Greenwich Harbor
Cruising and Travel

Greenwich Harbor has more than 43 kilometers (27 miles) of coastline, seven harbors, four town-leased boating clubs, three federal navigation channels, four private yacht clubs, and many islands. In total, there are over 1200 slips and 700 moorings in Greenwich Harbor. Visitors have been coming to Greenwich Harbor since 1642, and many of them have made it their home.

Greenwich Harbor has a humid continental climate. Due to its proximity to Long Island Sound, Greenwich Harbor sometimes receives relatively heavy snowfall during storms in the winter. Temperatures range from an average high of 28°C (83°F) in July to an average low of -6°C (21°F) in January. Precipitation is fairly constant in Greenwich Harbor from month to month.

Greenwich Harbor has four beaches on Long Island Sound. On a peninsula about five kilometers (3 miles) southeast of Greenwich Harbor, Greenwich Point (also called Tod's Point) offers a beach, small marina, and picnic areas. Purchased at town hall or the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, passes for non-residents is $5 per person and $20 per car. The charge applies from May through October.

Byram Beach is located near Port Chester Harbor. It has a small beach with picnic areas, a swimming pool, tennis courts, athletic fields, and a playground. Parking and day passes for non-residents can be obtained at City Hall. Island Beach is on Little Captain's Island about 1.5 nautical miles south of Greenwich Harbor in Captain Harbor. Little Captain's Island offers a playground, picnic area, concession stand, and camping area (permits and reservations necessary). A ferry service operates from the landing at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich Harbor. Also accessible through the ferry service is 17-acre Great Captain Island, less than one nautical mile southwest of Island Beach and about 1.7 nautical miles south of Greenwich Harbor. In addition to the beach, Greenwich Harbor's Great Captain Island offers picnic area, a campsite (permit and reservations necessary), and a wonderful lighthouse.

Greenwich Harbor's Bruce Museum of Arts and Science is nestled in a lovely park setting on Greenwich Avenue. The museum's permanent exhibits include a marine tank, a minerals gallery, and displays covering local history and environment. Over 100 thousand people visit the museum each year.

The Town of Greenwich manages the 297-acre Babcock Preserve. Located almost 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of Greenwich Harbor. The Preserve is kept in its natural state, and it has several well-marked trails for hiking and cross-country skiing. Open during the day, the Preserve has free parking and a picnic area as well.

To the north of Cos Cob Harbor, the Bush Holley Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark, is the headquarters of the town's Historical Society, a pre-Revolutionary War historic site, and the center of Connecticut's first artist colony. Built in late 1720s, the one-room structure overlooked the harbor. In 1733, David Bush inherited the home and built a tide mill, remaking the structure in the Georgian style. The home continued to grow, and by the late 18th Century, it was home to Bush, his wife, ten children, and ten slaves. Eventually, the building became the post office for Cos Cob. In 1848 when the Bush family let go of the house, it became a boardinghouse for writers and artists.

Greenwich Harbor offers the 18-link the Griffith E. Harris golf course and the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink, offering winter programs that include skating lessons, a town-wide Figure Skating Competition, and hockey clinics and leagues.

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