FAIRFIELD COUNTY

Chamber of Commerce
45 East Putnam Avenue
Greenwich 203-869-3500
www.greenwichchamber.com

Regional Tourism Office
297 West Avenue
Norwalk 203-853-7770

Major Highways
Interstate 95; Merritt Parkway; State Route 8; U.S. Routes 6 and 7

Situated in the southwestern corner of Connecticut, Fairfield County is often dubbed the “Gold Coast” for its enviable reputation as the wealthiest region in the nation’s wealthiest state. Much of the affluence in this area is due to the county’s close proximity to New York City and the influx of Manhattan commuters. However, the lineup of local corporations is equally impressive, including national leaders like General Electric and Xerox.

With the skyline of Manhattan in sight, Fairfield County is both prosperous and populous. Each one of its towns boasts a distinctive personality, ranging from rural and suburban to bustling cosmopolitan centers. The scenery may vary, but each community shares in the commitment to provide an exceptional quality of life.

Services
Efficient highways, railroads and airports serve the area, providing commuters with the convenient choice of highway networks, commuter air travel, passenger rail, or vanpools. Limousines serve state-of-the-art airports in New York and New Jersey that include John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark International. Private charter flights and commuter flights are available from local airports in Connecticut and New York. Metro-North’s New Haven Line provides commuter rail service, while interstate travel is available through the services of Amtrak passenger rail. Fixed-route buses serve the urban centers of the county and provide access to neighboring suburban towns.

Considered one of Fairfield County’s most consistent strengths is the high quality of its educational system, recognized as one of the nation’s finest. Award-winning public schools combine with famous private schools for a full range of alternatives. The choices for higher education and adult education are virtually unlimited in this geographic area filled with prestigious institutions of higher learning. Healthcare facilities tend to be equally prestigious, from state-of-the-art teaching hospitals and medical centers to emergency clinics, family practice clinics, long-term care, home care, and every imaginable specialization.

Lifestyle
Widely recognized as one of America’s finest residential areas, Fairfield’s unique geographic location harmonizes peaceful country living with easy access to key destinations in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. With the introduction of mass transit, the area quickly became an elite “bedroom” community for thousands of wealthy New York executives. Attracted by the unparalleled quality of life, many top economic leaders decided to move their businesses closer to home, creating a strong corporate presence in Fairfield County.

This pattern continues today, as Fortune 500 and multi-national corporations relocate their headquarters and key operations to this area’s restful combination of rolling hills, woodlands, lakes and shorelines. With the county’s exceptionally well-educated and sophisticated population, it is not surprising that the creative arts are strongly supported. Fairfield County’s impressive list of cultural and artistic centers includes the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, the Bruce Museum, and the Lockwood-Matthews Mansion.

Active historical societies, antique districts, modern malls, fine dining, fascinating museums, and performing arts are just a few of the outstanding amenities. Recreational opportunities are second to none, including public and private clubs that cater to every possible interest. The tranquil beaches of Long Island Sound offer a playground where water sports abound, from boating and fishing to windsurfing. Winter months invite cross-country and downhill skiing, as well as enjoying ice hockey and ice skating.

Residents of this area can choose from a kaleidoscope of quality lifestyles, since communities span the spectrum of possible environments. Coastal cities provide rich water-sport opportunities, while equestrian attractions and serene woodland beauty are characteristic of the panoramic rural areas. Suburbs feature upscale residential villages that mingle with first-rate retail and service conveniences. Cosmopolitan urban centers offer abundant employment, while secluded havens attract nature enthusiasts. Regardless of the season, Fairfield County remains the epitome of “the good life.”

