The Back Country neighborhood of Greenwich, Connecticut is exactly as its name implies: a peaceful, private outdoor haven with expansive countryside and rolling hills. Many of the area residents have the largest plots of land – four acres of space or more – in Greenwich due to zoning regulations for estates.
But the privacy and space of this residential community don’t translate to isolation and removal from attractive amenities. Rest assured, the neighborhood’s proximity to major towns and cities allows residents to enjoy both the quietness of an intimate community and convenient accessibility to upscale dining and shopping and bountiful open spaces and recreational activities.
Overview of Back Country, Greenwich, CT
Back Country makes up the northern third of Greenwich, encompassed by Stamford to the east and New York to the west. The area originally served as a settlement for farmers and shoemakers during the 18th and 19th centuries but has transformed into one of the most desirable places to live within the outskirts of New York City.
The Greenwich neighborhood has a fascinating history. Starting in 1923, Charles A. Moore, an American philosopher and historian, hosted a yearly Scottish highland games festival on his vast estate along Round Hill Road in the backcountry. What began as a laid-back Fourth of July family picnic for Moore’s Scottish-born workers evolved into an annual event that draws in more than 10,000 attendees known as the Round Hill Highland Games.
Fast forward about two decades, the United Nations began scouting out options for a site for its headquarters. The backcountry of Greenwich was one of the choices at the top of the list due to its natural amenities and closeness to New York City. Yet, the UN’s plans faced opposition from the townsfolk, who rallied to protest the proposal and won.
It’s unclear exactly how many people reside in Back Country today. However, around 63,000 individuals lived in Greenwich as of 2024, according to population estimates.
The Schools in Back Country, Greenwich, CT
Back Country is served by a top-notch school district, Greenwich Public Schools, which comprises 15 schools and enrolls more than 8,500 students. Parkway School is the only public school located within Back Country and educates around 250 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Perched on top of a hill, protected forests and swathes of fields encircle the school, and students might snag a glimpse of wildlife on the bus ride to school.
With woods right in their own backyards, students at Parkway are taught to safeguard the natural world. For the 2014-2015 school year, Parkway received designation as a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School. The government agency grants this award to learning institutions who work to offer effective sustainability education, improve the health and well-being of students and staff, and lessen environmental costs and effects, per the school’s website.
The neighborhood is also home to Whitby School, a private school with an International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The school educates students in kindergarten through eighth grade. A group of Greenwich families founded the school in 1958 and incorporated teachings based on the philosophy of Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator.
Commuting and Transportation in Back Country, Greenwich, CT
Residents have a variety of means for transportation in and out of Back Country in Greenwich. The Greenwich station on the Metro-North Railroad New Haven Line provides service to the Grand Central Station in New York City, a trip that takes about an hour one way.
CTtransit has two main bus routes that travels through Greenwich, making stops in Stamford, Connecticut, and Port Chester, New York.
Major roads, such as Merritt Parkway and Interstate 95, are close by and connect to several cities, including Boston and New York City.
For those wanting to travel out of state, Back Country is near many domestic and international airports.
- 8 miles from Westchester County Airport
- 29 miles from LaGuardia Airport
- 34 miles from John F. Kennedy International Airport
- 36 miles from Teterboro Airport
Open Spaces and Recreation in Back Country, Greenwich, CT
Dedicated to preserving the natural world, Back Country houses the first environmental educational center established by the National Audubon Society: the Greenwich Audubon Center. The facility spans over 680 acres and boasts of miles and miles of hiking and walking trails.
A few blocks south from the center lies the Fairchild Wildflower Audubon Sanctuary, which extends about 135 acres with trails that cross through a diverse array of wetland habitats and empty farmland. Nature lovers also can visit the Babcock Preserve, a 300-acre forested preserve with a picnic area, a stream, and miles of trails north of the Merritt Parkway in Greenwich.
The sprawling open spaces give residents plenty of opportunities to ride horseback or to putt around on a golf course. Each week, the Greenwich Polo Club hosts public matches on Sundays. Earlier this year, the club also held CSI Greenwich, an Olympic-level international show jumping event with the world’s best horses and top stars in attendance.
Griffith E. Harris Memorial Golf Course, the only public golf course in Greenwich and an award-winning 18-hole designed course, is situated in the western portion of the backcountry. The course has previously hosted championship and professional golfing events. Additionally, there are several private country clubs nearby, including the Fairview Country Club and Stanwich Country Club.
Dining and Shopping in Back Country, Greenwich, CT
Numerous villages and their respective commercial strips are close to Back Country, giving residents a wide selection of choices of where to wine, dine, and shop. The neighborhood is only a few minutes drive from Banksville in Greenwich and Bedford, Purchase, and Armonk in New York.
The notable Greenwich Avenue shopping district is about a 10- or 15-minute drive from Back Country and hosts a little bit of everything, from classic car collections to contemporary art galleries to waterfront hotels.
Whether you’re in the mood for a casual eatery or gourmet food, there is no shortage of options. Happiness Is, a local backcountry market, offers hungry customers a menu filled with coffees, teas, sandwiches, salads, soups, baked goods, and more. Craving something fancier? Stop by Blackstones Steakhouse, for a tender premiere steak or fresh seafood, or visit Meli-Melo Creperie and Catering, a French cafe that serves original buckwheat crepes.
Want something elegant to complement your fine dining experience? Visit The Study Fine Wines & Spirits, an intimate boutique in Back Country that specializes in small production wine, artisanal spirits, and craft breweries.
Don’t feel like eating out? If so, check out The Round Hill Store, which carries an array of provisions, such as groceries, to-go meals, and household goods. The store also has a deli that serves soups, salads, sandwiches, and pastries.
Thinking About Moving to Back Country, Greenwich, CT?
With all of its natural beauty, privacy, outdoor and indoor activities, it’s no surprise Back Country is such a desirable place to live.
The Greenwich neighborhood combines the serene atmosphere of a small village with ease of access to many dining, shopping, educational, and recreational amenities. The relaxed vibes of the community, surrounded by acres of greenery, provide relief from the flurry of a crowded city. However, proximity to several towns and cities gives residents an opportunity to engage in the metropolitan hustle and bustle if they so wish.
Interested in learning more about this community? Contact a local expert strategist for information about available properties or to discover more about living in Back Country.
