“Explore Fairfield County” is an informational series that provides a glimpse into the wonderful towns and cities in Fairfield County. Fairfield County is diverse, including big cities, tiny suburbs, beaches, farms, and busy highways. It covers a large geographic area and, because of this, it has a lot to offer families! To help you get the most out of Fairfield County, our contributors have shared the top things they love about each local area. To read more in this series, click here.
Norwalk, established as a town in 1649, is home to about 94,000 people. Although only a portion of Norwalk is situated along the Long Island Sound coastline, its history is steeped in oystering, giving it the nickname “Oyster Town.” Located about 45 miles northeast of New York City and a few short miles from New Canaan, Wilton, and Westport, Norwalk has three Metro North train stations and easy access to I95, Routes 1 and 7, and the Merritt, making transportation quite convenient.
Norwalk’s public school system includes 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, and four high schools. Each school specializes in various programs, from Spanish/English dual language to STEM to Bank Street curriculum to International Baccalaureate. The district prides itself on offering school choice via lotteries. Norwalk is also home to some early education/pre-K programs, private and parochial schools, and Norwalk Community College. This city is a wonderful place to settle down and raise your kids.
Neighborhood Diversity
With its various neighborhoods, such as West Norwalk, East Norwalk, South Norwalk, Rowayton, Cranbury, Broad River, Wolfpit, etc., you get a different vibe wherever you go. It is not surprising that many people from New York City move here, nor is it surprising that many residents who were raised in Norwalk never want to leave.
SoNo offers the downtown feel with restaurants, bars, art galleries, and cool buildings, some renovated from warehouses and some with amazing rooftop views. Be sure to try Match, Washington Prime, Mecha, Blind Rhino, and Lazy Sister.
Rowayton is a quaint neighborhood, nestled along the waterfront, home to three beaches (enjoy a fancy date night at Rowayton Seafood and reserve a time around sunset). Cranbury, close to Wilton, is more tucked away in the woods. The other neighborhoods have more of a suburban feel with sidewalks, each with its flavor. From farm-to-table restaurants like Oak and Almond and Tavern at Gray Barns to a community garden at Fodor Farm, playing tourist in your own town is fun!
Constant Revitalization
Over the past few years, the city has invested a lot of money into making Norwalk a more desirable and exciting place to live. Several new luxury buildings have been built in the WayPoint and SoNo districts, within walking distance of many shops and restaurants.
The SoNo Collection, right off exit 14 on I95, is a mall that offers designer stores like Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, and Apple. One of the best restaurants in Norwalk, Jacob’s Pickles, is located on the mall’s sidewalk level. The mall also has a rooftop garden, many art installations, and a bowling alley called Pinstripes.
To create more of a social scene, businesses like SoNo1420, a distillery with unique cocktails, and SpaceCat Brewing Company, a craft brewery, have also set up shop in South Norwalk! A bit further away, but still technically in SoNo, is 314 Beer Garden, a massive outdoor space where you can play yard games and listen to live music. They have delicious wood-fired pizza and often have theme days where characters from kids’ movies or TV shows visit.
District Music Hall on Wall Street was recently refurbished, adding more entertainment and culture to the city with concerts. The Wall Street area surrounding the theatre has also been built up and hosts a Winter Wonderland holiday celebration. Some great restaurants and bars to try in this area include Greer Southern Table, Alma Bistro, Troupe429, and Flying Scotsman.
The Norwalk Public Library, Main Branch
The main library is located on Belden Avenue, and the children’s section encompasses the entire second floor, with an impressive collection of books. There’s a tall wraparound fish tank, train table, dollhouse, play kitchen, several couches and bean bags, and even a tilt-a-whirl chair. For more quiet fun, they have bags of vehicles, dinosaurs, and sensory items that your children can borrow during their visit!
On the first floor, adult patrons can check out more than books. There is the seed library (you can take seed packets of flowers, fruits, and vegetables for free!) and a MakerSpace studio where you can book an appointment to use any equipment, ranging from 3-D printers to a Cricut machine.
Stepping Stones Museum and Devon’s Place in Mathews Park
Stepping Stones is a popular children’s museum that boasts an awesome water room (tip: for toddlers, put the provided jacket on backward so they can stay extra dry.), an enclosed play area for non-walkers, a multi-media room, and an indoor treehouse and slide. The exhibit room changes about four times a year. Another insider tip: the museum opens early for members on Saturdays, so buying a membership pays for itself when you beat the crowds!
Devon’s Place is at the end of the parking lot, a great playground for kids of all ages. There are little cabins and a lighthouse for make-believe games or snacking. One area is designed for older kids, another for younger kids, and a splash pad is beside picnic tables.
