“Explore Fairfield County” is an informational series that provides a glimpse into the wonderful towns and cities in Fairfield County. Fairfield County is diverse in that it includes big cities, small suburbs, beaches, farms, and busy highways. It covers a large geographic area and, because of this, it has a lot to offer families! To help you get the most out of Fairfield County, our contributors have shared the top things they love about each local area. To read more in this series, click here.
What’s not to love about Trumbull? It has the small-town feel that families love, yet it is close to many other great cities! Trumbull is known for its great school system, reasonable commute to the city or surrounding areas, and decently priced housing. Here is a list of the top reasons to love Trumbull.
Activities for Families and Children
Lakewood Trumbull YMCA
The YMCA is a fantastic place to go whether you want to work out, get healthy, find a program for your kids, or catch a break in the lobby. The best thing about the Y has to be the childcare. Children look forward to going into childcare simply because they get to play, and the women there are AMAZING! The Y also has a Family Outdoor Center with classes and programs throughout the year, including the ever-popular Camp Teepee in the summer. Children, young and old, enjoy a quintessential camp experience, including arts and crafts, sports, swimming, and more!
Trumbull Early Childhood Education Center
Trumbull has the first free-standing public special needs preschool program in Connecticut, also known as TECEC. This program is unique because they offer different programs to fit Trumbull residents’ needs. The most popular program they offer is their preschool integration program (PIP). This program is offered for 3 & 4-year-old children in Trumbull. The program consists of regular and special education students working collaboratively in the classrooms with certified teachers!
TECEC also offers a Head Start Program, a Special Educational Program, and a Specialized Resource Program. The entire staff at TECEC is simply amazing, and the children that emerge from this school are more than prepared for kindergarten. In addition to the staff, the parents are also very involved in daily school activities and fundraisers to further support the classrooms.
Pinewood Lake Association
Pinewood Lake Association is a private community in Trumbull that offers a historic clubhouse. It maintains several boat racks, two dams, a common access beach, and several access parcels interspersed between houses that border the lake. There is a fee for the membership and a long waitlist, but PLA is open to Trumbull residents and non-residents.
Town-Wide Events and Activities
Annual Memorial Day Parade
The Town of Trumbull hosts an annual Memorial Day Parade to remember and honor the military personnel who died while serving in the Armed Forces. The event typically features veterans and dignitaries, antique cars, marching bands, color guards, schools, scouts, and sports teams.
Santa & The Long Hill Fire Department
This is a tradition that so many people look forward to every holiday season! The firehouse volunteers work endlessly to make all residents happy and fit in as many visits as possible from Thanksgiving weekend to Christmas Eve!
The thrill of having Santa arrive on a beautifully decorated fire truck blaring Christmas music will make any aged kid get excited! Santa delivers gifts to each child at each stop (prearranged by parents, of course) and hands them out by name! Santa takes pictures with everyone and offers Christmas wishes as he rides away! It is one of my family’s favorite Christmas traditions!
Fall Arts Festival
Trumbull has an annual Fall Arts Festival held every September. Local artisans gather on the Town Hall Green to share and sell their various crafts and art. Local food trucks and vendors sell their delicious creations as well.
Summer Concert Series
The town also hosts summer evening outdoor concerts at the Gazebo. Sit back, relax, and listen to some tunes while enjoying the beautiful summer weather!
Trumbull Businesses & Eateries
Marianna’s Pantry
You will find Marianna’s Pantry in the newly redeveloped Long Hill Green. They offer delicious breakfast, lunch, pastries, coffee, takeaway meals, and snacks for any appetite. Whether looking for a small treat, a cup of coffee or tea, or a meal for your whole family, you will be well-fed at Marianna’s. The adorable patio allows for al fresco dining or enjoying a cup of coffee with friends.
Abi’s Falafel
Just past Marianna’s, in the same Long Hill Green, you will find Abi’s Falafel. Formally known as Layla’s, Abi’s continues to provide the freshest and most delicious Mediterranean cuisine. I highly recommend the chicken shawarma, and don’t forget the fresh hummus! Abi’s has the friendliest staff; their food is quick, fresh, and delicious! They offer outdoor seating on the lawn, perfect for a lunch break away from the office. Keep in mind they are closed Mondays.
ECCO Italian Wine Bar & Tapas
The beautiful ECCO Italian Wine Bar & Tapas is a relatively new addition to the Trumbull restaurant scene and is not to be missed. Whether for happy hour, celebratory dinner, or a quick bite at the bar, ECCO offers brick oven pizza, classic charcuterie boards and Italian dishes with the volume turned way up! Their wine list offers something for everyone, and their cocktails are absolutely divine if wine isn’t for you! ECCO offers a beautiful ambiance, indoor and outdoor seating, and something for appetites of all sizes!
Italian Corner Deli by Massimo
Another hidden gem of Trumbull is Corner Deli on Main Street. From pizza by the slice or whole pie, fresh salads, mouthwatering pasta dishes (try the penne vodka!), or any of the imported Italian goods, you can’t go wrong with Corner Deli. You can find something for everyone in the family on their extensive menu of classic Italian favorites. Though unexpected, their chocolate chip cookies are some of the best around and the perfect sweet bite at the end of your delicious meal.
A great addition to the small number of restaurants that Trumbull has to offer. Their menu changes seasonally and keeps the customers’ favorites all year round. The bar has signature drink offerings as well as your regular favorites. The outdoor patio is also a great space in the summer and fall. At the top of the hill on White Plains Road in downtown Trumbull, Parker is consistently delicious food with a beautiful ambiance.
