Introduction
Danbury, CT is a beautiful city in Fairfield County. It’s full of fun things to do for families with kids and adults alike. We have compiled a list of 21 fun things to do in Danbury Connecticut that will keep you occupied for hours!
1. Tarrywile Park & Mansion
Tarrywile Park is a historic estate located in Danbury, Connecticut. It was built in 1871 by John Woodruff Tarrywile. The Victorian-era mansion has been restored and opened to the public as a museum run by the City of Danbury as part of its Tarrywile Mansion Historic Site. The park also features extensive formal gardens, a carriage house with an antique car collection, and access to miles of hiking trails that traverse the surrounding forested area (Lyndon State Forest).
Tarrywile Mansion is a historic house museum located at the corner of Main Street and Maple Avenue in Danbury, Connecticut. Built in 1873 for one of Danbury’s leading industrialists, it served as his residence until 1916 when he gave the home to his daughter Elisabeth “Lillie” Tarrywile Gillett where she lived until her death at age 101 on November 19th, 1972.
2. Danbury Railway Museum
The Danbury Railway Museum is a non-profit museum located in Danbury, Connecticut. The museum is dedicated to preserving the history of railroads in Danbury and Connecticut.
The museum offers exhibits that feature rolling stock from several railroad companies including:
• The New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad (NHRR)
• The Danbury & Norwalk Railroad Company
• Fairfield County Traction Company
• Central Vermont Railway Company
There are also several railway artifacts on display such as tools used by maintenance workers, uniforms worn by conductors, engineers, and brakemen as well as old photographs depicting life on board passenger trains during the early years of railroading.
3. Danbury Museum & Historical Society
The Danbury Museum & Historical Society is the place to go if you want to learn about the history of Danbury, CT. The museum has a wide variety of exhibits that cover a range of topics including science, art, and history. The exhibits include a model train display, a vintage fire truck, antique tools, and toys as well as replicas of the first house built in Danbury (which dates back to 1704). Open daily from 10 am -4 pm.
4. Bear Mountain Reservation
Bear Mountain Reservation is a state park located in Danbury, Connecticut. It is located on the west side of the city, on the opposite side of Ives Road from Wooster Mountain State Park.
The park has hiking trails, picnic areas, and a campground. There are also two lakes within its boundaries: Lake Candlewood and Lake Zoar (which were created by damming up Zoar Brook).
5. Danbury Fair Mall
Danbury Fair Mall is a shopping mall located in Danbury, Connecticut. The mall has over 100 stores and restaurants including JCPenney and Sears.
Danbury Fair Mall also has a food court with McDonald’s, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Panda Express, and other fast food options. The mall also has its movie theater!
6. Ives Concert Park
Ives Concert Park is a great place to spend a day or evening. The park offers many different types of events including concerts, festivals, and other events. They are open year-round and offer free parking! If you get hungry or thirsty, there are restaurants and concessions available on-site to make sure that you don’t miss out on anything. This concert venue is also great for families because it offers pet-friendly areas for your furry companions!
7. Danbury Ice Arena
Danbury Ice Arena is located at the Danbury Fair Mall (1 Fair St, Danbury). The ice rink is open year-round, with public skating available during the summer months. Danbury Ice Arena offers a variety of programs for participants ranging from children to adults.
Interested in learning how to skate? Want to get involved on a competitive level? Whatever your interest in ice skating may be, this arena has something for you! In addition to public skating sessions, there are also hockey and figure skating opportunities available. If you have time during your visit and would like more information about becoming involved with these programs, feel free to contact them through email or phone number listed below:
8. Charter Oak Brewing
Located in the heart of Danbury, Charter Oak Brewing offers a great environment to relax and enjoy some quality time with your friends. The brewery has been around since 2013, and they have plenty of options for you to choose from when it comes to their beer selection. You can enjoy a flight of beers or even order one of their specialty burgers or sandwiches. Some other things that make this place worth visiting are:
- There’s live music every Friday at 8 pm
- They have an outdoor patio area where you can hang out when the weather permits it
- They offer happy hour specials on weekdays from 5-7 pm (check out their website for more details)
9. Danbury Sports Dome
Danbury Sports Dome is the perfect place to host your next birthday party, corporate event, or family reunion. You can also have your wedding there!