 

Bridgeport
Municipal Offices
203-576-1311
www.bridgeportct.gov
Chamber of Commerce
203-335-3800   
www.brbc.org

The historic, industrial town of Bridgeport along the Long Island Sound is one of the state’s most heavily populated. Bridgeport features a variety of housing, from high-rise apartments and condominiums to large stately homes in the northern and western sections. Civic pride is evident throughout the city, where active organizations are working to restore historic buildings as well as develop vital new commercial centers in the downtown district and other key areas. The bustling economy is underlined by trade and services, although Bridgeport is also convenient for commuters with both rail and ferry service. The area is rich in institutions of higher education, including Sacred Heart University, Housatonic Community College, and the University of Bridgeport. Regional recreational amenities include beaches, parks, sports facilities, and a golf course.

 

Danbury, Bethel
Danbury Offices
203-797-4500   
www.ci.danbury.ct.us
Bethel Offices
203-794-8501   
www.bethel-ct.gov

Chamber of Commerce
203-743-5565   
www.danburychamber.com

Covering 44 square miles in southwestern Connecticut, Danbury is situated along the New York border. Although the thriving city has served as a commercial and industrial hub for the surrounding communities for many decades, the economy base continues to grow and diversify. Union Carbide, Pitney Bowes, GE Capital, and Grolier all call Danbury home. The Danbury Fair Mall, the largest in New England, crowns the retail scene. Western Connecticut State University enriches the region with cultural events, while Kenosha and Candlewood lakes offer outstanding recreational opportunities. The neighboring community of Bethel, covering 17 square miles, has seen rapid growth in the past decade. Residents have preserved the atmosphere of a small New England village with sprawling orchards, renovated farmhouses, lovely older homes, and cozy cottages. The delightful shopping district is centered by a “village green” with a pleasing blending of thriving businesses, galleries, gourmet food shops, antique stores, and quaint restaurants.

 

Darien
Municipal Offices
203-656-7307
http://darienct.gov
Chamber of Commerce
203-655-3600   
www.darienctchamber.com

Located on the shore of the Long Island Sound, Darien lies within the New York City metropolitan area including Westchester County. Lacking an industrial base, this primarily residential community evolved into a center for corporate offices for giants like Exxon, Georgia-Pacific, and Brinks. Harmonizing country and seaside living, Darien is considered by many to be one of the state’s most charming towns. Rolling pastures, woodland, and waterfront blend to provide a scenic background for striking architecture, from contemporaries to lovely colonials and gracious country manors. Many of the recreational opportunities in the Darian area are centered on private clubs and equestrian activities. Residents of the town’s picturesque neighborhoods enjoy beaches, a public marina, and lush parks filled with outstanding facilities.

 

Fairfield, Easton
Fairfield Offices
203-256-3000   
www.fairfieldct.org
Easton Offices
203-268-6291
www.eastonct.gov
Chamber of Commerce
203-255-1011   
www.fairfieldctchamber.com

Covering an expansive area that stretches more than 30 square miles, Fairfield is located between the cities of Bridgeport and Stamford on the Long Island Coast. The city has managed to preserve its proud colonial heritage and historic districts while it has encouraged modern growth and quality development. Fairfield University is the focal point for many cultural events, and strong support for the arts is evident in the community. Local shopping features a mix of upscale stores and one-of-a-kind shops, although large shopping malls and factory outlets are located nearby in Bridgeport, Trumbull, and Norwalk. The neighboring community of Easton is a beautifully rustic, rural town that offers generous parcels of land. Single-family homes predominate in this residential community, where the state’s major supplier of water owns half of the land. Miles of beaches offer water sports, yachting, boating, fishing, and water skiing. Other activities include camping, hiking, skating, golf, tennis, and sports play. Private clubs also provide leisure enjoyment.

