5 Things to Do In Connecticut This Weekend to Celebrate The Fall Season

Fall is officially here! Bring on the cooler temperatures and cascading, vibrant foliage color changes. I don’t know about you but the slight chill in the air is a welcomed change from the intense summer sun. It’s a great time to get outdoors with the family and enjoy the scenery. The best part is living in Connecticut offers plenty of options to soak in Mother Nature’s beauty. If you’re looking for inspiration on fall-friendly family adventures in the area, I’ve compiled my top recommendations here.

Things To Do In Connecticut This Weekend: Visit Sam Bridge

Sam Bridge Nursery and Greenhouses has been a Connecticut favorite for over 90 years. Located in Greenwich, their hours of operation are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. This time of year they have a lakeside pumpkin patch open to the public – complete with free hayrides on Fridays and Saturdays. For the little ones, they offer the option to paint a pumpkin in their greenhouse for $14.99 on Saturdays. A great way to embrace their creativity without worrying about the cleanup! You can even take a pumpkin painting kit home with you.

Who else categorizes scarecrows with the fall season? I’m not exactly sure why, but it feels like fall decor to me. If you’re feeling festive Sam Bridge also offers build-a-scarecrow take-home kits. So the whole family can enjoy sprucing up the lawn in a unique way.

While you’re there you can even pick up some blooms for the garden. Fall is the best time to plant new flowers and scrubs!

Plus stay tuned for the Sam Bridge Winter Farmers’ Market – set to return in late November.

Things To Do In Connecticut This Weekend: Pop Into Barton Orchards

Just an hour away from Greenwich in Poughquag, NY, Barton Orchards is worth the drive. The 175-acre apple orchard and vegetable farm is open for exploring seven days a week. I recommend going earlier in the day to pick your own apples and avoid the crowd. This time of year is great for catching the end of apple picking season! Admission to the orchard also includes a hay ride, a fun park, a petting zoo plus access to their taproom and store. You don’t want to miss out on trying their apple cider doughnuts and apple dumplings. They also carry an artisanal selection of meats, cheeses, produce and more including gluten-free and sugar-free options.

This Saturday, October 1st and Sunday, October 2nd Barton Orchards is hosting a Country Music Jamboree. Attendees can enjoy live music, a corn maze, pig races, a giant slide and a live magic show. Their dog park is perfect for letting your four-legged family members tag along, too. Can’t make it to the fun this weekend? Check out their events calendar for upcoming happenings every weekend in October.

Things To Do In Connecticut This Weekend: Hike a Trail at the Greenwich Audubon Center

Comprised of seven nature sanctuaries, the Greenwich Audubon Center is a wonderful place to tune into nature. They’re open every day from sunrise to sunset and access is completely free although donations are highly welcomed. Visitors can enjoy getting out into the forest, wildflower sightings, natural streams and plenty of wildlife. Plan ahead and take a look at what each sanctuary has to offer here.

The center also hosts events like this weekend’s early morning Fall Migration Bird Tour. Grab a cup of coffee to go and meet Bird Education Specialist Ryan MacLean at 7 a.m. for your chance to spot migrating hawks, eagles, falcons and vultures. Binoculars are available for those who don’t have them. Participation is free but registration in advance is required.

Things To Do In Connecticut This Weekend: Enjoy the Views at Tod’s Point

One of my favorite local spots to enjoy the sights is Tod’s Point. Spanning 147 acres, the park offers the best local views of the Long Island Sound. Visitors can appreciate the various trails, picnic areas and water activities. And as a bonus in the fall and winter, you can go shellfishing. From mid-October through May the recreational shellfish beds are open. Bring on the hunt for clams, oysters and mussels!

I’ll let you in on a not-so-well-kept secret: Tod’s Point is also a great place to dig into a page-turning novel. My favorite spot to read is sitting on the Adirondack chairs beyond the water on the bluff facing Manhattan. There’s just something so zen about the views there. And because Tod’s Point is a peninsula, you can catch both the sunrise and the sunsets from this park. It’s no wonder it’s a favorite among locals.

Things To Do In Connecticut Next Weekend: Attend the 41st Annual Outdoor Arts Festival at Bruce Museum

Happening October 8th and 9th, the Outdoor Arts Festival is back! This event takes place every year in October to showcase the works of local artists. This year over 50 creatives will have their artwork on display, ranging from mixed media and watercolors to photography and sculptures. Festival goers can also enjoy family art activities, art demonstrations and local food vendors. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days – admission is free with a suggested donation of $10 per adult.

Can’t make it to the festival? Stop into the Bruce Museum any weekend for one of the best local showcases of art, science and natural history. The space was originally built as a private residence for Robert Bruce in 1853, a wealthy textile merchant and member of the New York Cotton Exchange. Today, there’s a new Bruce Museum currently under construction nearby expected to be finished in the spring of 2023. For up-to-date info on their rotating exhibitions see here.

Did your favorites make the list? Let me know if I’m missing any must-see fall activities in the comments below.