If you’re new to town, making friends out of school is easier than you might think. You just need to know where to find teen-friendly happenings and routines. In time, you’ll want to go with friends to Ferris Acres Creamery in Newtown, take road trips to Watch Hill, Mystic and Old Lyme, or take in NYC concerts or music festivals, such as the Governor’s Ball (June) or Panorama (July). Until then, however, here are suggestions for your close-to-home daily agenda.
Do:
- Pick up a no-fuss lunch at The Pantry or Firehouse Deli and eat outside at your beach of choice.
- Shop the Fairfield Sidewalk Sales. Summer dates (usually in July) will be posted at www.ss.fairfieldct.org.
- Grab food-to-go up on Black Rock Turnpike. For lunch, try Garden Catering; for breakfast, Country Cow or bagels at Billy’s Bakery. Enjoy your food with the photo-worthy sights at nearby Lake Mohegan.
- Explore the cascades at Lake Mohegan—and bring the dog and share lots of photos.
- Bonfires at the beach. You can’t just light it up; you’ll need a permit. Find out the rules at www.fairfieldct.org.
- Make summer memories at Jennings and Penfield beaches, kayaking, sailing, tubing with family and friends. Be sure to go to the Fourth of July fireworks display, too.
Harborview Market in Black Rock. Andrew Sullivan photo
Eat:
- Saugatuck Sweets — candy bins and ice cream
- Milk Craft — ice cream in a flash
- Plan-B — casual fare and pub grub
- Andro’s Diner — late-night dinner runs (open 24 hours)
- Harbor View in Bridgeport or Bluebird in Easton — for super casual and good breakfast runs
- Walrus + Carpenter, Brick + Wood, Quattro Pazzi, The Chelsea (great family brunch as well) — for fancy dinners out on the town with friends
Shop:
If you like Refinery29 or LikeToKnowIt (Instagram), check out teen fashions and accessories:
- Apricot Lane
- Fairfield Swim N Surf