Norwalk Weekends: Downtown and shoreline day trips
Curious about what you'll do when you live in Norwalk? If you like the idea of sailing along the coast, getting artsy in local galleries, and are daring enough to try paddleboarding at sunset, Norwalk is calling you home! This list of fun things to do will take you from river walks to rooftop bars and give you a full taste of Norwalk's creative waterfront energy.
Lynn, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Lynn has lived in Connecticut almost her entire life, and knows the difference between shoreline charm and quiet river towns. She's sampled pizza and donuts all over the state visiting all 169 Connecticut towns. Her most memorable (and probably last ever) move involved the trifecta of a hurricane, loss of power, and an August heatwave (so don't even get me started on moving horror stories!). She knits, bakes, metal detects beaches, and firmly believes New Haven pizza is a food group of its own. At Snappy Scout Lynn turns decades of CT discoveries into sage moving advice you'll enjoy reading and actually use.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What Will You Do in Norwalk?
From weekend adventures to iconic road trips, here's how locals spend their time off.
On a Saturday with perfect weather
Calf Pasture Beach pretending you're in the Hamptons.
When the gals come to town for the weekend
SoNo brunch crawl with mimosas that multiply mysteriously.
Dude hangout
Downing oysters at Knot Norm's until you nearly explode.
Rainy, dreary day
Maritime Aquarium getting hypnotized by jellyfish.
Artsy
Rowayton Arts Center galleries without the Manhattan attitude tax.
Outdoorsy
Cranbury Park trails where nature meets suburban bliss perfectly.
Fitness oriented
Kayaking the Norwalk Islands dodging fancy yachts gracefully.
If you're a shopaholic
The SoNo Collection will make your credit card cry.
With your dog
Taylor Farm Park where every golden retriever knows who carries the best treats.
Family oriented
Stepping Stones Museum making science cool for tiny humans.
You have to see this
Lockwood-Mathews Mansion proving Gilded Age opulence still drops jaws.
On a budget
Veteran's Park sunset watching costs absolutely nothing but time.
My Favorite Local Spot in Norwalk
I have a sweet tooth, and ice cream is my weakness. Oggi Gelato serves traditional Italian gelato that is so creamy, you’ll never want to buy grocery store ice cream again. If you love Nutella, the gianduia flavor will be your new favorite.
— Lynn Nelthropp
Connecticut Local Expert
Ready to See If Norwalk Fits You?
Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full Norwalk guide for the bigger picture.