Calf Pasture Beach
From mini-golf to a state-of-the-art splash pad to the renovated playgrounds to the delicious seafood options (and drinks) at Ripka’s Cafe and Sunset Grille, Calf Pasture Beach is basically a vacation in itself. Its paths span miles and are very accessible for strollers. You can enjoy the boardwalk and watch the fishermen, take in some history at the Shea-Macgrath Memorial, and if you’re a dog lover, you can head over to the massive dog park. You can rent kayaks, take boat cruises, and even bring your gear to a skateboard park! There’s plenty of nightly entertainment with movies, concerts, and a spectacular fireworks show for the Fourth of July.
Stew Leonard’s (The Original Store!)
For those of you who have never been to a Stew Leonard’s supermarket, it’s basically an amusement park meets fresh produce shop, and this location is where it all began! Farm characters like Stewie the Duck and Clover the Cow wander through the aisles, stopping to hug your children. As you push your cart, your kids look up to see performing milk cartons and produce (you’ll very quickly memorize their songs!), a somersaulting Mickey Mouse, and an electronic train. Spend $100, which is inevitable, and get free ice cream (or coffee). In warmer months, you can visit a small farm with goats, cows, ducks, sheep, and chickens in the parking lot.
Great holiday events are held throughout the year and are open to all customers. Finally, if you want to throw a fun and affordable birthday party for your child but the planning aspect stresses you out, book one at Stew’s! Their friendly staff takes care of everything from entertainment to food to decorations.
Cranbury Park
This park is a hidden oasis of over 200 acres. It has a pristine lawn of the greenest grass, wooded trails that are awesome for baby-wearing walks, and a magical tree you can walk into! You’ll often see artists painting and butterflies fluttering by. There’s even a Frisbee golf course! There’s a roofed pavilion with numerous picnic tables and two small playgrounds. The beautiful Gallaher Mansion’s accompanying sculpture garden is the perfect backdrop for professional photos or a wedding venue.
The Maritime Aquarium
Otters, meerkats, seals, oh my! That’s just three of the 300 species that this fantastic aquarium has! Who knew frogs could be so many different colors? Who knew sharks don’t like to go near the air bubbles of divers? No matter your age, there is something for everyone, be it an animal, event, or activity! If you’re feeling stressed, sit in the dark at the jellyfish exhibit and be soothed by the changing lights that make them glow. If your kids need to get their energy out, take them to the indoor play area. There’s a 4D immersive theater, and the cafe offers affordable and delicious meals.
Depending on the season, you may find Santa on a fishing boat (or diving into the shark tank), special exhibits with butterflies or flamingos, or Seal Spotting and Birding Cruises. With a membership, you can enjoy after-hours events like Trick-or-Treating, interactive scavenger hunts, and wine parties!
An Abundance of Arts
Residents have many opportunities to appreciate and participate in the arts, both visual and performing. For music lovers, there are the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, the nationally acclaimed high school marching bands, and even recording studios like Factory Underground Studio.
For those wanting to experience stage productions, check out the classes and shows run by Crystal Theatre or Rising Stars Performing Arts. Each summer, Shakespeare on the Sound puts on one of the Bard’s plays in Rowayton’s Pinkney Park. Dancers can train at several places throughout the city, including The Spot at Just Dance Studios (where Charli D’Amelio started her career), Norwalk Academy of Dance, and Dance Dimensions. And there is also The Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts, which college-age performers should consider.
FiveFingaz, a local artist who created Love More than Ever, spreads joy throughout the city with family-friendly graffiti classes at Art Monster Studio, pop-up exhibits, and school visits.
Finally, the Norwalk Art Space opened in 2021. This peaceful and inspiring space is a museum, cafe, classroom, and artists’ workshop. The physical layout of the building invites contemplation, and there is often some interactive component to the current exhibition.
Oyster Festival
In early September, the Norwalk Seaport Association hosts this weekend-long event at Veteran’s Park (by the way, there is a brand new playground here with a pirate ship!). There are dozens of carnival rides, emergency vehicles for kids to climb in, and too many concessions to choose from. Of course, you need to taste some of the city’s famous oysters!
Last but not least, it is home to the BEST casual outdoor eateries.
Valencia Luncheria, a Venezuelan restaurant known for its vast menu of arepas and empanadas (it appeared on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives!), has incredible frose (rose slushies!). Sit at one of the picnic tables and dip your feet in the sand.
Overton’s Seafood is your quintessential New England waterfront food stand. The lobster roll is succulent and well-priced, and the onion rings are a crispy taste of heaven. Bring your food tray to the deck, which overlooks a marina, and enjoy the overall experience!
Right down the street from Overton’s is Mr. Frosty’s, which has the best homemade ice cream. The flavors are so fun; they’re always experimenting with different ingredients, so you must keep coming back to try their newest creation!
Sold me on this place! And the pictures are great!