A suburb of New York City with a population of 82,951, Norwalk is the sixth largest city in Connecticut. The main focus of activity in town lies in South Norwalk (SoNo), where most of the nightlife and entertainment takes place.

Cobblestoned streets, charming boutiques and delicious eateries fashion the town. In the Historic District, numerous homes pose as relics of Norwalk's yesteryears. And music rings through the air with the classical sounds of the symphony orchestra at the Norwalk Concert Hall.

There are several excellent museums in town. The renown Maritime Aquarium houses more than 1000 sea animals, an IMAX movie theater, and special exhibits such as the robotic dinosaurs of Dinosaur Island.

The exquisite Lockwood-Mathews Manson Museum on West Avenue is a must see for antique buffs. The 62-room home of railroad tycoon LeGrand Lockwood is a National Historic Landmark and considered to be one of America's best Second Empire Style homes ever constructed.

No one should leave Norwalk without visiting the Sheffield Island Lighthouse, accessible only by ferry to the most remote of Norwalk's islands in Long Island Sound. On the tiny island, there's a historic 10-room lighthouse and a nature trail to explore. To learn more about the city, a visit to Norwalk Museum is in order.

Norwalk is a lively town. Golfers tee off at the public 18-hole course in town. And for that nagging inkling to cast off on a fishing trip, Norwalk Cove Marina offers Middlebank, a fun party boat, to the rescue. The 49-passenger carrier pulls out daily to catch blackfish in the waters of Long Island Sound from early spring to late fall.

Norwalk is a water-loving town that enjoys all sorts of water games. Of course swimming is right up there with the favorites. But, so is boating of all types ? kayaking, rowing, and sailing. Scuba diving and wind surfing are also part of the Norwalk way of life.

Norwalk lies between Stamford and Bridgeport in southwest Connecticut, about 62 miles from Hartford.

Bluff Point State Park in Groton has hiking trails through woodlands along The Sound presenting wonderful opportunities for observing wildlife. The Park also has resources for saltwater fishing, shell fishing and mountain biking. At Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme, camping and crabbing are popular..

New London and Groton, names synonymous with maritime technology, are located in the southeastern corner of Connecticut.