400 Main Ave

More so than many of its neighboring communities, the city of Norwalk is all about the coastal lifestyle. The famous Norwalk Islands sit just offshore in Long Island sound, providing a popular area for kayaking, fishing, clamming, and bird-watching (if you’re lucky, you may even spot some deer or seals). For nature lovers preferring more accessible encounters, the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is a crowd pleaser and attracts visitors from all over New England.

Norwalk’s charm comes in large part from the many historic houses and buildings, including lighthouses dating back as far as the 1820s. The city celebrates its history as an oyster-farming community with the annual Norwalk Oyster Festival, which regularly draws national touring musicians as part of its entertainment lineup. In recent years, Norwalk has also supported more public art initiatives, resulting in many murals popping up around the city and a renewed focus on community involvement in the arts.