10 Tricks To Make Life in Fairfield County Better

4/23/15 - By Brandee Gilmore

Could life really get any better than it is in Fairfield County? We think so! There's always something new to learn, no matter how long you've lived in a place. If you've already scoured our Museums Guide, our Classes Guide and our Indoor Play Guide but still want more, well, we've got it. Here are 10 tricks for parenting wisely and well in this neck of the woods. And if you're Yoda enough to know all of these already, please share a few of your secrets!

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1. The Cross Hwy. back roads: Letting this secret out is tantamount to putting a voodoo curse on myself, but here goes. This trick will get you out of misery on the Merritt through much of Westport and Fairfield.
From 136 in Westport, take Cross Hwy under the Merritt to Redding Rd.; turn right.  Cross over the Merritt, turn left onto Cross Hwy (don't question it).  Wave at the traffic as you drive a particularly lovely stretch of road.  Right before it dead ends, turn right onto Congress St., wind around and enjoy the stellar real estate.  At the end of Congress, go straight to get back onto the Merritt, or turn left onto Black Rock Tpke.  Drive under the Merritt and make a quick right onto Congress St. (this stuff only makes sense in CT).  Follow Congress, wave at traffic on the Merritt again, and turn right when you dead end at Sport Hill Rd.  Hop back on the Merritt here, or turn left on Jefferson St./Old Town Rd. to ride into Bridgeport and Trumbull (the mall). 

2. The Pantry & Stew Leonard's food bar.  The Pantry on the Post Rd. in Fairfield churns out incredible prepared foods you can pass off as your own (I would never).  Try the quiche, coconut cake (order ahead and get there on time), pastas and sauces.  On the other side of the coin, is the day-to-day grind, and Stew Leonard's Hot Buffet is a solid go-to to get dinner on the table.  Selections run the gamut -- American, Mexican, Italian, Indian and Chinese.  Pick up their famous milk and a loaf of bread while you're at it!
The Pantry, 1580 Post Rd., Fairfield, CT 203-259-0400
Stew Leonard's, 100 Westport Avenue, Norwalk, CT  203-847-7214


3. Any and all drive-thru DD and Starbucks locations.  Sadly, there aren't nearly enough for mamas with sleeping babies! 

Dunkin' Donuts drive-thrus are understandably concentrated in cities (Danbury, Norwalk, Bridgeport, Shelton, Stratford) and a couple random towns (Bethel, Monroe -- lucky!!!), but it's like a desert wasteland between.  The exception is Southport's, conveniently just off I-95 at 3355 Post Rd.

Starbucks are even more scarce.  Here are all four:
525 Main Street, Ste #1, Monroe, CT 06468
555 Main Street, Norwalk, CT 068511005
87A Stony Hill Road, Bethel, CT 06801
288 West Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902


[Please, someone explain why Monroe has three of these godsends within a few miles along the same stretch of road?!  Who are they bribing?!]

4. Drive-through pharmacies (we're on a roll here).  I don't have to explain the gift of not getting out of the car ... never more than when you've got a sick child riding along.  Walgreens and CVS have several locations each, so just type in your zip code to find the one within striking distance for you (just be sure to tick the 'Drive-Thru Pharmacy' box before you hit 'Search'. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to mention Colonial Druggists in Westport.  It is like a step back in time, in the best possible way, with kind employees and every odd thing imaginable (breastpump supplies, sitz baths, etc).  What they don't have on hand, they will order.
611 Post Rd E Westport, CT  203-227-9538

5. Stop & Stop and Shoprite grocery store pick-up locations.  Again with the not-getting-out-of-the-car.  I do not apologize.  It's major.  You pull into parking spot.  They bring out ALL the groceries you ordered.  Duh!  These were few and far between when I had my first, seven years ago.  Now they're everywhere.  Someone, somewhere came to their senses.  Yay.

6. The YMCA Child Watch.  You come to the gym.  They watch your kids.  You work out.  It's your village.  Granted, you pay a monthly fee for that village, but it more than pays for itself (in sanity alone). 

7. Beaches in the off season.  If you're like me, summer isn't the only time for the beach.  There is beauty to be found year-round.  During the summer, you must have a parking sticker, but that's not the case in the off-season.  In Fairfield and Bridgeport, parking stickers are only required Memorial Day to Labor Day.  Westport and Stamford, though, require them May 1 through September 30, depending on the beach.

8. Free kids' meals.  I only know of one restaurant doing this, but I'm betting readers know of more.  So please, post in the comments with them!  Here's mine: Tuesday nights at the gastropub Tavern in Monroe. Starting at 4 pm, it's one free kids meal from their Kids Menu with the purchase of each adult entree.  Score!
262 Main St, Monroe, CT  203-880-5007

9. Rail Trails.  There are a few old railroads, they've turned into trails -- thus, the moniker.  It is fantastic free entertainment for the family -- walk, bike, skip, scooter, or stroll.  Shall I add ski or snowshoe, too?  Locations are outlined here.

10. Library passes and Aquarion coupons.  Many town libraries hold free family passes to local attractions, like the Beardsley Zoo, Norwalk Maritime Aquarium or the Bridgeport Discovery Museum.  You just check them out for a day or two, like you would a book or video.  Crazy, right?  Also, if you're an Aquarion water customer, check their website for buy one get one admissions to local attractions and events like the Westport Country Playhouse, Bridgeport Bluefish games and Mystic Aquarium.

Now, go forth, enlightened ones... and please do share your favorite tips in the comments!

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