6 Perfect Reasons Why You Need to Visit Greenwich, CT

Sure, plenty of people live in Greenwich, Connecticut. But is there really a reason to visit Greenwich, CT?

Actually, yes. There are plenty.

As befits a town that’s a great place to live, there are plenty of activities and attractions to keep the casual visitor busy.

Greenwich, CT, tourism has been a thriving industry for over a hundred years. Since the completion of the New York to New Haven rail line, New Yorkers have been coming to Greenwich on vacation.

And it’s easy to see why once you’re here: the bucolic scenery is reminiscent of Europe. And the restaurant and cultural scenes match Manhattan, but without the hordes of people and traffic.

Curious to know more about Greenwich? Read on.

Where is Greenwich, Connecticut?

Nestled along the Long Island Sound and immediately to the west of the New York state border in Fairfield County; Greenwich, Connecticut is a beautiful and quiet community. It’s just a short ride from Grand Central Terminal in downtown Manhattan of New York City.

How Far is Greenwich from NYC?

Greenwich is only 33 miles from midtown Manhattan. Driving can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour based on traffic in New York. But the train is only 40 minutes via an express train from Grand Central, or an hour if you take a local train that makes all the stops from Manhattan to Connecticut.

This close commute makes Greenwich a perfect, convenient escape from the city. Many wealthy Manhattanites through the years have migrated out to Greenwich to take advantage of that easy commute.

The attractively manicured gardens and historic homes and mansions also make the place an ideal location for novels, films, or your next Instagram story or two.

Map design by Stanton House Inn using resources from Flaticon.com

6 Perfect Reasons to Visit Greenwich, CT

There are destinations all over the world with wonderful experiences to offer. Yet visitors always find plenty of reasons for exploring Greenwich. The strengths of the area often encourage many visitors to research relocating to Greenwich, CT.

In fact, more than a few visitors have asked us where to start researching the Greenwich, CT real estate market for apartments!

For a town of only a little over 60,000, Greenwich offers much more than a town its size should. It’s regularly rated one of the most cute towns in Connecticut.

Here’s a brief list of some of the highlights as far as the top things to do in Greenwich, Connecticut:

Fabulous Greenwich, CT, Shopping

The downtown Greenwich shopping district offers a variety of shops with plenty to please the most distinguished of shopping tastes. Business districts in various parts of town offer fabulous stores to explore, though Greenwich Avenue stores are the most well known.

Some of the best areas for shopping in Greenwich are: Downtown Old Greenwich, Byram, and Downtown Greenwich, centered on the famous Greenwich Avenue.

Watch the video below to get a quick preview of some of the top shops to visit in downtown Greenwich:

Great Tourist Attractions in Greenwich, CT

Our town is home to great attractions that draw more than their fair share of visitors in their own right.

Be it places to enjoy outdoor activities, or indoor attractions to avoid the sometimes harsh weather, Greenwich has you covered.

Greenwich Beaches

Greenwich, CT, is noted for the gorgeous Greenwich Point Park, one of the best beaches near Greenwich CT. Known as Tod’s Point by locals, it is an inviting beach spot with spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline and walking trails.

Some of the other great Greenwich attractions include Island Beach and Great Captains Island Lighthouse for those looking to explore some of the best beaches in all Connecticut.

Visiting Greenwich Point Park is just as pleasant to visit in the winter, as non-residents can enter for free without a park pass.

Greenwich Parks and Hiking Trails

For the outdoorsy types looking to find great hiking trails near Greenwich, some great options throughout town are:

• Mianus River State Park

• Montgomery Pinetum

• Babcock Preserve

• Greenwich Audubon Center

Arts, Culture, and Museums in Greenwich

For those looking for historical or cultural points of interest, or just prefer to stay cleaner during their visit, Greenwich also has plenty of museums and culture to experience, such as:

• The Bruce Museum
• Greenwich Library
• Bush-Holley House and Greenwich Historical Society, the place to learn about Greenwich’s rich history
• Shopping, dining, and art galleries in the Greenwich Avenue shopping district
• Putnam Cottage

Take a Driving Tour of Greenwich

If nothing else, Greenwich is a bucolic and serene place to take a tour. Explore this driving tour of Greenwich mansions through the various neighborhoods of town. You can also ask us for more of our favorite roads and byways to see while you’re here.

