When one thinks of Greenwich, CT, the immediate things that come to mind are the obvious – residential area, Greenwich Avenue, Tods Point. But what if I shared with you 17 things to do in Greenwich, CT, that you didn’t know about…? Yes, it’s possible that you may not know about some of these other activities because they’re only known by locals such as myself. The list below includes some more common ones…like Greenwich Ave of course, but some less common ones…like polo matches or island day trips. If you found any of these unique or interesting or if you have any others you would add, please share in the comments. I’m always happy to hear from others and learn more!
Quick Navigation: 17 Things To Do in Greenwich, CT— According to a Local
- Sound Beach Avenue
- Tod’s Point
- Rent Kayaks, Catamaran, SUPs or Sailboat for the day
- Greenwich Polo Club
- Greenwich Avenue
- Attend an event
- Bruce Park Museum
- Walk Belle Haven
- Take a ferry to Great Captains Island or Island Beach
- Capitol Theatre
- Byram Beach & Pool
- Bartaco
- Walk Byram Shore Road
- Griffith E Harris Golf Course
- Augustine Farm
- Day trip to Rowayton
- Day trip to Westport
1. Sound Beach Avenue
If you’re visiting Greenwich in the summer, I recommend you spend some time in our beach neighborhood, Old Greenwich, more so than our main town, Greenwich. Old Greenwich is the highlight of the town in the summer because it’s just a few minutes from Greenwich Point Park, also known as Tod’s Point Beach. More on that below. Old Greenwich is small, but in the summer it’s bustling. It’s tiny main street is called Sound Beach Avenue and it has a few restaurants, cafes, an ice cream parlor, breakfast spots, grocery stores, a local butcher shop, a hardware store, a yoga studio, and boutique stores to visit like Back 40 Mercantile, Originals Lifestyle, Fred Boutique, Abigail Fox Designs and Rummage Room.
For a more down-to-earth store with Greenwich inspired apparel, visit Chilly Bear. This is where I get a lot of my Greenwich branded apparel alongside ASF Promotions (located above Gofers on 551 East Putnam Ave). The town also has a bookstore, liquor store, an art gallery and a few other stores. It has it all if you think of it! It’s just very small. It’s worth going for a stroll and hopping in and out of shops. If you want to grab breakfast or lunch while here, I recommend you stop at Sweet Pea’s Baking Company or Joe Studio Café for coffee and Upper Crust Bagel.
2. Tod’s Point
What to Do at Greenwich Point Beach, Tod’s Point
Top of the summer list for things to do in Greenwich, CT? Tod’s Point. Just minutes from Sound Beach Ave, it’s a 45-minute walk from the main street, so a car is recommended. Although it’s a private beach for Greenwich residents from May 1 – October 31, non-residents can join with a $9 day pass and $40 parking pass (hence why some choose to walk from train station or uber). Don’t forget to buy both passes online, or you’ll be turned away at the gate!
Located on 147 acres, Greenwich Point Beach offers more than just sand and sea. Enjoy gazebos, beach concessions, 3+ miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, a yacht club, a shell beach, and a hidden garden (where I got married before our big ceremony in Italy!). You can also take sailing lessons or rent a kayak, sailboat, catamaran, or SUP.
3. Rent Kayaks, Catamarans, SUPs or Sailboats for the day
What to Do at Greenwich Point Beach, Tod’s Point
In the summer, check out Greenwich Community Sailing for summer rentals. They offer catamarans (permit required), kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards, with prices ranging from $25 to $60 per hour. They also provide sailing classes for both children and adults, so you can learn to sail and get your permit.
I highly recommend seeing Greenwich from the water. Kayak from the inlet near the Old Greenwich Yacht Club to get a close-up view of the stunning multi-million dollar waterfront homes. You can even paddle out to Riverside Yacht Club, but be prepared for rough waters if it’s a windy or high boat traffic day.
4. Greenwich Polo Club
Your Guide To Attending A Greenwich Polo Club Match
Whether you’re into polo or not, a Sunday match at the Greenwich Polo Club is a must-do summer experience in the tri-state area. Picture this: A glamorous yet laid-back day of men on horses, the cracking of mallets, and the time-honored tradition of stomping divots at halftime. While the sport itself is thrilling and family-friendly, the real entertainment is the people-watching. Here’s everything you need to know about attending a Greenwich Polo Club match.
5. Greenwich Avenue
Greenwich Avenue, CT: What to Expect and Find
What do traditional traffic cops, award winning chefs, waterfront hotels and bars, high-end stores, classic car collections, and pop and contemporary artists all have in common? They can all be found on Greenwich Avenue. The town of Greenwich has a few main streets, but one reigns among all–Greenwich Avenue, or what us locals refer to as just ‘The Ave.’ For people day tripping, it is likely on the top of the list for things to do in Greenwich. It has been called by some the Rodeo Drive of the East in terms of the shops you will find mixed with its high-end and casual dining options. While the shopping may be a bit more on the expensive and upscale side, there are still plenty of reasons to visit the Ave. There are a few specialty designer brands and fast fashion stores accessible to all and dining is on par with New York City, making it an enjoyable mid-day activity and the perfect place to people and car watch.
