Fall Day Trip - New Canaan, Connecticut and Philip Johnson's Glass House

 

 

We finally made it to Philip Johnson's Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut yesterday - what a wonderful time of year to visit. The colors are probably a few days beyond their peak here in Southwestern Connecticut, but it was a gorgeous autumn day, perfect for our two hour site tour of the grounds, the house, the sculpture gallery and the painting gallery. It's an interesting tour from an art and architecture point of view, but I am not sure I could actually live in that house! 

 

 

New Canaan is the quintessential picturesque New England town so it is surprising to learn that it also was the hub for many modernist architects in the mid 20th century. At one time there were over 120 modernist houses in New Canaan - 80 of them remain, but most are not open to the public.

 

 

You will need to buy tickets in advance as they sell out quickly, particularly on the weekends.  The Glass House visitor's center is in the center of town (a van takes the tours to the 49 acre site) and is across the street from the train station

 

 

The town of New Canaan is a lovely drive up the Merritt Parkway or around a one hour train ride from New York City. Our two favorite restaurants there are Gates and Ching's Table - perfect for lunch before your visit to The Glass House. The shopping along Elm Street and Main Street is excellent with many smaller local shops, as well as some larger high end chains. It's a perfect day trip from New York or any of the surrounding suburbs.