Please note: this is intended to give you an overview of the town. A recommended realtor will give you more accurate information about living there, including the stuff that you can’t get from a GOOGLE search. Let us know when you are ready.
1. Long Island Sound
Norwalk is located on the northern shore of Long Island Sound. Its shoreline provides access to some of Connecticut’s best boating, public beaches, lighthouses, protected islands and marinas. Plus, it’s only 45 minutes from New York City.
2. The Commute
Norwalk’s location is ideal for commuters both on land and on sea. It boasts two Metro-North stations: East Norwalk and South Norwalk. There are also three airports and six Amtrak stations within 30 minutes of Norwalk’s city center. Easy access to Interstate-95 and the Merritt Parkway add yet more easy commuting options.
3. Norwalk’s Restaurants
Norwalk’s culinary scene boasts a dynamic selection of restaurants. Be sure to check out these local favorites: Bar Sugo, Basso Café, Valencia Luncheria, Blue Cactus Grill, Fat Cat Pie Co., Match, Mediterraneo at Hotel Zero Degrees, Osteria Romana, Pontos Taverna, and The Spread.
4. Public Libraries
Norwalk has several public libraries, including the Norwalk Public Library, the South Norwalk Branch Library and the East Norwalk Association Library. Between good reads, classes, and guest speakers, the libraries offer activities and events for all ages.
5. Sheffield Island Lighthouse
With its 145-year-old lighthouse, beaches and wildlife, Sheffield Island offers abundant summer fun for visitors. Board the Seaport Association’s 45-foot catamaran for a cruise to the island, tour the lighthouse, observe wildlife in its natural habitat, hunt for shells and seaglass along the beach, and dine on a picnic lunch.
6. Public Schools
Norwalk has a great school system, consisting of 12 elementary schools, four middle schools, two high schools, and one alternative high school. Its vision is to be one of the most successful city school systems, and it has applied the findings of extensive medical research to propose innovative changes.
7. The Maritime Aquarium
One of the top family attractions in Connecticut, the not-for-profit aquarium features 7,000 animals of more than 300 species native to the Sound and its watershed (including sharks, seals, sea turtles, river otters and jellyfish), as well as educational programs and public cruises aboard its unique hybrid-electric research vessel.
8. SoNo
In South Norwalk (known affectionally as SoNo), classic waterfront meets urban hip in an eclectic dining, shopping and entertainment hub. A great place to live, visit and work, SoNo offers a wide array of restaurants, bars, bakeries, shops, galleries and attractions.
9. Wall Street Theater
The Wall Street Theater is an integral part of the greater re-development of the Wall Street area. It provides theater enthusiasts with live shows, interactive entertainment, digital productions, art space, and a community arena in which to play.
10. Norwalk River Valley
This peaceful, 35-acre park is situated beside to Norwalk Harbor. It includes a marina, bike paths, basketball courts, a boating center and an outdoor ice skating rink.
11. Norwalk Oyster Festival
Held on the first weekend after Labor Day in Veterans Park, near the Long Island Sound, more than 90,000 people attend Norwalk’s annual Summer festival. The festival features a plenitude of food, vendors, carnival rides and entertainment.
12. Stepping Stones Museum
With hands-on exhibits and instructive programming, Stepping Stones Museum for Children ignites a child’s love of learning through play. With 100 activities spread over five main galleries, children’s ever-growing minds will venture to stimulating new places.
13. Gallaher Mansion & Cranbury Park
This 220-acre park is a great place to spend the day. Situated on the former estate of Edward Gallaher, the park offers a disc golf course, hiking trails, gardens, playgrounds, dog walking and the White Barn Theater. You can also tour the mansion itself, a 20-room Tudor-style manor house.
14. SoNo August Art Festival
Norwalk’s annual Arts Festival features live bands, free museum admission, and a children’s crafts table staffed by volunteer artists. The festival occurs in the center of town, and is a great way to spend a summer afternoon.
