Norwalk, CT

The Southern Connecticut town of Norwalk is the largest producer of oysters in the United States and was once known as "Oyster Town." Located in Fairfield County, Norwalk has a population of more than 84,000 and is considered part of the New York metropolitan area.

Steeped in history, Norwalk is rumored to be the origin of the song "Yankee Doodle Dandy." Though the winters can be cold in Norwalk, with the arrival of summer, the town comes alive with its many festivals and waterfront activities. Norwalk itself enjoys a thriving economy based on trade and manufacturing.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

• Downtown Norwalk: Also known as Midtown or Central Norwalk, the urban center of the city is where the Norwalk Library, the Norwalk Post Office, and the River View Mall are all located. There has been a recent demand for apartment buildings and condominiums, since so many citizens commute to New York City. The city center is home to the refurbished Freeze Park, Mathews Park (the site of the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion and Museum), the Center for Contemporary Printmaking, the Stepping Stones Museum for Children, and the Gothic-style St. Mary's Roman-Catholic Church.
• South Norwalk: Commonly called "SoNo," the southern district of Norwalk has become the center of nightlife and dining. South Norwalk also has its fair share of art and culture; it is the home to the Maritime Aquarium and the annual Arts Celebration Festival that welcomes 60,000 visitors every summer.
• West Norwalk: This residential, suburban area of town owes its New England charm to its many historic houses and stone-walls that line the neighborhood. The natural surroundings also make the area an appealing place to live in with its many trees, trails and ponds.
• East Norwalk: The most diverse part of Norwalk, the neighborhood is home to a variety of ethnic groups including Greeks, Hispanics, African Americans, Italians and a healthy number of "Connecticut Yankees" who have lived in the district for generations. It is located in what was the original settlement of Norwalk that was almost destroyed by the British during the Revolutionary War. Only six buildings were spared in the war.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Norwalk's major industries are retail trade, manufacturing, and health care. The economy is also fueled by a number of major corporations that make their headquarters in Norwalk.

• Xerox Corp.: This document management company is a global leader in the manufacturing and selling of supplies including printers, photocopiers and digital functioning printing presses. The multi-billion dollar company moved its headquarters from nearby Stamford to Norwalk in 2007.
• Priceline.com: The popular online booking service is headquartered in Norwalk and earns $963 million in annual revenue.
• Emcor Group Inc.: The company specializes in electrical and mechanical construction. A Fortune 500 company with worldwide operations, Emcor Group Inc. has 506 employees in Connecticut.
• Hillard Bloom Shellfish: The 61-year-old company is the biggest oyster company in the United States. The 10,000-square-foot plant in Norwalk is used for refrigeration, processing and administrative offices.

Other major businesses headquartered in Norwalk include:

• Virgin Atlantic Airways
• Media Storm LLC.
• Pepperidge Farm
• Arch Chemicals Inc.

BEST BETS

• Norwalk Islands: Consisting of 25 islands off the coast of Norwalk on the Long Island Sound, the Norwalk Islands are popular in the summer months for swimming, kayaking, camping, boating, and other recreational activities. Shea and Sheffield Islands are the two biggest islands of the group.
• Maritime Aquarium: The Aquarium recreates the underwater habitat of the Long Island Sound with seals, jellyfish, steely sharks, loggerhead turtles, and river otters on display. The aquarium also has a 40-foot vessel available for tours and 3-D simulator rides.
• Sheffield Island Lighthouse: The landmark lighthouse off the south end of the Norwalk Islands was built in 1828 and holds tours on a daily basis. Sheffield Island Lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
• The Silvermine Tavern: The over 200-year-old restaurant and lodge is famous for its dining, antique guest rooms, and live jazz.

FAMILY FUN

• Stepping Stones Museum for Children: The interactive museum for children has a number of exhibits, including a rainforest exhibit, science area, and bubbles creation center. The museum is located in downtown Norwalk in Mathews Park.
• Mill Hill Historic Park and Museum: A "living museum" of history, the Mill Hill Historic Park and Museum is comprised of the historic Town Hall, a schoolhouse, and a cemetery, which is the final resting place of 11 Revolutionary War soldiers
• Lockwood-Mathews Mansion-Museum: One of the oldest and best-maintained mansions of Second Empire style in the country, the Lockwood-Mathews is a National Historic Landmark offering daily tours of the Victorian style rooms.
• Norwalk Youth Symphony: The symphony of middle school and high school students has a reputation for being one of the best youth symphonies in the country. The symphony performs three times a year in Norwalk City Hall.

EDUCATION

• Gibbs College-Norwalk Campus offers career-focused associate degree and certificate programs.
• Norwalk Community College is an open-admissions institution offering 40 associate degree and 27 certificate programs.

SPORTS TEAMS

Norwalk residents have a rugby team Connecticut Wildcats to follow.

LOCAL MEDIA

Two newspapers cover Norwalk and the Fairfield County area:

• The Norwalk Citizen News
• The Hour (Independent Newspaper)