Top 15 Attractions and Activities in New Canaan, CT

Summary

The Philip Johnson Glass House
Waveny Park
Downtown New Canaan
Silvermine Arts Center
Grace Farms
New Canaan Historical Society
New Canaan Nature Center
Carriage Barn Arts Center
Mead Memorial Park
Browne Wildlife Sanctuary
Summer Theatre of New Canaan
Irwin Park
Mill Pond Park
St Mark’s Episcopal Church
Stamford Museum & Nature Center

An hour away from Manhattan, this town in affluent Fairfield County boasts one of the highest median family incomes in the United States.

New Canaan possesses notable artistic and architectural significance: The renowned sculptor Solon Borglum established his residence here in the early 20th century, and the esteemed Silvermine Arts Center is a result of the colony he founded.

The Harvard Five, a group of early Modernist architects, made a significant contribution to New Canaan’s residential architecture in the 1940s and 50s, typically constructing homes with open floor plans and utilizing innovative materials.

One of the Five, Philip Johnson, designed the iconic Glass House, which is available for tours. This location should be prioritized on your visit.

1. The Philip Johnson Glass House

Philip Johnson (1906-2005) constructed this Modernist residence as a weekend retreat in 1949. As indicated by its name, the Glass House features transparent glass walls framed by a symmetrical steel structure.

The sole completely private aspect is the brick-lined bathroom.

Johnson was an adherent of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, assisting the Bauhaus director in immigrating to America during the Nazi era. The Glass House drew inspiration from Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House (1947) in Plano, Illinois.

Johnson frequented the property for 58 years with his long-time partner David Whitney, who unfortunately passed away in the same year. Enrichingly, he contributed to the design of the grounds and acquired most of the art displayed.

A variety of tours are offered, commencing and concluding at the Visitor Center situated in downtown New Canaan. The shortest tour lasts for an hour, while the most comprehensive one occurs on weekends and extends for 2.5 hours.

2. Waveny Park

Lewis Lapham, one of the founders of Texaco, commissioned this grand Elizabethan-style mansion, referred to as “The Castle,” in 1912.

Waveny House is enveloped by 300 acres of meticulously designed grounds courtesy of Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., remaining in the family’s possession until 1967 when it was sold to New Canaan, transforming it into this noteworthy park.

In addition to serving as an exquisite location for leisurely strolls, Waveny Park offers various amenities, including an Olympic-size open-air pool and paddle tennis courts.

The park is also a key venue in New Canaan’s event calendar, featuring weekly summer concerts on Wednesdays, Fourth of July fireworks, theatrical performances at the Powerhouse, and an annual Easter egg hunt.

Moreover, the property houses a stunning building at its core, designed by William Tubby, characterized by mullioned windows and turreted chimney stacks.

3. Downtown New Canaan

Among its many highlights, New Canaan’s accessible and inviting center is particularly appealing. The charming brick storefronts present a refined selection of restaurants, cafes, galleries, shops, and service establishments.

As you explore the shops, you will encounter an array of products including wine, athletic apparel, fashion, fabrics, jewelry, lighting, kitchen essentials, footwear, and much more. In addition to independent boutiques, well-known brands such as Ralph Lauren and Ann Taylor can also be found.

The dining scene is equally diverse. During my most recent visit, the culinary options included Italian, bagels, Mexican, breakfast fare, patisserie, ice cream, New American, Peruvian, and vegan offerings, among others.

A bustling event calendar ensures that these tree-lined streets remain vibrant year-round, highlighted by a dog-friendly block party at Halloween and a village fair and sidewalk sale during the summer.

4. Silvermine Arts Center

As a cornerstone of Fairfield County’s vibrant arts community, the Silvermine Art Center serves as both an art school and an exhibition venue, featuring five galleries.

The Silvermine community in New Canaan has a rich artistic legacy that dates back to 1908, when the sculptor Solon Borglum relocated and founded a small colony here.

