Road Trip! Destination: The Merritt Parkway, Conn.

Connecticut's historic Merritt Parkway is a highway that harkens to the earliest days of road-tripping adventures.

Built in the 1930s as a Depression-era project, the 37-mile scenic byway takes riders over 69 historic bridges and through wide open spaces from meadows to undeveloped woodlands in the southwestern corner of the state.

Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens

While on the road, it's a good time to get in touch with nature via the 93-acre “sanctuary of southwest New England.”

“This is a real respite,” says CEO S. Jane von Trapp.

Its history goes back to 1913, when Dr. Francis Bartlett, founder of the renowned F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Co., purchased the property and began experimenting with trees. During trips to Asia, China and Europe, he collected a variety of seeds he then planted on the grounds upon his return home.

“We have a very eclectic collection that he planted, and so some of them are huge champion trees, the largest in state. More importantly, it's just a beautiful collection of odd things including a dwarf conifer garden, an eight-acre red-maple wetland with boardwalks, three acres of rhododendrons and azaleas, a magnolia collection, perennial gardens, an herb garden and a tropical garden,” von Trapp says.

If arranged ahead of time, docent master gardeners can take visitors on a tour, although intrepid explorers can go solo at any time. Both are free of charge.

Details: bartlettarboretum.org

Rolnick Observatory

Clear skies dictate whether the telescopes are open for a little night-sky viewing though the Newtonian looking glass and the massive Obsession telescope — also the largest in the state that's available for public use.

The Rolnick is free and open to all, although donations are appreciated. While there, it's not unusual to bump into a member or two of the Westport Astronomical Society, whose eye in the sky can give you a breakdown of celestial surroundings.

A series of free lectures are available monthly, so check the calendar. For those interested in keeping their feet on solid ground, swing by in September to hear Columbia University astrophysicist Imre Bartos talk about “Black Holes and What We Can Learn From Them Without Falling In.”

Details: was-ct.org

Spotted Horse Tavern

Imbibe and unwind in one of Westport's oldest abodes, The Sherwood House, built in 1808. A collaboration of local culinary experts Kevin McHugh, Pete Menonna, Tommy Febbraio and George E. O'Connell, the organic menu includes a wide offering of bites to nosh on.

Come prepared to bid adieu to your willpower via small plates including lobster macaroni and eggplant stack and entrees such as the “Dr. Pepper” grilled pork chop with sweet potato mash, the maine lobster club or black truffle burger.

Details: spottedhorsect.com

Discovery Museum and Planetarium

Earthlings are welcome at this 20,000-square-foot facility with its 124-seat domed planetarium and permanent and rotating exhibits that all but guarantee you'll enjoy an out-of-this-world experience.

While there, get your hands on an actual meteorite that fell to Earth over 50,000 years ago, suit up in a full-size replica of the spacesuits worn by the Apollo astronauts, or get an idea of what it'd be like if you were shrunk down to “nanoscale.” The museum is open daily through Aug. 31 with varying admission charges.

Details: discoverymuseum.org

Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point

Accessible year-round from dawn to dusk, all 8.4-acres of the point are next to the 840-arce Charles Wheeler Salt Marsh and Wildlife Management Area, an oasis in an area that, because of its proximity to New York City, has seen its share of changes.

“There aren't many undeveloped, wild, natural beaches left in the area,” says Tom Andersen, director of communications for the Connecticut Audubon Society.

With its mission of promoting awareness of the ecosystem and protecting the feathery friends who inhabit its marshes and barrier beaches, the coastal center has been dubbed a “bird-watcher's paradise” for more than 300 species that have been spotted at various times.

Included on the grounds is the 70-foot covered observation tower with panoramic views and an observation platform. While there are no hiking trails, there is a path that leads down to the beach with a boardwalk to the dune area.

“It is a spit of land that sort of juts out across the mouth of the Housatonic River,” Andersen says. “Part of it is state-protected marsh and part is sanctuary — combined, it is one of the biggest and most impressive natural areas on Long Island Sound.”

Details: ctaudubon.org/coastal-center-at-milford-point

Walnut Beach Creamery

When your tank is hovering dangerously on empty, pop in here for a handmade, gourmet scoop or three that includes Grapenuts (honey vanilla, grapenuts and butterscotch), Nutty Yankee (almond, dried cranberries and coconut), Mad Mollye (cinnamon chocolate and Oreo), Tea Time (black tea and shortbread crumble) or Banana Bread (fresh banana, nutmeg and chunks of homemade banana bread).

Then, get your treat and take a breather in their beautiful backyard garden.

Details: walnutbeach creamery.com

Merritt Parkway Museum

It's never too late for some history. Near the end of your trip, in Stratford, Conn., the Merritt Parkway Museum sits in the lobby of the Ryders Landing Shopping Center (6580 Main St., Exit 53). Opened in 2006, the museum includes a 30-minute video on the road's construction.

Across the street, on Ryders Lane, is the Sikorsky Estuary Walk. The bicycle and pedestrian path features signs with details on the river, flora and fauna.

Kate Benz is a features writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at kbenz@tribweb.com, 412-380-8515 or via Twitter @KateBenzTRIB.