If you’re looking for places to visit in Norwalk, CT, there are several different choices available to you. There is the Oyster Shell Park, Cranbury Park, the Maritime Aquarium, and the Maritime Center for Contemporary Print Making, just to name a few. However, you’ll also want to take some time to explore the downtown area.
Oyster Shell Park
If you’re looking for a great place to visit in Norwalk, Connecticut, consider visiting Oyster Shell Park. This unique park offers a great variety of educational and innovative museums and trails. However, it is important to note that dogs are not allowed.
Oyster Shell Park is an outdoor park that is close to the Norwalk River Valley Trail. From here, you can enjoy beautiful harbor views from various viewing decks. The park also has a well-maintained disc golf course. A great place to take your children, you can also spend an afternoon jogging on the park’s trails.
The Park is also home to the Center for Contemporary Printmaking, the only organization between Boston and New York dedicated to the art of printmaking. Located on the park’s shoreline, the center features an original switch tower that’s open to rail enthusiasts on weekends. Visitors can also see one of the only remaining Armstrong levers, which are unique to Connecticut. Oyster Shell Park also offers views of the Norwalk Harbour.
In addition to the Oyster Shell Park, Norwalk CT is home to a plethora of other unique places to visit. You can grab a bite to eat at the many restaurants that line the shore. If you’re looking for entertainment, the town also features a theater and a few bars and clubs. During the fall, the city is home to the annual Norwalk Oyster Festival.
Cranbury Park
The park features historic mansion, sculpture garden, and trails. It also offers facilities like disc golf. There are also picnic areas. The park is open to the public. Visitors of all ages can find something to enjoy here. The park also offers many events for children.
Located on the border between Norwalk and Wilton, Cranbury Park is a beautiful, peaceful outdoor space. Visitors can enjoy a day hiking through its 227-acre property. The park is also home to the historic Gallaher Mansion, a Tudor Revival style home built in the Great Depression. The estate features beautiful gardens and a regulation disc golf course. It is also a great venue for weddings.
For those who enjoy visiting historic sites, the park also includes the Gallaher Mansion and the Carriage House Theater. If you enjoy art, the park’s museum features a large collection of contemporary art. It is housed in a historic 1920s building and features an array of pieces of art.
The city is also home to some wonderful restaurants. One hidden gem is the Dolce Cafe, which is housed in a renovated monastery that is now a conference center. You can eat and drink in the grounds, which have a lily pond, turtles, and ducks. Also, you can visit SoNo Caffeine Cafe on Washington Street, where you can enjoy a delicious coffee and frozen frappes.
Norwalk’s Maritime Aquarium
If you love the ocean, the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk is a great place to visit. It features more than 30 exhibits in both salt and fresh water. It also has a touch tank, a theater, and a cafe. Visitors can get up close and personal with many species.
During the warmer months, the aquarium holds special events and cruises. It’s also open on off-peak days. There is plenty of parking. There’s metered parking available across the street, and there’s a parking garage adjacent to the main entrance. Visitors can also take advantage of nearby train and boat docks. There’s also a cafe inside, which is open daily from 11 am to 3 pm. No outside food is allowed, but the museum does have a restaurant.
The aquarium is home to more than two hundred species of marine animals. You’ll see everything from loggerhead turtles to seals and rays to jellyfish and stingrays. You can also watch live shows about the animals, and the animal caregivers are happy to answer any questions you may have. The aquarium also has touch tanks where visitors can interact with the animals.
One of the best exhibits is the shark and ray pool. Young children will love the interactive experience. There are steps that allow them to get up close to the animals, and they can even get a peek through the peephole to see them. The aquarium also has an IMAX theater.
Norwalk’s Maritime Center for Contemporary Print Making
If you’re a fan of art, Norwalk’s Maritime Center for Contemporary Art is a great place to go. This center offers educational programs, workshops, and art exhibits. You’ll also find many opportunities for art lovers to learn about printmaking and participate in workshops.
A nonprofit multimedia art studio and gallery, the Center for Contemporary Printmaking is devoted to the art of printmaking. Its programs feature traditional and innovative printmaking, papermaking, and book arts. It’s the only printmaking center between New York and Boston. It’s located in a historic carriage house near Mathews Park.
During the week of Nov. 16, the Center for Contemporary Print Making will host a woodcut exhibit by a resident of Redding. The exhibition will run through Jan. 19, and anyone can enter as an individual or a team of up to four. To enter, fill out an entry form and send it to the Aquarium by Friday, Oct. 24. Entry forms can be obtained from the Center’s website or at the museum.
The CCP is housed in an elegant 19th-century carriage house, and is equipped to accommodate all forms of printmaking. It is also home to the Grace Ross Shanley Gallery, where you can check out many intriguing exhibitions. The Center also offers a full-service Artist-in-Residence program.
Calf Pasture Beach
The beautiful town of Norwalk is home to a number of beautiful beaches, including the Calf Pasture Beach, a popular destination in the summer months. This beach offers boat rentals, a boat launch, and picnic areas with barbecue grills. There are also volleyball courts and lighted walkways. You can also enjoy the sunset at the Sunset Grille.
One of the best places to stay in Norwalk is the Residence Inn by Marriott, located nine minutes from the beach. The hotel allows pets and features an on-site fitness center. It also features spacious rooms with full kitchens, separate living areas, and ergonomic workspaces. The Residence Inn by Marriott is also known for providing great service and quality meals.
Another notable attraction in Norwalk is the Maritime Aquarium. Located on the harbor, it has tons of marine life, including stingrays and jellyfish. It also offers science education programs for kids and has an IMAX theater. During the summer, Norwalk offers a popular boat show at the Norwalk Cove Marina. It features big exhibitors like Coors Light and Discover Boating, as well as kayak and stand-up paddleboard workshops.
Norwalk has several interesting museums and attractions. The Maritime Aquarium and Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum are both popular tourist attractions. The Lockwood-Mathews Manssion Museum is a National Historic Landmark. This is one of the best examples of Second Empire-style country houses in the United States. Other top places to visit in Norwalk include the Stepping Stones Children’s Museum and the SoNo Switch Tower Museum. All of these attractions are located near the shore, so visiting them is easy.
