We will be in Danbury on business soon. I researched some on the net and looked at Tripadvisor but wondered if anyone had any recommendations of places to eat and/or places to see. We will be flying into NY and driving in.
We've not been to this area and I was trying to see if there was a specific dish that's a specialty of this area. I'm seeing lots of Italian and Tapas type restaurants.
Thanks and I hope everyone has enjoyed their weekend.
L. - when are you going (month) and what do you want to see and eat? Casual food? Steakhouse? And what do you like to do? And how long will you be in CT? That will help.
well try to drive around foxwoods area or mohegan son area great panera bread and hotels nearby...
I don't think there's any dish or specialty that's tied to Danbury and environs. I think you see a lot of tapas places because they are cropping up all over New England (and maybe beyond). If you fly into NY, you'll want to work your way up to Route 684 - which is an interstate with virtually nothing on it. No restaurants, no traffic! Between the bridges off Long Island (where the airports are, unless you are actually flying into Newark), there is a highway known as the Hutchison River Parkway - You reach it via Interstate 95 - your GPS will tell you that 95 is a toll road but you won't hit tolls before you get to the Hutchison Parkway. It's winding but a little more scenic than the interstates. It ends at Route 684 so you can't get lost. Then 684 takes you to Route 84 East into CT, and Danbury is pretty close.
I pass through a lot, and kind of a fun place is about 10 miles beyond Danbury on Route 84, the Blue Colony Diner. Easy on/easy off the highway, with plenty of billboards to direct you. This is in Newtown CT (yes, the place where the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting was - so I like to stop and give the town my business after all they've been through). Don't let the name "diner" deter you - it's a HUGE diner with several different dining areas, a very large menu, all kinds of foods from different ethnic groups (but they specialize in Greek food - spinach pies and moussaka, baked kibbe, etc.). Definitely not your usual diner fare. They also have fresh baked goods in the case when you walk in, with many packaged for take-home. They also have a liquor license if you like a little before-dinner libation. It might be just beer and wine, but maybe it's full bar.
If there's a line, don't worry - they move people quickly.
Here's the link:
http://www.bluecolonydiner.com
Are you taking your kids on this trip? I know you did on your trip to Boston. There are several websites for CT tourism and "things to do with kids in Danbury" so do look around other websites as well as the official CT visitors' site. There's a railroad museum I know, although I haven't been to it. I'm assuming you'll bypass the federal penitentiary in town!
If you're traveling from NJ (Newark) and/or if you have time to detour slightly to the area of the Tappan Zee Bridge (which goes over the Hudson), look into the big mansions that offer tours and some of which have picnicking on the grounds (if the weather's still mild). Washington Irving's house is nearby in Tarrytown (good tour) - read "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". They have activities year round but especially around Halloween.
I know this isn't really the detail you were looking for but I hope it helps a little and that you have a great time!
ETA -- Not sure why Adrian gave info on Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun - they are actually in a totally different part of Connecticut. And Panera Bread is reliable if you're on the road and need a quick stop, but there's nothing special about them, or most any chain, in my opinion.
The best pizza ever is Frank Pepes on Federal Rd. #1 pizza restaurant on the east coast. There is also The Atlantic. Great food, reasonably priced. Google it. Can't remember the street. It's very close to Danbury Hospital.
As far as places to see that depends. Will you have kids with you? Or just you and your husband? Research Historic Hudson Valley. Many tours available. A tour of West Point is always great. Danbury is right in the NY line. Hyde Park. Culinary Institute if America. I will keep thinking and post anything else I think of.
NYC is only about an hour and 15 minutes from Danbury. Of course it depends on how long you will be here.
The Arlantic is 176 Osborne Street, Danbury, Ct.
Another great restaurant is Sesame Seed, 68 w. Wooster Street, Danbury, Ct
