New Canaan

Connecticut's Best Sunflower Patches and Places to Cut Your Own Flowers

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Fri, 08/11/2017 - 5:23pm

One thing I always look for forward to is the blooming of tall, fresh-faced sunflowers, peering over me, bringing the sunshine a little bit closer to earth. My family loves to be surrounded by fresh flowers as well as bring them into our home, and there is nothing better than cutting your own (forget grocery store bouquets!). If flowers make your day like they do mine, then you will want to check out the great places you can dance amongst the daisies here in Connecticut. And, of course many of these places offer pick your own berries, veggies and fruit too.

Get Crafty at These After School Art Classes in Fairfield County

Submitted by Brandee Gilmore on Tue, 07/04/2017 - 8:00am

Art. So simple. Yet, impossible to define. What I will say is, it can be the antidote to the stresses of an uber-busy Fairfield County kid. Yes, they need to do their homework, practice their gymnastics and/or hockey, learn the piano, attend swimming lessons, and hey, master computer coding, but what about an after-school activity that's theirs to make and mold? There are art classes on everything from anime to weaving available, and you can enroll in a short session, or one that lasts all semester.

Tool Museum, Glass House, Waveny Park: 25 Things to Do in New Canaan

Submitted by Katie McKnight on Mon, 06/12/2017 - 3:36pm

New Canaan. Quintessentially New England. Classically Connecticut. Known for it's famed Harvard Five architecture, postcard perfect New England landscape and quaint downtown in Fairfield County, New Canaan offers plenty to see and do year round. With a Norman Rockwell inspired Holiday Stroll not to be missed, family-friendly outdoor summer theater performances and no shortage of green space, this small city nestled in the Southwest corner of the state is teeming with kid stuff. Here are our picks for kid friendly destinations and activities in New Canaan:

5 Train Rides to Take with your Preschooler

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Thu, 03/23/2017 - 7:07pm

Living in Connecticut, with kids, chances are you've taken a train ride or two. Whether you rode on Percy at Essex Steam Train and Riverboat's Day Out With Thomas or the Naugatuck Railroad's Northern Lights Limited, there are plenty of incredibly sweet themed and scenic railroad experiences across the state.

But, have you ever hopped on a Metro North train on a Tuesday? Chances are, while you may have made the rounds of the seasonal train excursions, you might not have considered the trains running through Fairfield County every hour on the hour. In off-peak hours, you might spend an average of $7 or less on a round trip ticket between Milford and Greenwich. And your kids will LOVE the impromtu ride on the shiny silver choo-choo. We've rounded up some kid-friendly stops off Metro North to turn an everyday train ride into a full-fledged adventure for your preschooler.

Pine Street Concessions to Open Soon in New Canaan

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Tue, 03/14/2017 - 7:54pm

Think food courts are only filled with greasy slices of pizza, French fries and General Tso’s chicken? Think again. Swap out those dirty tables and bland grouping of substandard eateries for something better. Something focused on artisanal and authentic cooking, superstar chefs and, gasp, al fresco dining.

Enter: the food hall.

Expected to hit the Fairfield County scene in just a few short months, Pine Street Concessions, a new gourmet food court currently under construction in downtown New Canaan will offer organic, locally-sourced cuisine in a family-friendly atmosphere.

16 Best Storytime Programs in Fairfield County

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Wed, 03/01/2017 - 12:04pm

We all know that reading to our children is important. For starters, fostering a love for reading enhances basic speech and communication skills, stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world. Knowledge is power and books offer plenty of it. And where better to find books but the library. We have rounded up a list of the some of the best story time programs for your budding bookworms at local libraries throughout Fairfield County.

Celebrating Valentine's Day in Fairfield County

Submitted by Brandee Gilmore on Wed, 02/08/2017 - 10:16am

There is nothing quite as heartwarming as the homemade Valentine’s Day cards you get from your little munchkins. But if your house is like mine, those homemade bundles of love leave a trail of construction clippings, marker stains, and a thin layer of glue on every surface. Instead, you can outsource Valentine’s Day preparations at one of several events in the coming days. Or, scrap that idea altogether for love-inspired cookie decorating or a proper tea with your tyke. Kiss kiss, hug hug, everyone!

Outdoor Winter Activities in Fairfield County

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Tue, 01/17/2017 - 11:51am

Let’s face it. In Connecticut, we don’t always love the snow. It may look beautiful from inside of our homes, but then we have to shovel it, plow it, and salt it. We have to craft it into snowmen and mold it into igloos. And, when it melts, ugh. When it melts into that dirty and dingy film alongside the road, winter can seem grey, lifeless and, well, boring. To help shake those winter blues, try heading outside and check out some of these pretty fantastic outdoor winter programs in Fairfield County with your kiddos. For more winter fun, check out our guide for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in Fairfield County and our winte r fun guide.

Science and Nature Camps in Fairfield County

Submitted by Brandee Gilmore on Mon, 01/02/2017 - 12:43pm

Summertime is all about endless exploration, discovery and play...until every rock in your backyard has been turned over 347 times. So, in an effort to stimulate your kid's mind and sense of scientific wonder, consider the myriad of science camps we've found in Fairfield County. The course offerings are so wide (rocket building, forensic science, 3-D gaming, instrument making, salt water habitats by canoe, good old-fashioned mud), even the girliest girl who wouldn't DREAM of digging in the dirt can find her inner budding scientist (see the Discovery Museum's 'Spa Science')! For more ideas, check out our summer camp guide.

Holiday Strolls in Fairfield County

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Mon, 11/28/2016 - 10:37pm

For many, the end of Thanksgiving Dinner marks the official start of the Christmas season. It seems as soon as those plates are cleared the holiday shopping begins. And for others, Christmas began even before the table was set. But, lucky for us, some Fairfield County communities have managed to slow us down a bit, make us savor the season and shop, not on Cyber Monday, but at their Holiday Strolls. You know, in a shop? There is something so very special when our quaint New England downtowns are all gussied up in holiday sparkle and the night air is filled with carolers, peppermint and hot cocoa. If you ask me, these are some very good reasons to take a stroll down the slower lane. Take a holiday stroll. Here is our roundup of the holiday strolls coming up in Fairfield County this Christmas season. And, for even more holiday happenings, visit our Holiday Guide.