Darien is the gem of Connecticut’s Gold Coast.  Despite being under thirteen square miles in size, this quaint, affluent, coastal town boasts big views of the ocean and greenery while being only thirty-seven miles northeast of New York City. If scenic, family-oriented New England towns have been calling to you, keep reading for six reasons families love Darien homes.

Access to pristine nature is one of the greatest draws for families looking at Darien homes. With approximately thirty acres of beaches along Long Island Sound and 203 acres of parklands—including playgrounds and ballfields—finding activities that everyone in your family enjoys has never been easier.

For example, Selleck’s Woods, a twenty-eight-acre nature preserve in Darien, has two miles of trails and is home to 7 distinct ecosystems as well as 114 identified plane species. For sea babies, Pear Tree Point Beach is a local favorite, known for its beauty and boating access.

It is also west-facing, so you can take in scenic sunsets. In addition to being located next to the Darien Boat Club, this beach offers picnic tables and grills, a gazebo overlooking the sound, a bathhouse, and a concession stand.

If your family enjoys skiing, you’re in luck—just an hour to hour-and-a-half drive north or northeast, you’ll find several ski resorts, including Mohawk Mountain, Powder Ridge Park, and Mount Southington Ski Area. Mohawk Mountain is the oldest and largest ski area in Connecticut, with over 107 acres of skiable land. Powder Ridge has twenty-four trails from bunny to black diamond and a full half-pipe terrain park. Meanwhile, at kid-friendly Mount Southington, some family-friendly options include night skiing and racing within fifty-one acres of skiable terrain. Ski Sundown in New Hartford is another local favorite. Just about an hour and a quarter northeast of Darien homes, this low-key ski facility boasts a 625-foot vertical drop and sixteen trails for all skill levels.

After a day on the slopes or looking at houses in Darien, you might want to relax at the Salt Cave of Darien, offering zero-gravity chairs for halotherapy (salt therapy) and a selection of spa services and wellness classes, such as restorative and aerial yoga. You can also enjoy his and her massages at luxury spas in Darien, such as Lanphier, which was recently voted the “Best Day Spa of the Gold Coast,” as well as sweeping ten other “best” categories.

If you aim to improve your golf game, consider The Country Club of Darien. But there’s a catch—membership is invite-only. Recently home to the 87th Connecticut Open, this exclusive, 200-plus acre club also features 8 Har-Tru tennis courts, five paddle courts, a 6-lane pool, gated baby pool, two restaurants, and a fitness center with personal training services. You can also unwind in the Clubhouse Wine Room. Made with handcrafted racks, it holds about 2,700 bottles of wine and has become the place to be seen.

Enjoy yachting? Noroton Yacht Club has developed a reputation as one of the Northeast’s premier sailing clubs. There is something for everyone here, with summer programs for children, tennis lessons for all levels, and family-friendly social gatherings.

 

Don’t let the small-town size fool you into thinking food options must be slim pickings. Darien’s restaurant scene is amongst the best. In fact, Connecticut Magazine recently awarded several Darien restaurants with prestigious “bests.”

For example, L’Ostal—offering cuisines of Southern France—was voted Best New Restaurant. Coromandel—a top-rated Indian restaurant—won for Best Indian Restaurant and has been lauded for its exceptional cuisine by The New York Times.

Of course, no family-friendly town would be complete without a solid pizza and pasta restaurant. Bertucci’s Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta allows you to experience the freshest ingredients and genuine brick oven pizzas in a more casual environment. Or patrons can order food to be delivered to their Darien homes.

For more special occasions, you might want to make reservations at Waters Edge at Giovanni’s. This twenty-five-year-old steakhouse and event center serves award-winning steaks, award-winning wine selections, Italian specialties, and locally sourced seafood in a warm, upscale setting. Ask your Darien realtor about other delicious hotspots that only locals know.

 

 

Darien’s rich history will take you back in time to the Civil War, the American Revolution, and beyond. At the time of the American Revolution, Darien was called Middlesex Parish and was frequently raided by local Tories fleeing to Long Island. Settlement of the area is said to have truly begun about 1700 when the first roads developed into the woods. Middlesex Parish was renamed Darien in 1820 after being granted independence from Stamford. After the Civil War, some well-to-do New Yorkers were drawn to the idyllic coasts and built summer homes nearby.

After World War II, Darien properties began to develop further, and both the population and the town center continued to prosper and grow. For history buffs, visit the Museum of Darien (founded by the Darien Historical Society), which further tells Darien’s story with 248 organized exhibits and over 8000 unique artifacts.

Darien is located just a few miles away from some of the best private schools in the state and also boasts strong public education. Greenwich Academy—a K-12, all-girls private school—is just a twelve-minute drive from Darien homes, while King School—another well-regarded, co-ed, private K-12—is a mere seven-minute drive.

Darien High School, the only public high school in Darien, is ranked #1 in the state. Darien also has a top-rated middle school and five public elementary schools.

As for colleges and universities, there are several world-class options nearby. For example, just forty minutes away is distinguished Yale University in New Haven, CT. About seventy-five minutes away by car is the prestigious Vassar College. Sarah Lawrence College is a mere thirty-minute drive, and New York University is about a fifty-minute drive.

Whether commuting from Darien homes into Manhattan or partaking of New York City’s endless offerings of museums, galleries, restaurants, and other attractions, Darien is ideal for those who want the best of both city and suburb worlds. It takes less than an hour by car down I-95 to go from your idyllic, coastal New England town to bright lights, big city.

To learn more about buying and selling luxury Darien properties or Greenwich luxury homes, contact Gen Next Real Estate—a “5-Star Rated” and “Top Producing” independent brokerage.

Gen Distance, the owner/broker of Gen Next Real Estate, takes your real estate experience to the next level, as illustrated by her exclusive client-only app that gives you 24/7 access to her and her team.

Contact Gen today to get the expert luxury Fairfield County real estate broker you need to win your dream home in this ultra-competitive market.