 

Greenwich
Municipal Offices
203-622-7700   
www.greenwichct.org
Chamber of Commerce
203-869-3500   
www.greenwichchamber.com

Referring to itself the “Gateway to New England,” Greenwich enjoys a panoramic location on Long Island Sound. Distinct neighborhoods combine with excellent schools, a charming ambiance, and superb municipal services. From the waterfront properties of Cos Cob, Old Greenwich and Riverside to woodland country estates, the housing selection is outstanding. More than 30 miles of shoreline and 1,500 acres of parkland provide a wealth of recreational and outdoor opportunities, including golf, swimming, tennis, and sailing. Park-like office complexes blend well with the town’s residential atmosphere. Close-knit in its spirit, the town is filled with residents who greet each other on the street. In spite of this small-town feeling, services from the library and schools to the local hospital are state-of-the-art. This coveted address draws many prominent artists, writers, actors, and sports stars as well as corporate leaders.

 

Monroe
Municipal Offices
203-452-2800   
www.monroect.org
Chamber of Commerce
203-268-6518   
www.monroectchamber.com

Named after our fifth president, Monroe is a progressive, growing community that has protected the charm and appeal of its rural heritage. A family-oriented community that offers a high quality of life, Monroe features an outstanding school system and equally superb recreational facilities. Quiet and panoramic, the community is home to small shops that line a charming Main Street. Nearly 100 homes were constructed before 1779, many of them Georgians, Capes, and even pre-Revolutionary “saltboxes.” Single-family homes predominate on spacious lots that cover from one to three acres. Trumbull is conveniently located nearby for extensive shopping trips, although local businesses meet the daily needs for goods and service. Recreational highlights include state and local parks, nearby nature center, wilderness area, athletic leagues and ballfields, hiking trails, country clubs, playgrounds, pools, golf, youth and senior centers.

 

New Canaan
Municipal Offices
203-594-3000   
www.newcanaan.info
Chamber of Commerce
203-966-2004   
www.newcanaanchamber.com

Situated along the New York Border, New Canaan enjoys the natural beauty of a hilly terrain with lovely woodland. Newcomers are drawn to the picturesque New England atmosphere of sprawling parks, church steeples, elegant mansions, stone walls, and rippling ponds. Exceptionally handsome homes grace the gently sloped terrain, and quaint red-brick buildings punctuate the downtown business district. Suburban sophistication harmonizes with country charm along the tree-shaded lanes and the quaint town green with its upscale shops
and fine restaurants. Protected open space features hundreds of acres of parkland with wildlife and woodland preserves. The town offers a wide selection of recreational and athletic facilities, including private clubs, golf courses, tennis courts, and horseback riding trails. A renowned school system and the acclaimed Silvermine Guild Art Center are just a few of the advantages that set New Canaan in a class of its own.

 

New Fairfield
Municipal Offices
203-312-5600
www.newfairfield.org

Chamber of Commerce
203-743-5565   
www.danburychamber.com

Just south of Danbury is the well-known vacation community of New Fairfield, home of Squantz Pond State Park and Gateway’s Candlewood Playhouse. The community is distinguished as being the most rural and wooded of all the towns in the Greater Danbury area. New Fairfield is also highly regarded for its outstanding public schools, reasonable taxes, and excellent commuting routes. Four-season beauty abounds in this region, nestled in the scenic foothills of the Berkshire Mountains. The area has long been a popular address with commuters to Danbury and White Plains. Several working farms remain, although neighborhoods and subdivisions cover many hillsides. Custom homes on generous lots are on the rise, dominated by single-family homes on one-acre lots. A major portion of Connecticut’s largest man-made lake, Lake Candlewood, lies within the borders of this charming New England town. Residents enjoy easy access to the retail advantages of Danbury.

 

Newtown, Brookfield
Newtown Offices
203-270-4210   
www.newtown-ct.gov
Brookfield Offices
203-775-7300
www.brookfieldct.gov

Chamber of Commerce
203-426-2695   
www.newtown-ct.com

Covering approximately 60 square miles, Newtown is located at the top of a scenic ridge in the Berkshire foothills. Corporate headquarters and utility offices dominate the local economy, allowing the town to retain its picturesque rural flavor. Planners have wisely limited the number of housing subdivisions to ensure vast areas of open space. The result of this careful planning has protected the picturesque countryside. Several nearby lakes add to the recreational possibilities, including a nature center, state and local parks, sports facilities, equestrian facilities, senior and youth centers, skating rinks, country clubs, tennis courts, and golf courses. Neighboring Brookfield is a fast-growing community that offers a suburban lifestyle against the backdrop of colonial charm. New construction harmonizes with well-kept older properties along tree-shaded streets, and many homes enjoy spectacular waterfront views. Brookfield Center creates an idyllic “postcard image” with a white steepled church and historic homes.

