Norwalk Travel Guide

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Nestled in the picturesque Connecticut region, the city of Norwalk is a hidden gem that offers a blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. Located just an hour's drive from New York City, Norwalk serves as an ideal destination for both locals and tourists seeking a relaxing getaway.

One of the main attractions in Norwalk is its stunning coastline. The city boasts several pristine beaches, such as Calf Pasture Beach and Shady Beach, where visitors can soak up the sun, swim in the crystal-clear waters, or simply take a leisurely stroll along the sandy shores. For those looking for a more adventurous experience, kayaking and paddleboarding are popular activities in Norwalk's calm and scenic waters.

Norwalk is also known for its vibrant arts scene. The city is home to the renowned Maritime Aquarium, which showcases a diverse range of marine life and offers interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages. Additionally, the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, a National Historic Landmark, provides a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Gilded Age. Art enthusiasts will also appreciate the numerous galleries and studios scattered throughout the city, showcasing the works of talented local artists.

Food lovers will find themselves in culinary heaven in Norwalk. The city offers a wide array of dining options, ranging from trendy farm-to-table restaurants to cozy waterfront eateries. Visitors can indulge in fresh seafood delicacies, savor international flavors, or simply enjoy a classic American meal with a twist. Norwalk's vibrant dining scene is sure to satisfy even the most discerning palates.

Nature enthusiasts will be delighted by Norwalk's expansive parks and nature reserves. The 100-acre Cranbury Park offers picturesque walking trails, scenic picnic spots, and even a dog park for four-legged companions. Norwalk's abundant green spaces provide the perfect backdrop for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and birdwatching.

Alternative names: Population: 88.5 thous.Area: 36.37 mi²Elevation: 23 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 41°6'35"N, 73°24'59"W

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Norwalk Top Attractions

Norwalk Attractions - What to See and Explore

Norwalk offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Cranbury Park, Calf Pasture Beach, Stepping Stones Museum for Children. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Aquarium • Park • Zoo
Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is an aquarium located in the South Norwalk section of Norwalk, Connecticut. The aquarium features harbor seals, river otters, sharks, jellyfish, loggerhead turtles, and hundreds of other animals living in re-creations of their natural Long Island Sound habitats.
Park • Playground
Cranbury Park
Cranbury Park is the largest public park in Norwalk, Connecticut. It is located in northern Norwalk, on the former Gallaher Estate, a 227-acre country estate developed in the 1920s by Edward Beach Gallaher, an important figure in the early American automobile industry.
Beach • Park • Outdoor activities
Calf Pasture Beach
Calf Pasture Beach is a historically significant park and beach in Norwalk, Connecticut. The area of the park lands is approximately.45 square miles.

