The southport bike tour

Ride along idyllic roads through Southport, one of our beautiful villages and historical districts, taking in views of Long Island Sound and stately old homes as you pedal. If you have some time, stop for lunch or a water break in Southport Center.

Starting & Finishing Point: Parking lot for the Fairfield Parks & Recreation Office

Address: 75 Mill Plain Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824

Distance: 9.2 miles

Surface: Asphalt

Elevation Gain: 75 ft - 231 ft (a few small hills)

Step-By-Step Directions and Points of Interest:

1) Exit the access road to the parking lot and go left (heading North) on Mill Plain Rd

EF_Parks&Rec_Office.jpg — Fairfield Parks & Recreation Office

2) Go under I 95 to the Mill Plain Green and bear left on Sturges Rd

STURGES HOUSE

Note the Sturges House at 449 Mill Plain Rd, an excellent example of Gothic Revival architecture and national landmark built in 1840. This home was one of the first in the country with a water closet and bathing room. This privately owned home was built by Jonathan Sturges, a New York City businessman. His grandfather was a representative to the Continental Congress.

3) At the West end of Mill Plain Green, bear right to stay on Sturges Rd

sturges rd

Excellent examples of Greek Revival colonial homes on Sturges Rd.

4) After crossing the Mill River, go left on Mill Hill Terrace then take your next left onto Bronson Rd heading South

Mill river

The Mill River, which flows into Southport Harbor and Long Island Sound, is on your left. Two hundred years ago there were many vegetable farms in Southport. Onions, the largest crop, were exported from Southport harbor to New York City.

5) After going under I 95, go left on Mill Hill Rd, which goes over the Metro North train tracks

Southport center

Go right on Pequot Ave which goes under the Post Rd/Route 1. Continue South on Pequot Ave to Southport Center where you will find Southport Center fixtures including Switzer’s pharmacy, the Spic & Span market, Driftwood Sandwich shop, Sammy’s pizza, the Horseshoe Café.

6) Continue South on Pequot Ave

Southport Congregational Church

The Southport Congregational Church, on your right, was built in the early 1840s. Pequot Library is next on your right. Opened in 1894, this library is privately sponsored yet open to the public. The interior is worth a look.

7) Continue past many old homes along Pequot Ave to Southport Beach

8) As you continue West, Pequot Ave becomes Beachside Ave after Sasco Creek Rd

Beachside ave

Now you are in Westport which was part of Fairfield until 1835. If you want to shorten your trip, take a right on Sasco Creek Rd, then a right on Greens Farms Rd then skip to step #11 below.

9) If you continue on Beachside Ave, you’ll reach another nice view of Long Island Sound

Long Island Sound |
Cockenoe Island |
Sherwood Island State Park

From here you can see Cockenoe Island and Sherwood Island State Park with Norwalk in the distance. Continue on Beachside then take a right on New Creek Road.

10) After going under the I 95 over pass, go right on Greens Farms Rd - You are now headed Northeast

11) Greens Farms Rd eventually becomes Kings Highway West near Sasco Creek

Kings Highway

Kings Highway was built in the late 1600s and early 1700s on the order of King Charles II and stretched from Boston to the Carolinas. The road name survived the Revolution.

12) Take your next right on Oxford Rd then a right on Westway Rd under I 95

oxford rd | westway rd | pequot ave - Pequot library

Take a left on Pequot Ave. Pequot Library on your left. At this point, you’ve completed a loop and are about to return the way you came to the starting point.

13) Go North on Pequot Ave through Southport Center then, when you reach the intersection with the Post Rd, go left on Mill Hill Rd, right on Bronson Rd, right on Mill Hill Terrace and right on Sturges Rd over the Mill River

Pequot Ave | Southport Center | Mill hill rd | Sturges Rd | Mill River

14) Follow Sturges heading South to Mill Plain Rd then take a right