Plasko’s Farm
Plasko’s Farm has been a family-run farm in Trumbull for many years. They offer seasonal activities for families, delicious ice cream and treats in the creamery, and with the new addition of their café, they are serving all you could ask for! In the fall, they have a corn maze, pumpkins, a small market, and delicious apple cider donuts. Christmas time brings in the trees, wreaths, and other holiday décor. Make sure to visit the donkeys when you stop by!
J Bagels & Café
In my house, bagels reign supreme, and when the weekend hits, you’ll find us at J Bagels getting our carb fix! From the kindest staff, piping hot coffee, and baked fresh bagels, J Bagels can’t be beat! Outside of the breakfast sandwiches, fresh bagels, and other bakery staples, J Bagels offers lunch and catering to feed a crowd. Their sandwich menu, aptly named for some of Trumbull’s most well-known entities, or their custom salads will take care of those mid-day hunger pangs. Bring your laptop and get your work done in their cozy café while enjoying a smoothie or fresh juice. Their famous rainbow bagels are ever-changing colors for the season or holiday. My favorites are the English muffin bagel, chocolate croissants, and the roasted shallot vinaigrette dressing – all to die for!
Pure Poetry
This boutique offers wonderful home items, gifts, and clothing. The space has been described as “colorful, fun, and filled with fashions and discoveries we believe are unique to the area.” Pure Poetry also features local artists and vendors. All of their items change with the season and are reasonably priced! This is the place to visit if you need a unique gift for any occasion!
Code Ninjas
Nestled amongst the restaurants and eateries in Madison Village, you’ll find Code Ninjas. For ages 5+, they offer programs that introduce kids to coding and teach them how to build their own video games, not just play them! At Code Ninjas “kids learn to code while building their own video games. They gain problem-solving, critical thinking, and STEM skills in a fun, safe, and inspiring environment.” They offer summer camps, year-round programs, birthday parties, and a parents’ night out. It’s an excellent opportunity for kids to jump into our ever-changing world and sharpen their technology skills in a fun and kid-focused environment.
Outdoor Activities
Beach Memorial Park
This is an excellent spot in the summer for families! The pool has a gradual entrance for swimmers to walk in. This area is great for little ones to splash and play without the stress for parents. In addition to the pool, Beach Park offers a playground with a picnic area and a splash pad. If kids aren’t tired enough from the pool, a smaller playground and swings are there for all to enjoy! Adult swim is called for the first 15 minutes of every hour, so it is just enough time to grab a snack from the snack bar or run to the splash pad to stay cool. There are no chairs on the deck, so be sure to pack your own!
Tashua Knolls Pool & Golf Course
Tashua Knolls pool is great for families, too. With a diving board and slide, this is sure to entertain families with older children for hours of summer fun! There is a smaller “kiddie” pool for the little ones to enjoy. Both pools offer concession stands for snacks and treats! Do you have a golfer in the family? No problem, Trumbull has a golf course complete with lessons, clubs, and more! There are youth programs to get your little ones ready to drive off the tee and sink a hole in one!
This gem in Trumbull offers hiking, fishing, a dog park, sports fields, concerts, picnic areas, a playground with a splash pad, a BMX racing track, and a sledding hill! Great fun for the whole family! Some nights in the summer, Indian Ledge Park hosts a movie under the stars!
Rail Trail
The trail is a great place for anyone of any age! The trail is a great place to run, walk, ride bikes, take pictures, or wander in the woods. The Trumbull portion begins on Tait Road, with plenty of parking. The three-mile stretch goes to Whitney Road and into Monroe through Old Mine Park. They are extending the trail past Tait Road into Bridgeport towards the Beardsley Zoo.
Twin Brooks Park
This town park is a great spot for kids to play! The playground is great for many ages and will keep kids busy for quite a while. There is also a separate area for swings, including an expression swing donated by the local chapter of Trumbull Mamas, that allows you to swing with a younger child or two at a time. The park is also a great place to picnic in the fields or the pavilions. The trails around the park are great for running or walking; keep an eye out where you are walking, as the geese love to visit the park. There are newly renovated restroom facilities and updated access with new sidewalks.
Trumbull Nature & Arts Center
The Trumbull Nature and Arts Center (TNAC) mission is to provide nature-rich experiences to the local community members. TNAC is a non-profit organization intending to expand its STEM and sustainability education outreach by delivering many school and camp field trips, family and children programs, and Cub and Girl Scout badge-earning opportunities to the Fairfield County, Connecticut region, including underserved communities. The over 11 acres offer a playground, gardens, and hiking trails for families.
Date Night or Moms’ Night Out Activities
Escapology
Come check out one of the newest escape room experiences in Fairfield County. There’s sure to be a room that interests you for a date night or girls’ night out. Escapology is the perfect activity for fun and an adventure while utilizing problem-solving skills.
AMC Marquis 16
The newly welcomed AMC Marquis 16 theatre offers a comfy seat for the newest flicks! With reclining chairs, discounted Tuesday movies, and matinees reserved seating and ticketing kiosks, AMC offers a variety of amenities when watching the latest feature film. Grab your popcorn, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
With Trumbull’s ever-growing local economy, there is much to love about this small town. From the beautiful parks, town-run programs for all ages, highly ranked school system, and the growing number of restaurants and eateries, Trumbull is a lovely place to call home.