Weston, Connecticut, provides a peaceful haven, located about an hour from New York City and adjacent to Westport, Connecticut. Here you will find a much slower pace of life that harkens back to simpler times when you always knew all of your neighbors. This laid-back town is in no rush to commercialize, as locals appreciate and protect its history and local vibe. Beautiful historic houses are spaced far apart with plenty of land.

 

The population remains small, with 10,000 residents within 2 acres. Nearly 20 percent of Weston's residents commute to busy Manhattan each day. The local charm lends itself to creating a wonderful environment to raise kids. That, plus the excellent school system, attracts young families to this quiet town. Weston not only boasts a quaint small town feel but beautiful natural surroundings.

Devil's Den Preserve encompasses over 1,700 acres of woodlands, wetlands, streams, and ridges. Climbing these ridges provides scenic overlooks of the expansive countryside. Devil's Den Preserve is not only the largest nature preserve in Fairfield County but also one of the largest in the entire Metropolitan New York area. You will find natural diversity as you explore more than 20 miles of trails here. Nature lovers will get lost in wonder with the wide variety of birds and over 500 types of trees and wildflowers. The Den provides an incredibly valuable habitat for many species who need woodlands to survive and reproduce. Devil's Den represents a large portion of the watershed of the Saugatuck River. Whether you are just going on a short walk or a day trip of adventure, Devil's Den can keep you entertained for hours with its expansive surroundings and hiking trails.

Amber Falls is located within Devil's Den and does require some stamina as it is a 90-minute hike there and back. You can get there via several trails as you wander through the hardwood forest. The falls are picturesque, and you will likely not see a large crowd there.

Katherine Ordway founded Devil's Den Preserve. Her father was a businessman who ended up owning a large amount of stock in a mining company and obtaining massive riches. Katherine used her status to save the land that she felt was important. Because of her significant contribution to The Nature Conservancy of Connecticut, Devil's Den Preserve is what it is today. Upon her death, part of her estate was turned into a preserve full of trails in the hardwood forest.

The Saugatuck Reservoir is a sizable body of water that straddles the border between Redding, Weston, and Easton. It is an anglers paradise, boasting a bounty of freshwater fish species surrounded by breathtaking forests. Here anglers can hope to catch small and largemouth bass, white and yellow perch and brook, and brown and rainbow trout.

Weston has a rich history, and you can see that at the Coley Homestead. It is currently the home of the Weston Historical Society. The homestead was established in 1834 by David Dimon Coley where his descendants lived for almost 170 years. Today's property is a museum, including the farmhouse, cattle shed, carriage house, and large barn. If you are interested in seeing outdoor music, the Barn concert series occurs here in summer, and the Scare Fair takes place here every Halloween.

Weir Farm was the home of American Artist J Alden Weir, who was an impressionist painter. This was a place for excellent artist collaboration, and Weir invited John Singer Sargent, Childe Hassam, and Albert Pinkham Ryder to the farm. It is not part of the National Park Service, and visitors can tour the farm, including the nearby Weir Pond.

Backing up to Devil's Den is Lachat Town Farm. A local named Leon Lachat deeded his 42-acre farm to the town of Weston and the Nature Conservancy. He hoped to preserve some of the local agricultural heritage. The local conservancy takes care of the wooded area, while the town remains responsible for the meadow. Fundraisers successfully prevented the destruction of the 1770 farmhouse. The farm offers a reprieve from the hustle and bustle where you can take part in classes like knitting,tai chi gardening, art exhibits, and painting classes. You can pick up fresh local produce on Sundays from June through October. Families are drawn to the seasonal events where there are bonfires, music, and petting zoos. When snow blankets the grounds in the winter, you are apt to see laughing children sledding down the hills. Lachat Town Farm is a special place in Weston that offers a sense of community and nature.

Many of us may know Paul Newman as the handsome blue-eyed movie star, but he also played an important role in protecting Trout Brook Valley Preserve. It is a 730-acre tract of land that has pristine natural vistas and apple and blueberry orchards. This treasure was saved from being turned into a golf course and luxury condominiums and now hosts 14 miles of trails.

Bisceglie-Scribner Park is over 50 acres and is a great place for all forms of recreation. It includes baseball fields, fitness trails, picnic tables, playgrounds, and even a swimming pond with lifeguards. The pond is only open to local Weston residents in their guests, but the rest of the facilities are open to the public.

There is no doubt that Weston provides an idyllic lifestyle that attracts everyone from young families to retirees. The Shoshana Snyder Team are experts in the area and has a finger on the pulse of the local market. Whether you are looking in Weston or real estate for sale in Easton, they can help oversee the entire process, ensuring a pleasant experience. If you are interested in making Weston home or the surrounding areas, Shoshana Snyder will help you find the perfect home. Contact us today.