Norwalk is a city located on the northern shore of the Long Island Sound. It is part of the New York and Bridgeport metropolitan areas. It is located in southern Fairfield County. The city of Norwalk in Connecticut offers a wide variety of things to do. From historic sites and museums to outdoor activities and the beach, there is something for every person.
One of the most famous landmarks in Norwalk is the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum. It is a stunning example of Second Empire Style architecture. Built in the 1860s by railroad baron LeGrand Lockwood, the mansion has been a National Historic Landmark since 1971.
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is located in the South Norwalk section of Norwalk, Connecticut. This marine museum combines aquatic science with education to help visitors understand the Long Island Sound ecosystem.
There is an impressive array of interactive exhibits and displays, including a shark tank, IMAX theatre, and touch tanks. In addition, the aquarium features some educational programs for school children. The aquarium even offers a 3-week Teen Apprentice program for ages 13-15.
Among its most exciting exhibits are a “touch tank” where visitors can feel the slick skin of sharks and rays. Another is the new 12,000-square-foot live seal exhibit. It features a two-level glass viewing enclosure, life support systems, holding tanks for the seals, and a new 150,000-gallon saltwater tank.
Another notable exhibit is the 15,000-gallon Giant Sea Turtles habitat, which includes an interactive photo opportunity and turtle shells for visitors to see.
Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum
A landmark museum in a Victorian mansion, Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum in Norwalk, Connecticut, serves as an educational and cultural resource. It connects audiences to the mid to late 19th-century heritage and humanities through public programs and exhibitions.
The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion was built for railroad magnate LeGrand Lockwood in 1868, the year after the Civil War. He purchased 30 acres of land and began constructing the mansion the following year. His dream was to control rail lines to Chicago and California, and the house would provide the perfect setting.
LeGrand Lockwood commissioned the building of his mansion from German architect Detlef Lienau. The design was inspired by French Second Empire, Italianate and Chateauesque styles.
Lockwood-Mathews Mansion is a historic treasure, with over sixty-two rooms in a four-story mansion. Visitors can enjoy an interior tour with a rotunda, conservatory, dining room, drawing and card rooms, and music rooms. Among the furniture in these rooms is the original family furnishings, which were repurchased from Lockwood’s widow after his death.
Calf Pasture Beach
The Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk is a historical landmark. It was a central disembarking location for the Tryon raid of the American Revolutionary War in 1779. Today it is one of the least populated beaches in coastal Fairfield County.
One of the best ways to visit the beach is to rent a boat or take a kayak for a spin. There is a large sandy beach along with a guarded pier for fishing. A sailing school is also available. Other facilities include a skate park, a playground, baseball diamonds with night lighting, and concession stands.
Getting there is easy, thanks to a convenient and free parking lot. Residents can pick up parking passes from the City Hall Parks and Recreation Department. Non-residents will need to pay for the privilege.
Veteran’s Memorial Park and Marina
The Veteran’s Memorial Park and Marina in Norwalk, Connecticut, is a veritable smorgasbord of fun and games. You can go for a nice tan on the beach or head out on the water with your boat or yacht. In the summertime, you’ll also find live music, outdoor dining, and a wide variety of activities and attractions.
For example, you’ll find a golf course, a baseball park, and a full-service marina. The park is owned and operated by the city of Norwalk. It’s also home to the town’s annual Oyster Festival. This particular event draws visitors from around the region and is the perfect way to spend a hot day.
The park is also home to several other water-related amenities, including a boat launch site and small and jet ski slips. To top it off, you’ll find many free public parking spaces.
Stepping Stones Museum for Children
The Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk, CT, is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to public education. Established in 2000, the museum is designed to give kids a greater understanding of the world around them. It features exhibits that engage children in interactive activities, and the museum hosts educational programs and special events.
The museum has been renovated, and a new addition has been added. A 225-member staff, a gift shop, and a resource center all make up the Stepping Stones Museum for Children.
The Stepping Stones Museum had two million visitors in its first ten years of operation. In its renovation, the museum incorporated a forty-foot multi-media theater. Additionally, the renovation included a new interior telescope to view plant life on the rooftop.