Closing Costs in Fairfield County

• Spend the day at the beach! Choose from Greenwich Point Park or Byram Beach or take the ferry to one of the other town-owned beaches nearby.
• Take the “Cruise to Nowhere,” a two-hour-long ferry ride on the Sound. While you relax and sip wine (which you can bring on board), you’ll be able to view the many spectacular waterfront estates.
• Lunch at the elegant, Provencal-inspired L’Escale in the waterfront Delamar Hotel. Ask for a table outside on the terrace and watch the boats (including many impressive yachts).
• Watch a polo match at Greenwich Polo Club in Conyers Farm.
• Hear live music and soak up the festive atmosphere at the annual Greenwich Town Party.
• Check out luxury and vintage cars at the annual car show, Greenwich Concours d’Elegance.
• Score deals on clothing and other merch at the annual Greenwich Sidewalk Sales event on Greenwich Avenue.
• Listen to a free concert at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park.
• Get to know the marine creatures in the touch tank in The Bruce Museum’s second location at Greenwich Point Park.
• Rent a kayak or paddle board from Old Greenwich Sailing at Greenwich Point Park.

• Take a foliage tour of Backcountry Greenwich, viewing mansions surrounded by vibrant autumn leaves.
• Hike in Mianus River Park, the Audubon Society, Montgomery Pinetum Park, or Babcock Preserve.
• Sample food from various acclaimed local chefs at the Greenwich Food & Wine Festival (typically in the fall).
• Check out art at the gallery within the main branch of Greenwich Library and the many galleries in downtown Greenwich.
• Attend a Greenwich Symphony Orchestra or Greenwich Choral Society concert.
• Sip coffee or tea and people watch at CFCF (on Greenwich Avenue and in Riverside).

• Take a class at the Audubon Center or The Garden Education Center. At the latter, buy some plants at the May Gardener’s Market.
• Visit the turtles at picturesque Binney Park in Old Greenwich.
• Shop at one of the farmer’s markets for produce to inspire your dinner.
• Attend a talk, lecture, or dance performance at the main branch of the Greenwich Library.
• Stroll along Greenwich Avenue to see work from local artists at the annual Art on the Avenue event.
• See movies at the annual Greenwich International Film Festival.
• Golf at The Griffith E. Harris Golf Course or one of the many private courses throughout town.
• Play tennis at any of the public Greenwich courts.

• Shop for holiday gifts on Greenwich Avenue (or at the Stamford Town Center shopping mall in Stamford). On the Avenue, explore the range of stores, from independently owned (like Hoagland’s) to large chains (like the Apple store, Tiffany & Co, Athleta, J Crew, and Zara).
• Go ice skating at Dorothy Hamill Rink.
• Pick up some books at one of the town’s public libraries or independent shops, like Diane’s Books (in downtown Greenwich) or Athena Books (in Old Greenwich).
• Head to a museum. Learn about Greenwich history at the Bush Holley House and Putnam Cottage and explore exhibits on art and natural history at The Bruce Museum.

In western Greenwich, this area is close to downtown Greenwich plus the towns of Ryebrook and Port Chester (in Westchester County, NY). Here, you’ll find a mix of homes…

Bordering Stamford, this area is home to Greenwich Point Park (the largest public beach in town). Along with waterfront, you’ll find a charming, almost retro downtown along Sound Beach Avenue, plus the Perrot Library and Binney Park. The latter is so picturesque—it’s a go-to for wedding photo shoots. Because the beach is so alluring and the area so charming and upscale, real estate prices per square foot tend to be among the highest in town.

Between Cos Cob and Old Greenwich, this area is close to the beach and only a few minutes’ drive from Greenwich Avenue. Known for its exceptional public schools and elegant neighborhoods (some located along the Long Island Sound), Riverside offers the ultimate in family living. Just expect to pay more for homes here than in many other parts of town.

This convenient, family-friendly neighborhood is located smack-dab in the middle of town, along the Post Road (Route 1). Formerly an artist’s colony and seaport, it’s only a few minutes’ drive to both Greenwich Avenue and Greenwich Point Park. Along with homes priced more moderately than other areas in town, you’ll find a branch of the library, Metro North train station, the Bush-Holley House (home of the Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich), marinas, and several shops and restaurants.

The most bustling part of Greenwich is Greenwich Avenue, a .7-mile-long stretch filled with shops, restaurants, and the town’s main Metro North station. Reminiscent of Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, this area is elegant and upscale, though also accessible—it’s home to some casual dining spots and brands, like Zara, Athleta, and CVS.

