Easy, Cheap, & Fun - That’s How We Roll In the OG

I just sent away for our Stamford beach parking sticker, which is a huge psychological milestone – summer is on its way. Although I’m sure we’ll have at least one freak April snowstorm, and if history is any guide, it'll most likely the be weekend that I’m trying to have my kids’ birthday party in the back yard.

Now, don’t get me wrong- the Cove is a great park – the kids love riding the tram to the beach and checking out the turtles at Soundwaters. But unfortunately, like many things in Stamford, it doesn’t quite pass the white glove test. It’s just a hair seedy, whether it’s the condition of the facilities or some of the clientele it attracts.

Sometimes, I like to go to a place where you can feel pretty confident that you WON'T see a drunken, unemployed vagrant passed out on the sand with an angry sunburn and an empty bottle of gin clutched in a nicotine-stained hand. A place where a family of four can pretend to be stinking rich for a day, without actually having to spend a lot of money. A place where the outhouses are stocked with toilet paper and are infused with the sweet scent of Febreze.

That place, my friends, is Old Greenwich.

Just a mere 10 minutes from downtown Stamford, take Route 1 to Sound Beach Avenue and keep driving past Binney Park until you hit town. Turn right on West End Avenue and park behind the CVS.

Start by letting your kids run off their carsickness on the playground or athletic fields behind Old Greenwich School on Sound Beach Road. If the child happens to sustain a playground-related injury, bring them over to Greenwich Pediatrics, just across the parking lot. Tell Dr. Korval that Manager Mom says hi and we’ll no doubt have an infection of some new exotic parasite for him to diagnose soon.

Stroll by the fire department, and check out the super shiny fire trucks. Occasionally, the nice fireman will treat you to a “jaws of life” demonstration, tearing up an abandoned car. This is officially about the coolest thing a 4-year-old boy can witness in person outside of a monster truck rally.

By then, if you’re getting hungry, grab a cheap slice and a hot toasted Panini wrap sandwich at Sound Beach Pizza (formerly Arcuri’s). Or, carbo-load at the Upper Crust bagel company. Either way, finish off your meal with a stop at Darlene’s Heavenly Desires for an overwhelming array of candy and ice cream treats. This store is bursting with evilly enticing diet busters; you’ll gain 5 pounds just walking in the door.

Work off the sugar high by continuing your stroll along Sound Beach until you get to Binney Park. This is a beautiful, peaceful park which - beware – is dotted with tiny landmines of black, glooby goose poop. Shade yourselves in the pergola and watch dog owners and bridal parties wander by. This is especially entertaining once the bridal parties first become aware of the goose poop issue.

End the afternoon browsing books and playing computer games at the Perrot Memorial library and pick up some used kid’s books for a buck a book as a souvenir of the day. On weekends, they'll sometimes have story readings and performances from children's authors and musicians.

Old Greenwich is also one of the best places to watch Fourth of July fireworks. Parking can be a challenge, but it’s totally free and you can get there as early as you’d like and picnic (pre-order from Lexzee’s or Garden Catering in town.) The park is beautiful and the fireworks go on forever. Be forewarned: your children will covet the huge helium balloons. Don’t give in. The balloon vendors charge, I kid you not, TWENTY dollars for the damn things. Manager Family has been going every year since the kids were born, and highly recommends. Look for us - we'll be the only family who kids are sobbing because we won't get them a balloon.