Summer is almost over! Perhaps you’re considering a last minute vacation on the Gold Coast, contemplating a move here, or already have the pleasure of calling it home. Regardless, you’re likely considering what you’ll be doing before summer is over and kids have to go back to school. There are plenty of reasons to love this pristine coast, from its stunning shorelines to beautiful parks.
Situated on the Atlantic Ocean, the Gold Coast—as known as Lower Fairfield County—is located in Western Connecticut approximately 50 miles northeast of New York City. It’s made up of numerous affluent neighborhoods, including the historical crown jewel of the state, Greenwich, as well as Darien and New Canaan. Here, you’ll find miles of gorgeous coastline and picturesque scenic views. Additionally, you’ll be amazed by the stunning sprawling estates, luxury beachside properties, and exceptional country and yacht clubs along the coast. The Gold Coast is known for its captivating beaches, charming shopping options, and a myriad of delectable restaurants. It’s the perfect place to relax, and has everything from state-of-the-art aquariums to spectacular botanical gardens. Here, you can enjoy the best summer offers and make treasured memories with your family. Whether it’s a picnic excursion or a refreshing swim, you won’t regret living your best life on this golden coast! Here are some fun and exciting things to do here this summer.
Visit local museums
Welcome to the Bruce Museum! Located in Greenwich and frequently voted the “Best Museum” in the area, this incredible museum needs no introduction. Here, art, science, and natural history come together in new and exciting ways, expanding the horizons of what museums can look like and how they can better help visitors learn, discover, and explore new perspectives. Featuring numerous engaging exhibits and a dozen carefully curated exhibits that change each year, make your way through the Ice Age gallery and come face-to-face with a life-size model of Dilophosaurus, learn about the tidal cycles of Long Island Sound, discover historical and contemporary works by Indigenous artists, and view paintings, sketches, and sculptural work by 19th and 20th century American and European artists. While it is currently undergoing construction, visit the newly-renovated museum when it reopens on August 16th so you and your family can enjoy a plethora of exciting and educational exhibits, artworks, and collections.
Spanning 118 acres in the woods of North Stamford, the Stamford Museum & Nature Center is a stunning museum that brings together art, history, nature, and agricultural sciences through interactive exhibits, extensive walking trails, and a carefully curated focus on merging play with education. Home to a 10-acre working farm, a Tudor-style museum and gallery that houses the museum’s exhibits, a nature center, a planetarium, a four-story observatory with a research telescope, an otter pond, and a playground designed for children to experience how animals interact in nature, the Stamford Museum & Nature Center fosters curiousity, environmental stewardship, and a commitment to creativity, nature, and history. Visit their Sunday Farm Market, which runs from June to November each year, and discover their ongoing and special exhibits, including Discovering Color: Two Decades of Abstraction. On now until September 11th, view paintings, prints, and paperwork from three of the move pivotal art moments in 1960s-70s America: Abstract Expressionism, Color Field Painting, and Minimalism. There is truly something for everyone at this all-ecompassing and essential museum.
Go to the beach
Photo courtesy of Westport News-
Stroll along the beautiful walking paths of Sherwood Island State Park! Connecticut’s first—and finest—state park, here you can take a refreshing swim in Long Island Sound, go surf or shore fishing, enjoy a picnic on the beach or in the shade of the picnic grove, or play a round of frisbee in the sand! While it is currently under renovations, the Sherwood Island Nature Center looks forward to welcoming budding naturalists of all ages back to view their wide array of displays and exhibits and learn more about the park’s diverse floral and fauna. In the meantime, view their outdoor exhibits on the Nature Center Porch—including a touch tank!—and join them on the salt marsh nature trail for bird watching and other educational activities.
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Located in beautiful Westport is Campo Beach, a 29-acre park with a white-sand beach stretching from the shore of Long Island Sound to the borders of the Saugatuck River. This fully accessible beach is open year-round and has a boardwalk, a concession stand, two sand volleyball courts, a large wood playground, a softball field, two light basketball courts, and a skate park all within close proximity to the Ned Dimes Marina and the refined Ned Dimes Marina Club House. Campo Beach takes accessibility very seriously, so Mobi Mats, wheelchair-accessible picnic pads, and a floating beach wheelchair are available for those who require them so that everyone can enjoy this beach’s crystal blue waters and golden shores.
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Widely considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the Gold Coast, Pear Tree Point Beach in Darien encompasses eight acres of stunning coastline and picture- perfect views, with sweeping shores and glimmering blue waters. With an accessible picnic area with tables and grills, a stunning gazebo overlooking Long Island Sound, a bathhouse, and a boat launch so you can take your craft out onto the waters, Pear Tree Point Beach stands as a prime tourist destination and favorite place to spend the summer days.
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Also in Darien is the truly fantastic Weed Beach, where you can bask in the beauty of the sunset, read a thrilling novel on the shore, or simply walk along the water before taking a refreshing dip. With six tennis courts, five paddle tennis courts (with equipment available to rent), children’s play areas, and trails available for walking and running, however you want to spend your time here, this gorgeous beach promises a day filled with fun and excitement for the whole family. So what are you waiting for? Grab your water bottle, put on some sunscreen, and come spend the day at Weed Beach!
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Nestled on the western side of Greenwich in the Byram Shore neighborhood is Byram Park, a popular park that encompasses 30 acres of beautiful shoreline. Sun on the beach or take a dip in their pool and watch the kids have some summertime fun in the splash pad, which have both recently undergone a multi-million dollar renovation. There’s also a boat launch along the marine if you’re looking for a day on the water, as well as a boat club and a clambake pavilion to dig into your favorite seafood with family and friends once you make it back to shore. When it comes to fun in, around, and on the sparkling waters of the Atlantic, make your way to Byram Park.
