It’s no wonder that Riverside is deemed one of the most enchanting neighborhoods in Fairfield County. With a waterfront setting along the Mianus River, it is a much sought-after tranquil suburb for those desiring to escape the commotion of a crowded city – all the while still offering urban accessibility and plenty of community amenities for outdoor recreation, dining, shopping, and transportation. This charming, upscale neighborhood – about an hour away from New York City – is the epitome of coastal living.
Overview of Riverside, Greenwich, CT
Riverside is a Greenwich neighborhood situated between Cos Cob to the west and Old Greenwich to the east. It emerged in the 19th century from the roots of the historic 17th century fishing and farming community of Mianus Neck, serving as the location of a Continental Mower and Reaper Company in 1865. The company constructed a plant on the western shoreline of the Mianus River, which shuttered its doors after two years.
In the late 1860s, New York real estate broker Jeremiah Atwater moved to Greenwich and began purchasing land and building houses in Mianus Neck. Luke Vincent Lockwood, also an attorney and resident of the area, partnered with Atwater to grow the community, establishing a new train station and railroad stop. In 1896, they renamed Mianus Neck “Riverside” to attract summer vacationers from the city. Together, they founded and constructed St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Chapel Lane.
Riverside also houses a few notable historic features, including the Riverside Avenue Bridge. The bridge, the only surviving bridge made primarily of structural cast iron in Connecticut, is a National Historic Landmark. Additionally, the circa-1760 Samuel Ferris House at 1 Cary Road is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The farmhouse was once owned by Riverside’s earliest settlers, the Ferris family. Another historic local feature is the Riverside Yacht Club, founded by retired Civil War captain George I. Tyson in May 1888 and a current active participant in top-tier boat races around the U.S.
The picturesque shorefront community is home to around 9,000 people today.
The Community and Atmosphere of Riverside, Greenwich, CT
The Greenwich neighborhood earned its name due to its waterfront location along the Mianus River, which flows into the Long Island Sound. Riverside is divided into a few distinct sections due to the Interstate 95, the Post Road, and the Metro-North Railroad.
Although Riverside has been described as a more peaceful place to live, its proximity to New York City, Cos Cob, Old Greenwich, major downtown areas, and outdoor spaces gives residents plenty of activities to fill their time.
The Schools in Riverside, Greenwich, CT
Riverside is part of the Greenwich Public Schools district, which educates more than 8,500 students and comprises 15 schools. Four of these schools are located in Riverside: International School at Dundee, Riverside School, North Mianus School, and Eastern Middle School.
International School at Dundee (ISD) is a magnet school with around 370 elementary school learners enrolled. The school offers an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program and earned state recognition as a School of Distinction for the “Highest Overall Performance.”
Riverside School earned the same state recognition as ISD, meaning the school’s student performance falls within the top 10% of all elementary schools in the state. The U.S. News & World Report also ranked Riverside School as the 4th public elementary school in Connecticut. North Mianus School has been recognized as a National School of Distinction. It also ranked as the 8th elementary school in Connecticut, per the 2023 Niche ratings.
Commuting and Transportation in Riverside, Greenwich, CT
Getting around Riverside and to its surrounding communities is a breeze. The Metro-North Railroad has a station in Riverside and stations in Cos Cob, Greenwich, and Old Greenwich. The railroad takes passengers to New Haven and New York and makes stops at the stations in between. Riverside also hosts the Transportation Association of Greenwich, which has provided accessible, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant transportation services to Greenwich since 1984.
Looking to travel outside of Riverside for a bit? Not a problem at all. Via I-95, New York City is only about an hour drive away. If you don’t feel like driving there, you can take the train from the Riverside station to the Grand Central Terminal, about a 50-minute ride.
Several local, domestic, and international airports are close to the Greenwich neighborhood. Riverside is only 17 miles from Westchester County Airport, 33 miles from LaGuardia Airport, 41 miles from John F. Kennedy International Airport, 48 miles from Teterboro Airport, and 47 miles from the Tweed New Haven Regional Airport. While there are many reasons to stay put, the array of transportation options allows Riverside residents to easily venture outside of the area to explore.
Recreation, Parks, and Open Spaces in Riverside, Greenwich, CT
Riverside offers a boatload of outdoorsy options, including parks and beaches, for those wanting to stay active outside. The Schongalla Nature Preserve is a tranquil spot to recharge, featuring a park with trails and a lake for visitors to enjoy. Binney Park borders Riverside and includes a gazebo, ball fields, tennis courts, stone bridges, walking paths, and a pond, providing visitors with more recreational activities.
Less than three miles away from Riverside is Greenwich Point Park, a town-owned beach known as “Tod’s Point” by the locals. Visitors can check out many of the park’s historic buildings, such as the Innis Arden Cottage and the Chimes building, snack on concessions, amble along the walking trails, and/or launch their boats and kayaks. Speaking of boats, Riverside has its own private yacht club that includes a clubhouse, marina, tennis courts, and summer kids camps.
The Riverside Yacht Club was established in 1888 and offers sailing lessons and hosts summer boat races. Located close to the yacht club and nestled at the edge of the neighborhood is Harbor Point Beach. The beach is a half mile of fine white sand with gorgeous views of the Long Island Sound.
Culinary and Shopping Experiences in Riverside, Greenwich, CT
The place to be for dining and shopping is the neighborhood’s downtown hub on East Putnam Avenue, a gathering spot for local businesses and the Riverside Commons Shopping Center. The shopping center sits farther north on the avenue and contains a grocery store, pastry shop, salon, post office, and national chains including Chipotle and Jersey Mike’s Subs.
The E. Putnam Ave. strip also boasts of high-end boutiques, coffee shops, and gourmet culinary options to satisfy your taste buds, such as Valbella, an Italian restaurant in a Victorian Revival townhouse, and Lugano Wine Bar and Salumeria, which serves cured Italian meats and cheeses paired with fine wine.
Tony’s at the J House, another Italian restaurant in Riverside located within a luxury boutique hotel, has been the dining choice for several celebrities. Riverside residents also can walk or hop on the train to Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich’s main shopping district.
Are You Ready to Move to Riverside, Greenwich, CT?
You cannot go wrong with living in Riverside. The residential community includes amenities for everyone – from outdoorsy adventurers to shopping lovers – and quick, convenient access to New York City.
It’s a blend of urban convenience and suburban appeal. With endless open spaces, a plethora of maritime activities, and thriving downtown districts, Riverside should be on your bucket list of areas to explore.
Curious to discover more about this welcoming neighborhood? Contact a local expert strategist to learn more about available properties or to find your perfect home in Riverside.
