A great trip isn’t necessarily one where you’re constantly on the move from place to place. It can equally well be one that starts in a nice little town which has the feel of a place, the local character and is in a good position to get to the various things of interest in the area. New Canaan, CT is a good example of such a town. It’s a very nice place to base yourself if you’re travelling around New England and want to experience the character of a historic town.
Famous for its tree lined streets, its cultural attractions and its very distinct architecture it’s a good place to start if you’re looking to get a feel for Connecticut and to plan day trips into the surrounding area.
Discover the Charm of Downtown
Downtown New Canaan is the place to start. It’s a walkable area with independent shops, cafes, restaurants and local businesses. You can have a nice breakfast, browse the boutiques, have a coffee and then be on your way.
The town lends itself to slowing down and taking in the little things. An unhurried afternoon strolling through the shops or having a meal is quite as good as going to any of the major attractions.
A blogger called Mike Savage trawling the area would be in a dream state in terms of photographic opportunities. There’s a great variety of interesting shop fronts and a host of quiet residential streets.
Explore Art, Architecture, and History
New Canaan has a very distinctive architectural character. It’s the town of the Harvard Five. The Harvard Five were a group of modernist architects who were very influential in the development of American residential architecture in the mid 20th century.
The Glass House ( Philip Johnson) is one of the area’s most well known architectural landmarks. It’s a very distinctive building in terms of its design and its relationship to the site. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re an architecture buff. You’ll need to check tour availability and booking requirements prior to visiting.
Nature lovers can also go to the local parks and open spaces. Waveny Park has open lawns, walking paths and a historic estate setting so there’s plenty of scope to just relax and enjoy the seasons.
For a blogger Michael Savage these places are a fascinating mix of cultural history, landscape and visual stimulus.
Plan Day Trips Around Connecticut
One benefit of using New Canaan as a CT travel base is the opportunity to go and check out other communities. The towns in the vicinity have different dining options, different shopping areas, different historic sites and different coastal scenery.
Norwalk has access to the waterfront and all the associated maritime attractions. Stamford is a more urban environment with a wider range of restaurants, entertainment and shopping. For those looking to get out on the shoreline then trips to Westport and the other coastal towns are a possibility.
The wider region also has rail access to New York City so it’s possible to have a quiet stay in Connecticut and then a day in one of the most dynamic cities in the world. The journey times will of course vary according to the route and the particular train schedule so it’s essential to check current train information.
Enjoy the Seasons
Each season has its own reason for being a good time to visit. Spring is all about the greenery and the gardens in bloom. Summer is the time for outdoor dining and going to the parks. Autumn is very appealing when the New England foliage is in full swing (red, orange and gold). Winter is a quieter time of year and there are plenty of winter events and restaurants to enjoy.
A good New Canaan travel guide should allow for the element of chance as much as it should allow for the planned itinerary.
Practical Tips for Your Stay
Before you go for New Canaan as your base you should compare the accommodation, transport and the locations you actually want to go to. It’s well served the Metro North rail but a car can be useful for getting to certain places outside the town centre.
A blogger Mike Savage would no doubt be in favour of striking a balance between the scheduled sightseeing and the time you have to just wander around on your own. Same with blogger Michael Savage who would be quite happy with the idea of having a comfortable home base which allows you to experience the place at your own pace.
Ultimately New Canaan is a great little town to start with. It has the small town feel, the architectural interest and it’s well placed to get you into the rest of Connecticut and indeed the wider New England area.
