Top 10 Things To Do And See In The City Center Of Bridgeport, Connecticut

There’s nothing quite like a day at the beach, something which regular visitors to Seaside Park know only too well. This quiet oasis does offer the usual tourist amenities – ample parking away from the beach, on-duty lifeguards – but, blissfully, there are no gift or food stands cluttering the entrance. The lack of congestion from unnecessary vendors and loud noise from partying surfers makes this a heavenly getaway. Spend hours soaking in nothing but warm sun, soft sand and clear water and feel the stresses of the day leave your body.

The Discovery Museum is a favorite local attraction for families with children of all ages. If you have younger children, there is a recreational arena where they can play games like basketball. If they’re a little older, you can take them to the Planetarium on the bottom floor or to the Adventure Park ropes course close by. Teenagers will find the live experiments intriguing, kids will jump at the chance to watch their favorite Sesame Street characters star in the Museum’s science shows, and adults will be amazed rediscovering the wonders of science, technology space exploration. A true hit for the whole family.

Address and telephone number: 4450 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604 +1 203-372-3521

If you want to awaken the senses in an entirely different way, the Downtown Cabaret Theater is for you. By producing both original performances as well as popular Broadway plays, the Cabaret has earned its status as an archetype of theatrical finesse. Many of its playwright ventures have won awards and its original musicals often draw large crowds of all ages, from young children to adults. The evening line-up is ever-changing, offering fun, upbeat musicals like “Hair” and exhilarating performances like this season’s “Memphis”. Unlike most other theater companies, Cabaret allows you to bring your own snacks and drinks inside too.

Address and telephone number: 263 Golden Hill Street, Bridgeport CT +1 (203) 576-1636

The appeal of Captain’s Cove lies in its colorful array of shops lining the historic Black Rock Harbor. Each storefront boasts a unique, vivid color that helps set it apart from its closely clustered neighbors. There are some fantastic hole-in-the-wall food joints and the summers are alive with the echoes of outdoor concerts, but the real jewel of the marina is the Nantucket lightship. The lightship, which pays homage to the history of American maritime, is a floating lighthouse that punctuates the horizon and is one of the most-photographed sights of the harbor, along with the 400-odd array of sailboats.

Address and telephone number: 1 Bostwick Avenue, Bridgeport CT +1 (203) 335-1433

Under the patronage of the Housatonic Community College, the Housatonic Museum of Art is home to one of the most comprehensive collections of artwork, including renowned pieces by Picasso, Warhol, Rodin, Matisse and Chagall. It’s not often that such a small museum has such significant possessions in its gallery, and the free public entrance and prime location make it effortlessly accessible to aficionados and novices alike. The museum will also feature original works, lectures, and special programs from time to time, so the best way to stay in the loop is to check the website.

Address and telephone number: 900 Lafayette Boulevard, Bridgeport, CT 06604 +1 (203) 332-5052

Connecticut’s only accredited zoo, the pint-sized Beardsley Zoo is located in the heart of Bridgeport. At only 36 acres, the Beardsley Zoo is like a park, greenhouse, café and picnic area all in one. The Zoo boasts a carousel and an indoor rainforest, and the exhibits feature numerous animals native to all parts of the world. Some of the species are endangered and are therefore being preserved through the Zoo’s species survival program. It’s easy to wind up spending the whole day here, so grab a picnic basket and your family for a bonding experience like no other.

Address and telephone number: 1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06610 +1 203-394-6565

It would be remiss to list the top attractions of Bridgeport without mentioning the Barnum Museum, which memorializes one of the most celebrated and respected circus promoters in the world: P.T. Barnum. Not merely an entrepreneur, Barnum worked as a journalist, museum curator and showman, and even served as the city’s mayor. The eclectic pink windows and rust-colored domes that cap the Barnum Museum hint at the treasures within: a miniature circus, a collection of clown costumes from as early as the 1890s, and personal artifacts that belonged once to Barnum and his equally famous acts: performing dwarf Tom Thumb and Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind.

Address and telephone number: 820 Main St., Bridgeport, CT 06604 +1 203-331-1104