggestions as to what sites you'd like added to this list, please e-mail us at sales@camerawholesalers.com
Happy Shooting!