Things To Do In Bridgeport, CT

Discover Something:Take the kids (or just the kids at heart) to the Discovery Museum and Planetarium. The educational facility is both entertaining and educational, and promotes a lot of hands-on interaction. It’s one of the top activities within the city, though, so you may want to buy your passes in advance. There are galleries that change throughout the year, and a good variety of shows at the Planetarium as well.

See a Game: Sports-lovers will want to take a glance at the calendar for Webster Bank Arena. This entertainment complex is home to not only the AHL Sound Tigers hockey team, but also the NCAA basketball teams for Fairfield University (both men’s and women’s). In addition, there are literally more than 100 different entertainment acts that come to the arena over each year, so there’s sure to be something that you’re interested in, no matter what time of year you arrive in Bridgeport, or what you prefer, whether it be a concert (everything from vintage country to Latin music is found here), WWE event or anything in between.

Go on an Adventure: You don’t have to stay inside a stuffy museum all day if you want to take advantage of all the Discovery Museum and Planetarium has to offer while the weather is good. Instead, check out The Adventure Park. Located behind the museum itself are five acres of wooded area, where you’ll enjoy an amazing array of zip lines, bridges, aerial trails and more. There are 11 different aerial trails that you can try for yourself, that range in level of difficulty (and in height, in case you’re a little scared). The 11 trails include 21 zip lines and 161 challenge bridges, making it the largest forest climbing park in all of New England.

Shop and Socialize: Go to Harborview Market for a one-of-a-kind shopping environment. Part of the Black Rock neighborhood, it’s been around since the late 1800s, when the outlet sold Swedish goods. Now, it’s a totally restored, totally hip spot to pick up bakery goods, eat breakfast or lunch, sip on some coffee or listen to some live music with friends. For solo travelers, this market has been named one of the best places to dine alone, and you won’t be surprised to see some friendships and relationships bloom in the relaxed and warm setting.

Learn About a Local Legend: Circus giant P.T. Barnum lived in Bridgeport for 40 years of his life, and even served as the city’s mayor. Now, there’s a museum in honor of his legacy, and the beautiful terra cotta building was designed by the man himself. All three stories are filled with interesting artifacts, including a preserved elephant, a model of the Feejee mermaid, a miniature circus and an authentic (and unwrapped!) mummy. You can also stop by his statue, down the road and overlooking Long Island Sound. Additionally, Barnum super-fans can visit his grave at the local Mountain Grove Cemetery.

Meet Some Mammals: The only zoo in Connecticut is Beardsley Zoo. Explore all five sections — Predators, South American Rainforest, Alligator Alley, New England Farmyard and Hoofstock. You’ll see a little bit of it all, from leopards and tigers to boa constrictors and bald eagles, to black swans and prairie dogs. This is a sure favorite for the kids, and definitely a can’t-miss for any animal lover who happens to be in your travel group.

Bask in Some Baseball: Bask in the Americana glow that is minor league baseball. Bridgeport has its very own team, the Bridgeport Bluefish. They play at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard, and the stadium is small, so you can see everything you need from nearly every single seat in the house. If you’ve only been to major league games, this is an experience that’s vastly different and one you’ll enjoy for its own simplicities and quirks. Whether it’s being close enough to touch the players for a tiny fraction of the cost you’d pay at the big leagues, or just being able to kick back and enjoy all the concessions food you want without worrying about breaking the bank, this is a budget-friendly entertainment option for everyone.

Get Outside: One of P.T. Barnum’s projects while living in Bridgeport was the development of Seaside Park, the best waterfront in the city. There are 325 acres of lawn and fields, as well as beaches along the three miles of coastline. The park was designed by the same gentlemen responsible for Central Park and Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and also has access to Fayerweather Island, where you can cross the breakwater rocks to see a natural wildlife preserve and a lighthouse that was in operation from 1823 to 1932.

Go to the Cove: Captain’s Cove Seaport has been a summer fun spot for decades. What started out as an empty lot soon because a great tourist and boating destination. There’s a great vibe here, and it’s totally family-friendly and relaxed (and also easy on the wallet!). So, what’s there to do? The marina is filled with boats, but for those who are stuck on dry land, you can enjoy the restaurant and bar (with tons of premium waterfront seating), and also the boardwalk with lots of local vendors, the maritime museum, a sailing school and more. You can also book a fishing charter!

Experience History: Step back in time to a Victorian beachside amusement park when you visit the newly up and running Pleasure Beach. The park was long abandoned, and was difficult to visit. Originally, the park was founded in 1892 and turn-of-the-century dandies could take the steam ferry over to enjoy the rollercoaster, carnival games, carousel and more. Recently, though, the city received money to revamp the ruins of the historic spot, and now you can take a water taxi during the summer, to catch a glimpse of everything that once was.