“Explore Fairfield County” is an informational series that provides a glimpse into the wonderful towns and cities in Fairfield County. Fairfield County is diverse in that it includes big cities, small suburbs, beaches, farms, and busy highways. It spans a large geographic area and has a lot to offer families! To help you get the most out of Fairfield County, our contributors have shared what they love about each local area. To read more in this series, click here.”
As a resident and mom in Northern Fairfield County, I have enjoyed exploring local towns with my family. Newtown is one of my favorites, so much so that we moved here four years ago! It is a wonderful town to visit or call home, from its iconic and stately flagpole to its many restaurants, stores, and family destinations. Located in Northeastern Fairfield County, Newtown is a scenic country town with big farms, sprawling suburbs, convenient shopping, and happy residents. This town is friendly, large yet cozy, and an easy drive to Stamford, Hartford, or New York City.
It isn’t easy to be concise when exploring Newtown. There are so many great options for residents and visitors alike. Here are (more than) a few of my favorite things about Newtown.
The Great Outdoors
We discovered Newtown because of Dickinson Memorial Park. I am thrilled to share that an inclusive playground was added thanks to the efforts of a youth resident. The park now has three new pieces of wheelchair-accessible equipment: a glider, a merry-go-round, and a wheelchair swing. All have ride-on access, so no transfer from a wheelchair is required.
Children of all ages and stages will love the Dickinson Park campus. The playground features slides, oversized musical instruments, tunnels, and a zip line. There is also a skate park for scooters or skateboards, five tennis courts, a gaga ball pit, a basketball court, and a stream. The town hosts a free family concert series in the summer at the gazebo here, and the pavilion near the tennis courts is a great location for a meal on the go or popsicle respite from hot summer days. The walking path around the park’s perimeter is absolutely stunning. Plenty of wildlife sightings and native plants provide a peaceful option for exercise.
The second-largest lake in Connecticut provides a beautiful backdrop for Newtown. Lake Lillinoah Park, at the end of Hanover Road, offers picnic and grilling areas. Please note that there is no swimming at this location; it’s just a boat launch.
Newtown residents can enjoy Treadwell’s public pool and Lake Zoar in the summer through a parks and recreation pass. A limited number of non-member passes are available for purchase each year.
Holcombe Hill Wildlife Preserve is an 86-acre parcel situated on the southerly side of Great Hill Road and was donated to Newtown Forest Association in 1997 through the estate of Josephine Holcombe. The property boasts an elevation of 830 feet above sea level, is the highest point in town, and affords spectacular views of three counties from the 30 acres of hay fields.
Another local favorite is the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary for its hiking trails, tossing stones in the brook, and running through fields. The sanctuary honors six-year-old Catherine’s memory, a kind and compassionate animal lover who lost her life at Sandy Hook Elementary on December 14, 2012. To continue her crusade of compassion, the CVH Animal Sanctuary was created in Newtown. It’s where all creatures will know they are safe and people are kind. The sanctuary hosts many family events throughout the year. My family looks forward to Catherine’s Butterfly party every spring at the Fairfield Hills campus.
Castle Hill Farm offers farm animals, pumpkin picking, pumpkin chucking, an intricate corn maze, and hayrides in the fall. You can also cut down your own Christmas tree at the farm. Their pavilion hosts private events throughout the year, and food trucks are available at most events – great food and plenty of room for the kids to run!
Indoor Activities
Everwonder Children’s Museum has expanded to a more central, larger space on Mile Hill Road. Every visit is like a brand-new experience! My children love to explore each exhibit and check in on the museum’s reptile and furry inhabitants. Everwonder’s staff always take the time to chat with us, take out an animal, and share scientific tidbits about new exhibits. We’ve held two birthday parties here for our son, and it’s still his top request each year!
Edmond Town Hall offers movies and live entertainment. They often have free movie weekends, and the theater and event spaces at the hall can be rented for parties. 
Fairfield Hills Campus
The Town of Newtown owns the Fairfield Hills campus. Campus redevelopment is ongoing and offers opportunities for private and municipal uses. The location, immediately off Exit 11 of I-84 between CT Routes 25 and 34, provides easy access for businesses and residents alike.
The campus is home to town offices, the community center, NYA Sports & Fitness, the brewery listed below, ball fields, and plenty of wide-open spaces and sidewalks for children to ride bikes and play.
