This was published 2 years ago
Things to do in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA: Expert expat Michelle Luksic's tips
By Belinda Jackson
Greenwich in Fairfield County, Connecticut remains one of the USA's wealthiest towns.Credit: iStock
Real estate agent and destination services consultant Michelle Luksic helps expats settle into Greenwich, just over the border from New York state, along the Long Island Sound. The former Sydneysider is ideally suited to the job, having spent a decade in Connecticut by way of India, China and Switzerland. See cbmoves.com
SEE
Greenwich is one of USA's wealthiest towns and dubbed the hedge-fund capital of the world: come to see the colonial architecture and glimpse the estates of the mega-wealthy.
Sydneysider Michelle Luksic has spent a decade in Connecticut.
First settled by Europeans in 1640, it was developed in the early 1800s as a resort for New Yorkers escaping the heat.
On a beautiful, sunny day wander down the length of Greenwich Avenue starting at the top on the Post Road for great people watching, cafes, boutiques and galleries. Eat, shop, browse, soak up the atmosphere.
Fun fact, Mad Men's character Pete Campbell commuted to Manhattan from his home in Cos Cob, Greenwich.
DO
Walk, cycle, run or roller blade around Tod's Point, with swimming beaches, parks, barbecues and picnic tables on a peninsula extending out into the Long Island Sound.
It also has a rich variety of birdlife. On clear days, you'll have stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and spectacular sunsets. It does require day passes for non-residents from May 1 through October, see greenwichct.gov
EAT
My favourite restaurant is Le Fat Poodle (lefatpoodle.com), a real local favourite that's always buzzy. Around once a month, they host 'La Boom', a blackout brunch with a DJ, where people have been known to dance on the tables.
I order the Chico Feo, a cocktail of spicy mezcal, lime and jalapeno and cilantro syrup, and the red snapper in a spicy yellow curry coconut sauce. It's always a fab idea to order the truffle fries!
DRINK
Polpo is an old-school piano bar with a great atmosphere on weekend nights (polporestaurantgreenwich.com).
It also has a great wine list; I tend to order a chablis and my husband is always down for a dirty martini or Manhattan.
AVOID
Talking politics! It's always a little fraught and particularly in this post-Trump era, when politics in the US has become more polarised.
THRIVE
Getting out on the water on the Long Island Sound opens up a different world. Great for three seasons of the year, hire a sailing or motor boat, or get the ferry to Island Beach or Great Captains Island from the Arch Street dock.
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