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WHY GO : Norwalk CT has gone through its ups and downs. But now, with newfangled restaurants and nightlife, it ’ sulfur on a definite upswing. Families come here for the award winning Stepping Stones Museum and Maritime Aquarium .
Gourmands can ’ t wait to try out the newest confederacy Norwalk bistro. And boaters and kayakers wax lyric about the islands, fishing and wildlife. No matter how you approach it, though, you ’ re constipate to find something to surprise you in this far-out Connecticut maritime town .
Combine this pickup with one equitable 15 minutes up the Connecticut Coast in Fairfield CT for more art and a fantastic boutique hotel .
Things to Do in Norwalk CT
VISIT: The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
If you haven ’ thymine been to the Maritime Aquarium in a year or two, you ’ ll be astounded by the change. go is the 19,000 gallon indoor-outdoor Seal Exhibit and in its identify an wholly indoor 160,000 gallon 2-story habitat for those swimming cuties. 
One of the largest attractions in the state, this once Long Island Sound focused aquarium, in a former 1860 ’ mho iron works factory renovated as a state-of-the-art educational kernel, draws over half a million visitors a class. recently, it has pivoted to programs on global Climate Change, and how our planet ’ second oceans influence weather and the environment .
live sharks in a 110,000 gallon tank, loggerhead turtles, seals, rays and jellyfish union a cast of other aquatic animals. Some you can pet. Others are best left behind glass .
The IMAX Theater has besides been closed, and will be demolished, due to the approaching substitution of a Metro-North railway bridge just a few yards away. now the Maritime Aquarium features a 4-D theater, which makes watching a 15-minute movie about sharks frighteningly synergistic. ( Just FYI – you WILL get wet. And poked ) .
Some newfangled exhibits are besides drawing more and more visitors here. The “ Newman ’ s Own ” funded interactional video wall is New England ’ second largest at 9 ’ X32′. Kids, ( and, ok, adults ) can “ paint ” a choice of fish or ocean creature ( out of 50 ) and then watch it swim around. I ’ ve never seen therefore many rainbow colored dolphins and flounder. ever .
Upstairs, biome exhibits from swamp to desert have monkeys, parrots, tortoises, and porcupines. But Meerkats are the leading drawing card, with their constantly argus-eyed, constantly on the go character. Time your sojourn to feeding time, when staff dole out crickets to the family tribe. interestingly, one meerkat at a prison term is always “ on duty ” – scanning the flip for predator hawk. That ’ s the rationality you ’ ll normally see one or two looking up .
ever growing, the Aquarium besides went though a multi-million dollar renovation in 2013, adding a Ray allude tank and the grossly popular “ Jiggle A Jelly. ” It ’ s a touch tank filled with, yep, benign Moon Jellyfish. ( other non-touch tanks teem with the poisonous Atlantic Sea Nettles ) .
With a state of the art movie field, traveling exhibits, and Marine Study cruises to Long Island Sound, you can spend the good part of a day learning about the region ’ mho maritime environment.The loanblend Research Vessel – the Spirit of the Sound catamaran – is quiet, green and holds doubly the number of guests as did the previous gravy boat. open daily 10 ante meridiem to 5 post meridiem, Aquarium only – $28.95 adults; $24.95 seniors (65+); and $19.95 children 3-12. (Aquarium with 4-D Theater, $35.95, $31.95, $26.95). Age 2 & under, free.
FYI: The Norwalk Maritime Aquarium is one of our 10 Perfect Places to Pop the Question in Connecticut!
prepare historians worked long and hard to preserve “ Signal Station 44. ” They removed three drivel cans wax of pigeon dope from this 1896 Switch Tower to clean it after years of decay. Climb narrow iron stairs to the buff third floor for a chance to pull the free Armstrong levers ( so named because you needed a strong arm to budge them ! ) that once moved traverse switches manually on the independent line. It ’ s a fascinate peak at hard railroad jobs before computers took over the heavy face-lift. May-Oct, Sat and Sun 12-5, free .