15. Veterans Memorial Park
Situated on 35 acres of stunning land, the park includes a marina and boat launch site, a playground, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, sports fields and trails for jogging and bike riding. The park also includes a boardwalk overlooking the scenic Norwalk harbor.
16. Farmers’ Market
Finding farm-fresh produce and artisan goods will never be a problem. Norwalk hosts six farmers’ markets each week in various locations around the city. Stopping by is a great way to connect to the community and get high-quality, locally sourced groceries.
17. Fourth Of July Fireworks
Calf Pasture Beach knows how to put on a spectacular fireworks show. If you buy tickets early, you can watch the fireworks from the beach, where you’ll have the perfect view of the fireworks bursting over Long Island Sound.
18. Annual NICE Festival
Norwalk International Cultural Exchange (NICE) presents a multi-cultural summer music, food, and dance festival. The day-long event is filled with a diverse set of cultural performances, food, crafts and interactive family activities.
19. Shakespeare on the Sound
The works of William Shakespeare come to life in an open-air setting in the always breathtaking Pinkley Park. The show runs for two full weeks at the end of June, with a kids’ version performed before each show.
20. Music Theater of CT
Music Theater of CT is the premier provider of musical theater performance and training. Founded in 1987, MTC produces an annual series of Equity productions featuring NY professionals (MTC MainStage), numerous annual student productions and much more.
21. Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum
America’s first chateau: This 62-room Victorian mansion with stenciled walls, inlaid woodwork and spectacular skylit rotunda is a National Historic Landmark. Visit their website for information about guided tours and events.
22. Annual Boat Show
The Norwalk Boat Show has been cruising into the Norwalk Harbor every September for the past 43 years. This show offers water lovers an all-access pass to discover why life is better on a boat. It features more than 300 boats to explore and tons of demos of boating equipment and accessories.
23. Mill Hill Historic Park
Mill Hill Historic Park is located in East Norwalk and is comprised of three historic buildings dating back to 1740. The meeting house, also known as “Norwalk Town House,” is now the home of Norwalk Historical Society, which maintains the property. The museum features antiques, exhibits on local history, and a gift shop with items from local artist.
24. Switch Tower Museum
Want to know what it’s like to be a train conductor? Step inside the SoNo Switch Tower Museum. Staged in a restored switch tower from 1896, this museum tells the story of how operators once manually controlled the safety of more than 700 trains per day.
25. Norwalk Community College
The second largest community college in the state, this center of learning offers degrees and continuing education courses for all ages.
26. Stew Leonard’s
Originally a small dairy store founded in 1969 with seven employees, Stew Leonard’s has grown to become not only the World’s Largest Dairy Store, but one of the most renowned grocery stores offering an unique experience including costumed characters, animatronics and a petting zoo. Headquartered in Norwalk, Stew’s has stores in Danbury and Newington, CT, Yonkers, Farmingdale and East Meadow, NY.
27. Summer Concerts
Free outdoor concerts at Calf Pasture Beach. Hear all genres of music, from EDM to down-home blues. Fridays includes cartoon movies and other family-friendly films starting at 7 p.m.
28. Sono Field House
The Sono Field House is a 52,000-square foot indoor sports and special events facility located in the heart of Fairfield County. It offers youth and adult league play, youth camps for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, baseball/softball, football, and much more.
29. Oak Hills Golf Course
The 18-hole, par 17 golf course at Oak Hills Park in Norwalk, Connecticut features 6,407 yards of golf from the back tees. The layout offers an assortment naturally designed holes and presents a variety of challenging shots for golfers of all skill levels.
30. Community Gardens
Fodor Farm Garden is Norwalk’s first city-run community garden. The garden, at the site of Fodor Farm, is one of the last working farms in southern Norwalk, and was created through a joint effort by Norwalk’s Recreation and Parks Department, Health Department and Historical Commission.
