Merritt Parkway: Gateway to Academics

Published on Nov 16, 2009 in College Visits

Looking for a wonderful college experience? Come visit one of the most scenic and culturally-rich areas of the Northeast. Connecticut’s Merritt Parkway serves as a gateway to a great number of colleges between New York City, New York, and New Haven, Connecticut. See world-renowned schools such as Yale, Julliard, or Columbia at each end of the byway, or visit some of the smaller institutions along the way.

Start your tour of this part of the Northeast in New York City, a city and area saturated with diverse colleges and less than 25 miles from the western end of the Merritt Parkway. Founded in 1905 as a rival to European conservatories, The Julliard School, located about 24 miles from the byway, is now one of the premier arts schools in the country. Next, visit Columbia University, located 2.5 miles north from Julliard. An Ivy League school, Columbia is one of the top academic and research institutions in the world. Just under 16 miles west from the start of Merritt Parkway is another university, Manhattan College. This Catholic-sponsored university is one of the nation’s leading undergraduate sources for doctorates in a variety of fields. Two miles north of Manhattan College, you’ll find the College of Mount Saint Vincent. Founded by the Sisters of Charity of New York in 1847, this school offers more than 40 majors and minors. Travel eight miles northeast of the College of Mount Saint Vincent and stop at Concordia, where students can develop a strong foundation of liberal arts. From Concordia, drive four miles to Iona College, a school that has received many prestigious rankings.

Now travel east toward the Connecticut/New York border where you can take the Merritt Parkway to sample several colleges outside the hustle and bustle of New York City and experience the splendor of nature and diverse artistic colonies along the way. Just two miles from the western start of the byway is Manhattanville College. This culturally diverse campus has students from 48 states and 76 countries and offers more than 50 undergraduate programs. After your visit, travel a short three miles to enter the Merritt Parkway.

Take advantage of the scenic nature of the Merritt Parkway and visit the Audubon Center in Greenwich. A nature-lovers paradise, the Audubon Center is home to various hiking trails, wildlife-viewing windows, and a hawkwatch site. There is something there for every member of the family. Hop back onto the byway and head to the Stamford Museum and Nature Center just 15 minutes away from the Audubon Center. At the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, you can view wildlife, enjoy a nature walk, and see displays of 19th- and 20th-century art and artifacts that chronicle the history of New England. Next, head just a little over a mile north from the museum to the Bartlett Arboretum, a living museum that showcases rare plant collections, gardens, walking paths, and hiking trails.

Once you have had your fill of the great outdoors, drive six miles south of the Bartlett Arboretum to the University of Connecticut – Stamford campus. This college offers 10 degrees ranging from humanities to business.

After visiting this college, get back on the byway and travel about 12 miles east to the Silvermine Guild of Artists. Here you can view an extensive collection of artwork by both local and international artists. After visiting the Silvermine Guild of Artists, return to the byway and continue east for about eight miles to visit Earthplace: The Nature Center for Environmental Activities, where you can visit a museum, a wildlife habitat, and a research lab all in one place!

Resume your college trip by getting back on the byway and driving about 11.5 miles to Fairfield University. Established in 1942, Fairfield University is one of 28 Catholic, Jesuit schools in the country.

Are you an avid bird watcher? Then head to the Connecticut Audubon Society just four miles north of Fairfield University. While this area is a nature preserve, it’s much more than that. Take a stroll in a butterfly garden, view birds of prey, or visit the farm pond that’s home to frogs, turtles, and ducks.

Get back on the byway and drive 4.5 miles east to Sacred Heart University, the second-largest Catholic University in New England. As of 2009, SHU was recognized as having one of the best masters programs in the North. Travel about 8.5 miles south from Sacred Heart, and you’ll reach University of Bridgeport. With 25 percent of its students hailing from overseas, this university is a culturally diverse place and has been recognized for its efforts to teach the world.

Continue driving seven miles past the end of the byway near Milford until you reach Southern Connecticut University. Founded in 1893, this school offers 116 undergrad and grad programs. Travel a few miles south of Southern Connecticut University, and you’ll find the renowned Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Known worldwide as one of the most prestigious universities in the country, Yale offers the academic career of a lifetime.

From the academic hub of New York City to quieter private institutions in the East, the Merritt Parkway will take you on a journey through a unique mixture of academic diversity and the simplicities of nature. Whichever college you choose to attend, the scholastic possibilities are endless on the Merritt Parkway.

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