Stamford

The second-largest city in Connecticut is awash in cultural offerings, from artists' lofts and galleries to the Stamford Symphony Orchestra and the Connecticut Ballet, not to mention shops full of antiques and collectibles and a diverse array of dining options. But for an urban center that is home to some of the top businesses in the country, it also offers a surprising connection to nature, with otters at play at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center and beautiful rhododendron gardens. Homes in Stamford run from luxury, urban high-rise living and spectacular showpieces on the water to cozy Colonials and artsy loft spaces.