The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Norwalk, Connecticut Now
BY TRIPVEEL EDITORIAL STAFF | February 2020
Situated on the northern shore of Long Island Sound—seaside adventures and pristine beaches await you in the historic, coastal city of Norwalk, Connecticut.
Image courtesy of Norwalk Now
1. THE HIKING
For a serene hike consisting of winding trails that weave in and out of the woods, look no further than Cranbury Park & Gallaher Estate. These trails are the perfect place for your budding naturalist to fall in love with the great outdoors.
Image courtesy of Norwalk Now
Set on 220 acres around the historic Gallaher Mansion, the park features dog-friendly wooded trails that wander through lush perennials and even a butterfly garden.
2. THE ART
The art scene in Norwalk, Connecticut is buzzing. Tired brick walls have been given new life and are now home to colorful, vibrant murals that you can’t help but notice. Dotted with art galleries, the Norwalk Arts District puts on its First Friday event to celebrate the arts in this diverse and historic “Historic Wall Street” neighborhood.
Norwalk, Connecticut’s First Friday consists of music, entertainment and art events throughout the neighborhood.
3. THE COCKTAILS
Tucked away on historic Main Street in the SoNo neighborhood, Bruxelles Brasserie is a European-inspired brasserie aimed to magically transport you to the enchanting sidewalk cafes of Europe. With cutting-edge scratch cuisine and locally inspired libations, we recommend trying the Purely Medicinal for your artisanal, handcrafted cocktail fix—concocted with Plymouth gin and topped with Fever-Tree Indian tonic water.
Bruxelles Brasserie in Norwalk, Connecticut
With a fresh, contemporary spin on European gastronomic selections, Bruxelles Brasserie focuses on the flavors of France and Belgium. Favorites shared plates include Steamed Mussels in a coconut curry sauce, Belgian Croquettes and Tuna Tartare with cucumber raita and marinated chickpea. Indulge in one of their entrees, such as Rack of Lamb with green herb risotto or Pan-Seared Salmon with sunchoke purée.
And for those craving something sweet, be sure to enjoy one of their decadent desserts such as Espresso Crème Brûlée. Hungry yet?
4. THE GARDENS
The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens roots back to 1913, when founder Francis A. Bartlett, a well-known dendrologist, established an outdoor laboratory. The arboretum is also home to rarities and oddities, including a descendant of Connecticut’s legendary Charter Oak tree, relatives of the California sequoia, three acres of hundreds of azaleas and rhododendrons; a large greenhouse with an array of tropical (such as a fruit-producing banana tree), desert and native plants—as well as a boardwalk traversing the arboretum’s red maple wetland.
All of the collections were planted 50 to 100 years ago. The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens dog-friendly grounds and its ten walking trails are open year-round with no admission fee.
5. THE ARCHITECTURE
Built in 1864, the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion is regarded as one of the earliest and most significant Second Empire Style country houses in the United States. With its unparalleled architecture and interiors, the mansion magnificently illustrates the beauty and splendor of the Victorian Era.
Image courtesy of Norwalk Now