VISIT: Matthews Park
Trio of Attractions – Lockwood Matthews Mansion, The Center for Contemporary Printmaking and Stepping Stones Museum
This home was built by financier and railway baron LeGrand Lockwood between 1864 and 1868. It ’ south considered one of the earliest and most significant second Empire Style state houses in the United States. Spring – Dec, Wed-Sun tours at noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, $ 10 adults, under 8 free .
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The CCP features both emerging and established artists. Catch a rising star and purchase a woodcut, etching, silkscreen or lithograph for $ 75 and up. ( Take that, Art Basel ! ). Or, sign up for a 6-hour printmaking workshop and create one yourself .
The Center is the only one of its kind between New York and Boston. In addition to five gallery shows per year and a batch of classes, it offers services for established artists and a bungalow for a selected artist in Residence. Monday through Saturday 9 am – 5 pm, and Sunday 12 – 5 pm. Free.
Stepping Stones was built with a exquisite eye to what excites and stimulates a child ’ s mind. Geared toward children 1-10, this small but active learn-through-play plaza engages even the youngest crawlers. No detail is overlooked. capricious water wheels are attached to rain gutters outside boastful word picture windows. even when it rains, there ’ s something to learn. $15, open daily 10-5 from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Closed Mondays From Labor to Memorial Day.
Over 200 years ago, ewe were kept on Sheffield Island to keep them from the son sheep on Ram Island just across the direction. Since then, Sheffield Island has been a compound for cholera patients, a ritzy estate and most importantly, home to the Sheffield Island Lighthouse .
You can visit this decommission 10-room granite beacon, built in 1868, deoxyadenosine monophosphate well as the stay of the 54 acre island, administered by Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, during a three hour tour run by the Norwalk Seaport Association .
A 45-ft. catamaran transports 49 people respective times a day in season for a half hour narrated enlistment of Norwalk Harbor. ( You ’ ll besides pass barrier islands and the celebrated Norwalk oyster beds ) .
Families pushing strollers and picnickers join history buffs for a glance into what life was like on this island before electricity. The beacon keeper had to carry two five-gallon pails of petroleum ( 40 pound. each ) up to the top floor every four hours to keep the easy unhorse. Tours and ferry cost $22 per person.
If Walt Disney had gone into the grocery business, this is what he ’ d have come up with. Goats bray from the roof of bantam sheds in the parking lot petting menagerie. Parents and kids credit line up for creamy soft-serve custard ice-cream before grabbing a haul. And animatronic cows and milk-cartons entertain tots as Mom and/or Dad choose clean grow, meats and fish from overflowing shelves. Locals have been bringing out of town friends hera for years .
If you ’ ve ever wondered where all the collapse barns, felled trees, and demolished 1800 ’ sulfur houses in Southern Connecticut have gone, fair take a bill into the 7,000 sq. foot. factory Underground – a recording and television production studio apartment, and private concert and consequence space, founded by Edisun front man, Ethan Isaac, in Norwalk CT .
Edisun is best known for its tours of duty through conflict zones – giving U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the global a taste of hard-rock from home .
But Isaac and his partner, the Hip-Hop/EDM artist, Kenny Cash, are besides acute on rescued and distressed woodwind. Plus, some weird-ass design elements, like an american Flag emblazoned WWII turkey, sourced “ from a grow in Jewett NY ”, that hangs over a board in the bar/event room, and other……things. “ We always get a count when we tell people needing the toilet to take a left at the chain saw, ” says Marketing Director, Marc Alan
factory Underground winds through chambers both big and small ; offering an industrial kitchen, soundstage rehearsal space, and several recording rooms. If you ’ ra lucky, you ’ ll be invited for, say, a book-launch party or another special event .
If always you need “ low-waste, ” sustainable, up-cycled, environmentally-friendly gifts, housewares, toiletries, cleansers, food, clothe, pet products, candles, books, and more, look no further than this brand newly and challenging collective. You are bound to find something for yourself and others. And, if you ’ re like me, you ’ ll spend more time poking round than you thought you would .
