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Enjoy spring day trips from New York City, Fairfield County, and Westchester, and experience nature and wildlife as it emerges from the restful winter months at Grace Farms. Known for its award-winning architecture, Grace Farms is surrounded by 80 acres of natural meadows, woods, wetlands, and ponds. Guided tours focused on restoring native meadows, spring bird migration, and architecture and sustainability, provide a deeper understanding of nature. For children and families, we’ve developed monthly programing for children to think, play, and create. Whether with friends, family, or on a solo exploration, Grace Farms, located in New Canaan, Connecticut, is a welcoming place to explore our other initiatives including arts, justice, community, and faith.
Our award-winning River building, designed by Japanese architecture firm SANAA, blends into the natural landscape. The Library offers visitors a quiet space to research books and resources related to your interests; the Pavilion is a welcoming space to relax and converse with one another over tea. Enjoy a seasonal lunch at the Commons or participate in regular pick-up basketball, pickleball, volleyball, and other sports at our subterranean Court. The Court is free and is available to all ages and abilities. Grace Farms is free and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am-6 pm; Sunday from 12 pm-6 pm.
Below are dates to help you plan your local spring day trips from New York City to Connecticut.
Suggested Itinerary
10:30 am–12:00 pm | Architecture & Sustainability Tours, Saturdays, 5-4 5-11 5-18
Experience our state-of-the-art mechanical systems and gain insights into our LEED construction and ongoing sustainability operations with Adam Thatcher, former Director of Operations & Sustainability. Registration cost $25.
10:30 am–12:00 pm | Grace Farms Tours (Thursdays & Saturdays)
Explore the River, a meandering glass building designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects SANAA, and five site-specific installations commissioned specifically for Grace Farms by artists Thomas Demand, Olafur Eliasson, Teresita Fernández, and Beatriz Milhazes. The tour begins with complimentary tea in the Pavilion.
Grace Farms Tours include a substantial amount of walking, including time outdoors between volumes of the River building, so please wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Registration cost $25. Register online through our GraceFarms.org calendar.
Please note that this tour accommodates 18 participants, and reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
10:30 am-12:00 pm | Spring Migration, 5/4-5/25 (Saturdays)
Join Master Birder, Frank Mantlik, and Grace Farms Foundation’s former Nature Initiative Director, Mark Fowler, for a guided walk of Grace Farms’ Walking Trails in search of the spectacular birds migrating north for the summer. Registration is free.
Grace Farms © Julien Jarry
We’ll be walking on mown trails, which may be wet, so please wear appropriate footwear, dress for the weather, and bring your binoculars.
8:00 pm–9:30 pm |Astronomy, 5-7 6-6
Explore the constellations visible in the spring sky with an evening of stargazing led by New Canaan High School Planetarium Director, Tim Haag, and Grace Farms Foundation former Nature Initiative Director, Mark Fowler. Registration is free.
10:30 pm-12:30 pm | Planting and Growing Solanaceae Vegetables and Flowers, 5-11
Join Master Gardener Nick Mancini for a hands-on workshop about planting, growing, and caring for Solanaceae plants, a family of flowering plants that includes eggplants, potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers. Registration is free.
10:30 am-2:30 pm | Open Arts Studio for Families (every Saturday)
Think, play, and create every Saturday, from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm at Grace Farms! Young artists, ages 3 to 10, and their adult caregivers are invited to spend time together experimenting with new materials and techniques during this facilitated program series. Ticket price $5. Register online through our GraceFarms.org calendar.
6:00 pm-7:30 pm | Community Dinners (third Friday of the month)
Enjoy a special meal with friends and neighbors, featuring local performing artists. This affordable dining experience promises expansive views and excellent company. The evenings take place in the River building’s Commons—a 6,900 square foot glass room appointed with social community tables built from trees harvested on the grounds, comfortable sofas, and a coffee bar serving our very own Heavenly Roast. Register online through our GraceFarms.org calendar.
We always have a vegetarian option inspired by the main dish. It may be decided up to the night of to ensure the freshest local produce.
Advance registration is required for the Community Dinner. As a reminder, smoking and drinking are not permitted at Grace Farms.
12:00 pm-1:00 pm | Wildlife Encounters, 6/8-7/27 (Saturdays)
Come face-to-face with native wildlife on Saturdays at Grace Farms. Learn about the animals in your own backyard as owls, falcons, and reptiles wriggle and soar under the River building’s canopies. No registration is required; tours are free.
10:30 pm-12:30 pm | What’s Bugging Your Garden, 6-8
Join Master Gardener Nick Mancini for a hands-on workshop focused on identifying and treating garden pests. Learn how organic gardening can help you to have a healthier, more productive garden. Registration is free.
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