Trippo Hippo brings loads of Jewish family trips and fun frum adventures right to your door. Just follow the hippo for your Chol hamoed trips, or your anytime kosher vacations. We’ve got Kosher fun down to a science!

Stamford, Connecticut

Stamford may not be a famous tourist destination (before we posted it in Trippo Hippo!), but with its plethora of kid-friendly activities, it makes a great trip for frum families. You’ll enjoy Stamford both outdoors and in, from its beautiful nature-themed attractions to its kiddie-oriented activity centers.

*Correction: Stamford Yeshiva is no longer located in Stamford! Sorry for the inconvenience!

ITINERARY:

Day 1:

If you’re coming from the NY/NJ area, then driving to Stamford, Connecticut should be a breeze. Well, okay, a trafficky breeze, perhaps, but still a very manageable drive. Enjoy the beautiful outdoors at Stamford Museum and Nature Center, which features a hands-on zoo, an indoor planetarium with rotating exhibits, an excellent wooden playground with slides of various size, and peaceful hiking trails (which are easy enough for kids, too). Some of the trails are wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. You can get close up to the animals , and if you ask nicely enough, the caretakers will let you pet the iguanas and ferrets. (Cost: adults $10, kids $5, kids 3 and under free.) Next, head over to the Stepping Stones Museum for Children. It’s a smallish museum packed with interactive fun for kids up to around age 10. If the weather didn’t allow you to eat at the Nature Center, there are plenty of places to eat at the museum, and they let you bring your own food. (Cost: $15 per person, infants under 12 months free. They have free parking.)

TIP:The museum tends to get a bit noisy and crowded on weekends, so it’s best to go at off peak times.

Next, head over to the Stepping Stones Museum for Children. It’s a smallish museum packed with
interactive fun for kids up to around age 10. If the weather didn’t allow you to eat at the Nature Center,
there are plenty of places to eat at the museum, and they let you bring your own food. (Cost: $15 per
person, infants under 12 months free. They have free parking.)

TIP: The museum tends to get a bit noisy and crowded on weekends, so it’s best to
go at off peak times.

After a fun-packed day, you’ll probably be ready to check in to your hotel. We recommend the Stamford Crowne Plaza (used to be the Sheraton).

TIP: If you want a spacious room, request a corner room. If your’e traveling with kids, you can book a suite, or adjoining double rooms.

The hotel is owned by Frum people, and is conveniently located right near the Stamford Yeshiva, so you can access minyanim easily. And our favorite part? It’s a 10 minute walk from a delicious and impressively decorated meat restaurant called “613 Restaurant” (used to be Kosh). After Mincha/Maariv, and a yummy dinner, you can try for a night swim at the hotel’s well-maintained indoor pool.

If that wasn’t enough for you, and you want one last adrenalin rush before you call it a day, get ready for a crazy night activity at RPM Raceway. Try their electric karting at high speeds for an exhilarating thrill you won’t forget. They also have bowling, billiards, and arcades to keep the scaredy-cats and younger kids entertained.

TIP: if you’re worried about the hygiene of the helmets, you can bring along shower caps for all your drivers to wear under their helmets. Hey, stop laughing!

Day 2:

I know… the kids were up ‘till way too late last night, alternating between giggling and fighting over the blanket in their shared King Bed, right? Want to know the Hippo’s trick to starting off a vacation morning on a good note? It’s a magic solution that works every time: Doing the research required to ensure a filling and exciting breakfast! In Stamford, you can have the men pick up fresh rolls and pastries from Beldotti’s on Newfield Avenue, on their way home from Shachris. (Be sure to buy enough to make sandwiches for lunch too.) Enjoy the tranquility while everyone is happily humming and chewing. You’re welcome! J

You’re now ready for a short drive to one of Connecticut’s most popular attractions: The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. The admission price is on the higher side, (adults $24.95, kids 3 to 12 $17.95, children under 3 free) but it does include Imax shows. It’s located in the beautiful waterfront neighborhood known as SoNo (South Norwalk). Our kids love the tidal pools where you can touch baby sharks, jellyfish, and rays. Cascade Café at the aquarium is not kosher, but they do sell
fresh fruit and drinks. The aquarium does not allow outside food or drinks, so eat your pre-packed lunch
in advance.

TIP: If you’re going in the summer, wear bright colored clothing, because they have a butterfly area where the butterflies land all over the brightest colored people. 

After the aquarium, if your kids (or you!) have lots of energy to burn, and less patience for driving, you can’t go wrong with a 7-minute drive south to the Sky Zone Trampoline Park. It’s a very clean facility and they have excellent climbing and jumping areas for various ages. Have you ever been to a trampoline park? They are a blast for both kids and adult kids-at-heart! (Not to mention a great way to burn off those extra calories!)  

Alternatively, if you’re okay with a drive, you can drive just under an hour east, to the Sports Center of Connecticut. They offer lots of activites including Laser Tag (fun 20 minute sessions), Ice Skating (nice long skate sessions), excellent Mini Golf, great Driving Range, mini bowling (a bit overpriced and underwhelming, if you know what I mean!), arcades, and more. You can also come here in the evening for some night mini golfing. The activites are not cheap, but if you’re on a budget, you can choose to do just one. (Prices seem to fluctuate and they vary for the different activities. They start at $5.50 per person for mini bowling, to about $15 per person for mini golf.)

And that’s all folks! Time to head home. We hope you enjoyed and continue to follow the Hippo for all your trip planning!

Cheers,
The Trippo Hippo Team

P.S. Follow us on Instagram @TeamTrippoHippo for more amazing Chol Hamoed and anytime frum trip ideas!
And you definitely want to subscribe to our email list- we share exclusive discounts from kosher attractions as we get them! Happy travels!

SHULS:

  • Agudath Sholom Synagogue
  • Young Israel of Stamford
  • Chabad of Stamford
  • You can also daven with the Yeshiva of Stamford.

KOSHER FOOD:

  • Beldotti Bakeries
 Stamford, Connecticut
  • Soosh 
Stamford, Connecticut
  • Six Thirteen 
Stamford, Connecticut
  • Navaratna 
Stamford, Connecticut

 

ATTRACTIONS:

Stamford museum and nature center
https://trippohippo.com/listing/stamford-museum-nature-center/

Stepping Stones Museum for Children
https://trippohippo.com/listing/stepping-stones-museum-for-children/

RPM Raceway
https://trippohippo.com/listing/rpm-raceway/

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
https://trippohippo.com/listing/the-maritime-aquarium-at-norwalk/

Sky Zone trampoline Park
https://trippohippo.com/listing/sky-zone-trampoline-parknorwalk-ct/

Discovery Museum and Planetarium Fairfield
https://trippohippo.com/listing/discovery-museum-and-planetarium/

Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport
https://trippohippo.com/listing/beardsley-zoo/

Sports Center of Connecticut
https://trippohippo.com/listing/sports-center-of-connecticut/

ACCOMODATIONS:

Stamford Crowne Plaza– (used to be sheraton) Right near Stamford Yeshiva, so you can get easy minyanim.

Stamford suites– The hotel has not been renovated or updated in a while, but it does have very roomy suites with a full kitchen, and separate pull-out sofa bed.

DISCLAIMER:
Kashrus of any establishment mentioned by Trippo Hippo is not guaranteed and should always be independently verified.

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