Dining around Greenwich, CT is a scene. From nationally acclaimed establishments to cool, budget-friendly hangouts, there’s something for every taste in all 5 of Greenwich, CT’s neighborhoods. Here are 32 of my favorite restaurants, bakeries, bars, pubs diners and delis where you can eat in Greenwich, CT according to me, Sveva–a local.
6. Attend an Event
If you want to find things to do in Greenwich, CT that fit your niche, then there are plenty of times during the year to coincide your trip with a visit to Greenwich Avenue. Here are a few depending on your interests….
1. February – April: Greenwich Restaurant Week: The dates vary every year, but Greenwich Restaurant Week is a week-long event that celebrates our highly sought-after food scene. During the week, participating restaurants offer special menus and deals that are specifically tailored to the event.
2. March & September/October: Greenwich Food & Wine Festival: A 4-day event with celebrity chefs and headline music entertainment across various restaurants and venues in Greenwich, each with special meals and courses.
3. May: Art to the Avenue: It’s the most art filled day of the year. Over 100 artists work are put on display in stores throughout the Avenue. The art selected by each retailer remains in place through Memorial Day so anyone can experience the gallery during that time. All artwork is for sale. The event conclude with a spectacular show of musicians and street performers inundating the streets of Greenwich Avenue.
4. End of May/June: Greenwich Concours d’Elegance: If you love cars like I do, then this is a 2 concours back…to back. Saturday is the Concours Americana for American cars and motorcycles, while Sunday is the Concours International for imported marques. The event includes a ton of add-ons like a Waterfront cocktail party and private lounges.
5. June: Greenwich International Film Festival (GIFF): The festival features screenings, premieres, events, parties, panel discussions, and an award ceremony. They even have a change makers Gala in November that’s honored people like Lin Manuel, John Legend, Eva Longoria, and Renée Zellweger.
6. July: Yearly Sidewalk Sale: All stores pitch tents outside there stores and offer bargain prices on clothing, accessories, shoes and more for a weekend in Greenwich of shopping and fun.
7. Bruce Park Museum
This is a great rainy day activity. Robert Bruce, a wealthy textile merchant, owned this land before selling the deed to the town and establishing Bruce Park and museum in 1908. Exhibits change all the time, some include really cool trippy and pop art installations or exhibits like Dualities or Let In, Let Go, some classic Andy Warhols, science galleries that feature animals and dinosaurs, a minerals section and more. The exhibits change all the time so check in and see if something sparks your interest.
8. Walk Belle Haven
If you have the energy to continue your walk (perhaps after a quick snack on Greenwich Ave…) I recommend you head up hill past Greenwich Marina and towards Belle Haven. There isn’t anything to actually do in Belle Haven, as it is a residential neighborhood, but the neighborhood is a feast for the eyes. It’s home (no pun intended) to some of the nicest, grandest, and most expensive waterfront homes in Greenwich, CT. All you do is really just wander around and take in the mansions, there’s a lot of fun styles and architecture along the way. You will hit a standpoint when you come across the gated community. While some of Belle Haven is open to the public, the more elite areas are a gated private community. You have to know someone to get in. My usual walk is up Shore Road which turns into Smith Road. From here you can break out into the public roads such as Field Point Road before heading back to the Avenue.
9. Take a ferry to Great Captains Island or Island Beach
A Guide to Visiting Island Beach in Greenwich, CT
If you don’t have your own boat and your looking to get off the mainland, you can visit one of Greenwich’s 2 public islands accessible via ferry from the Arch Street Dock at the bottom of Greenwich Avenue. Island Beach is the most visited, followed by Great Captain Island. Plan a whole day on the islands since there is much to do and it’s a unique experience on the Long Island Sound. You can even camp on the island’s overnight…yep, you heard that right! Like all other beaches in Greenwich, guests and non-residents can buy day passes and/or parking passes online to get to the islands during the summer. The ride to Island Beach has to be one of my favorite things to do in Greenwich, CT. From the ferry, you can see the Greenwich marina, sail by the Delamar and the beautiful Indian Harbor Yacht Club, and most importantly cruise by some of the stunning houses (or more precisely – mansions) of Belle Haven.
10. Capitol Theatre
A Night at The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester
Right across from Byram in Greenwich, CT is Portchester, NY. One of the main attractions in Port Chester is the beautiful and old school Capitol Theatre. The Capitol Theatre is one of my favorite nightlife activities to do in the Westchester/Fairfield County area. Not only do the shows start and end at reasonable hours, but the acts are big, the venue is intimate and iconic, and the tickets are very affordable. Some of the most recent acts Pat and I have seen (and who have played) at the Capitol Theatre include Daughtry, The Fray, Kevin Hart (we got to see a sneak peak of his new Netflix set before it was ever recorded or aired), John Mulaney, Nate Bargatze, Mark Norman, Dane Cook, Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck (featured in video above), Keanu Reeves and Dog Star, The Stix, Norah Jones, Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys, Tim Dillon, and there’s always ‘80s music reenactments, Taylor Swift nights, Queen tributes.
