Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Norwalk, Connecticut

Summary

The Maritime Aquarium
Stepping Stones Museum for Children
Lockwood-Mathews Mansion
Sheffield Island Ferry
Sheffield Island Lighthouse
SoNo
Norwalk Oyster Festival
Norwalk Historical Society Museum
Mill Hill Historic Park
Wall Street Theater
Calf Pasture Beach
Compo Beach
SoNo Switch Tower Museum
Oyster Shell Park
Norwalk Boat Show

Located in the far west of Connecticut, Norwalk is situated by the waters of Long Island Sound.

Founded in the mid-17th century, Norwalk has experienced both prosperity and adversity. One significant low point in its history was the destruction of the town by British forces during the Revolutionary War.

Calf Pasture Beach, the landing site for British troops, is now among the numerous serene locations to relax by the water.

Affectionately referred to as Oyster Town, this city boasts a rich connection to marine life. The local oyster industry is celebrated every September with a vibrant festival.

During the summer months, visitors can embark on cruises to the small islands located just offshore. Additionally, a variety of attractions and museums await exploration, including the Maritime Aquarium, the splendid Lockwood-Mathews Mansion, and the Stepping Stones Museum for Children.

Without further delay, here is an overview of the 15 best attractions in Norwalk.

1. The Maritime Aquarium

This aquarium offers an exceptional experience with 75 live exhibits featuring over 2,700 marine animals from 300 different species.

Your journey begins in the rivers and marshes that supply Long Island Sound before venturing into the vast ocean. Along the way, you will encounter harbor seals, river otters, jellyfish, sharks, and loggerhead turtles.

The aquarium includes three touch tanks that allow visitors to feel the textures of various creatures such as nurse sharks, stingrays, and starfish, an interactive element that particularly delights younger visitors.

Additionally, an IMAX Theater features a 10,000 watt digital sound system with a gigantic screen measuring six stories high and eight stories wide.

Moreover, opportunities for birdwatching, seal spotting, and marine life exploration aboard the museum’s research vessel, R/V Spirit of the Sound, utilizing a quiet hybrid/electric propulsion system, are available.

2. Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Established in 2000 in Mathews Park, this museum promotes hands-on learning for children through a variety of interactive educational zones aimed at fostering creativity, curiosity, and engagement.

Exhibits such as the Energy Lab introduce concepts of energy science through engaging activities, while Express Yourself focuses on social-emotional learning, and Build It! familiarizes children with the fundamentals of construction and architectural design.

A captivating kinetic sculpture titled Color Coaster by artist George Rhoads captures the attention of both adults and children. Outdoors, the Celebration Courtyard features an expansive open-air tent and an eco-friendly play surface.

3. Lockwood-Mathews Mansion

This impressive country house was constructed between 1865 and 1868 by railroad and banking magnate LeGrand Lockwood (1820-1872). It now serves as the centerpiece of Mathews Park, adjacent to Stepping Stones.

Designated as a National Historic Landmark since 1978, the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion represents one of the earliest examples of Second Empire-style architecture in the United States.

Having been successfully preserved after a lengthy campaign against its demolition during the 1960s, the mansion has been fully restored inside and outside. The exquisite wrought iron cresting on the roof and above the porch particularly caught my attention.

At its inception, the mansion boasted modern amenities for its time, including gas lighting, both hot and cold plumbing, and ventilation systems. Notably, it was revealed that the central heating system operated on a daily consumption of a ton of coal.

Guided tours of the refined interiors are available from early April to early January. Each tour reveals the history of the various rooms and the notable figures who inhabited them.

As of the time of writing, the mansion was undergoing a scheduled renovation that was set to last an entire year.

4. Sheffield Island Ferry

Departing from a dock on the west bank of the Norwalk River, directly across from Veterans’ Memorial Park, the ferry provides access to the Norwalk Islands within Long Island Sound.

During peak summer months, ferries operate daily, with additional trips scheduled on weekends.

The journey lasts approximately 45 minutes as it glides past the various islands within this archipelago. During transit, the captain highlights landmarks on both sides of Long Island Sound, along with the Manhattan skyline if visibility permits.

Upon arriving, visitors are afforded 90 minutes on Sheffield Island, where one can explore the lighthouse, enjoy a picnic, hike trails, and search the shoreline for shells, sea glass, and horseshoe crabs.

5. Sheffield Island Lighthouse

The primary destination of the ferry to Sheffield Island is the historic lighthouse, which has existed in its current form since 1868.

This sturdy limestone structure was built as a replacement for a 30-foot tower erected in 1828, featuring a beacon in its gable.

Since 2011, the lighthouse has operated on solar power, serving an emblematic purpose directed at the Norwalk side of Long Island Sound.

A guided tour of the building provides fascinating anecdotes, and visitors can ascend to the rail at the top where views of the Manhattan skyline can be enjoyed on a clear day.

6. SoNo

Once an independent city until 1913, South Norwalk, commonly known as SoNo, is a dynamic neighborhood renowned for its diverse offerings in dining, arts, shopping, and entertainment.

The museums mentioned above are located within SoNo, as well as numerous galleries and studios that participate in the SoNo Arts Festival each August.

With over 30 dining options, the culinary scene is notably international, offering selections ranging from sushi and empanadas to clam chowder, fish tacos, poke, roti, and classic grilled cheese.

One aspect that stood out to me about this area is the abundance of independent retailers, including design stores, specialty food shops, jewelers, and more.

7. Norwalk Oyster Festival

Every year, during the first weekend following Labor Day, Oyster Town commemorates its long-standing oyster industry while supporting various charitable causes.