Museum • Children's museum • Office
Stepping Stones Museum for Children
Stepping Stones Museum for Children is a hands-on children's museum for ages 10 and under located at 303 West Avenue, in the Central section of Norwalk, Connecticut.
Museum • Historical place • History museum
Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum
The Lockwood–Mathews Mansion is a Second Empire style country house in Norwalk, Connecticut. Now a museum, it was built in 1864-68 for railroad and banking magnate LeGrand Lockwood.
Cemetery • East Norwalk
East Norwalk Historical Cemetery
Established in c. 1655, the East Norwalk Historical Cemetery is Norwalk's oldest cemetery, and many of the area's first settlers are buried there.
Boat or ferry • Transport • Lighthouse
Sheffield Island Light
Sheffield Island Light is a historic lighthouse located at the southern end of the Norwalk Islands in Norwalk, Connecticut. It marks the west side of the mouth of the Norwalk River on northern Long Island Sound.
Church • Gothic Revival architecture
Saint Mary Church
St. Mary is a Roman Catholic church in Norwalk, Connecticut, part of the Diocese of Bridgeport. As the first Catholic Church in Norwalk from which three other parishes developed, St. Mary's is considered the Mother Church of Norwalk.
Church • Gothic Revival architecture
Saint Joseph Church
St. Joseph is a Roman Catholic church in South Norwalk, Connecticut, part of the Diocese of Bridgeport.
Bridge
Norwalk River
The Norwalk River Railroad Bridge is a swing bridge built in 1896 for the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. It currently carries Amtrak and Metro-North Railroad trains over the Norwalk River.
Nightlife • Entertainment district • Dancing
South Norwalk
South Norwalk is a neighborhood and the Second Taxing District in Norwalk, Connecticut. The neighborhood was originally a settlement called 'Old Well' which became chartered as the city of 'South Norwalk' on August 18, 1870.
Church • Romanesque architecture
Saint Thomas the Apostle Church
St. Thomas the Apostle is a Roman Catholic church in Norwalk, Connecticut, part of the Diocese of Bridgeport. The Parish of St. Thomas the Apostle was established in 1935.
Church • Tracy Area
St. Philip Church
St. Philip is a Roman Catholic church in Norwalk, Connecticut, part of the Diocese of Bridgeport.
Bridge
Yankee Doodle Bridge
The Yankee Doodle Bridge carries Interstate 95 over the Norwalk River in Norwalk in the U.S. state of Connecticut.
Church • Romanesque architecture • Art Nouveau architecture
St. Ladislaus Church
St.Ladislaus is a Roman Catholic church in South Norwalk, Connecticut, part of the Diocese of Bridgeport.
Museum • Cemetery • Architecture
Mill Hill Historic Park
Mill Hill Historic Park in Norwalk, Connecticut is a living history museum composed of three buildings: the circa 1740 Governor Thomas Fitch IV "law office", the circa 1826 Downtown District Schoolhouse, and the 1835 Norwalk Town Hall; as well as a historic cemetery also called the Town House Hill Cemetery.
Church • West Norwalk
St. Matthew Church
St. Matthew is a Roman Catholic church in Norwalk, Connecticut, part of the Diocese of Bridgeport.
Harbor
Norwalk Harbor
Norwalk Harbor is a recreational and commercial harbor and seaport at the estuary of the Norwalk River where it flows into Long Island Sound in Norwalk, Connecticut, United States. The last portion of the Norwalk River from the head of navigation near Wall Street in Central Norwalk to the Long Island Sound forms Norwalk Harbor.
Cemetery • Central Norwalk
Pine Island Cemetery
Pine Island Cemetery is a historical cemetery in Norwalk, Connecticut. It is the second oldest cemetery in Norwalk. The cemetery is located behind Lockwood–Mathews Mansion on Crescent Street.

Day trips

Norwalk – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Norwalk, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Discovery Museum and Planetarium (Bridgeport), Great Hollow Lake (Monroe), Beardsley Zoo (Bridgeport).

12 milesNE
Museum, Children's museum, Observatories and planetariums
Discovery Museum and Planetarium, Bridgeport
Nestled in the heart of Bridgeport, Connecticut, the Discovery Museum and Planetarium stands as a beacon of learning and exploration for individuals of all ages. This educational landmark offers a wealth of interactive exhibits and displays that ignite curiosity...
16 milesNE
Lake
Great Hollow Lake, Monroe
Nestled in the tranquil town of Monroe, Connecticut, Great Hollow Lake offers visitors a serene escape amidst nature's splendor. This picturesque lake is a cherished spot for both locals and tourists looking to enjoy outdoor activities and the peaceful surroundings.
14 milesNE
Animals from North and South America
Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport
Nestled in the heart of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Beardsley Zoo offers an enchanting wildlife experience for visitors of all ages. As the only zoo in the state, it has been a cherished destination for families, tourists, and animal lovers since its opening in 1922.
13 milesE
Arenas and stadiums, Hockey, Sport
Webster Bank Arena, Bridgeport
Total Mortgage Arena is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena in downtown Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States. Managed by the Oak View Group, the arena was built alongside the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater and opened on October 10, 2001.
6.3 miW
Museum, Art museum, History museum
Glass House, New Canaan
The Glass House, or Johnson house, is a historic house museum on Ponus Ridge Road in New Canaan, Connecticut built in 1948–49. It was designed by architect Philip Johnson as his own residence. It has been called his "signature work".

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Best Time To Visit Norwalk

Learn when is the best time to travel to Norwalk weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

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June and July are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in August.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in February. Most of it rains in March, April, May, August, September and November.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Norwalk?

The top attractions to visit in Norwalk are:

What is the best time to visit Norwalk?

June and July are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in August. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.