Merritt Parkway
Merritt Parkway Must See Tour

Departure:	Stamford
Destination:	Westport
Time to allow:	2 days

Merritt Parkway, a driver's highway, has no points of interest directly on it. However, numerous interesting sites can be found just off the Byway. Take two days and explore some of the region's most entertaining sites.

Day 1

• Start: Stamford

  Stamford, the starting point on this itinerary, is a beautiful town in southwestern Connecticut.

• Stop 1: Stamford Museum and Nature Center

  

  From previous stop:	10 minutes / 5.4 mi (8.6 km)
  Directions:	Starting on SR-137 (Washington Blvd), go north for 1.8 miles. Keep straight onto SR-137 (Cold Spring Rd), and bear left onto SR-137 (High Ridge Rd). Drive for 3.5 miles, then bear left onto a local road and keep straight onto Scofieldtown Road until you arrive at the musuem.
  Suggested time at this stop:	3 hours

  Visitors can have a wide range of experiences at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center's farm, natural science center, exhibitions, and seasonal events.

• Stop 2: Bartlett Arboretum

  

  From previous stop:	3 minutes / 1.3 mi (2.1 km)
  Directions:	Leaving the museum, go west on Scofieldtown Rd for 0.9 miles, then turn right onto Brookdale Rd and drive for 0.3 miles until you come to the arboretum.
  Suggested time at this stop:	2 hours

  The Bartlett Arboretum is a living museum of native Connecticut plants growing under a variety of conditions. It features over 90 acres of magnificent trees, charming gardens, wildflower meadows, red maple wetlands, and more.

• End: Stamford

  From previous stop:	same location

  Overnight lodging is available in Stamford.

Totals for Day 1

Total Distance Traveled:	6.7 miles / 10.7 km
Total Travel Time:	13 minutes
Total Stopping Time:	5 hours

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Day 2

• Stop 1: Silvermine Guild of Artists

  From previous stop:	16 minutes / 11.4 mi (18.2 km)
  Directions:	Leaving the arboretum, go east on Brookdale Rd for 0.3 miles. Turn right onto SR-137 (High Ridge Rd) and drive for 1.6 miles, then take the ramp onto SR-15 (Merritt Parkway). Drive for 6.9 miles, then at exit 40A, turn right onto ramp (Main Ave South). Bear right onto Main Ave for 0.4 miles. Turn right onto Perry Ave and drive for 1.8 miles, then keep straight onto Silvermine Rd for 0.2 miles. Turn right onto Silvermine Rd until you come to the Silvermine Guild Museum.
  Suggested time at this stop:	2 hours

  Come explore the ever-changing, interesting and varied collection of artwork from local and international artists displayed here.

• Stop 2: Earthplace: The Nature Center for Environmental Activities

  

  From previous stop:	15 minutes / 7.5 mi (12.0 km)
  Directions:	Leaving the Silvermine Guild, start going southeast on Silvermine Rd, and turn left onto Silvermine Ave. Keep straight onto Perry Ave, and drive for 1.8 miles. Turn left onto Main Ave and drive for 0.4 miles. Take ramp onto SR-15 (Merritt Parkway) and drive for 3.2 miles. At Exit 41, turn right onto ramp (CT-33/Westport/Weston). Turn left onto SR-33 (Wilton Rd) and drive for 0.3 miles. Bear right onto Partrick Rd and drive for 0.2 miles. Bear left onto Old Hill Rd and follow for 0.8 miles. Turn right onto Stonybrook Rd. Follow for 0.4 miles, then turn right onto Woodside Lane until you arrive at the Nature Center.
  Suggested time at this stop:	3 hours

  Earthplace: The Nature Center for Environmental Activities is dedicated to promoting environmental awareness.

• End: Westport

  From previous stop:	5 minutes / 1.6 mi (2.6 km)
  Directions:	Leaving the Nature Center, go east on Woodside Lane for 0.1 miles. The road name changes to Woodside Ave, then follow for 0.6 miles. Turn right onto Kings Hwy N and drive for 0.2 miles. Turn left onto US-1 (Post Rd W) and follow for 0.8 miles until you arrive in Westport.

  Westport is the ending place for this tour.

Totals for Day 2

Total Distance Traveled:	20.5 miles / 32.8 km
Total Travel Time:	36 minutes
Total Stopping Time:	5 hours