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14 Things to do in Norwalk Over Winter Break

Things To Do

14 Things to Do in Norwalk
Over Winter Break

The kids get just a few days off from school for February winter break. Here are our picks for things to do in Norwalk that cater to families and include an eclectic mix of urban, coastal, and charming neighborhood experiences. 

1. Stepping Stones Museum

Without question, Stepping Stones is the crown jewel of children’s museums in Fairfield County. Kids of all ages can spend hours exploring the museum’s hands-on approach to learning. The galleries there are filled with tons of engaging exhibits that will appeal to the entire family.     

2. Maritime Aquarium  

Sharks. Octopuses. Seahorses. Jellies and meerkats. You can spend hours exploring the halls of this Norwalk institution. The 4D theater and Pinniped Cove are sure to delight visitors of all ages.

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3. SONO Switch Tower Museum 

Admission to this small museum is free, so it is well worth a walk over from the Maritime Aquarium. Train enthusiasts of all ages will love learning about the only “Armstrong” switch lever machine in Connecticut.

4. Mill Hill Historic Park & Historical Society 

You can explore the history of Norwalk in two locations: Mill Hill Historic Park and society’s museum on East Ave. The museum is open for self-guided tours on select days of the week. Mill Hill Historic Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. The historic park features several historic buildings and an antique cemetery.  

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5. Norwalk’s Thriving Arts Scene

Whether it’s taking in a show at the Music Theater of Connecticut, listening to live music at the District Music Hall, or exploring visual art at The Norwalk Art Space, you can take part in a variety of arts in Norwalk! Check the organizations’ websites for schedules. 

6. Panic Room Norwalk 

It takes a lot of team work to get out of one of these challenging rooms.  Instead of just trying to “escape,” participants are given a mission to accomplish.

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7. Sky Zone

Sky Zone offers open jump sessions, a Foam Zone, where kids can jump from a trampoline runway into a pit filled with 10,000 foam cubes, and Sky Slam, where trampoline launch pads bounce you ten feet in the air so that you can dunk your basketball like a pro. 

8. Stew Leonard’s 

Stew Leonard’s is like the Disneyland of grocery stores and the original is right here in Norwalk. With animatronic musical characters, real life farm animals, tons of family fun events, oh – and delicious food! 

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9. Grit Ninja 

If you have ever dreamed of being a ninja warrior, this is your spot! You can check it all out on the weekends during their drop-in sessions.

10. SoNo Collection 

In addition to some of the areas finest indoor shopping, the SoNo Collection is also home to the Connecticut outpost of CAMP. The mall also houses the family friendly Yard House, Pinstripes, and Galaxy VR.    

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11. Mr. Frosty’s

Nestled into a corner of East Norwalk and open year-round, Mr. Frosty’s is the perfect place to stop by after a day at the beach, a celebration, or just about anything else. This spot is a personal  family favorite, we love checking out the rotating list of seasonal specials. 

12. Caffee Social 

Located in SoNo, this is the best spot for breakfasts, brunch, coffee, or stop by for lunch after a trip to the aquarium, Caffee Social has a pretty eclectic menu of comfort foods, but we always go for the pancake special. 

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13. O’Neill’s Irish Pub & Restaurant

Also located in SoNo, O’Neills serves up classic Irish pub food with a great children’s menu. 

14. Valencia Luncheria 

The arepas at Valencia are some of the best that we’ve ever had. With classics like ham & cheese, or black beans and queso – don’t forget to order the Zach – you will not be sorry! 

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Credits: Ally Noel/Mommy Poppins, “24 Best Things To Do in Norwalk, CT with Kids” 

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Celebrate Norwalk History

Things To Do

Celebrate Norwalk History

The Norwalk Historical Society Museum is located in the former Lockwood House (1973).

Norwalk Historical Society Museum
Located on the Norwalk City Hall campus, the museum is in the former Lockwood House (1973), designed in the Colonial Revival style by architect Margaret Hoyt Smith. The Museum offers self-guided tours, exhibitions, programs, and events to highlight Norwalk’s rich history. The garden offers contemplative views of the Norwalk River from the gazebo.

Mill Hill Historic Park/ Norwalk Historical Society
Located at the top of Mill Hill overlooking the Head of the Norwalk Harbor and adjacent to the Historic Norwalk Town Green, this site includes three pre-1835 historic buildings, a cemetery and colonial herb garden. The Norwalk Historical Society (1890) offers events, programs and exhibitions from May through November. The grounds are open sunrise to sunset.

Norwalk Town Green Historic District
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and centered on the Norwalk Green in central Norwalk, the site includes: the Green, Mill Hill Historic Park, St. Paul’s Place, World War I memorial cannon, a gazebo and 54 buildings – many designed in the 18th & 19th centuries. St. Paul’s on the Green (Episcopal) Church and the First Congregational Church also face the Green. Concerts are held on the Green in the summer.

Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museums
Located in Mathews Park, this magnificent Victorian era mansion (c.1864) is a National Historic Landmark and is considered one of the earliest and most significant Second Empire style country houses in the United States. The museum offers guided tours, award-winning exhibitions, events and programs related to this Norwalk treasure. Open early April – early January.

Center for Contemporary Printmaking
Originally part of the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion estate, the Carriage House (c.1892) is home to the Center for Contemporary Printmaking. CCP is a nationally known, state-of-the-art printmaking facility, studio and gallery space with rotating exhibitions throughout the year. The Gardener’s Cottage (c.1892) is used for the Artist-In-Residence Program.

Sheffield Island Lighthouse
Owned and operated by the Seaport Association, the Sheffield Island Lighthouse was built in 1868 and in service until 1902. A ferry service is available to the Lighthouse from the Sheffield Island dock in South Norwalk. The ferry operates Memorial Day through mid-September.

Fodor Farm
For 200 years, the land at 328 Flax Hill Road has been a farm. The farm was fully restored and is operated by the City of Norwalk Recreation and Parks Department. The site features 300 community garden plots, a renovated venue for events and culinary demonstrations, a historic homestead, greenhouse, tree farm and an apple orchard.

Pinkney House/Raymond Boathouse Museum/Historic Rowayton
Located along the Five Mile River, the Seeley-Dibble-Pinkney House (c.1820), Raymond Boathouse Museum, and Pinkney Park are the headquarters for Historic Rowayton. Through exhibitions, events, and programs, Historic Rowayton preserves the history of this unique seaside village. Closed in August.

Switch Tower Museum
The fully restored New Haven Railroad switch tower (1896) in South Norwalk has the only “Armstrong” switch lever machine in Connecticut. Railroads used towers to house the mechanism of switching trains from one track to another. Guided tours offered May – October.

WPA Mural Trail
The nationally recognized collection of New Deal WPA (Works Progress Administration) art (1935) was restored by Norwalk’s art and history community. Nearly 50 murals are located throughout Norwalk in City Hall, Norwalk’s Public Libraries, Community College, Transit District, Maritime Aquarium, Rowayton Library and the Norwalk Historical Society Museum.

Historic Cemeteries

  • East Norwalk Historical Cemetery c.1655
    O
    ldest cemetery in Norwalk (East Norwalk)
  • Pine Island Cemetery c.1708
    Second oldest in Norwalk (Mathews Park)
  • Mill Hill Burying Ground c.1767
    Third oldest (Mill Hill Historic Park)
  • Brookside Cemetery c.1724 Also known as Five Mile River Cemetery. (Rowayton Ave)
  • Kellogg-Comstock Cemetery c.1813
    (West Norwalk)

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