Great Family Pit Stops along the Merritt Parkway in Connecticut

11/18/14 - By Brandee Gilmore

We admit it.   Connecticut can be a bit of a nightmare for travelers.  The crush of Fairfield County commuters, merging with Northeast Corridor weekend volume, can equate to several hours inching through a pretty tiny state.  Toss in a holiday, and you’re toast for certain.  A reader sought out Mommy Poppins' advice for planned, midday rest stops — ones where you and the kiddos can escape the mental drain of traffic for a bit.  We looked at our favorite Fairfield County parks and nature centers and came up with a list of spots within five minutes of the Merritt.  Whether you’re from near or far, we hope it takes the sting out of your extended stay on the Parkway.

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Greenwich Audubon (Exit 28)
Hundreds of acres of open space should help ease the tension in the car a bit.  Trails are open sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year.  $3/non-member adults.  $1.50/non-member youth.  The Welcome Center is open 10am -5pm daily. No bathroom facilities outside business hours, so take advantage of the rest stations along the Merritt* before you hop off to take a hike.

613 Riversville Road, Greenwich, CT, 06831
203-869-5272


Stamford Arts & Nature Center (Exit 35)
You’ll pay a bit to enter, but the grounds and animals you’ll roam and greet make it worth it.  Hours are 9-5, but vary for different buildings on the site. Bathrooms available. Admission is Adults: $10 & Children 4-17 $5

39 Scofieldtown Rd, Stamford, CT 06903
203-322-1646


Mead Park or Waveny Park, New Canaan (Exit 37)
Two gorgeous parks, one picturesque town.  Can’t go wrong.  Head to Waveny if you want to go for a walk in the woods.  Pick Mead for playgrounds, ice skating and duck ponds.  Bathroom at Waveny, Port-o-johns at Mead.

Waveny: 677 South Avenue, New Canaan, CT 06840, 203-594-3600
Mead: 241 Park St., New Canaan, CT 06840
, 203-594-3100

Earthplace, Westport (Exit 41)
This nature center sits on a 62-acre property, open and free to the public.  Hike on one of their six trails, check out the birds of prey, or if it’s after 3pm during the school year, take advantage of the playground.  If it’s raining, head inside to see the animals or use the playspace.   Admission is $5.00 per child over 1 and $7.00 per adult.  Open 9am - 5pm Monday - Saturday; 1 - 4pm Sunday.  Read our full review here.  Bathrooms only available during business hours.

10 Woodside Lane, Westport, CT 06880
203-557-4400


CT Audubon Society — Center at Fairfield (Exit 44)
The adjoining 155-acre sanctuary is open dawn to dusk, and contains seven miles of trails and boardwalks.  The Center and Nature Store are open Mon-Sat 10am - 3pm.  No bathroom facilities outside business hours.  You can gas up and use bathrooms at the Citgo, about a mile in on Black Rock Tpke.

2325 Burr Street, Fairfield, CT 06824
203-259-6305


Owen Fish Park, Fairfield (Exit, 46)
You just need a playground.  Or a ball field.  Done and done.  How about tennis courts, and a duck pond, too?  Fantabulous.  You can gas up and use restrooms at the Sunoco, between the Merritt and the park.

1443 Stratfield Rd, Fairfield, CT 06825
203-256-3010


Boothe Memorial Park, Stratford (Exit 53)
This place is part quirky museum compound, part playground.  If you catch it when things are open, your kids will be recalling this charming and bizarre collection decades from now.  The park is open, and free of charge, year-round.

5800 Main St.,Stratford, Connecticut
203-381-2046


*Rest stations on the Merritt Parkway:
GREENWICH    Northbound past exit 27  
GREENWICH    Southbound past exit 28
NEW CANAAN    Northbound past exit 37
NEW CANAAN    Southbound past exit 38 (*CLOSED for renovations at time of publishing*)
FAIRFIELD    Northbound past exit 45   
FAIRFIELD    Southbound past exit 46   
 

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