A couple of months ago a young couple from Manhattan contacted me to help them find a hide away home for the weekend. They wanted to be close to the water, not too far from "the city" (that's how we call Manhattan), in a quiet town that could also offer some cultural and social options for the weekend.

They wanted to escape from the noise of Manhattan but they were realistic. And they knew they could not live in a cabin completely isolated. They wanted to explore some towns that could still offer high end options for dining and entertainment. It was a tough call. Either you find a refuge in a glamorous cabine overlooking a lake in the region of Danbury and New Milford, or some setting more "urban" but still quiet and relaxing.

I found this article about South Norwalk, and  I remembered that couple, so I decided to share with you the well kept secret that this town, Norwalk, offers. Maybe you can plan a couple of weekends having a good time during one of the famous festivals or maybe you decide to come for a nice dining experience one of these warm nights with the breeze from the sea making you feel like on vacation.

Historic South Norwalk

In the late 1970s, South Norwalk's downtown business section, including the historic buildings centered on Washington Street, had been slated for demolition.  But starting in 1977, a group of progressive minded citizens, including newly elected mayor Bill Collins, turned South Norwalk's fortunes around and created Historic SoNo.  Now, well into to twenty-first century, SoNo thrives in a way that no one could have imagined, truly a lesson and legend in what far sighted thinking will bring. 

SoNo, with its delightful mixture of classy and tasteful or just plain homey restaurants, shops, and clubs, combined with museums and galleries, has become integrated with greater Norwalk as well as the harbor and Long Island Sound beyond. SoNo is anchored by the Maritime Center, which invites visitors of all ages to become immersed in sea life.  Exhibits, educational programs, research cruises, and a boat building shop, are topped off by the spectacular IMAX Theatre.

The Norwalk Museum on North Main brings Norwalk's past into a very sharp focus: The Norwalk Hat Factory comes back to life along with locks, 19th century pottery and a traditional hardware store.  On the corner of Main and Washington, climb up a flight of stairs to the SoNo Switch Tower Museum, also of 19th century vintage.

Adjacent to the Aquarium, on a bluff overlooking the Norwalk River, is Oyster Shell Park (originally named Oyster Shell Point for the thousands of oyster shells discarded there by Native Americans making Wampum) where trails and walkways wind through marsh grasses, reeds and wildflowers.  The park abounds with migratory birds, fiddler crabs and other aquatic life.  From this bluff is a view of Norwalk Harbor, "The Jewel of Long Island Sound," where, besides fifteen marinas, there are 2,700 commercial vessel trips to and fro every year including those of the thriving oyster businesses. 

And then there are the festivals. 

In June, the festival season kicks in with a bang, or rather a splash.  The Norwalk Harbor Splash emphasizes fun in and around the water with an accent on family and youth with a capital Y.  A few sparkling examples:  Have your face painted and join in the Cub Club activities at Black Bear Saloon; Help assemble a life-size humpback whale, great white shark or harbor seal at the Aquarium; Come face-to-face with life-like dinosaurs then board an amazing 3-D simulated adventure ride on Dinosaur Island; For a celebration of seafood, there's the Annual Chowder Cook-Of; For a celebration of sounds, music acts with an emphasis on rhythm and adventure.  Then, to top it all off, The Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Race!  Let the good times roll! 

Also in June, the Norwalk Jazz Festival features the best in traditional, contemporary and Latin jazz.  

The Annual Sono Arts Celebration actually pre-visioned SoNo in that bi-centennial year of 1976.  Climaxing with a parade of giant puppets, this feast of talent brings together the creations of over 150 fine artists and craftsmen surrounded by an atmosphere of music and dance. 

And finally, the Norwalk Oyster Festival, as venerable as SoNo itself, with internationally known music acts as well as hundreds of arts and crafts booths, sky divers, environmental displays, children's activities and rides, oystering exhibits, vintage vessels, harbor cruises, and food, food, food...

Source: http://www.culinarymenus.com/historicsono.htm