Where Darien Beachgoing Gets Practical…read more Pear Tree Point is the more, shall we say, functional, of the two Darien public beaches. Weed Beach, located across a bay from Stamford, has something of a mystical quality to it. It is where high schoolers go in the summertime to smoke out (yes, the name is a coincidence), where the passionate but slightly off-tune sounds of local bands fill humid night air. Weed Beach has woodlands to wander through, a hidden playground through a clearing of trees, paddle tennis courts that I think only ghosts use, and lots and lots of weeds, making every step into the water squishy and unsure. But Pear Tree Point is the beach where you get things done. It's got boat docks attached, so it's the starting point for many a "booze cruise", a favorite pasttime of the Darienite. Families love Pear Tree Point, probably because it's shaped in such a way that it's easy for the kids to stay in view; there's nowhere to disappear to. So children go about producing their childlike things: sandcastles, trenches for the water to flow through, holes to bury themselves in. Pear Tree Point has a gazebo at its center, perched on top of rocks. It's perfect for eating a hamburger and fries from the concession stand during the day, and for making out at night. Pear Tree Point is situated along Long Neck Point, location of some of the fanciest houses in this very, very fancy part of the world. If you're the kind of person who likes to gawk at luxurious homes a la Newport, Rhode Island, then it's worth a slow drive down Long Neck Point road until you get to the end, which is a former girls' school now converted, I think, into residences. The atmosphere is rarefied, elegant, and oh-so-preppy. Pear Tree Point, like all the beaches in southern Fairfield County, has a kind of rough sand, and the water's generally cold. Tahiti it is not. The sun, like so many phenomena in the New York area, is either too dim or too scorching. It takes a certain toughness to enjoy beachgoing in the northeastern part of the United States. But after a day being there, you feel as if you have accompilshed something, and accomplishment, after all, is the highest personal value among most Darienites who bring the never-stop-achieving ethos of New York City back to their town.

Pear tree point is lovely. A beautiful beach to go to during the sunset. Large amount of parking…read moreand can either be quiet or busy depending on when you go. The snack bar "uncles by the shore" is owned by uncles deli which is situated on the post road in Darien and closes around 3pm I believe which is pretty annoying. One star off for their gross bathrooms. This beach is smaller than weed beach and does not have a pavilion like weed beach but has a cute gazebo and plenty of space. If you're lucky enough to even get in.

This is a great municipal pool! Spacious and doesn't feel too crowded even on busy days & holiday…read moreweekends when you can hardly find parking (though the parking lot is quite large). There are a few picnic tables and grills on the lawn. No pool lounge chairs or towel service so bring your own chairs, picnic blankets, food/snacks and other accoutrements to enjoy a leisurely summer day. Facilities are clean and well-maintained. Very kids/toddler-friendly. The sizeable shallow end has several sprinklers/splash fountains for children to play in, and there are slides on both the kiddie and adult sides. Also a playground in the back (not affiliated with the pool). There are always many life guards on duty every time I've gone. The pool is accessible only to Clarkstown residents and their guests, so if you're not a resident befriend someone who is. You must obtain a Clarkstown resident ID card first at the registration office at 31 Zukor Road in New City. (The pool won't simply accept a driver's license.) Rates can be either daily or seasonal for individuals or family, and are very reasonable compared to similar community pools.

Back in the day we used to refer to this beleaguered mud hole as "Nanuet Snake" for the inundation…read moreof various slithering creatures who would join you on your swim in what was then a dark and unknowable crater that had more in common with Loch Ness than 20th century suburbia. It's no exaggeration that these monsters from the deep probably kept a legion of child psychiatrists in full time employment. On a recent visit it was nice to see that the previous snake-ridden den of iniquity has long been been replaced with a legitimate pool and that the mythological beasts of years past have been slayed by chlorine and actual cement walls. You can even see right to the bottom. What a concept. This is what Nanuet Lake should have been like all along... no thanks whatsoever to my parents who thought this was some tough love version of Shangri La, albeit minus the all consuming bliss one often finds in paradise. I kid about my parents (almost) and am happy to bestow five easy stars for a childhood reclaimed. I still hate snakes.