My go-to list: Things to do in Fairfield County, Connecticut and beyond

Always editing. I tried to run from this place, but here I am.

Restaurants

• Lunch/Dinner — Graybarns (Norwalk): Incredible food, beautiful nature scenes, fresh high quality food. My absolute favorite.
• Dinner —Martel (Fairfield): Old bistro style, vintage feel, rustic italian food — so yum!
• Dinner — La Plage (Westport): I used to go to the previous restaurant in this location, mainly because of the safari like golf course road that leads up to and exits the restaurant
• Dinner — Inn at Pound Ridge (Westchester): A Jean-Georges restaurant, such yummy food, very rustic and cozy feel. Do not go during big holidays, cannot scale
• Lunch/Dinner —Crabshell (Stamford): Cornell owned! Yummy seafood spot. Spice it up a bit and take the free water taxi in the summers.
• Dinner — Hinoki (Greenwich): Great spot for a cozy dinner — can get packed.
• Lunch — Sinclair (Fairfield): Fav brunch spot. I could eat the the kale salad forever.
• Dinner — Oak and almond (norwalk): reliable traditional american spot. Great servers.
• Lunch —Molto (fairfield): My mom’s favorite restaurant in for an everyday catch up. Have incredible lamb shops and kale salad.
• Dinner — The cottage (Westport & Greenwich): Great vibes. okay food. cute bar. close to downtown
• Lunch — Terrain (westport): Super fresh, farm sourced ingredients. I’ve tried to explore the menu but always end up with the harvest bowl. My top brunch spot behind Sinclair. The decor, the home decor and the outdoor garden center is incredible.
• Lunch — Gruel Brittania (fairfield): Fresh good, used to have beautiful gluten free cakes, not sure now but anyway, definitely great for afternoon tea or high tea.
• Lunch — Chefs Table (fairfield): Deli feel, great salads on the go
• Lunch — Crepe Choupette (Darien): The owner is ex investment banker and often works here. He speaks french fluently. I went here to eat by myself one day and was the only one in the restaurant. They were so nice and the crepes are glorious! After enjoying head over to the bookstore across the street.
• Lunch — Organika (westport): Plant-based vegan kitchen. Has good wraps and options. Always makes a good green juice.
• Lunch — Nitnoi (greenwich & norwalk) — Thai restaurant that specializes in broths. They have something called the fresh or revitalize that is the best if you’re feeling under the weather.
• Lunch — Green & Tonic (westport): Plant-based organic cafe. Right next door to the westport book shop.
• Lunch/Dinner — Jordan’s (norwalk): The best gluten-free pizza and the best greek salad in Connecticut. Super casual
• Lunch/Dinner — Geronimo (fairfield): I always overlook this places since it’s so close to my family home. The food is flavorful and the atmosphere is wonderful
• Dinner — The wheel (stamford): great nightime ambiance

On the list to explore the menu —

• Dinner — La Plage (Westport): I used to go to the previous restaurant in this location, mainly because of the safari like gold course road that leads up to and exits the restaurant
• Dinner — Prime Steakhouse (Stamford): Right across from Crabshell, have not been yet. I suspect food isn’t amazing but it’s on the water!
• Dinner — Kawa ni (westport): I haven’t been to this place yet but a mentor I highly respect suggested it. Japanese spot.
• Dinner — The whelk (westport): Yummy Seafood — another one my list that I haven’t been to yet.
• Dinner —Oko (westport): Another Yummy japanese spot recommended by a mentor. Looks so cozy and intimate everytime I drive by.
• Dinner — Moli (Greenwich): vibes

Grocery

• Badass bagels (Norwalk): The owners used to run Sugar & Olive, a yummy farm to table spot with such a ligh kale salad. She makes amazing gluten-free cakes as well. She’s since morphed, over COVID, into a bagel shop and delivers some of the best bagels. She has gluten-free options as well.
• By the way bakery (greenwich): Makes really good gluten-free and dairy free desserts. I promise you, you can’t tell the difference.
• Edge of the woods (New Haven): Family owned grocery store with high-quality produce
• The Pantry (Fairfield): Small grocery store. They make the best balsamic dressing!
• The organic market (westport): Mom & pop grocery store with all things super organic. They have juices, smoothies, sandwiches, wraps and a hot bar with great dinners. I love the eggplant parm and broccoli.
• Rowayton Market (Norwalk): Pretty good deli. They have a great turkey sandwich but most of all, in the wayyy back, they have wonderful outdoor waterfront seating.
• Farmer’s markets: Westport, Fairfield, Rowayton, New Canaan, Darien

Fruit Picking

• Jones Family Farm (shelton): Blueberry and strawberry picking
• Silvermans farm (easton): Blueberry, pumpkins, peaches, apples, raspberries. If you guess the pumpkin weight, you get it for free!
• Plasko farm (trumbull): Farm & creamery, Corn maze

