Locals and out-of-towners alike frequent Norwalk's many beaches. Calf Pasture Beach is the place to see and be seen, particularly in the summer. Grab some soft serve at the Sunset Grille and watch the sun set over the water. If you'd prefer a quieter seaside experience, Rowayton Beach is also a great place to soak up some sun without the crowds.
For a quick commute to New York City, Norwalk is the place to be. With express trains leaving on the hour, it's a great location for city-goers. Pro-tip: For the quickly bored, the train ride is exactly the length of a "Game of Thrones" episode. I should know--I pretty much watched all of second season in a week thanks to my commute. In other words, winter may be coming, but it will be doing it very conveniently.
The Norwalk Oyster Festival is an annual fair that takes place on the first weekend after Labor Day in Veterans Park, near Long Island Sound. The festival celebrates the history of the oyster industry in Norwalk, but it's basically a three-day party where you dig into some excellent seafood. The average annual attendance exceeds 90,000 and the festival features various forms of food, vendors, carnival rides, and entertainment. When it's happening you can't miss it, you can hear the celebration from miles away.
If you're looking for an excellent sushi bar, go to Kazu. Seriously. It's one of the top-rated restaurants in Norwalk thanks to its delicious fresh sushi and reasonable prices. The Lady Love roll is not to be missed.
Flickr user Chalky Lives
To be able to enjoy exceptional and authentic tapas without the hassle of a transatlantic flight is rare--and to do it in Connecticut is even rarer. However, that's exactly what you'll get at Barcelona. Try the croquettes, you'll think you're actually in Spain.Estia on Washington Street recently opened--and we are oh-so glad they did. Estia specializes in authentic Greek food, so everything is delicious. Be sure to try their mouth-watering fried feta, drizzled with honey and don't forget to order the baklava for dessert!
Norwalk's Garden Cinemas is the perfect alternative to the big theater chains and has a great selection of indie films, usually only screened in larger cities. It is cash only (how retro), so come prepared.
What do you crave on a night out on the town? Hit up Burger Bar for a cheap beer and a bite to eat. Dance the night away at Black Bear (don't miss their $2 Taco and Tequila Tuesdays!). Or keep it classy with a cocktail or two at the Loft Martini Lounge. Norwalk's nightlife really does have something for everyone.
According to bestplaces.net, future job growth in Norwalk over the next 10 years is predicted to be over 32 percent. With job opportunities growing quickly, young professionals are finding Norwalk the perfect place to live. Norwalk was rated in the top 10 percent for well-paid single men and in the top 11 percent for well-paid single women when compared with other similarly-sized cities. In other words, there are some well-off folks in Norwalk who are single and ready to mingle!
Most Norwalkians will tell you Sean "P.Diddy" Combs is a regular here. He is the spokesperson for Ciroc, the famous vodka, which is proudly bottled in Norwalk. Combs will occasionally come to Norwalk on his private helicopter, landing on the roof of the Diageo Liquors building. Norwalk's got swag!
Everyone from Norwalk enjoys Post Road Diner. With its 1950s feel, PRD will take you back to the good old days, while you drink a milkshake at the diner counter. Because it's open 24 hours a day, anytime is a perfect time to grab one of their incredible farmer's omelets.
Valencia used to have a small storefront and four outdoor tables, so it was always packed--but worth the 30 minute wait. They've since moved across the street and added a full bar and tons of new seating, but they are still in high demand. But when you have the world's best empanadas, what else would you expect? Try their beef empanadas followed by a decadent dessert empanada and then top it off with one of their excellent drink specials. You're welcome.
The whole wheat croissants at SoNo Baking Company are some of the best you'll ever taste. Not to mention, SoNo Baking Co. has healthy, and delicious options for breakfast and lunch, along with a variety of mouth-watering pastries.
Cranbury Park, with its giant willow tree and hidden butterfly garden, is a great place to take a date. Cuddle up on a blanket underneath a tree, walk the grounds and visit the butterflies up close. It's a must-see in the Spring.
Cranbury Park Disc Golf via Facebook
This mix of ultimate Frisbee and golf is becoming increasingly popular with Norwalkians. The city boasts its very own disc golf course near Cranbury Park, which is frequented by locals and is a great place to visit for a pick-up game. You can also always join the local disc golf league.Dolce, a hidden gem of Norwalk, is a natural place to getaway and relax. It is an old monastery that has been converted into a conference center. However, the grounds are open to visitors and are absolutely beautiful. If you visit in the spring or summer, you can observe the lilies on the pond, feed the ducks and turtles, and take a walk in the woods.
