Welcome to New Canaan
A vibrant and walkable neighborhood minutes from Manhattan.
Home to top-rated schools and high-end shops and restaurants just one hour outside of Manhattan, New Canaan is a fabulous place to live. In this affluent small town, homes are artfully designed and situated along tree-lined streets, families bring their children to community events, and small businesses thrive.
New Canaan was the center of the modern design movement of the 1940s. Students and teachers from the Harvard Graduate School of Design moved to the area and began a design revolution. New Canaan's homes were built using new materials and open floor plans, marking a huge shift from the traditional-looking homes of the past. Today, New Canaan's real estate landscape is a blend of old and new, — modern homes mixed with historic buildings and classic New England styles.
What to Love
• Walkable downtown area with upscale shops and five-star restaurants
• Dozens of annual community events celebrating seasons, businesses, and concerts
• One of the best educational systems in Connecticut
• A variety of fine New Canaan houses for sale to choose from
Local Lifestyle - Living in New Canaan
Residents of New Canaan are devoted to their community. They host dozens of community events that celebrate businesses, support local neighbors, and fundraise for schools. New Canaan citizens embody what it means to love the community. The town may be small, but the residents do big things each year to support the community and beyond. Fundraising and volunteering are at the heart of everything in New Canaan.
Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping
Chef Jose Draganac wants the people of Connecticut to know that Peruvian food is more than basic dishes. Pesca Peruvian Bistro offers a seafood-centric menu bursting with flavors in a dining room that transports you to the beaches of South America. Each dish is served in pottery handmade in Peru and the space is decorated with oversized fish murals, nautical lanterns, and a raw bar overlooking the open kitchen. Menu items include blazing wok sliced beef, Peruvian stir-fried rice with oyster sauce and roasted chicken, and an express-lunch option featuring a rotating menu of fresh seafood and empanadas.
Taste the love at Rosie! Serving good food, good wine, and good coffee, Rosie has been a New Canaan staple since 2004. They offer traditional American and Mexican dishes with creative options for brunch and delicious, fresh-baked desserts. For a New York City-style option, Miyuki Noodle Bar’s unique poke bowls are a community favorite. Their pho is comforting and delicious and their staff is enthusiastic and welcoming. Miyuki Noodle Bar is a great spot for quick take-out or an evening spent in their stress-free and casual atmosphere. But if you aren’t craving a salmon poke bowl, don’t worry — Miyuki shares its space with Dante’s Pizza, which offers fresh and piping hot pies cooked in a wood-burning pizza oven.
She La La is an upscale boutique offering home decor items, school supplies, and clothing for women and children. Their designer brands and exquisite collections make She La La a great place to shop for gifts and browse their unique selections for yourself!
For casual and classic styles, visit J. McLaughlin. In business since 1977, this American sportswear brand has brought traditional classic clothes to neighborhoods around the country. Each store is unique to its location and the New Canaan shop partners with the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce to participate in their annual sidewalk events.
Things To Do in New Canaan
For the quintessential New England fall event, be sure to attend the Harvest Festival, which is held every September at the Nature Center. The Harvest Festival kicks off the fall season with beer, wine, and food with live music and activities in tents scattering the 40-acre meadow. The event is one of the largest fundraisers New Canaan hosts each year and brings in over 500 attendees, local breweries, and favorite restaurants for small bites and tastings.
Located on the patio of the stately Waveny House, the Waveny Park Summer Concert Series features a variety of musical groups and performers from Fairfield County. Residents are welcome to attend the evening concerts for free every Wednesday over the summer months and are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs, and a picnic to relax and enjoy the music on the lawn.
Schools in New Canaan
New Canaan has several high-achieving public and private schools in the area. Some include:
