Norwalk, Connecticut

1. South Norwalk Historic District (SoNo)

South Norwalk Historic District (SoNo), also known as SoNo, is an eclectic neighborhood in Norwalk where classic waterfront meets urban hip to create a jazzy, vibrant hub. Originally a settlement called Old Well, South Norwalk is today a colorful, bustling area of the town and is home to over 30 restaurants serving all kinds of cuisine from Mexican to Asian, buzzing bars and nightclubs, trendy stores and boutiques, an array of museums, theaters, and galleries, and sightseeing attractions. If you are wondering what to do in Norwalk CT today, this is a great place to start exploring.

Anchored by The Maritime Aquarium where visitors can explore the watery world of the earth’s ocean and rivers, SoNo boasts beautiful scenic walks along the Norwalk River and Harbor, which visitors can explore by bike or on foot, as well as an array of beer gardens, pubs, and wine bars in which to relax over drinks with friends and watch the world go by.

2. Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is a magnificent example of a Second Empire-Style country home that illustrates the beauty and splendor of the Victorian Era. Built by railroad baron LeGrand Lockwood in the 1860s, the house is the most significant example of this style of architecture and design and has been a designated a National Historic Landmark since 1971. The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is one of the best things to do in Norwalk.

The mansion is filled with exquisite Gilded Age interiors and antique furniture and features several excellent exhibits, including “The Stairs Below: The Mansion’s Domestic Servants, 1868 – 1938” and a special holiday display of “The Mansion’s Toys and Trains Story.” The museum is open from early April through early January, and it offers guided tours Wednesdays through Sundays.

295 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06850, 203-838-9799

3. The Maritime Aquarium

The Maritime Aquarium (formerly known as the Maritime Center) is a family-friendly aquarium situated in the popular neighborhood of SoNo. The aquarium is home to over 7,000 fish and marine mammals, including sharks, turtles, river otters, seals, and others, all of which are housed in recreated habitats that echo their natural terrain in the Long Island Sound.

The aquarium has three touch tanks where visitors can interact with stingrays, sea stars, sharks, crabs, jellies, and other coastal creatures and a state-of-the-art 169-seat 4D theater. The aquarium also offers an array of fun marine-based activities for visitors to enjoy such as year-round study cruises on the 64-foot hybrid-electric catamaran "R/V Spirit of the Sound," educational programs and special exhibits.

10 North Water Street, 203-852-0700

4. Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Stepping Stones Museum for Children provides an environment that inspires lifelong learning for children through an array of educational-based exhibits, displays, and programs. Aiming to enrich the lives of children through education as well as enhance their understanding of the world, the museum features several hands-on, interactive exhibits that encourage children to explore, discover, inquire, and learn.

Special exhibits include “Energy Lab,” a million-dollar exhibit that presents a wonderful way for children to learn about the science of energy; “Build It!,” which allows children to explore the world of architectural design and construction in a fantastic two-story structure; and “ColorCoaster,” a mesmerizing 27-foot kinetic giant mechanical toy that uses energy, motion, gravity, color, and light to spin, whirl, and fascinate visitors of all ages. The museum also provides a range of educational programs for the whole family, from school and groups programs to professional development courses.

Mathews Park, 303 West Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06850, 203-899-0606

5. The Spread

The Spread is a casual, family-friendly restaurant owned by four friends who came together to share their passion for food and drink. Featuring a modern, open plan dining space with industrial-style décor, exposed ceiling, and gleaming wooden tables and chairs, The Spread has a laid-back and welcoming ambiance.

The daily-changing menu presents dishes made with seasonal, locally sourced cuisine, ranging from delicious sharing platters of charcuterie and cheeses, freshly made soups and salads, small plates and vegetables, mains of various meats, poultry, seafood, and pasta dishes, and delectable desserts. The bar serves signature cocktails, craft beers, and wines from around the world, which can be savored during the vibrant, happy hour at special prices. The Spread also serves a popular brunch on the weekends.

127 Washington St, Norwalk, CT 06854, 203-939-1111

6. NCC Art Galleries and Art Collection

NCC Art Galleries and Art Collection is home to two separate art galleries which are open to the public free of charge. You will find the main NCC Art Gallery on the first floor of the East Campus, where you can admire a collection of contemporary art works by regionally and nationally-recognized artists. The second gallery is called the West Campus Gallery and here you can visit exhibitions which are usually focused around local issues. Each of the galleries hosts about 5 exhibitions each year, including a Student Art Exhibition and a High School Art Invitational. Check their website for more details.

Norwalk Community College Art Galleries, 188 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854, 203-857-7191

7. Sky Zone Norwalk

You will be the most popular parents on the block when you take your (older/teenage) kids to spend some time at the Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Norwalk. More than just an enormous trampoline park, Sky Zone has loads of other adventure activities all under one roof. Come rain or shine, Sky Zone is open daily and ideal for parties. You can hone your climbing, balancing, jumping and jousting skills while enjoying activities like Free Climbing, thrilling Trapeze and Swing, Sky Climb vertical obstacle course and more. All the activities are great fun and serious athletes can also improve their skills by taking on all the challenges.

Sky Zone Norwalk, 360 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Norwalk, CT 06854, 203-902-5437

8. Sheffield Island Lighthouse and Nature Trail

Built in 1868, the Sheffield Island Lighthouse and Nature Trail is a historic lighthouse based at the end of the Norwalk Islands using an oil lamp to warn ships of the treacherous shoreline. Visitors can explore the lighthouse and the beautiful surrounding area on a guided walk with the Norwalk Seaport Association’s Friends of the Norwalk Islands, who offer a fascinating insight into the history and heritage of the lighthouse and Sheffield Island.

The excursion includes a scenic 45-minute boat ride to the island and a tour of the 10-room tower before ambling along the nature trail into the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge, adjacent to the Isle, which is home to a variety of waterfowl and other birds. Stroll along the rock beach, beachcomb for seashells, and enjoy a picnic lunch in the beautiful surroundings.

40 N. Water Street, Seaport Dock, Norwalk, 06854, 203-838-9444