At the time of this writing, the Norwalk Oyster Festival was celebrating more than 50 years of tradition. The three-day event showcases live music, arts and crafts, and a plethora of engaging activities for children, along with ample oysters.

Festivities include an international food court, a craft beer tent, and even an oyster slurping contest, alongside performances such as the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show and acts by the Nerveless Nocks.

A range of fairground rides and amusements awaits visitors, including Kids’ Cove, featuring its own rides, games, and entertainment tailored for children.

Family Day falls on Sunday, offering discounts on admission, rides, and food for families with children.

Notable past performers at the Norwalk Oyster Festival have included Little Richard, Tito Puente, Willie Nelson, The Monkees, and Cheap Trick.

8. Norwalk Historical Society Museum

This museum, dedicated to chronicling Norwalk’s history, is housed in the historic red brick Georgian Revival structure known as Lockwood House, which was constructed in 1973, funded by Manice deForest Lockwood and his cousin Julia Belden Lockwood.

The museum’s collections, which were temporarily relocated in the 1990s, were reinstated here upon the opening of the Norwalk Historical Society Museum in 2015.

During my recent visit, I observed a series of concurrent exhibitions. Among these, the photography exhibit “Self and the World” captivated me. It showcases 19th-century photography from Norwalk, presented in formats ranging from daguerreotypes to the early Kodak camera.

9. Mill Hill Historic Park

The Norwalk Historical Society operates a second location on the east bank of the Norwalk River, where Mill Hill Park functions as a living history museum, featuring three buildings that are up to 280 years old.

The Town House, built in 1835, served as a venue for civic meetings and was among the first buildings in Norwalk constructed from brick.

Today, the Town House continues to be a community focal point, hosting social events, meetings, and displays showcasing local historic artifacts.

A rare survivor from the 1779 Burning of Norwalk, the Governor Thomas Fitch Law Office (built in 1740) is part of the kitchen wing from Governor Fitch’s residence and contains period furnishings that reflect its historical significance.

The Downtown District Schoolhouse, constructed in 1826, was relocated to Mill Hill Park when the construction of I-95 cut through East Norwalk.

Adjacent to these historical buildings is the city’s third-oldest cemetery, where family plots were granted to Norwalk’s earliest settlers.

10. Wall Street Theater

Established in 1915, the Wall Street Theater has undergone several transformations over the past century, changing ownership numerous times.

During its early years, illustrious performers such as Lillian Gish, Mary Pickford, and John Barrymore graced the stage.

The venue transitioned to a movie theater in the 1930s but also hosted boxing matches and concerts, featuring artists like Elvis Presley.

Currently, the Wall Street Theater primarily serves as a live music venue, hosting renowned touring bands, solo artists across various genres, as well as numerous tribute performances.

11. Calf Pasture Beach

This historic beach and park serves as the site for Norwalk’s annual Fourth of July fireworks, located on the namesake peninsula.

In the 17th century, Calf Pasture was designated by Connecticut colony settlers as pasture land for cattle.

Significantly, during the Revolutionary War in 1779, this beach was a strategic landing site and encampment for 2,600 British troops led by William Tryon, which resulted in the near-total destruction of the city.

Highlights of the beach include a spacious shoreline and a picturesque fishing pier, along with features such as a playground, splash pad, and spaces for softball, volleyball, skating, and bocce.

The Norwalk Sailing School offers kayak and sailboat rentals and provides small craft safety training to the community.

12. Compo Beach

Located just across the border in Westport, this idyllic beach is complemented by 30 acres of scenic parkland. Compo Beach lies only 15 minutes by car from the primary attractions of Norwalk, making it a worthwhile inclusion on this list.

Bordered to the west by the Saugatuck River, Compo Beach features a boardwalk, a large wooden playground, lockers, restrooms, a concession stand, and two beach volleyball courts.

Lifeguards patrol the beach daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM during the period from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Additionally, numerous sports facilities can be found behind the beach, including two illuminated basketball courts, a skate park, and an open skate area, as well as a softball field. It is important to note there is a significant parking fee during the summer season.

13. SoNo Switch Tower Museum

The New Haven Railroad once traversed much of southern New England between 1872 and 1968, operating over 2,000 miles of railway by 1912.

A fascinating remnant from the 1890s exists at 77 Washington Street in South Norwalk, where an original switch tower has been preserved as a museum adjacent to the tracks.

Open from May to October, rail enthusiasts can visit on weekends from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Inside the museum, visitors can view the sole surviving Armstrong lever machine in Connecticut.

A delightful experience for me was observing passing trains and envisioning the tower in its operational glory days.

14. Oyster Shell Park

Oyster Shell Park offers a scenic vantage point for viewing the harbor and the waterfronts on both the eastern and western banks of the Norwalk River.

Completely renovated in the 2010s, it is difficult to imagine that this site served as a landfill until 1979.

Today, the park features the Norwalk River Valley Trail, a hilltop plaza, a children’s playground, and a well-maintained disc golf course. It is conveniently located within walking distance of the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion and the Maritime Aquarium.

15. Norwalk Boat Show

Taking place at Norwalk Cove Marina on the landward side of Calf Pasture Peninsula, the Norwalk Boat Show is a significant event in the city’s calendar.

The show attracts major exhibitors, including well-known companies like Geico, Progressive, Discover Boating, Corona, and Coors.

Over the span of four days toward the end of September, attendees can enjoy a variety of activities. For example, guests can watch demonstrations featuring high-speed racing boats, participate in stand-up paddleboarding and kayak sessions at the Try it Cove, and enhance their boating skills through on-water clinics.

The event also offers children’s activities such as a dedicated mini-lake for boating and boat-building workshops where kids can design and create their own vessels. During my visit, I observed a remarkable display of antique boats dating back to the mid-20th century.

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