6 Things I Love About Fairfield County, Connecticut

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6 Things I Love About Fairfield

Back in 2007, my husband and I were looking to make a move, and find a house where we could call our own, and eventually raise our children in. Both of us had lived in MA prior, but we were looking for a change. We found ourselves visiting quaint CT towns on the weekends, so our house hunting search led us to CT. While we wished we could have looked at the Fairfield county area, we had to stay closer to the MA border as that is where we both worked, and would be an easier commute for us. We eventually found a home in the Quiet Corner of CT, and later started a family. We love being able to call CT home, and love being able to do day trips with our two girls -- usually to the Fairfield County area. Below are just some of our favorite "hidden gems" spots worth checking out, if you are in or near the CT area this summer, or planning a trip to CT soon. I hope you enjoy your visit to CT just as much as we love calling it home. :-)

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The quintessential New England town, Fairfield truly offers it all, with everything from picturesque scenery and historic delights to cultural attractions, a thriving food scene and a wide range of shopping venues. In 2014, Money magazine selected the city as One of the Best Places to Live in the entire nation.

No matter what the season, there’s something to love about owning CT real estate in Fairfield.

The Beaches

Fairfield boasts five miles of beautiful coastline along the Long Island Sound, including Jennings Beach with its 27 acres of glistening sands. It’s the prime spot for catching the annual 4th of July Fireworks display, learning how to swim with summer lessons offered, and right next door is the “Sand Castle Playground” and a skate park. Penfield Beach is fabulous for picnics and barbecues with tables and grills set up right on the sand. It also hosts a long stretch of sandy beach, a concession stand that sells snacks, and a playground.

Lake Mohegan

Not only can you enjoy saltwater shores in Fairfield, but a fabulous freshwater swimming spot: Lake Mohegan. It has a large sandy beach, and during the summer months the swimming area is staffed with a lifeguard. The scenic 2.5-mile loop trail that winds around the lake showcases a waterfall, and in autumn, the alder trees with their fiery red, vibrant orange and golden yellow leaves, create an especially postcard-perfect scene.

The Historic District 

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Fairfield Historic District is lined with exceptional examples of Colonial, Federalist and Victorian architecture. It’s like taking a walk back in time when you stroll the streets here. The 1780 Town Hall Green, “Rising Sun Tavern” once sheltered some rather prominent visitors during the post-revolutionary period. Today, visitors can enjoy an immersive experience, becoming a local while sitting at one of the tavern tables and even reading a newspaper from two hundred years ago.

The district includes some 75 buildings in various architectural styles, especially fascinating as the focal point for the first English settlement in the area, and an important British target during the American Revolution.

The Culture

Fairfield is home to both Sacred Heart University and Fairfield University which hosts lectures, musical, dance and theatrical performances, as well as sporting events, including football, basketball, baseball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, swimming and more. The Fairfield University Art Museum showcases a variety of rotating exhibitions and a permanent collection featuring European and American drawings, prints, paintings and photographs, along with Pre-Columbian, African and Asian objects. The city’s Fairfield Theatre offers comedy, live music and community theater too.

The Dining Scene

There’s a thriving food scene in Fairfield and throughout the county, which offers everything from casual to fine eateries, outdoor cafes and historic taverns. There are dozens of restaurants here, including favorites like Liana’s Trattoria, a long-time staple serving homemade Italian, Wilson’s Holy Smoke BBQ which serves up all the classics, and Fin Japanese Restaurant renowned for its sushi.

It’s Easy to Get Almost Anywhere From Fairfield

Living in Fairfield, it’s easy to get to just about anywhere you need to go. You’ll have a wealth of transportation options available to you, and you’re more likely to enjoy a shorter commute too. The city is home to Fortune 500 companies Bigelow Tea and General Electric, while also hosting three train stations on the Metro North New Haven to Grand Central Terminal line as well as multiple access points to Interstate 95 and Merritt Parkway.