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Of course, the premier beach to visit on the Gold Coast has to go to Greenwich Point Park, or “Tod’s Point” as locals affectionately call it. Spanning over 147 acres of green space, it was once the former estate of J. Kennedy Tod and still houses many historic buildings, including the Innis Arden Cottage, the Seaside Garden and Cowbarn Building, and the Chimes Building. When it comes to beachside amenities and reactionary activities; Greenwich Point Park can’t be beat. Join the renowned Old Greenwich Yacht Club, kayak on the waters or go windsurfing across the waves, dip your line in the saltwater fishing areas, pay a visit to Holly Grove and Eagle Pond, or spend the day traversing their extensive trails after a scrumptious picnic lunch. So much abounds in this fantastic park!
Shop ‘til you drop
Calling all shoppers! The Gold Coast is famous for its top-tier shopping and diverse outlets. Known as “The Ave” by locals and New Yorkers who spend their summers on the Gold Coast, Greenwich Ave offers some of the best shopping around—it’s no wonder, then, that so many New Yorkers feel right at home among its beautiful surroundings, amazing dining scene, and quaint, historic streets lined with exceptional boutiques, retailers, and big-name brands. Shop for eclectic women’s clothing and accessories at Out of the Box, home decor at Hoagland’s and Restoration Hardware, designer apparel for men and women alongside personalized service at Richards, beautiful jewellery, including custom pieces, at Manfredi Jewels, and so much more. There’s so many stores to peruse in Greenwich’s renowned shopping district!
Located in Downtown Westport, Bedford Square has so much to offer. An iconic town center and premier retail, dining, and residential destination, Bedford Square is the place to be to shop name-brand stores like Anthropologies and Williams-Sonoma and to discover new favorites like Manna Toast and Barbour. Located inside of the fully restored and stately 1923 Bedford Mansion and Historic Firehouse, Bedford Square is the heart of this vibrant, prosperous, and unique neighborhood. However you’d like to spend the day, you can rest assured that there’s something perfect and exciting waiting for you here. After a long day of shopping, stop by one of the square’s many incredible restaurants for a scrumptious meal. And who knows—if you love your time in Bedford Square, you may consider taking up residency here in one of their luxurious units!
Enjoy delicious food
Photo courtesy of L’EscaleMake the most of the rest of your summer by experiencing the best dining the Gold Coast has to offer. Located in a former textile factory turned boutique hotel and tavern, The Inn at GrayBarns in Norwalk provides the ultimate countryside retreat along the beautiful Silvermine River. Wander through the gardens, stop for one-of-a-kind gifts at the mercantile, and enjoy incredible farm-to- table meals prepared by Chef Ben Freemole. Whether you’re craving lamb kofta in preserved lemon yogurt and tahini, prime strip steak, or even wild swordfish with mint and basil, make sure you reserve your table for this delectable dining experience. You may even want to extend your stay further by booking a luxurious getaway at the Inn.
Visit the elegant L’Escale in Greenwich for everything from glistening oysters to succulent lobster and crab to incredible caviar and seafood plateaus piled high. An absolutely gorgeous dining experience situated right on the water, there’s no better place for a fun happy hour drink or two, a sunset date night, or an indulgent weekend brunch with friends.
With a second location in Greenwich Ave, Westport-original The Cottage is Chef Brian Lewis’ warm and welcoming restaurant. Greatly inlfluenced by the local farmers and growers who tend the region’s land, The Cottage’s menu is full of handcrafted dishes that put an exciting twist on American cooking. Enjoy everything from scallop tartare to linguini neri with buttered crab and Maine sea urchin, St. Canut suckling pig, and herb roasted chicken, and make sure to pair your meal with one of their signature cocktails.
Kawa Ni in Westport is an exceptional Japanese pub that serves exceptional drinks, including a wide variety of sake, sharable plates of sashimi, tamago ikura, and edamame, steaming bowls of donburi and ramen with creative ingredients such as pickled clams and spicy lamb, and so much more. With a popular rooftop patio that overlooks the glistening waters off the Gold Coast, Kawa Ni is the place to be for great drinks, great food, and great conversations with friends.
Make memories as a family
Photo courtesy of The Maritime AquariumAre you looking for ways to spend a memorable time as a family before school starts? Then “your summer of wonders awaits” at The Maritime Aquarium, a wondrous aquarium with 75 live exhibits featuring nearly 7,000 animals from 363 species! Focusing on conversation, research, and education, The Maritime Aquarium’s dedication to Long Island Sound, which is an officially designated “Estuary of National Significance,” comes through in their interactive displays, children’s programming, and opportunities to come up-close and personal with sharks, fish, harbor seals, and even meerkats! The aquarium’s research vessel, “R/V Spirit of the Sound,” also offers year-long cruises around Long Island Sound, and can even be rented as a private charter for your next special occasion or event!
Located in Norwalk, Stepping Stones Museum for Children is an award-winning, hands-on children’s museum that is dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of learning through the importance of play. Alongside their renowned toddler and preschool programs, Stepping Stones provides children under ten with interactive exhibitions and opportunities to explore, play, and discover in an enriching environment. Your young ones can learn all about prehistoric Connecticut and the flora and fauna that made it home through their special “Big Adventures: Dinosaurs,” discover how light brightens the world around us at “Lights On!,” discover the science behind energy and the element through kid-powered play at “Energy Lab,” and so much more. At Stepping Stones, children can learn about and appreciate the world around them while having tons of fun!
Are you interested in learning more about our specific property listings? Feel free to contact Lisa Migliardi for all of your Gold Coast house, luxury condo, or real estate needs. Her team would love to walk you through the process and help you find the home of your dreams. Let’s get started today!
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