The dome is a great venue because it’s so versatile. You can do almost anything at The Dome: archery tag, paintball, laser tag, and more. Plus you’ll be able to fit up to 200 people in the space at once (depending on what kind of event you have). So if you’re planning something special for your loved ones—or just want an excuse to get out of the house—Danbury Sports Dome is where it’s at!
10. Ives Trail Greenway
The Ives Trail Greenway is a beautiful, scenic path that runs along the Housatonic River.
It’s perfect for walking and biking, and you can easily access it off of Main Street in Danbury (look for the trailhead on the right). The trail is wide and flat with no steep hills to climb.
The trail takes about two hours to walk each way; however, if you decide to bike instead it will take much less time! You’ll find plenty of places to stop along your journey as there are benches scattered throughout, as well as restrooms at some points along the path. There are also many other things to do within just a few miles from where you start; including visiting Old Town Hall Museum or having lunch at City Center Dining & Entertainment District (where there are plenty more restaurants!).
11. Long Ridge Library
Long Ridge Library
Address: 713 Danbury Road, Danbury CT 06810
Hours: Monday – Friday 10-8 pm; Saturday 9-5 pm; Sunday 1-5 pm
Cost: Free (donations accepted)
What you can check out: books, CDs, and DVDs. Magazines are also available to borrow. If you have an Amazon Prime account, they have an amazing selection of streaming movies as well! New releases are checked out for three days at a time. If you have a membership with your local library system—which is free—you can borrow books even if they don’t carry them in stock at Long Ridge Library.
What to expect when you visit: This library has everything from classic literature to graphic novels and current best sellers. There is also a small children’s section where kids can read or check out their items from the shelf!
12. Wooster Mountain State Park
If you’re looking for a day trip that will keep you active and engaged, Wooster Mountain State Park is the perfect spot. It’s located in Danbury, Connecticut, and offers a variety of activities including hiking and swimming. You can even see one of the most impressive views in all of Connecticut at the top!
The park has over 40 miles of trails that are great for hiking enthusiasts or just those who want an easy walk through nature. There are also several scenic spots along the way where you can stop to take photos or just enjoy being outdoors. The trails are open year-round from sunrise to sunset (nights have been known to get chilly). If you prefer going uphill instead of downhill then try out their mountain bike trails instead! They offer six different loops ranging from easy green loops all the way up to double black diamond challenges (for experts only).
If you want something less strenuous then why not go swimming? There are two pools available during summer months which include both water slides and lifeguards on duty at all times so don’t worry about getting into trouble while having fun! Children must be accompanied by an adult while they swim here so make sure everyone knows what they’re doing before getting down into these waters full of lifeguards nearby!
13. Veterans Walkway of Honor
The Veterans Walkway of Honor is a tribute to Danbury’s veterans, honoring the men and women who have served in the armed forces. The walkway is located at Wooster Mountain State Park in Danbury, Connecticut. It features a series of granite tablets that list the name of every service member from Danbury who died during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. The memorial was dedicated in 2009 by then-Gov. M. Jodi Rell was made possible by funding from private donations and federal grants for historic preservation projects such as this one.
14. Saint Joseph Church
- Saint Joseph Church is a Roman Catholic church at 713 South Street in Danbury, Connecticut.
- Saint Joseph Church was built in 1884 and is the third church on the site.
- The first church was built in 1848 and the second church was built in 1872.
