With an exceptional fall foliage season predicted, a trip to southern New England to enjoy traditional autumn pleasures such as apple and pumpkin picking, harvest festivals and antiquing makes a perfect getaway. Located just an hour from New York City in the southwestern part of Connecticut, Coastal Fairfield County offers hundreds of activities for families and couples from cultural to recreational pursuits including museums, attractions and nature centers, to bird watching and bi-plane riding over the coastline of Long Island Sound.

Visitors to the region will find dozens of events and activities, along with discounted hotel offers. All are invited to enter a contest to win a Nikon 3 MP Coolpix 3200 Digital Camera now through November, simply by stopping at three types of destinations.

A few fall events and how to spend an autumn day outdoors in Coastal Fairfield County:

Norwalk Seaport Association�s Oyster Festival - September 10 � 12 This 27th annual event celebrates maritime heritage and the preservation of Norwalk�s Sheffield Island Lighthouse. Seaport village with arts and crafts, activities, and headline musical entertainment including Wilson Pickett and the Average White Band. Veteran�s Park, Norwalk. (203) 838-9444

Nun-Better Octoberfest - October 9 & 10 Fall fun with food, holiday crafts, quilts, children�s items, baked goods, general store and more. School Sisters of Notre Dame Motherhouse, 345 Belden Hill Road, Wilton. (203) 762-3318

Giant Corn Maze & Scarecrow Festival - October 10 Get lost in a four-acre corn maze, themed �Mission to Mars� and make a scarecrow, decorate a pumpkin, take a hayride. Corn maze and pumpkin picking through October 31. Plasko's Farm, 670 Daniels Farm Road, Trumbull. (203) 268-2716

Fall ZooFest - October 16 & 17 Celebrate an old-fashioned New England autumn with wool spinning demonstrations, handmade quilt display, Native American musicians, and a collection of antique farm tools. �Harvest Hoedown� family-oriented event features a Texas BBQ and square dancing. Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport. (203) 394-6565

Apple Cider Sunday & Spooktacular - October 24 Apple pressing and demonstrations of vintage apple-pressing tools; tastings of apple varieties. Costume parade, face painting, pumpkin patch and spooky entertainment. Apple and pumpkin games and crafts, pony rides, hay maze. Stamford Museum & Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford. (203) 322-1646

Fall Foliage Cruises � Weekends from October 2 - 31 Discover autumn hues from the water � and shore too, while collecting marine animals and learning why the colors change as winter approaches. The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, 10 Water Street, Norwalk. (203) 852-0700

Biplane Ride over the Sound � Daily, year round Be a co-pilot while you witness foliage splendor from aboard a Cessna 172 or vintage open-cockpit biplane. Enjoy an aerial tour of Fairfield and New Haven Counties and Long Island Sound. Morgan Kaolian Biplanes/Sikorsky Memorial Airport. (203) 375-3686

A sampling of hotel getaway packages for families and couples:

� Holiday Inn Select Stamford, �Sleep & �See� Turtles Package $119 Enjoy the vitality of downtown Stamford. Package includes deluxe accommodations for four people, two (2) adults and two (2) children, and tickets to the Maritime Aquarium and IMAX Theatre. Reservations (203) 358-8400. Valid through December 31.

� Stratford�s Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn �Fall Spectacular� $99/$109/$139 (based on availability) Enjoy New England hospitality, breathtaking foliage and Housatonic River views. Visit nearby Jones Family Farm, what Yankee Magazine quoted as �one of the outstanding reasons to visit New England� or, try your luck at the famous Foxwoods Casino. Package includes breakfast buffet, indoor pool & Jacuzzi; bottle of the new Jones Winery�s First Vintage, and a $10 Match & Play casino coupon upon arrival. Reservations (203) 377-3322. Valid through November 1.

� Westport Inn �Westport Family Fun Experience� $199 for up to four people (based on availability) Explore Westport�s shopping, dining and renowned performing arts. Package includes free popcorn, microwave, movie rental, along with three hours of baby-sitting in room provided by �Nannys as Needed�. Indoor pool and breakfast buffet included. Pets stay free and there are several nearby dog friendly parks. Reservations (203) 259-5236. Valid through December 1. � Norwalk�s Silvermine Tavern �Saturday Night Fling� $265 for Two Spend a romantic weekend in an historic country inn with award-winning dining and live jazz. Package includes a Saturday night stay for two in a charming guest room, delicious dinner surrounded by museum quality folk art, live jazz in the cocktail lounge, and Sunday Champagne Brunch. Reservations (203) 847-4558. Valid through October 31.

� DELAMAR Greenwich Harbor �The Romantic Escape� $369-$399, Deluxe Harbor View Room, $279-$299 Town View Room Celebrate autumn with someone you love in with luxury accommodations and a waterfront view. Package includes complimentary champagne and chocolate covered cherries; breakfast served in the renowned l�escale restaurant. Reservations (203) 661-9800. Valid through December 30.

Coastal Fairfield County visitors can capture autumn�s colors and getaway memories by entering a digital camera giveaway contest. All residents and visitors can take a change to win a Nikon 3 MP Coolpix 3200 Digital Camera now through November by stopping at three types of destinations -- one arts venue, one historic site and one tourist destination in Coastal Fairfield County -- and mailing proof of their visit to the Convention & Visitors Bureau. (Examples of proof are a sales receipt, ticket stub, event program or copy of credit card statement.) From August through November, one winner from all entries received will be selected on the 15th of each month. A completed entry form and contest rules are available on the Bureau�s Web site, www.coastalCT.com.

For additional information, fall events and special offers, visit www.coastalCT.com or call 1-800-866-7925.

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Media Contact: Mary Lukens +1 203 853-7770 x314 maryl@coastalCT.com