There's a moment in your life as a freshly-minted “we just moved up from the city” suburban family where you start to really get it. You start to understand all our towns fit together. How they complement each other. What you can get from each one.
One minute we could be window-shopping at La Maison Fête in Bedford and the next, we could be sampling cheese at 109 Cheese in Ridgefield and finish the day with a salmon poke bowl at Miyuki’s in New Canaan. We could start our day at the scenic overlook at Mountain Lakes Park in North Salem, and later that day be eating fried fish by the water at Brendan’s 101 in Rowayton.
I tell my parents this all the time: We’ve got it all in a 15-mile radius, baby.
But two weeks ago I found myself at a friend-of-a-friend’s house in Redding, CT for a little get-together. As I pulled into her driveway, I thought: “Wait, do I really know where I am right now?”
Turns out, I didn’t. In fact, I know very little about this area.
When we moved to South Salem in 2018, we searched “best barbecue near me” (AS YOU DO), and found the motherlode: Wire Mill Barbecue. Since then, we go here semi-regularly. We’ll enjoy some ribs, beer and live music, and then just drive home.
What we should have been doing this whole time is actually taking time to explore.
Wire Mill is situated right in the heart of Georgetown, the historic village in the town of Redding. As it turns out, this magical place has so many kid-friendly things to do in a few-mile radius that you can’t believe it’s been under your nose this whole time.
Since I published my kid-friendly spots in Bedford, NY post in February (2.5K views and counting!) I knew I needed to surface another local gem for you all. And let me tell you, Georgetown is it.
For this week’s Ask an Expert post, I asked two moms who know it inside and out:
Jess Tyson, a Redding mom of two who founded the Georgetown Collective, a gorgeous co-working space which is also perfect for your next party, offsite, photoshoot, or community gathering; and
Ambar Zaatar, a Weston mom of three who founded the second-hand children’s shop in town, Wild Blueberry.
They were more than happy to tell me every single spot that’s perfect to add to your next weekend family outing. Watch my conversation with Jess & Ambar from this morning for more context on a few picks from their unofficial list on where to eat, what to see, and what to do in this lovely little place.
PS: I don’t accept any advertising, which makes The Plan entirely reader-supported. A $5/m membership unlocks the paywall to every post. Click here to upgrade. 👇
WHAT TO SEE
The Granite Church
5 N Main Street, Redding »
JESS: “The recently-acquired Granite Church has been transformed into a local arts and community space. In the last year since it’s been open, they’ve hosted so many kid-friendly events, like their holiday bazaar in November and an Orchestra Lumos performance in April. Their summer programming looks great, too. I know they’ll be doing lots of stuff all day during Georgetown Day on June 8, and Make Music Day coming up on June 21.” »
Georgetown Arts & Cultural Center
5 Main Street, Redding »
JESS: “They show some incredible artists at this little gallery and always encourage art appreciators of all ages to come in and enjoy the exhibits. They just started showing a fun group exhibition called Summer Dreams, which runs through July 26.” »
WHERE TO SHOP
Wild Blueberry & Stems + Co
2 Main St, Unit B, Redding »
JESS: “This one was opened by two local moms just a few months ago and is so adorable. They’ve got second-hand and handmade children’s clothing, gifts, vintage items, cut flowers, a plant bar, and so much more. Check their site for the next pop-up event or workshop; they’re always hosting something. Their Mother’s Day party was a hit: Everyone who came to the store got free cookies and a photo portrait. How fun is that?” »
The Shops at Auburn Landing
28 Main Street, Redding »
JESS: “Three local moms opened this beautiful shop and filled it with fresh cut, dried, and potted flowers, delicate jewelry, vintage clothing, and gifts. It’s gorgeous. Check their Instagram for popup events or workshops, and if you visit with the kids, don’t forget to ask the jeweler Laura Verses, for a ring pop for your kiddo when you come in.” »
WHERE TO EAT
The Georgetown Owl
19 Main Street, Redding »
JESS: “Market by day, saloon by night, this one is Georgetown’s newest hot spot. They’ve got freshly-brewed Quartertone Coffee, and some really cute items in the market. You can order a breakfast or lunch sandwich (and fresh sushi!), and then head to the saloon for a cocktail or mocktail. They’ve always got a great in-season menu. Pro tip: The Owl has a kids menu; you just have to ask for it. They can also do grilled cheese for lunch, which is off-menu. Love it here.” »
~~ Below the paywall is Jess & Ambar’s full list of family-friendly Georgetown recommendations of where to eat, shop and hike with the kids (including Topstone Park, a hidden gem!) Click to upgrade your subscription for just $5/mo. ~~
