We are going to Norwalk CT on a non football weekend this fall to visit our niece. Does anyone on the board have experience traveling to this part of Connecticut?
If so, I would appreciate which airport and airline to use and maybe some things to do while we are there. We can fly out of San Antonio, Houston Hobby or Austin and usually fly Southwest. The trip will either be in September or October 2025. Thanks for the help.

Originally from CT not far from Norwalk. October is "peeper" time when everyone comes up to see the Fall Foliage. It is absolutely gorgeous!! Beware....Traffic on 95 and 84 is awful especially on the weekend as well as most of the side roads because of the visitors. Be sure to book hotel now! Plan accordingly.
Mystic is on the water going up toward RI and worth a day trip. You will be surrounded by small town New England. Ridgefield is about 20 -30 min north of Norwalk on Rt 7. Darling town. Stamford is a bigger city but offers alot along the waterfront as well as Fairfield and other coastal towns. See Yale in New Haven and venture into RI or Boston depending on your time. Flying into LaGuardia is probably your best bet. Hartford is an easy airport but a bit farther on I84. You can't go wrong wherever you choose to fly in/out of. Just book asap because of time of year. It's a beautiful place to grow up. I go back alot in the Fall for various events with friends from HS and College. Just can't live there anymore. Too expensive and I am over winter!! Enjoy!!

PS) Southwest flys into Hartford but not direct.

When I visited a friend in Norwalk, I flew into LaGuardia and drove down.

Thank you so much for the information! If you all think anything else, go ahead and post for us!

I'm originally from two towns over from Norwalk. I go visit every summer and usually fly into LGA from IAH. However now Avelo flies from New Haven to Hobby. Not sure how often and I believe only one flight a day, but it's a much closer option than the NYC airports or Hartford. So just something else to consider.

The other previous poster from CT pretty much covered the things to do, but you MUST go to Stew Leonard's. It's a grocery store, but so much more and if you're in Norwalk you need to experience it and get their soft serve! Easton and Westport are also cute small towns right next to Norwalk you can visit. Enjoy - I love visiting, but also won't move back because of winter and cost of living.

Oh and the Maritime Aquarium is in Norwalk. It's a good, smaller aquarium. If you don't want to do a coastal drive, Kent Falls State Park is nice. About an hour and half away.

I lived in that part of CT for 4 years in the mid-00's. It's such a nice place to live. Not super touristy though. Hopefully you are lucky enough to see the changing foilage.

Don't bother flying in anywhere but La Guardia if you can help it. Hartford to Fairfield County is a long way and when traffic hits, it is so much worse to Hartford than it is to LGA and Westchester options are limited.

The apple orchards are nice around that time. Also see about getting on a boat on the Sound. I also really like Tod's Point even if just for a nice walk on the trail if it is open to the public then. On that note, theres a lot of nice, quiet easy hiking trails north of the Merritt between Stamford and Wilton in particular.

Oh and go eat at Rowayton Seafood and Frank Pepe!

Ugly Scientist:

Thank you for the information! Appreciate it!

ATM9000:

Great information! Thanks so much!

Another Fairfield County, Connecticut native son. I grew up in Sandy Hook, about 30 minutes or so from Norwalk. FWIW, when I left for A&M, and would travel home to see my parents, I flew out of LGA 95% of the time.

Some really good suggestions from those that have lived there.

If you do opt to head north on Rte 7, I'd suggest you take it a bit further than Ridgefield and head to Litchfield County. Kent Falls (in Kent, Ct), is pretty neat, as are the surrounding towns. Quite a few private preparatory schools up there, such as Choate, which JFK attended, in Wallingford.

Regarding LGA…it used to be a dumpy, third world airport. It's gone through a multi-billion renovation and is really impressive. The 'water fall' in Terminal B is a MUST see (American Airlines flies out of B).

As others have said, I love Connecticut. However, it has changed so much since I was a kid. That said, you're going up there at a great time.

Thanks Toddy Hill! With all the great replies we've had, it's going to be a great trip! I'm amazed how Aggies are from everywhere and are so willing to help each other out with just about anything. Thanks again!

Hello to all from CT. Who knew! You guys make me miss "home".... if only in the spring and fall!! It was a wonderful place to grow up! I agree about LGA. I typically fly into Hartford to see college friends. Safe travels and ENJOY!!

Never imagined there were so many Fairfield county folks around these parts!

We lived in Newtown from 2011 to 2018. Agree with all to fly in/out LGA. Frank Pepe pizza is a must-try, lots of locations to choose from. Stanziatos in Danbury if youre up that way. Yale's campus is pretty and has a nice art museum. Second checking out the Litchfield area, or even Woodbury/Roxbury is a pretty area to drive, 7 from Norwalk to Danbury has some picturesque options. Sleeping Giant SP was one of our favorites. Some great breweries in the area including Two Roads, New England Brewing Co, BADSONS. Black Hog and Uber unusual (and our favorite) OEC. Sunrise and sunsets along the coast, we usually hit up Milford as we had lots of friends south of us. Enjoy!

Quote:

---

We lived in Newtown from 2011 to 2018

---

Whoa…that's crazy. I almost mentioned the flagpole as a must see. Too many great memories of Newtown.

If any of the great people that replied to my question have time to talk to me, I'd like to follow-up with a few more basic inquiries. I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
Greg
361-649-8257

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding lodging in Norwalk or somewhere nearby?
The Hilton, Marriott in Norwalk have bad reviews and are apparently older properties and the two bed and breakfasts I checked on were $750+ per night.
Also, wondering if anyone has used Turo for a rental vehicle out of LaGuardia Airport and how it worked out. Thanks.

Used Turo at JFK, and it was fantastic. Paid extra for them to bring it to the parking garage, because I didn't want to uber to go get the car. Easy breezy, and even asked to extend the rental reservation without any issue.

Aggie19Eighty said:

---

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding lodging in Norwalk or somewhere nearby?
The Hilton, Marriott in Norwalk have bad reviews and are apparently older properties and the two bed and breakfasts I checked on were $750+ per night.
Also, wondering if anyone has used Turo for a rental vehicle out of LaGuardia Airport and how it worked out. Thanks.

---

Prior to living there full time, I had to travel there quite frequently… I can tell you the hotels in the area are all about the same… 3-4 star locations that are somewhat dated… but fine. I wouldn't get too hung up by the reviews. Don't expect any of the hotels to blow you away but they are sufficient. Think generic conference hotel and not resort. That's what they all are in Fairfield County at least between Greenwich and Westport.

Thanks Superman and ATM. Your responses are very helpful.