STAMFORD

Stamford is Connecticut's second-largest city with a population of 135,470, positioned on Long Island Sound roughly 30 miles from midtown Manhattan. Its downtown functions as a secondary financial center with Fortune 500 headquarters lining the skyline.

Palace Theatre on Atlantic Street opened in 1927 as a Thomas Lamb-designed movie palace with 1,608 seats. It now hosts touring Broadway, concerts, the Stamford Symphony, and comedy. Avon Theatre on Bedford Street has screened independent, documentary, and foreign films since 1939.

Downtown's density means you can walk from the train station to either venue in minutes. The city runs outdoor concert series in Columbus Park during warmer months, but the ticketed rooms are where the year-round calendar lives.

Tip: Avon Theatre is undergoing renovation and is expected to reopen in 2027 with a new screening room, wine bar, and upgraded seating. Check their schedule before planning a visit.

Neighborhoods: Downtown • Glenbrook • Springdale • Cove • Shippan