“Explore Fairfield County” is an informational series that provides a glimpse into the wonderful towns and cities in Fairfield County. Fairfield County is diverse in that it includes big cities, small suburbs, beaches, farms, and busy highways. It covers a large geographic area and, because of this, it has a lot to offer families! To help you get the most out of Fairfield County, our contributors have shared the top things they love about each local area. To read more in this series, click here.
New Canaan started in 1731 as Canaan Parish, formed by residents of Norwalk and Stamford. It was primarily an agricultural town until after the Revolutionary War when its primary industry became shoe-making. The shoe-making industry had the town settle into different districts (Ponus Ridge, Talmadge Hill, Silvermine) rather than have a central downtown. The downtown we see today came in the 1800s with the addition of the railroad. Once the railroad made its way to New Canaan, more New York City families started to settle for the weekends and summer.
As New Canaan became a popular destination, it has continued to be a well-established and family-friendly town. Its rich history has also supported family-owned businesses that span generations, like Karl Chevrolet and Walter Stewart’s grocery. Those are two of the many great businesses that call New Canaan home, and many of them you can find downtown.
1. Grace Farms
Grace Farms is a beautiful, peaceful, publicly accessible community and cultural center focused on nature, arts, justice, and faith, with jaw-dropping architecture and expansive lush grounds perfect for walking, touring, and meditating. One hour there can feel like a retreat (even with the littles!). Their offerings run deep with classes on tea, farm-to-table dinners, jazz concerts, summer family picnics, open art studios, and drop-in programs for kids. For families, the library, café with artisanal tea selections, Imagination Playground, and fantastic basketball court round out the list of activities.
2. New Canaan Library
This is hands down one of the best public libraries in the state (if not the Northeast!). It is recently renovated and clocks in at 42,000 sq ft with state-of-the-art facilities. It’s great for remote work with a cool café and a fantastic 9,000 sq ft children’s library with low shelves for small visitors and separate rooms for tweens. Plenty of quiet reading nooks and rooms are great for work video calls. There are two activity rooms for arts and crafts. There is also a culinary learning center with a demonstration area and a commercial kitchen.
3. New Canaan Nature Center
New Canaan Nature Center is one of the best nature centers in Fairfield County and is great for families. With fantastic programs for kids, a summer camp, after-school offerings, and an amazing events calendar. Notable ones are the Christmas event and the Harvest Festival fall party.
4. The Glass House
You don’t want to miss the Glass House! The Glass House is a National Trust Historic Site. This outdoor architectural museum lives on 49 sprawling acres and was designed by architect Philip Johnson, who lived there for several years. It is open for tours for ages ten and older from mid-April to mid-December.
5. The Walkable Downtown
With one of the best bookstores in New England, Elm Street Books, New Canaan’s downtown boasts top-designer stores with a little something for everyone. There are several parking lots just two blocks from the stores, where you can park and walk all around. Downtown offers coffee shops, dessert shops, two fantastic toy stores, and classic Main Street shopping offerings to choose from. There are wine shops, a post office, nail salons, and many family-friendly restaurants to choose from. Try Rosies (a family favorite), Southend, and Locali, to name a few
6. Waveny Park
It is a beautiful historic park on the Merritt side of New Canaan, which was originally the country estate of the Lapham family. It is on 130 acres and the beautiful castle is the centerpiece. It offers 4.5 miles of woodland trails, extensive lawns, meadows, ponds, and tons of meandering fields to get lost in. It is a great location for photo shoots and events. They also host New Canaan’s annual Turkey Trot
7. Olive W. and George S. Lee Memorial Garden
Lee Memorial Garden is a public community garden and a hidden gem located in a small residential neighborhood in New Canaan. It offers a diverse array of bulbs each month. There is a scavenger hunt with fairy houses for the littles. Admission is free and open to the public from dawn to dusk. They also offer guided walking tours.
8. Carriage Barn Arts Center
Located within Waveny Park, this 19th-century stone barn is a cultural arts center and non-profit organization. They also dual as an event space, gallery, and performing arts venue. They offer extensive event programming for children and adults, from meditation and sound baths to cooking and crafting classes and summer theatre camps for kids.
9. Mead Park Playground
With three baseball fields and tennis courts, Mead Park Playground is a fun and fabulous place to play. The Meade Park Playground is an important hang-out spot for young New Canaan families.
10. Live Girl
Live Girl is a non-profit celebrating its 10th year based out of New Canaan. It is a leadership, mentorship, and career readiness program focusing on the needs of girls of color. They work to inspire confidence in girls and young women.