Fun Greenwich Nightlife and Things to Do at Night

With the bars and clubs of New York City so close, one would think Greenwich would be bereft of nightlife. In actuality, Greenwich still manages to have a diverse and interesting local scene.

Check out our guide to the best things to do at night in Greenwich and date night ideas, but a few quick options include:

Pubs and Bars in Greenwich, Connecticut

A few of the diverse arrays of Greenwich bars include:

Downtown Greenwich

• The Ginger Man
• Douro
• Harvest Restaurant
• MacDuff’s
• Bruce Park Grill
• Le Penguin Bistro

The Beach House Cafe and Le Fat Poodle liven-up Old Greenwich, while the Little Pub is the go-to place in Cos Cob.

Even More Things to Do at Night in Greenwich

If you’re not feeling a drink, or would rather wrap-up something else into your evening experience, there are plenty of choices.

Greenwich Symphony Orchestra

The Greenwich Symphony Orchestra offers full-orchestra events for a more elegant evening.

Capitol Theatre

The Capitol Theatre is a cultural attraction in and of itself in nearby Port Chester, New York. While best known for its hey-day in the 1970s, some major musicians still bring their shows here.

Palace Theatre

Next door in downtown Stamford is the Palace Theatre, which draws major comedic acts, symphony orchestral performances, and jazz musicians, to name a few.

Avon Theater

A classic old-town movie theatre on the green in downtown Stamford, the Avon Theatre Film Center shows independent movie screenings.

Fabulous Greenwich, CT Restaurants

To experience fine dining or even simple lunch, dinner or breakfast with family and friends, there are plenty of delicious restaurants in Greenwich sure to satisfy.  As with so much about our little town, there is a wide array of food on offer, from Indian to French to American of many kinds. Some favorites include:

1. Joey B’s Famous Chili Hub
2. Elm Street Oyster House
3. Thai Basil
4. Douro
5. Mumbai Times
6. Back40 Kitchen
7. The Spread
8. Eastend

What are Some Upcoming Greenwich, CT, Events?

There’s pretty much always something going on in Greenwich. Check-out our calendar of upcoming Greenwich, CT, events to see what’s happening on or close to when you’re planning a visit.

Sounds great, right?

Inns and Hotels in Greenwich, Connecticut

Nestled in its ideal location, Greenwich is well-worth a visit! 

But what about places to stay in Greenwich?

Yes, Stanton House Inn is a lodging option, but we’re not perfect for everyone.

Here’s a list of hotels in Greenwich, Connecticut:

Stanton House Inn

Of course we’re still going to mention ourselves.

Stanton House Inn is nestled on a leafy neighborhood street within walking distance of Greenwich Avenue. We’re a 5-minute cab ride from the Greenwich Train Station.

Guests love our location, our quiet and relaxing gardens and outdoor pool, and our breakfast.

Delamar Greenwich Harbor

The Delamar Greenwich Harbor sits right on Greenwich Harbor (as the name implies) across from Roger Sherman Baldwin Park. It’s easy to reach, as it’s close to the Greenwich Train Station and I-95. It’s also caddy cornered to the Bruce Museum.

There’s no question it’s a beautiful hotel, and L’Escale is an excellent restaurant and bar. An entire floor of the hotel is pet friendly, as well.

J House Greenwich

This boutique hotel in Riverside occupies the former site of the town’s Howard Johnson. It’s now known for being high-tech with hip cool decor. I believe it’s best known in the area for having Japanese talking toilets.

Hyatt Regency Greenwich

The Hyatt Regency is a chain hotel on the Greenwich/Stamford border. The great thing about chain hotels is you always know what you’re getting, whether you’re in Omaha, Nebraska; or Greenwich, Connecticut.

Come Visit Greenwich, CT, Soon!

Even if you don’t plan on staying with us at Stanton House Inn, come-in to our visitors bureau in our lobby for a hardcopy of the official Greenwich, CT, map; or ask us any questions you may have.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Updated and republished: May 10, 2021