Right nearby, you’ll also find the town hall, hospital, main library branch, and The Bruce Museum (an arts and science museum). In this area, you can choose from apartments and condos to luxury homes (most of these properties are smaller than those further from downtown). For more land and square footage, opt for a property in Midcountry or Backcountry. Backcountry (north of the Merritt Parkway) features many four-acre lots, while Midcountry includes more one- or two-acre lots. For exclusive waterfront areas here, explore the Belle Haven and Mead Point neighborhoods.

Greenwich is known for its multitude of nonprofits plus community and arts associations. As another sign of its civic pride and engagement, the town is home to one of the largest legislative bodies in the nation: the Representative Town Meeting (or RTM).

Greenwich is home to more than 60,000 residents. Neither too big nor too small, it consists of several hamlets or areas, each offering a unique experience. Take a stroll down Greenwich Avenue and you’ll swear you’re in Paris (minus the French). Then visit Old Greenwich for a beachy feel, and Backcountry for bucolic countryside with majestic estates. Meanwhile, Cos Cob embodies a more charming, cozy family vibe.

If you have kids, you’ll appreciate Greenwich’s highly rated public school system and wealth of private schools. Choose from nearly 10 private institutions for K and over.

Greenwich is known for its sizable town-owned park and beach: Greenwich Point Park. The Point, as locals call it, boasts a stretch of sand for relaxing, walking trails, a marina, a community sailing and rental area, picnic tables, and more. In addition, the town is home to Byram Beach, Island Beach, Great Captain Island, and Little Captain’s Island, which you can reach via town-owned ferries departing from the central Greenwich area.

Other than waterfront options, Greenwich features several picturesque public parks (with ballfields and tennis courts), a public 18-hole golf course, a public skateboarding course, and a public ice-skating rink. Hiking trails abound, whether in Mianus River Park, Montgomery Pinetum Park, The Audubon Society, Babcock Preserve, and more. Town residents also have their choice of nearly 10 private yacht and country clubs.

Greenwich is home to about 100 places to eat, including my favorites:

• Breakfast: Le Pain Quotidien, Granola Bar, L’Escale, Sweet Peas, V Bistro.
• Lunch and Dinner: Miku, Hinoki, The Cottage, East End, Mediterraneo, Terra, Happy Monkey, V Bistro, Ruby and Bella’s, Le Fat Poodle, Le Penguin, Tony’s at the J House, Blackstone’s, Townhouse, India Avenue, Famous Greek Kitchen, Lugano, Doppio, Boxcar Cantina, and Orienta.
• Sweets: Raphael’s Bakery, Aux Delices, St. Moritz, and Van Leeuwen.

Greenwich offers an abundance of culture, including museums, art galleries, restaurants, and shops, plus its own arts council, symphony orchestra, and choral society. For the center of the action, visit bustling and sophisticated Greenwich Avenue. The .7-mile-long thoroughfare is lined with dining spots, family-owned shops, stylish boutiques, and name brand stores. About a block away, explore the main branch of its library system, which includes a recently renovated performing arts space.

Its event line-up includes everything from comedy shows to book talks, lectures, and dance performances. Throughout the year, events and festivals take place, including Art on the Avenue in the spring and Greenwich Sidewalk Sales in the summer. For a relaxed coastal downtown, head to Sound Beach Avenue in Old Greenwich, right near Greenwich Point Park (the town’s largest public beach).

Situated on the Long Island Sound and spanning about 47 square miles of land, Greenwich is scenic and picturesque. Think sandy beaches, windy country roads, rivers, lakes, ponds, plus miles and miles of woods and meadows. Complementing the nature, gorgeous homes—many charming, historic, or grand—dot the landscape. Founded in 1640, Greenwich has maintained many of its historic buildings, from estates to churches.

Greenwich is about an hour ride via the Metro North commuter railroad to Midtown Manhattan. You can take the train from four different stations in town: Greenwich, Cos Cob, Riverside, and Old Greenwich.

The town also borders Stamford, CT (a city full of offices, restaurants, cultural centers, and shops) and Westchester County, New York. Traveling is a cinch, with Greenwich located by I-95 and the Merritt Parkway and right near an Amtrak station (in neighboring Stamford). Residents can fly out of several nearby airports, including Westchester County Airport (within a few minutes’ drive of downtown Greenwich), JFK, La Guardia, and Newark.