 

Norwalk
Municipal Offices
203-854-3200
www.norwalkct.org
Chamber of Commerce
203-866-2521
www.norwalkchamberofcommerce.com

Bordering beautiful Long Island Sound, Norwalk balances a flourishing economy with a suburban and residential atmosphere. The presence of commuter rail service is appealing to many, although the town has welcomed an influx of offices and research facilities that have added more employment opportunities close to home. The lovely harbor enhances the quality of life, evolving into one of New England’s largest and most popular recreational marinas. Norwalk has been named by Money Magazine as one of the best places to live in the nation, offering everything from modest homes in the heart of the city to waterfront developments like the scenic harbor village of Rowayton. The revitalized downtown district of SoNo, the area’s active cultural community, good schools, and superb recreational advantages will continue to maintain Norwalk’s place at the pinnacle of desirability.

 

Ridgefield, Redding
Ridgefield Offices
203-431-2700   
www.ridgefieldct.org
Redding Offices
203-938-2002   
www.townofreddingct.org
Chamber of Commerce
203-438-5992   
www.ridgefieldchamber.org

The 35-square-mile town of Ridgefield in southwestern Connecticut is situated along the New York border. Distinguished as the state’s “Number One Town” by Connecticut Magazine, Ridgefield is the epitome of a picturesque, progressive New England village. Seemingly untouched by time, the town is a study in quiet charm and elegant architecture. Many of the magnificent older homes are sprawling estates with wide porches that are surrounded by large shade trees. Served by commuter rail, Ridgefield is popular with those employed in the New York metropolitan region. Good schools, majestic architecture, the Wooster Mountain State Park, superb cultural development, and endless recreational opportunities combine for an unrivaled quality of life. The neighboring community of Redding adds more options for upscale suburban living. The close proximity of this small haven to the communities of Ridgefield and Fairfield and their expanded amenities make it even more attractive.

 

Sherman
Municipal Offices
860-354-4146
www.townofshermanct.org
Chamber of Commerce
860-354-6080   
www.newmilford-chamber.com

Known as the “secret gem,” Sherman is a study in New England charm yet offers close proximity to major thoroughfares. The rural community of Sherman enjoys a lofty elevation in the Candlewood Lake area, providing summer cottages and vacation homes as well as permanent residences. Homes range from contemporaries on multi-acre lots, 200-year-old farmhouses, or lakefront properties with stunning water views. The renowned Sherman Players offer first-rate productions in the Sherman Playhouse, a beautifully maintained church with Greek Revival architecture. Several other performing arts groups are at home in this community of well-known artists and writers. The town’s geography is pie-shaped, where the wedge points north toward the Berkshire Mountains. Candlewood Lake forms a hemispherical rim to the south. This quiet oasis offers vast exquisite beaches.

 

Stamford
Municipal Offices
203-977-4140
www.cityofstamford.org
Chamber of Commerce
203-359-4761   
https://stamfordchamberofcommerce.com

Sweet country living or bright neon lights, Stamford’s cityscape varies greatly from towering office buildings and high-rise condominiums to peaceful wooded areas in the north or the shoreline beauty of Long Island Sound. As a major business Center, Stamford is home to many Fortune 500 companies, corporate headquarters, and research facilities. Respected as one of America’s most desirable cities, Stamford melds the finest of suburban lifestyles with a dynamic economy. The housing options range from modest ranch styles to elegant homes and estates in the wooded northern section and luxury waterfront communities. More than 600 acres of beautiful parkland and beaches combine with public and private marinas. Recreational amenities are outstanding, from the YMCA and organized programs to parks, beaches, tennis courts, skating rinks, and golf courses.

