Last month I made a solo trip down to Greenwich, Connecticut for work, and even though I didn’t have as much free time as I would have liked, I still managed to have a great time exploring the towns of Fairfield County.

The following list of places are those that I enjoyed during my short trip, plus a few hopeful destinations for the next time I find myself in Greenwich.  

The J House Hotel + Restaurant

A recommendation from my sister & brother-in-law, The J House is a fantastic boutique hotel with a lot of modern design features. It was the perfect place to relax for a few minutes, and after a day driving and shooting, I really enjoyed my dinner (shrimp & grits) on the heated outdoor patio at The J House Restaurant as well.

A tip – book one of the courtyard rooms, which are far away from the bustling restaurant and feature a separate parking area.

Ada’s Kitchen+ Coffee

The breakfast sandwich (bacon, runny egg, cheddar, and chipotle mayo on ciabatta) at Ada’s Kitchen was the best thing I had all weekend long, but sadly because I scarfed it down in my car, I have no visual record of it. I found both the morning + daytime menus at this charming, historic cafe in Riverside (which happens to be walkable from The J House) to sound incredibly tempting, and I have no doubt that Ada’s would be the very first stop I make on any future trip to Greenwich.

Granola Bar

There are a handful of Granola Bars across New York and Connecticut and they all seem to have a loyal following. Located in the heart of town, the Greenwich Granola Bar is a great place to break up a day of exploring the shops on picturesque Greenwich Avenue. I had the waiter guide me in the right direction of a greek yogurt parfait with strawberries & bananas, which was the perfect light meal to start the day.

Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich Design District, and Westport Shops

A stroll along the charming Greenwich avenue is a must and so is popping into any of the numerous stores that catch your eye. Although none of the shops were open when I walked through the Greenwich Design District on Putnam Avenue, I could see myself losing an entire afternoon in this part of town, in places like Farrow & Ball, Lillian August, and Circa Lighting.

I was also over the moon to finally have the chance visit two stores of brands I’ve long admired – Terrain and Serena & Lily. Both are worth the trip over to Westport from Greenwich, where you’ll find lots more shops, and even a Shake Shack in case you get a little hungry.

Sights to See

Although Putnam Cottage wasn’t open when I dropped by, this piece of history from the Revolutionary War and the historic Bush-Holley House are surely worth a visit.

On our Radar for Next Time

Stay: Since the J House is pet-friendly, that’s always a great option for us if we’re traveling with Orvis. Additionally, the Homestead Inn is a renowned Relais & Chateaux inn I’ve had my eye on for quite awhile now.
Eat: The National was sadly closed for maintenance during my trip, but it would be at the very top of my list should we return to Greenwich. A breakfast of crepes from Méli-Mélo would also make my short list.
Do: A beach day at Greenwich Point and a walk through the Bruce Museum. 

Photos by Meredith Perdue for Map & Menu.