Intro to Greenwich, CT
ABOVE: The National Restaurant on Greenwich Avenue in Greenwich, CT. Photo credit: The National
I once was new. I still am new. I'm a new soul (I don't have much instinct; I have to learn everything that old souls already know) and I still feel very new to Greenwich, but I've been here almost 2 years and would like to share with other newbies my off-the-cuff, blink-reaction, top-of-mind intro guide to Greenwich.
1. Old Greenwich, Byram, Glenville, Mianus, Back Country, Mid-Country, Riverside... all Greenwich. Have your real estate broker or neighbor explain.
2. Eat at The National (above) or Harvest. You'll feel like you're in the city. Close seconds: Lugano, and Le Fat Poodle.
There are two of you now: your city self, and your suburban self.
3. Bruce Museum. Take out-of towners. You can do the whole thing in an hour and they'll be impressed your town has art like this. Also, the museum is doing a fantastic job developing programming for kids. If you're there with the little nuggets, ask for their backpack/kit type-thingie built for toddler engagement with art. It's a toolkit for children to use to help them understand what they will see in the museum.
4. The Beaches...
Tod's Point is peaceful and fabulous, but give yourself extra time and patience to figure out how to get your passes. It's such a pain in the tucchus that I almost quit the process. Forgive yourself; you're dealing with a system that seems somehow purposely meant to make you feel dumb. I have no tips. It was terrible. I cried, and yelled at my poor mom.
Take the boat trip to Island Beach; no need to stay as the shore is too rocky to lay out comfortably, but the ride is superb.
5. Get something fresh to make for dinner at Fleishers Craft Butchery or Fjord Fish Market or the Greenwich Cheese Shop. Hint: All three shops are neighbors. There is a wine store in the strip as well.
6. Check out Go Wild, the Beach Ball, the Greenwich Food & Wine Festival, and the Greenwich Town Party. Everyone will be at these.
7. Your lifelines: Greenwich has the following institutions you are used to in New York... (DRUMROLL, PLEASE!) Saks Fifth Avenue, Uber, FreshDirect, Seamless, Soul Cycle, Zara, ClassPass, and an Apple Store. So, there are some things you won't have to change too much.
8. Browse Betteridge to visit some of the most beautiful jewelry and watches in the world.
8. Give in. Don't be like me and have panic attacks at soccer practice; realize that even if you love the city, there are two of you now: your city self, and your suburban self.
It's not too shabby.
Xx, Mom in Mascara