Dining
Whether you are looking for a family meal or a date night out, Newtown has you fully covered. Family favorites are the Blue Colony Diner, Gino’s Pizza Parlor, Toro, Pop Up Bagels, Marketplace, Bagel Delight, Cover Two, Ralph’s Sandy Hook Cafe, Angelina’s Italian Deli, Jewel of Himalaya, Thai Delight, Newtown General Store for breakfast & lunch, Tacobarn, Foundry Kitchen and Tavern, and soon to open, JJ Stacks.
Date night picks include Farmhouse, Marketplace, Nostrano’s, Sugo Gastrobar, Nouveau Monde, Hilltop Kitchen, and Barnwood Grill.
Set right on Newtown’s picturesque Main Street are Marygold’s on Main and Good Old Days Pizza. Marygold’s offers brunch, lunch, and dinner, along with special events like tea-and-champagne brunches, and has the most beautiful spaces for showers and weddings. Good Old Days serves square, thin, and crispy pies, but my favorite is the square vodka pie.
Sweet Treats
Ferris Acres Creamery is a popular summer (and spring and fall) treat. They are closed during the winter. We love to sit at the picnic tables and watch cows meander through the nearby fields, or grab to-go quarts to put in our freezer. Our favorite is Holy Cow Ice Cream Shop. The kids love the ride-on toys, and you’re sure to run into someone you know in line! Shortt’s Farm is a new addition to the ice cream game in town and offers plentiful space to play, sit, and relax while watching farm animals, as well as shop for organic produce grown on the farm.
Treats can be good for you, too, as Boost Bowls have proved. Boost Bowls can fall into any category, but I put them in the treat category because their bowls are beautiful, delicious, and kid-approved. Boost also has a large selection of smoothies and a line of juice cleanses. They offer salads, sandwiches, toast, and wraps that make for great lunch or dinner choices. Their Newtown location (there are locations in Bethel, Danbury, and Southbury) is brightly colored, and a fun stop-in with the kids or a solo treat for moms!
Drinking
Aquila’s Nest is my favorite Newtown destination. No matter how often I visit, each time is a unique experience. I thoroughly enjoy the vineyard’s rosé and wine slushes. The versatility of Aquila’s Nest makes it the perfect destination for any event. Each week, a new schedule of events, food trucks, live music, and activities is held at the vineyard.
From days out to nights out, date nights, family time, visiting with one friend to a group of twenty, Aquila’s can host it all, and it is pet-friendly, so don’t forget your four-legged friends.
Not a wine drinker? Not a problem in Newtown, which is home to two breweries. NewSylum and Reverie Brewing Company are both fun options for beer drinkers. NewSylum offers a menu of made-from-scratch pizzas, Bavarian pretzels, locally made cheese, mini charcuterie boxes, and wine. Curbside pickup is available at Reverie for those who enjoy their beer at home.
Cocktails anyone? Fresh to Newtown is Perfusion Bar, serving craft cocktails and espresso.
Shopping
BD Provisions is a local, low- and zero-waste shopping experience. They stock bulk food, coffee, cleaning supplies, and health and beauty items. I love buying items with no packaging. The mini animal crackers are my kid’s favorites!
The freshest and most delicious pasta, along with many other Italian specialties, can be found at Villarina’s or Angelina’s Italian Deli. The bread is delivered fresh from Arthur Ave. every Saturday, the food is homemade with love by Nonna, and it feels just like a Bronx deli.
I can’t forget to add a Fairfield County Mom favorite – Wonderland Jam. I pick my jam up at a local farmers’ market.
Want to shop locally for the perfect outfit, accessory, or gift? Check out Strength and Grace Boutique, Castle Hill Chocolate, and The Toy Tree.
Health and Fitness
The Newtown Community Center is a multi-generational hub that enhances the community by promoting social interaction, health and wellness, creative opportunities, and personal growth. For a monthly membership fee, you can enjoy access to indoor pools. They host family-friendly activities, and rental rooms are available.
NYA Sports & Fitness is a large, indoor complex boasting turf fields, basketball courts, a tennis court, pickleball courts, and a gym for members. If your child plays sports, chances are you’ll visit NYA at some point for a game, match, practice, or birthday party.
Balanced Pilates and Barre Studio is a friendly and encouraging environment where every client receives individualized attention. Their instructors can make modifications and variations to each exercise to ensure a safe and effective workout for people at any fitness level, with physical limitations, or with conditions.
