New England's most beautiful season has arrived once again, and that means pumpkins on the porch, in our pies and muffins, and for us, diehard fans, even in our coffees. Picking a pumpkin is an autumnal ritual for many, and the perfect excuse to get outside on a crisp afternoon. Fairfield County has more than a few great spots to seek out your orange beauty, and most places offer activities like corn mazes and hayrides, as well as mouth-watering cider donuts and other goodies. Check out our Halloween and Fall Fun Guide for lots of other great information. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and don't miss out on any seasonal fun.

With its close proximity to both New York City (only 30 miles to Manhattan) and Long Island Sound, Stamford offers the best of both worlds. Here you can take advantage of the waterfront perks like crabbing, fishing and swimming at Cove Island and Cummings Park, hop on the adorable Harbor Point Trolley and check out the city or visit the Heckscher Farm babies at the Stamford Nature Center. There's certainly no shortage of things to do in Connecticut's third largest city.

In fact, we've rounded up 50 ideas for you and your crew to check off, whether you live and work in Stamford, or just wanna play for the day. For fun happenings about Fairfield County check out our neighborhood guide and our Connecticut Summer Fun Guide.

Preschool. How could something so full of fun and games be so, so, so agonizingly difficult to select?!  Surely, there was a time when it was either 'the one around the corner,' or that 'Montessori one across town'. No more. The Montessori approach has been joined by Bank Street, Project Approach, and Reggio Emilia (and no doubt, others I've never heard of). There's also a wide range in cost. And scheduling. And wait for it…admissions requirements. There are easily hundreds, if not thousands of options for preschool in Fairfield County. Mommy Poppins and her friends have, at least, HEARD good things about the following preschools, or have children enrolled in them. Surely, we've missed some good ones, so please jump into the conversation and let us know where they are (especially you city dwellers out there - Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport)!