The Silvermine Guild of Artists was established in 1922, followed by the art school a couple of years later, which now offers over 100 courses annually.

Exhibits at the center are accompanied by symposiums and panel discussions, alongside a dynamic lineup of lectures and artist visits, in addition to outreach workshops at local schools.

During my visit, I attended an exhibition titled “Every Picture Tells a Story,” where works were complemented by statements from the artists, providing unique insight into their intentions and narratives.

5. Grace Farms

Grace Farms is a publicly accessible, non-profit center committed to addressing issues related to nature, the arts, community, justice, and faith.

The main structure, known as The River, alone merits a visit. Completed in 2015, it was designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architecture firm SANAA.

This tranquil, elongated building is constructed from glass and concrete, featuring a Douglas fir canopy supported by steel pillars.

Inside, it encompasses a 700-seat amphitheater, a tea pavilion, and a library, alongside communal spaces inclusive of an organic cafe and a sunken court for performing arts and recreation.

Situated on 77 acres of pristine grounds, Grace Farms features walking trails and contemporary art installations from artists such as Teresita Fernández, Olafur Eliasson, and Thomas Demand.

6. New Canaan Historical Society

The New Canaan Historical Society, established in 1889, is dedicated to documenting the town’s history and manages eight museums and historic buildings, predominantly located on its campus at Oenoke Ridge.

Among the society’s properties, only the Little Red School House and the Gores Pavilion are situated off campus.

At the main site, visitors can explore carefully curated exhibitions showcasing the society’s extensive collections and gain insight into life in historical New Canaan.

Notable buildings include the Rock Schoolhouse (1799), Cody Drug Store (1845), the Town House (1825), the Hanford-Silliman House (circa 1764), the Rogers Sculpture Studio (1878), and the Tool Museum and Printing Office.

During my visit, the primary exhibit narrated the intriguing story of the Silvermine Art Colony (1908-1922).

7. New Canaan Nature Center

Bird Watching Gazebo at the New Canaan Nature Center

The New Canaan Nature Center encompasses 40 acres of both landscaped and natural greenery, featuring an arboretum, botanical garden, and nature preserve.

The landscaped areas include a stunning wildflower garden, with 90% of the plant species being native. Additionally, there is a herb garden and perennial borders featuring hepatica, Jacob’s ladder, crested iris, and bleeding heart.

Do not miss the 4,000-square-foot greenhouse. Meanwhile, the natural areas consist of two ponds, a historic orchard, wet and dry meadows, a cattail marsh, and woodlands.

Finally, the arboretum houses a small but notable collection of species, including Swiss stone pine, weeping Norway spruce, and moss sawara cypress.

Keep an eye on the programs available, which cater to all age groups, offering opportunities for birding, hiking, after-school activities, adventure birthday parties, and other initiatives.

8. Carriage Barn Arts Center

This 19th-century stone barn within Waveny Park serves as a not-for-profit gallery and performing arts venue.

The Carriage Barn Arts Center showcases local and regional talent, organizing eight prominent exhibitions each year, of which four are juried and four feature member and invited artists.

All exhibitions are open to the public at no charge, although a suggested donation is appreciated.

I recommend checking the center’s website for a rich selection of programs, including workshops in watercolors, collage, and gouache, all instructed by professional artists.

9. Mead Memorial Park

Mead Memorial Park, a public space enriched with amenities, is located just off Park Street.

For sports enthusiasts, it offers lighted and unlit baseball fields, batting cages, tennis courts, pickleball courts, and an outdoor skating rink illuminated for winter use.

The playground is remarkably spacious and includes a separate secured area for younger children. The entire facility is fenced and gated for added safety.

If relaxation is your goal, you can enjoy picnic areas, a pond, and the Lodge at Mead Park, which provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with a charming terrace overlooking the fields.

10. Browne Wildlife Sanctuary

The New Canaan Land Trust manages several sanctuaries and trails throughout the town, including this secluded 10-acre woodland offering scenic views of the Grupes Reservoir to the west.

The brief trail features interpretive boards detailing the geology, ecology, and historical human usage of the site.

Throughout the journey, one may encounter large glacial erratic boulders. The property and trails were exceptionally well-maintained during my visit, thanks to the efforts of the New Canaan Scouts.

11. Summer Theatre of New Canaan

Now situated in downtown New Canaan, this open-air tent theater operates during June and July, showcasing a professionally produced program that appeals to audiences of all ages.

During this condensed season, performances primarily feature a selection of Broadway classics, alongside child-friendly entertainment and exclusive one-night shows, accommodating an audience of approximately 200.

During my visit, I experienced an impressive production of “Beauty And the Beast,” inspired by the Disney animated feature.

These productions highlight local talent, both on stage and behind the scenes, who collaborate with professional performers and production staff.

12. Irwin Park

The newest park in New Canaan, Irwin Park spans approximately 40 acres and is located at the intersection of Wahackme Road and Weed Street.

Over the last decade, the park has undergone significant enhancements. I particularly enjoyed the walking and jogging trails that wind through open grassy areas, past intriguing sculptures and majestic mature trees.

My preferred time to visit is early spring, when the daffodils bloom beautifully.

The striking Modernist structure within Irwin Park is the Gores Pavilion (1960), crafted by Landis Gores, a member of the Harvard Five. Originally a pool house for John Irwin and Jane Watson, the daughter of IBM’s founder, it is maintained by the New Canaan Historical Society and is accessible for tour visits by appointment.

13. Mill Pond Park

On sunny summer days, Mill Pond Park, located adjacent to Route 123, offers a lovely setting for picnics or a tranquil retreat to read for a couple of hours.

Paths lined with benches are situated along the pond’s banks, shaded by tall pines and hardwood trees.

In springtime, the pond hosts an annual fishing derby for children, while my preferred winter activity is ice skating when the area lights up.

This endeavor is, of course, contingent on the weather; however, clear signage will indicate when the ice is safe for skating.

14. St Mark’s Episcopal Church

The current St Mark’s structure was erected on the northern outskirts of New Canaan in the late 1950s, exemplifying a Modernist design while incorporating elements reminiscent of neo-Gothic architecture.

This building, featuring a separate bell tower, accommodates 600 individuals and showcases exquisite details across its architecture, including vibrant stained glass on three sides, a freestanding altar, and an impressive floor-to-ceiling reredos with bronze artwork by Clark Fitzgerald.

Every aspect was deliberately designed for this establishment, situated on picturesque grounds, becoming a focal point in New Canaan for the May Fair.

This annual event features rides, games, entertainment, delicious cuisine (including strawberry shortcake, of course), and the extensive White Elephant Tag Sale.

15. Stamford Museum & Nature Center

Potential visitors will find a museum that seamlessly integrates art, nature, agriculture, and history, located a few minutes west on the Merritt Parkway amidst the woods of North Stamford.

The Stamford Museum & Nature Center spans a former private estate encompassing 118 acres, of which ten acres are dedicated to the operational Heckscher Farm.

The galleries within the half-timbered Tudor Revival museum building showcase an impressive variety of collections, ranging from artworks by John Singer Sargent, Warhol, and Dalí, to Native American artifacts, telescopes, and vintage local pedal cars.

The collection is deeply rooted in local history, featuring items such as locks and keys from Stamford’s renowned Yale brand.

Moreover, collections by Stamford-connected artists such as Gutzon Borglum, renowned for Mount Rushmore, and Reuben Nakian are present. I was particularly captivated by a temporary exhibition titled “Rachel Sard: Insofar,” which vividly explored texture in painting.

Heckscher Farm showcases heritage livestock breeds and a selection of more exotic species, including burros, llamas, and alpacas.

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