15. First Congregational Church
First Congregational Church has been in Danbury since 1744. It is a beautiful church with a solid history, and it is the oldest church building in town. The church was built on land donated by Samuel Wyllys, who was one of Connecticut’s last colonial governors before becoming an independent state. There are several services held at this historic site every week: Sunday School for children, services for adults as well as youth groups for teenagers and young adults. The church also hosts weddings and funerals, concerts, and movie nights throughout the year!
16. Danbury Welcome Center
If you’re new to Danbury and want to know more about this wonderful city, or if you’re a tourist looking for information on what there is to see and do here, then the Danbury Welcome Center should be your first stop.
The center offers everything from maps of the city, guides for things like hiking trails in the nearby woods or bike rides around town (and yes – there are plenty of those), brochures about festivals and events held throughout the year, as well as information on local businesses like restaurants, shops, and museums.
17. Richter Park Golf Course
Richter Park Golf Course is a public golf course in Danbury, Connecticut. It is open to the public and offers 9-hole regulation-length golf on an 18-hole course. The golf course is open year-round!
It’s fun, affordable, and close to home!
18. Escape 101
Escape 101 is a popular escape room in Danbury. With rooms that range from a bank heist to an alien invasion, you can find the perfect room for your group’s unique taste. Escape rooms are a fun way to spend an afternoon with friends, family, and coworkers!
There are many ways to celebrate in Danbury Connecticut. If you have never been to one of these escape rooms before, now is the time! These puzzles will keep everyone on their toes while they try to figure out what they need to do next as a team.
19. Danbury Duckpin Lanes
Danbury Duckpin Lanes is a place to bowl and have fun. It has family-friendly lanes, arcade games, and a full bar. This is your place if you want to have some fun in the great outdoors with friends or family.
Address: 1690 Main Street, Danbury, CT 06810
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 12 pm – 10 pm
Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 11 pm
Sunday: 12 pm – 8 pm
20. Xtreme Play
Xtreme Play is a 14,000-square-foot indoor playground for children ages 2-12. Children will interact with the equipment, climb, slide and enjoy other activities that encourage the development of gross motor skills. They will also be given a chance to explore their artistic side through painting and crafts projects. There are two separate play areas: one for younger kids (ages 2-5) and another for older kids (ages 6-12). The facility also includes an arcade area where you can let your little ones burn off some energy before heading home!
- What To Expect: This place is fun for everyone involved! You’ll enjoy watching the excitement on your child’s face as they discover new ways to play – but don’t forget about yourself! Work out some stress on the rock wall or try out one of the many slides available at Xtreme Play! There’s something here that everyone in your family is sure to love!
- What To Wear: You can come dressed however you want – it doesn’t matter if your clothes are dirty or clean because there will be plenty of time during this trip when everyone gets wet anyway! So come prepared by wearing something comfortable like jeans or sweatshirts so that everyone has an enjoyable experience at Xtreme Play regardless if they’re playing inside or outside at any given time during their visit today.”
21. Bounce Trampoline Sports
Bounce Trampoline Sports is a great place to have fun. They offer a variety of activities for all ages, with a large facility that provides plenty of space for bouncing around. Their equipment includes basketball hoops, a foam pit, catapults, trampolines with basketball goals, and even an inflatable obstacle course!
The staff will provide you with safety gear so you can jump without worrying about getting hurt.
Takeaway
- Go to the Danbury Fair Mall, which is the biggest mall in all of Connecticut and has over 300 stores!
- Head to The Danbury Railway Museum, where you can learn about trains and things that are related to them (like train whistles).
- Have fun at the Danbury Skate Park, where you can try out some new tricks on your skateboard or scooter!
- Spend a day at Danbury Downtown Center for Arts & Entertainment, where there are tons of shops and restaurants that you can visit with your friends!
- Visit places like Abraham’s Tent & Cafe which serve Mediterranean food or The Haystack Bookshop which sells books about everything from cooking to animals!
Conclusion
That’s it for our list of fun things to do in Danbury Connecticut. If you have any suggestions for us that we missed, please leave them in the comments section below!