This is a café that you can't leave Norwalk without visiting at least once--especially if you have a sweet tooth. SoNo Caffeine is located conveniently in South Norwalk's historic district on Washington Street. Stop by to try one of Caffeine's incredible Cookies and Cream Frozen Frappes made with real cookies. Caution: they may be addictive.
Veteran's Memorial Park and Marina is situated on 35 acres of stunning land. The park includes a marina and boat launch site, a playground, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, soccer, hockey, and football fields and trails for jogging and bike riding. The park also includes a boardwalk overlooking the scenic Norwalk harbor.
Source: Cameron Glendenning/Discovery
Norwalk's famous boat show at the Norwalk Cove Marina prides itself on being the most popular in the northeast. Last year, Johnathan Hillstrand, featured on the Discovery Channel's top-rated reality series "Deadliest Catch," was at the show to meet and greet fans. When the Norwalk Cove Marina isn't hosting its famous boat show, you can take kayaking, sailing, power-boating, and paddle-boarding lessons, so you'll be ready for any water adventure.Not nearly as provincial as it sounds, Calf Pasture Beach knows how to put on a spectacular fireworks show on the Fourth of July. If you buy tickets early, you can watch the fireworks from the beach, where you'll have the perfect view of the fireworks launched from boats on the water. Better yet, head to Harbor View to celebrate. The private beach, fireflies, the smell of barbeque, and a neighborly atmosphere will give you a quintessential Fourth of July experience.
Nothing beats a good old fashioned town rivalry. In Norwalk, only a bridge and part of a highway separates the South and East parts of town. Both claim that their side of the bridge is "the place to be." However, those in the know, realize SoNo is the clear choice. With its many shops, proximity to the water, and multitude of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants, "SoNo" wins hands down.
If you're the kind of person that likes going into small, quirky mom-and-pop shops, then South Norwalk will thrill you. Stop by Bead Works for some artisan beads or handmade jewelry, and then walk across the street to Chocopologie to pick up an artisan dessert sauce, like Crème Brulee or Chocolate Dulce De Leche.
Norwalk is situated conveniently 15-20 minutes from three, huge malls: Westfield Trumbull Mall, Stamford Town Center, and Danbury Fair Mall. Basically, any retail store you can possibly imagine is just a short drive away.
A franchise unique to Connecticut (and now one location in New York) Stew Leonard's is a hilarious adventure of a grocery store experience. You can't beat Stew Leonard's in Norwalk: great produce, amazing free samples, the best oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Oh, and let's not forget the petting zoo with farm animals and the fake farm animals singing and dancing while you shop.
You can't truly experience Norwalk without a visit to the Maritime Aquarium. The aquarium sits on the water and has tons of aquatic life to watch and learn about--plus it has stingray and jellyfish petting zoos! The Aquarium offers great science education programs for kids, plus it has an awesome IMAX theater where you can catch blockbuster films year-round.
If you didn't get your seal fix in at Maritime Aquarium, head over to Sheffield Island. With its historic lighthouse, cookout space, and beaches, there is a whole other part of Norwalk to explore just a ferry ride away.
Head to our European-style farmer's market for delicious food, live music and wonderful shopping inside a rustic, restyled warehouse. The market takes place every weekend, with local vendors selling food, artisan crafts, and drinks. Recently, the market added a Winter Beer Garden, which features over 20 craft beer selections.
The SoNo Arts Celebration, held in mid-summer, attracts people of all ages to come celebrate SoNo's vibrant art scene. Check out local musicians, the work of local artists and photographers, or join in with Norwalk's dancers. Refreshments and snacks like kettle corn and ice cream are available up and down the streets. This family-friendly event also features the Children's Art Playground where kids are given the chance to make some art of their own.
A brand new 130,000 square foot apartment building is going up on the corner of Washington Ave. and Water Street. 20 North Water Street apartments will be an excellent location to live because the nightlife, great restaurants, quirky shops, and the Maritime Aquarium will be right outside your door. The best part? Many of the apartments will have waterfront views of the Norwalk River.
Norwalk is known for its diversity and is ranked in the top 5 percent for racial diversity compared to other Connecticut cities. Norwalk is filled with vibrant people from a vast number of different cultures, religions, races, and backgrounds, and prides itself on being a welcoming community for all.
