Images of waterfront estates and an air of sophistication may be associated with Western Connecticut also known as the Gold Coast. Certainly, in towns such as Greenwich, Fairfield, and Westport, these are all more than valid depictions. On this afternoon on Connecticut’s Gold Coast our route will go past splendid mansions but the focus will be enjoyment for plebians too.
After exploring Stamford previously, venturing back to Western Connecticut took precedence over another Backyard Road Trip. This time, we’re not sticking solely to one town though. We’re taking in natural beauty in Greenwich and Darien and making sure to stop in for coffee or beer in Stamford, followed by Tex Mex for dinner in New Haven to complete the day.
Greenwich Point Park
During the last visit, the Helen Altschul Preserve proved to be a tranquil sanctuary that was completely unknown to me. In that vein, I decided to head to Greenwich Point Park. Quite unlike the Altschul Preserve, this park is very popular, with good reason, since its beachside locale is beautiful. There’s a guard booth where in-season residents’ passes are checked or admission is paid by out-of-towners.
A view of Long Island Sound can be seen from the sandy beach teeming with dogs and kids on this unusually warm March day. Also, I spotted the Stamford Harbor Ledge Lighthouse in the harbor. Hopping back into the car, the perimeter road traverses the peninsula. There is so much to look at, with views of Greenwich’s waterfront mansions and walking paths throughout. Traces of the estate of tycoon John Kennedy Tod remain, although his opulent home was razed in the early 1960s. One of my favorite features was the designated clambake area. Catch your meal at the shellfishing section and then cook it up. What a cool idea!
Third Place by Half Full Brewing
This is the second outpost of Stamford’s Half Full Brewing. Located close to downtown, it is much more than a brewery. With a large bar, local art, coffee, and even a workspace, this is a community gathering spot that is uber-popular on the weekends. Don’t plan on using it for studying on Saturday!
Humbled Coffeehouse
If you want to escape the crowd or are looking for a coffee alternative, try Humbled Coffeehouse. Located in a residential section of Stamford. It is a small coffee shop with hip decor and comfortable seating. I chose a salted caramel iced latte. Salted caramel seems to be the flavor of the year as it is seemingly everywhere. It was a good choice and unbelievably, it cooled me down after a surprisingly hot day!
Woodland Park
Escaping into the woods in nearby Darien, Woodland Park offered more seclusion than Greenwich Point Park but was certainly not empty by any means. Families, dog walkers, and solo hikers took the trails of this well-groomed nature preserve. I parked in the lot off of Middlesex Road. There are three color-coded trails to explore the almost 65-acre parcel. A quick jaunt down the White Trail provided a few more minutes of sunshine before it was back to the car.
Geronimo Tequila Bar and Grill
Heading back east, dinner was enjoyed at the trendy Tex-Mex spot Geronimo in New Haven. New Haven has its share of excellent restaurants from institutions such as Frank Pepe Pizzeria to Heirloom, located in the Study at Yale hotel. Geronimo is no exception. Starting out with a margarita, guacamole was ordered for the table. It was a perfect way to begin the meal. My steak tacos were incredibly tasty with every bite providing an array of flavor.
Western Connecticut has so much to explore, from excellent breweries to tasty restaurants. An afternoon in Western Connecticut provides places for gorgeous walks, great coffee, and Tex Mex that will get you craving more. Craving is a keyword as visiting this area, you’ll be desiring a return trip soon!