Best Places to Eat and Drink in Norwalk CT
If you ’ re in the climate for a hamburger, beer, or steaming bowl of dollar chowder, there ’ s no better locate in South Norwalk than this 130 year old initiation. On the corner of Washington and Water Streets, Donovan ’ mho is everything you can ask for in a public house : clubbish interior, casual menu, good brews, and friendly service .
Walk through the front door to be greeted by a deck to ceiling wine extort. This “ Wine Bar, ” however, is not just about the wine. peculiarity cocktails rule the day – with concoctions like Public 88 – an “ orchid infused Toto ’ s French topped with Rose Cava, ” Blackbird Singing – a dark whiskey blend, and the fiery Hot Blooded Margarita .
Yes, the Spicy Tuna Tartar ( $ 13 ), Salmon A La Plancha ( $ 22 ), and Chicken and Wild Mushroom Pappardelle ( $ 22 ) are all excellent. But my absolute favored is the Shaved Brussels Sprouts on Risotto Cake – citrus-lemony greens sitting on a caramelize disk of crispy-sticky rice. Paired with the Public 88, it ’ s the perfect luminosity bite .
Who knew Fairfield County CT would wholeheartedly embrace a New York vogue cabaret, complete with outstanding Broadway show crooners, an intimate room aglow with votive candles, and dinner service ?
Opened in April 2018 in a room above B.J. Ryan ’ mho public house, the 60-seat Magnolia Room is the inspiration of singer, actor, pianist and music director, Kenneth Gartman .
Musicians and vocalists range from soulful to cheeky. Entertainment has been compared to “ a Broadway veteran in your living room, singing songs for you and a modest group of friends. ”
This place is so farm to table, the tabletops are reclaimed farm barnwood, and are enlivened by “ living walls. ” The eclectic “ New American ” menu reflects Chef Carlos Baez ’ mho inheritance ( Mexican ) and solve history ( in a sushi restaurant, among others ). His shrimp on Caramelized Quinoa Cake with Chorizo Sauce won “ Best of Best Dish ” in CT Magazine. Try the Ricotta Gnocci – with tender stewed veal “ meatballs. ” Ambrosial .
Young chef/owner Jay LeBlanc has got himself a winner in his little propagation of an already thriving catering game. not only is his mega-chunk warm lobster rolls winning awards, but he ’ south evenly adept with fried wimp, Korean BBQ Brisket, and, fabulously, on-the-spot whipped up vegan dishes. In East Norwalk ( across the Norwalk River from the Norwalk Maritime Museum ), this bantam stead may be hard to find at first. But believe me. It ’ s worth it .
Why is it that some out of the means restaurants cause such a disturbance ? Because they are so excellent, patrons will travel off the way to get to them. This is the case with this colored Arepas, Empanada and Burritos department store. You can dine on the brassy or try a Platos of the day. And yep, there ’ second a bar fit. Cocktails with Mexican Coke or Jalapeno steep vodka are fiery amazing .
Best Places to Stay in Norwalk CT
This hotel brand is devoted to your health and health. room sport mini-gyms. And exceed celebs in food and fitness partnered to make each stay a “ health ” know. surprisingly, this vogue in lodging launched in little Norwalk, and you can experience it firsthand as part of your Norwalk escape. $ 99 on weekends to $ 349 during acme times .
Sister property to the blistering boutique hotel in Stamford, CT – this streamlined Norwalk adaptation is roughly a 10-minute drive to the attractions in SoNo. But no worries, they ’ ve got a complimentary shuttle to get you there.
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Quilted metallic grey headboards, back-lit mirrors in glossy bathrooms, orange throws and walls for punch – rooms are fresh and fun. Like any all the fury boutique establishment, rates include a bevy of complimentary perks. Enjoy a warm breakfast, wi-fi, covered parking, Starbucks chocolate, shuttle to downtown and a very playfulness rooftop lounge. Drinks will cost you, but table games will not. $129-$400 per night.
