Wilton, CT Road Trips

Wilton (pop 18,000) is a small town on Connecticut's Gold Coast which has been gentrified because of its proximity to New York City. The first written record of Wilton dates back to 1640. British forces used Wilton as an escape route after a successful 1777 raid on Danbury during the Revolutionary War. In the antebellum era before the American Civil War, abolitionist William Wakeman operated a stop on the Underground Railroad (the house is not open to the public). Wilton has transformed itself from a small farming town to a suburban residential community. One of the most affluent communities in the US, Wilton is the home or headquarters of many global corporations, including AIG Financial Products whose trading in credit derivatives helped create the global financial crisis of 2008–2009 by essentially bankrupting parent company AIG.

1 Weir Farm National Historical Park, 735 Nod Hill Rd, ☏ +1 203-834-1896. Grounds: sunrise-sunset, Visitor center/museum store: May-Oct W-Su 10AM-4PM. Only national park devoted to American painting. Historically furnished home and art studios, rotating art and history exhibits, beautiful ground that have inspired many artists. Weir Farm historically inspired artists including Julian Alden Weir, Albert Pinkham Ryder, Childe Hassam, John Singer Sargent and Mahonri Young. The grounds continue to inspire artists and visitors today. Ranger-led tours are offered during visitor center hours, free of charge. Free. (updated Jan 2022) The Heritage Museum, 224 Danbury Road, ☏ +1 203-762-7257, [email protected]. Tu-F 10AM-4:30PM and Sa 1PM-4PM. This Heritage Museum provides a glimpse of changes in rural New England. A suggested donation of $5. Merwin Meadows, 180 School Road. Merwin Meadows includes a pond, beautiful soccer fields and a playground. It is a great place to take children in the summer time. The Wilton Parks and Recreation holds a camp for school children at Merwin Meadows, during the summer months. River Road Gallery, 21 River Road, ☏ +1 203-376-3887. River Road Gallery features a custom fine art and mirror framing store. The store features local and international artists. Hurlbutt Street School, 157 Hurlbutt Street, ☏ +1 203-762-7275. The Hurlbutt Street School was built in 1834. It is one room and tours are available upon request.

Quary Head Park, between 760 and 764 Ridgefield Road. Scenic trails for hiking and horseback riding. Allen's Meadow, 425 Danbury Road. Running trails and soccer fields Weir Pond and Swamp Loops, 735 Nod Hill. Voted one of the best running trails in Wilton

Wilton Pizza and Pasta, 202 Town Green. Features jazz music, great pizza and atmosphere. Orem's Diner, 167 Danbury Road, ☏ +1 203-762-7370. Great family place, fabulous dinner food. Tom E Toes, 5 River Road, ☏ +1 203-834-0733. Great location. Try the BBQ chicken pizza. Luca, 142 Old Ridgefield Road, ☏ +1 203-563-9550. Zagat Rated, NY Times best restaurant in Fairfield County. Olde School House Grill, 34 Cannon Road, ☏ +1 203-834-9816. Great food, great for brunch. Cactus Rose, 5 River Road. Portofino Restaurant, 12 Center Street, ☏ +1 203-761-9115. Family restaurant, reasonably priced. Hunan Cafe 228 Town Green Center, +1 203-761-8998, great Chinese food, fabulous lunch prices. Pinocchio Pizza, 1 Center Street, ☏ +1 203-762-3700. Great Italian style food, fast service. Soup Alley, 239 Danbury Road, ☏ +1 203-761-9885. Best soup, great lunch destination. Village Luncheonette and Pizza, 88 Old Ridgefield Road, ☏ +1 203-762-5883. Great for kids, great waitstaff. Marly's, 101 Old Ridgefield road, ☏ +1 203-834-2000. Comfortable atmosphere, great steak. Village Market, 108 Old Ridgefield road, ☏ +1 203-762-7202. Fine food, great service, catering is available

Wilton is a small town which was considered a "dry" town until 1993. Today, Wilton is considered "damp", which means that there are no true bars or clubs in the town. Georgetown Saloon, 8 Main Street, ☏ +1 203-554-8003. Great entertainment, different bands featured throughout the month, also one of the only places to go out in the Wilton area. Sky Bar and Grille, 239 Danbury Road, ☏ +1 203-761-7700. Perfect atmosphere, as well as great dining. Tavern on Seven, 611 Main Ave, ☏ +1 203-642-3791. Although not in Wilton, it is just a few minutes over the border, great party place, popular place for the locals. Starbucks, 21 River Road, ☏ +1 203-761-0408. Casual place to socialize and study, it is in the heart of Wilton's center. Dunkin Donuts, 35 Danbury Road, ☏ +1 203-761-8663. Off the I-95 Exit, great place to stop before work for a cup of coffee.

Since Wilton is so small, it does not have any hotels or inns in the town, but the neighboring town of Norwalk has several options. Courtyard Norwalk +1 203 849-9111, 474 Main Avenue Hilton Garden Inn Norwalk +1 203 523-4000, 560 Main Avenue Silvermine Tavern +1 203 847-4558, 194 Perry Avenue Four Point Sheraton Norwalk +1 203 849-9828, 426 Main Avenue

From the south: take I-95 N toward New Haven, take Exit 15 toward Norwalk/Danbury From the north: take I-95 S, take Exit CT 15/Merritt and W. Cross Pkwy Greyhound has frequent bus routes and stops that go through Wilton Metro North Railroad Amtrak (MTA) trains run through Wilton's town center John F. Kennedy International Airport is 55 miles (90 km) south of Wilton. La Guardia Airport is 45 miles (70 km) south of Wilton.