1. The Commute
New Canaan is just over an hour from New York City. It has its own train station, which offers service to Grand Central Terminal. Easy access to the Merritt Parkway from New Canaan also adds to its commuting ease.
2. Public Schools
New Canaan School District is a top-rated, public school district. It prides itself on its student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1. The district has three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. New Canaan Public Schools have been ranked as the top public school system in Connecticut and as the 19th best public school system in the country. New Canaan High School was also ranked the second best high school in Connecticut.
3. Shopping
If you’re in need of retail therapy, visit New Canaan’s downtown area. From thrift shops to boutiques New Canaan has a cornucopia of options. Check out stores such as She La La, Vineyard Vines, Ally Bally Bee, Elm Street Books, Ralph Lauren, and much more.
4. Waveny Park
Waveny park is made up of 250 acres of land, with 3.5 miles of trails for walking or jogging. It also features soccer, baseball and softball fields. The park’s centerpiece is “the castle,” built in 1912. A summer concert series is held on the patio of the historic Waveny House, which is now home to the NCRecreation Department.
5. Mead Memorial Park
Mead Memorial Park is a communal gem with ample playgrounds, ball fields, tennis courts and waterways where kids can feed the ducks. A gourmet food stand also opens during the Summer.
6. Restaurants
New Canaan’s culinary scene offers everything from family-run establishments to world-class international cuisine. Some local favorites include Elm Restaurant, Tequila Mockingbird, Gates and South End.
7. The Playhouse
The New Canaan Playhouse on Elm Street is a wonderful, historic theater that was built in 1923. It plays first-run and independent films with classic concessions.
8. New Canaan Library
New Canaan Library has been the town’s intellectual center since 1877. Today, the Library is a vibrant community resource for learning and innovation, offering an extraordinary print and digital collection, dynamic programming, reader’s advisory services, technology assistance, and maker spaces. Each month, over 16,000 members come through the doors in search of knowledge, exploration and entertainment.
9. The Glass House
The Glass House is an architectural wonder that was built in 1948. Also referred to as the Johnson house, this house is now a historic museum on Ponus Ridge Road. This house and surrounding properties reflect the mid-century creativity of Philip Johnson.
10. Summer Concerts
The New Canaan Recreation Department, in co-sponsorship with local merchants, hosts open-air music concerts on the patio at Waveny House during the summer. The concerts feature a variety of musical groups, many of whom are from the Fairfield County area. All of the concerts are open to New Canaan residents free of charge.