11. Byram Beach & Pool
We continue our Greenwich, CT beach hopping guide with a morning at Byram Beach. Same routine as all the other Greenwich beaches – buy a day pass + parking pass…yada yada yada. BUT, what makes Byram beach cooler than all the other beaches is that is has a public pool overlooking the Long Island Sound and tennis courts. Unfortunately, the only people allowed to use both the pool and tennis courts are Greenwich residents who have a seasonal Park Pass…but, the beach is still a lovely experience. Byram Beach has two small and intimate beaches overlooking the Byram beach marina, Belle Haven, and Great Captain Island, Shell Island, Bowers Island, Calf Island and Shore Island in the distance. It also has a playground, concession stand, and small park to wander around in, grill, enjoy a picnic etc.
12. Bartaco
If you decide to skip lunch at the beach, a great place, still on the water for lunch is Bartaco. However, this restaurant is not located on the Long Island Sound, but on the Byram River. Bartaco is technically located in Portchester, NY (across from Byram). Churros, tacos, and margaritas are served all day long and if you have a boat you can anchor it on their dock and go in for lunch. It’s a very popular spot, especially on a beautiful sunny day, so make sure to book in advance if you don’t want to wait for an hour or more. Note: The music can get loud at night if that’s not your vibe.
13. Walk Byram Shore Road
Ok, on some weekends, particularly long weekends like Memorial Day or 4th of July, the private community of Byram Shore Road (specifically Hawthorne Association), will hire a security guard to scare away people from walking down the road by saying it’s “PRIVATE.” Aside from those weekends, you’re able to walk down to Hawthorne Beach and back. As you walk, there are signs everywhere that say the road is private, but it actually is a public road. It’s just a scare tactic used to keep people away. Here you’ll find some of the most beautiful homes in all of Greenwich. I love just walking down and admiring the homes. I would be respectful and just not be too loud as you stroll down the street. You’ll usually see another person or two walking at the same time as you. Note: Do not walk onto their beach. That’s one thing I never do as that truly is a private beach exclusively for the association. There are limits to everything!
14. Griffith E Harris Golf Course
Whether you just want to practice some swings at the driving range or want to play 9 or 18 holes, the Griffith E Harris is the only non-private golf course in Greenwich. Because of that, tee times get swept up early, and members and residents do get priority. If you plan on playing 18, make sure to reserve far in advance. Early morning times are best if it’s the summer. The driving range on the other hand is just a walk up so doesn’t require any planning.
15. Augustine Farm
Before being home to lavish mansions and luxury retailers, Greenwich started off as an agricultural landscape. Where each mansion now stands, there used to be farms and acres of land. Sadly, little remains of Greenwich’s agricultural history today, aside from the mansion’s architecture and a couple of head nods here and there in the form of names like Mead. One of the only ways Greenwich’s agricultural history still survives is through Augustine Farm. Augustine Farm is the last working farm in all of Greenwich, CT making it a historic gem on the list of things to do in Greenwich, CT. This 10-acre farm, run by the Augustine family, has been around for over 65+ years. On your way back from the Griffith, stop by a pick up some fresh vegetables, eggs from their hens, honey from their beehives, or flowers. In the winter, they sell Christmas trees and in the summer the trip to backcountry is worth it for their sweet summer corn.
16. Day trip to Rowayton
Ok, Greenwich, CT is a lovely place to live. And if this itinerary hasn’t convinced you of it, I don’t know what will. But there is more to see and visit beyond the boroughs of Greenwich, CT. Greenwich is the gateway to New England, so it’s imperative to visit a few other jewels in the area. One of my favorite spots to visit for lunch is Rowayton Seafood. It’s one of the few places directly on the water, specifically the Five Mile River,(aside from the Delamar) in the area. You can either come by boat and dock at one of their moorings or the dock itself (reservations required in advance). From there you can either eat on the boat or at the restaurant. Or two, drive to the restaurant. Of course the go to food here is the seafood. My personal favorite is the Lobster Cobb salad.
There’s not much more to do in Rowayton as the village is fairly small. But you can walk down the rest of the road by the Five Mile River, or bring your kayak and pot it in at one point to enjoy the views and homes from the water.
17. Day trip to Westport
Another village I recommend you go to, and my second favorite in Fairfield County after Greenwich, is Westport! If Westport weren’t an extra 20-30 minute commute from NYC I would’ve considered it as a place to live. The main village is bumping with plenty of popular and boutique shops and restaurants, similar to Greenwich Avenue. Westport has plenty of events year round including one of my favorites – Octoberfest. And if you’re interested in a one-of-a-kind CT experience, you can book a public or private oyster tour at Hummock Island. Located in Sherwood Millpond, the island is small with just a porch and small platform where people can enjoy a drink and some oyster shucking and tastings.
