Downtown Norwalk Norwalk, CT

Norwalk's history dates back roughly 5,000 years, according to historical artifacts found in the area. It wasn't until 1640, when Roger Ludlow and Daniel Patrick purchased land in the area, that Norwalk began taking shape. Central Norwalk, otherwise known as the Borough of Norwalk from 1836 through 1893 when officials incorporated the city, contains several residential neighborhoods, including the Norwalk Green Historic District. Bring the kids with you to check out the interactive exhibits at Stepping Stones Museum for Children or take a trip to the Norwalk Historical Society to learn more about the city’s rich history. Several galleries comprise central Norwalk’s arts and culture scene, including the Silvermine Arts Center, with its galleries and classes, and Carriage Barn Art Center, which has galleries in addition to visual and performing arts. Annual events such as the Norwalk Art Festival and the annual Oyster Festival foster a strong community spirit.

Norwalk has a vibrant food scene with a diverse selection of cuisine ranging from classic American to Asian, Mediterranean and Spanish. In addition to having a gorgeous interior and fantastic wine selection, Paella Restaurant and Tapeo Wine Bar serves some of the best paella in the city. Choose from rabbit paella with snails, squid ink paella with assorted seafood, classic Valencian paella or vegetarian paella with roasted vegetables. The restaurant also specializes in tapas, including the ceviche of the day, baked goat cheese, grilled Galician prawns, Maryland crab cakes and wood-roasted stuffed piquillo peppers. Sit at the bar during happy hour; if you order six tapas, you can get a free pitcher of sangria. Adam’s Rib Restaurant, nestled in the Norwalk Inn, has been a city staple for more than 50 years, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. With a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients, the menu tends to change periodically, ensuring that you'll never get tired of it. Choose from dinner items ranging from oven-roasted prime rib and grilled New York strip steak to baby back ribs, Cajun-rubbed salmon or pan fried chicken. The Lime Restaurant has been serving its healthy, gourmet cuisine to the Norwalk community since 1978. The tiny dining room creates a cozy atmosphere, although it isn't ideal for large groups. Its inventive menu includes vegetarian options such as zucchini loaf and tofu burgers, in addition to grilled steaks, chicken and fish specialties, include Maryland crab cakes and blackened salmon in a coconut tahini red curry sauce. The fresh flavors and high quality ingredients will keep you coming back for more. When it comes to nightlife, residents of central Norwalk have several options, including El Dorado, the perfect spot to get your groove on. In addition to featuring live bands and music spun by local DJs, El Dorado also has a lounge area, a sports bar with pool tables and a restaurant that serves a combination of classic dive bar grub such as burgers and hot dogs, along with Latin American cuisine, including paella, empanadas and arroz con pollo. For a more laid-back night out go grab a beer and a nibble at B.J. Ryan's, which features an extensive beer and wine list and a relaxed, neighborhood bar vibe. Menu offerings range from upscale options such as pork belly over arugula, oysters Rockefeller and seared sea scallops to the signature pub burger, handmade pizzas and Philly cheesesteaks. The bar has a happy hour with free food during the workweek from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., in addition to "Hookie Hour" from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., when you get 25 percent off everything on the menu.

Numerous transportation options make getting around the Norwalk area easy and quick. Although residents have several public transportation methods to choose from, most people choose to drive to commute and run errands. Norwalk Transit District services the neighborhood with numerous "Wheels" bus routes, connecting residents with local stops such as Walmart and the DMV to the north, Norwalk Community College and Oak Hills Golf Course to the west, City Hall and the Norwalk Senior Center to the west, and the Maritime Aquarium to the south. You can also pick up Metro North Railroad service from the South Norwalk Station on Monroe Street. The New Haven Line runs from Waterbury and New Haven into New York City, with stops in East Norwalk, South Norwalk, Darien, Stamford and Old Greenwich. Residents can choose from numerous major roadways in the area, including the Merritt Parkway, U.S. Route 7, a north-south highway that begins in Norwalk and runs north to the Massachusetts border, while U.S. Route 1 runs east and west, paralleling I-95. Having so many routes to choose from makes it convenient and relatively fast to get where you need to go. Plenty of on and off-street parking provides stress-free parking. If you prefer to keep the car parked, you can call to arrange a ride with Uber or a local taxi company. Additionally, on a beautiful day, you can walk or bike in the neighborhood, which features well-marked crosswalks and shared roadways.

Central Norwalk residents can choose from a few nearby green spaces, including Mill Hill Park, with its three historic buildings, and Union Park's open space and walking trails. Pets can't join you, but Lockwood-Mathews Park is a great place to bring the rest of the family. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy while exploring the park's unique features. It houses the Center for Contemporary Print Making, the Lockwood-Mansion Museum, tennis courts and a great playground for kids. The park hosts events throughout the year, including botanical exhibits, ice cream socials and flea markets.

Living in Central Norwalk typically carries cost of living that runs approximately 19 percent higher than the state average. Housing prices soar above the national average, contributing to the neighborhood’s costly price tag. Renting a one-bedroom apartment may set you back approximately $1,900. On a bright note, grabbing an ice-cold beer at the local pub only costs around $4. Transportation costs run relatively high here. Gas prices in the Central Norwalk area hover 18 to 19 percent above the national average. Fare on the Wheels bus costs $1.50 each way, while a one-way Metro North ride from South Norwalk to Grand Central Station costs $14.49 for a Web ticket or $21 if you buy the ticket while on board the train.

Central Norwalk's shopping scene consists mainly of big-name chain stores located along U.S. Route 1. That’s not to say that the neighborhood doesn’t have a few specialty stores that set it apart from any other neighborhood in the country. Gifts on the Green, the shop at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, sells a variety of Fair Trade gifts, books and spiritual items, including crosses, bibles and other spiritual books, in addition to scarves, handbags and home decor. Situated in a charming Victorian building, Treasure House Thrift Shop has an inviting entrance that compliments its staff members’ friendly, welcoming attitudes. Not only will you get a good deal on household items, small appliances, clothing and antiques, proceeds from the shop benefit Norwalk Hospital’s outreach programs, including supporting scholarships for nursing students. Residents can stock their pantry shelves with goods from area markets such as Patel Brothers Indian grocery store, Oriental Food Market, Whole Foods and Stew Leonard’s, which began as a tiny dairy store in 1969. Since then, the market grew to become the largest dairy store in the world, with a stellar reputation thanks to its farm fresh foods. Nearby farmers' markets include the Westport Farmers Market and Darien Farmers Market.