 

Stratford, Shelton
Stratford Offices
203-385-4000   
www.townofstratford.com
Shelton Offices
203-924-1555  
www.cityofshelton.org
Chamber of Commerce
203-335-3800  
www.brbc.org

Ideally located between Bridgeport and the Housatonic River and Long Island Sound, Stratford offers a water-oriented lifestyle. Residents frequent the town’s beaches, marinas, boatyards, seafood restaurants, and bustling commercial areas. In addition to multi-family developments, the town offers single-family homes are modest residences on smaller lots. Larger and more upscale housing is available in the Lordship, Putney, Oronoque and Beaver Dam sections of town. Originally a bedroom community for Bridgeport, Shelton has been encouraging industrial and commercial growth. In spite of the transformation along the Route 8 corridor, Shelton has preserved the woods, streams, and acres of open land that protect the desirability of its residential villages and neighborhoods. Charming older homes near the center of town contrast with large estates and newer construction in outlying areas. Both communities offer first-rate sports and recreational opportunities in state and local parks and wilderness areas.

 

Trumbull
Municipal Offices
203-452-5000   
http://www.trumbull-ct.gov
Chamber of Commerce
203-335-3800  
www.brbc.org  

 

Trumbull is a beautiful, vital community set in the gentle hillside country that lies north of Bridgeport and the panoramic watershed of the Pequonnock River. The community has experienced rapid growth in recent years, as newcomers have discovered the area’s quiet, suburban atmosphere with all the amenities and advantages of a larger metropolis. In fact, Trumbull even provides expanded retail options for many of the smaller neighboring communities. Most homes in Trumbull were constructed in the past 25 years, and the area has welcomed many handsome new residential developments. Recreational opportunities include an 18-hole golf course nestled in the scenic Tashua Recreation Area, recreational parks, tennis courts, athletic fields, hiking trails, swimming pools and natural swimming areas, wilderness activities, a senior center, and private clubs.

 

Westport, Weston
Westport Offices
203-341-1000
www.westportct.gov
Weston Offices
203-222-2656   
www.westonct.gov
Chamber of Commerce
203-227-9234   
www.westportchamber.com

Culturally inclined and upscale in its overall atmosphere, the desirable community of Westport covers 22 square miles. With its sandy beaches, scenic shoreline, and inland woods, Westport is a former summer resort that remained a center for artists while it evolved into a bedroom community for leading New York executives. Architectural styles range from historic Victorians and country estates to beachfront cottages and handsome contemporaries. Just an hour from Manhattan, Weston harmonizes all the charm of New England with the excitement and cosmopolitan atmosphere of the “Big Apple.” From the renowned performances at Westport Country Playhouse to the beaches of Sherwood Island State Park, the area provides fine cultural and recreational opportunities. The neighboring community of Weston enjoys a close association with Westport and its considerable amenities, including a shared Chamber of Commerce.

 

Wilton
Municipal Offices
203-563-0106
www.wiltonct.org
Chamber of Commerce
203-762-0567
www.wiltonchamber.com

Nestled in the Norwalk River Valley, Wilton was once a northern district of Norwalk. This former agricultural community has transformed into a desirable residential haven within the New York metropolitan region. Gracious country living is available here, where a pleasing blend of restored vintage homes, spacious colonials, and stunning contemporaries ensure desirable housing options. Most homes are set on spacious two-acre parcels and multi-family developments are limited. The Wilton Play Shop Community Theater, Wilton Heritage Museum, and the Wilton Center retail area are just a few of the local amenities. The town also supports limited industrial and commercial development along Route 7. Commuter rail service is available. Hundred of acres of prime parkland offer camping facilities, nature areas, trails, swimming areas, tennis courts, ponds, athletic fields, organized sports, beaches, and golfing.