Book Stores

• Westport book shop (westport): Non-profit book store that sells gently used books and profits go back into the library. I have found a few books I’ve loved and some awesome records. They employ adults with disabilities.
• Barrett Bookstore (darien): I don’t think this is a big chain. I love a good barnes & nobles but I prefer smaller shop and always try to find one when I’m visiting new places.
• Elm Street books (New Canaan): Bookstore
• Athena books (Old greenwich): Bookstore
• Black Rock books (Bridgeport): Bookstore

Desserts

• Elena’s on Orange (New Haven): I hear this is a great ice cream spot but really looking to try the french hot chocolate
• Dave’s Gourmet Paletas (Fairfield): Mexican dessert with fresh and fun toppings.
• Deborah Anns Sweet Shoppe (Ridgefield): Candy, Icecream, cool vintage stuff

Nature walks

• Mill River Audubon society (Fairfield): One of my favorite places after a childhood field trip
• Mianus River Park (Stamford): Walk alongside a rushing river. Feels great to hear and see the water while in nature
• Earth place (westport): Had no idea this much green space existed publically in westport.
• Fairfield beach (Fairfield): Fairfield has a few beaches — Jennings and penfield are connected. It’s best to walk at sunrise or sunset — dogs are welcome from Labor day through Memorial day!
• Gillette State Park (Lyme)

Art/ Museums

• Grace Farms (New Canaan, CT): Almost spiritual place. Great architecture and there are a number of varied events happening here.
• Storm King Art Center (New Windsor, NY — not Westchester): Beautiful expansive fields of outdoor sculptures.
• Yale University Art Gallery (New Haven, CT): Maybe I have been once? Definitely need to check it out sooner than later.
• The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum (Ridgefield, CT): Have passed by this musem so many times. Hoping to have an excuse to go in someday before I die.
• MoCA Westport (Westport, CT): Cool spot, went to their outdoor art fair. They also have galas.
• Norwalk Art Space (Norwalk, CT): Great art space with cool events. Surprisingly yummy cafe.
• The Loft Artist Association (Stamford, CT): Okay spot to see some art and sometimes meet cool people.
• Guy Wolff Pottery (Litchfield): Recommended to me, want to check it out.
• Carriage Barn Arts Center (New Canaan)
• Greenwhich Art Society (Greenwhich)
• Art festivals: Westport is largest, in most towns during the summer

Animals

• Beardsley zoo (Bridgeport): Have not been in a long time, but animals ❤
• Stew Leonards (Norwalk): Grocery store but more importantly, they have animals in the summer and fall — usually goats or chickens
• Maritime Aquarium (Norwalk): Had junior prom here. Always a fun experience.
• Hickories farm (Ridgefield): They have lambs born in early spring, well run farm, give away seeds for free for planting

Wellness

• Sun reflexology (westport): Amazing massages, but most of all my mom put me onto the 1 hour foot massage.
• Haute Healing Oasis (stamford): A wellness spa but most enticing are the chakra themed saunas — you can fit 2/3 people and the sauna is in a private room so plenty of space to go with friends or family.
• Stretch Lab (Multiple locations): Use it or lose it. I do not want to be stiff as a board nor light as a feather. I aim to be flexy.

Comedy

• New York Comedy Club Stamford : Good spot, they are still advertising. I always have a good time and they always send me free tickets — if you want to go, let me know! Can see the that’s fair comedy troupe here.
• Don’t tell comedy (Stamford/Norwalk): Secret comedy shows

Thrifting

• Elephant’s trunk (new milford): Thrifting and mostly looking at vintage items.
• Monger’s market (bridgeport): Same as above

Staycations

• Mystic: Shipwrights Daughter: Great spot to explore for dinner/lunch., Aquarium: Animals, No other book like this: Bookstore, Bank Square books: Bookstore
• Mayflower Inn: Glorious experience, couples weekend, ladies weekend, mom & daughter weekend or just some solitude
• Delamar Southport: Beautiful —great location in Greenwich as well
• Inn at Graybarns: also on my restaurant list

Other

• Greenwich Polo club: Summer sunday matches. Great girls picnic. Get to dress up and eat good food. Always have a good time here.
• Hudson Table (Stamford): cooking classes and chef competitions
• Hot air Balloon ride (Woodstock): on my bucket list
• Drive in Movie (westport): Employs adults with disabilities

I’m always open to suggestions and exploring so if you know of anything I might need to add, please let me know!

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Sasha Mack, a graduate of Cornell University with a BA and an MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, is a multifaceted professional who seamlessly blends business acumen with artistic creativity and personal development coaching. Born and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, Mack has leveraged her education and experiences to make significant contributions in various fields. Her professional journey includes roles at Bridgewater Associates and Meta, board membership at a non-profit and private school, and involvement with Lawyers for Children. As an accomplished artist, Mack is known for her unique handmade creations, particularly her “Black Sheep Collection,” which explores themes of individuality and non-conformity. Additionally, she works as an authenticity coach, helping others uncover their purpose and passion. Mack’s diverse achievements, from academic excellence to artistic innovation, reflect her commitment to personal growth and positive impact in both business and community spheres.

www.sashamack.com

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