Brookside Manor - Guidebook
Neighborhoods
North west Wilton is entirely residential, extremely leafy and the perfect playground for a nature loving escape. It borders New Canaan and is just 4 minutes from town center and train station that has direct trains to NYC. It offers both nature preserves and beautiful walks or bike rides in the neighborhood.
Wilton
North west Wilton is entirely residential, extremely leafy and the perfect playground for a nature loving escape. It borders New Canaan and is just 4 minutes from town center and train station that has direct trains to NYC. It offers both nature preserves and beautiful walks or bike rides in the neighborhood.
City/town information
Wilton is a town of 18,000 people in Fairfield County, CT, located about 1 h 10 minutes by car and 1.5 hours by direct train from Manhattan. Officially recognized as a parish in 1726, Wilton is a former farming community and now an upscale but low-key commuter town with open lands, colonial homes and historic architecture such as the Round House. It is known for an idyllic and relaxed environment, safety and access to both larger towns, such as Westport, and to nature, farmer's markets and local art museums. The town has historically prided itself on its socio-economic diversity and has a friendly and open energy.
Wilton
Wilton is a town of 18,000 people in Fairfield County, CT, located about 1 h 10 minutes by car and 1.5 hours by direct train from Manhattan. Officially recognized as a parish in 1726, Wilton is a former farming community and now an upscale but low-key commuter town with open lands, colonial homes and historic architecture such as the Round House. It is known for an idyllic and relaxed environment, safety and access to both larger towns, such as Westport, and to nature, farmer's markets and local art museums. The town has historically prided itself on its socio-economic diversity and has a friendly and open energy.
Food scene
Jesup Hall
90 Post Rd EVery tasty farm to table Mexican food in the old Westport Town Hall.
Parlor
5 River RdDelicious Neopolitan pizza in Wilton.
Match
98 Washington StVery tasty sophisticated food on Norwalk's Washington St.
Evarito's Mexican Kitchen & Bar
16 N Main StCool rooftop Mexican dining off of Norwalk's Washington St.
Kawa Ni
19A Bridge SquareDelicious Japanese cuisine in Westport.
Mercantile at GrayBarns
193 Perry AvenueCool cafe with local organic produce located at fancy Graybarns Inn.
Tavern at GrayBarns
194 Perry AvenueElevated dining at historic inn.
Cool coffee place with good coffee and fast wifi in Wilton town center.
10 locals recommend
Tusk & Cup Fine Coffee
142 Old Ridgefield RdCool coffee place with good coffee and fast wifi in Wilton town center.
Village Market
108 Old Ridgefield RdOrganic food store for picky eaters in Wilton town center.
Westport Farmers Market
50 Imperial AveBest market in the county. Check location based on season.
Flour Water Salt bread
20 Grove StSuperior baked good, especially the sourdough bread.
Stew Leonard's
A grocery story like no other - epic selection of prepped foods.
Sightseeing
Friends of Ambler Farm Inc
257 Hurlbutt StFarm and market with lots of activities for kids.
Weir Farm National Historic Site
735 Nod Hill RdArtsy farm refuge.
MoCA Westport
19 Newtown TurnpikeSurprisingly sophisticated exhibits and fab little bar.
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
258 Main StLittle museum with a lot of firepower.
Devil's Den Preserve
33 Pent RdHiker's delight
Wilton Town Forest
162 Branch Brook Rd1 hour trail over some obstacles 7-minute drive from the Manor.
Private preserve across the street - go through driveway across the street and bear right to get onto blue trail. 40-minute loop over cool obstacles.
Sackett Preserve
13 Deforest RdPrivate preserve across the street - go through driveway across the street and bear right to get onto blue trail. 40-minute loop over cool obstacles.
Calf Pasture Beach
Calf Pasture Beach RoadRomantic stroll on beach.
Sherwood Island State Park
Sherwood Island ConnectorGreat beach and hiking.
Traveler advice
Customs and culture
People are friendly
Say "hi" or wave to people when passing them in the neighborhood or nature preserves.
Don't miss
Museums, farmer's markets, nature preserves, beach
Don't miss farmer's markets in the county - there is at least one per day in a different city.
Don't miss local museums, including The Aldridge in Ridgefield or Westport MOCA. Don't miss nature preserves with trails, including Sackett Preserve across the street, Wilton Town Forest and Sherwood Island State Park. There are also beaches in Westport, but the daily parking is a bit pricey if one is not a resident of Westport.
Getting around
Options
A car or a bicycle are required to get around. Lots of people use road, terrain and regular bikes. Uber and Lyft are available.
A number of trains go directly from the Wilton station to Grand Central each day. Parking at the station is free. You can also use the South Norwalk, Westport and Darien station with paid parking.
On the weekend, I recommend taking the train from Darien as the train ride is much shorter, more frequent and trains run later. If you need overnight parking, use the Westport station as Darien doesn’t allow that. Parking on the weekends is free at both stations.
Ways to save
Money saving hacks
1. Trains: Wilton train station has free parking all the time. Westport and Darien have free parking on weekends.
2. Stop & Shop in the town center has a great selection of organic goods and is sometimes better priced than Whole Foods. Village Market has competitive prices to Whole Foods.
3. The walk to town center is about 40 minutes.
Customs and culture
Working Out
L.A. Fitness on Main St in Norwalk is surprisingly large and clean (nicer than the Equinox at Columbus Circle, one friend remarked). It had squash courts, basketball courts and a pool as well as a two large weight lifting areas in addition to a large cardio area. For barre and Pilates, try Synergy Barre in the Wilton city center, Forme Barre in New Canaan or Pilates Advantage in norther Wilton.