Norwalk State Heritage Park is a mixed urban waterfront development project based around the estuary of the Norwalk River, a small yet complex and important ecological system. The Norwalk River flows into Long Island Sound and thus into the Atlantic Ocean. The estuary and its group of islands are an example of the delicate balance between great natural beauty and frequent human use.

The shores of the estuary display the whole panoply of urban uses: industrial, commercial, residential and recreational. Norwalk is famed for its traditional oyster industry and among the largest oyster producing ports in the nation. Local sensitivity to the environment is enhanced by this important commercial activity, which is wholly dependent on the quality of water flowing over the oyster beds at the mouth of the estuary.

As a whole, The Norwalk State Heritage Park links several smaller but distinct attractions:

Mathews Park & Pine Island Cemetery
Oyster Shell Park
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
The SoNo Historic District
The Marina District

Also, within these areas a number of Special Attractions can be found:

The Amphitheater
Art Under the Bridge
The Bike Path
Water Activities

Driving Directions To Heritage Park

Mathews Park / Stepping Stones Museum Entrance
I-95 Northbound:
Take exit 14. Go straight at the stop sign at the end of the exit ramp.
Continue parallel to I-95 on Reed Street and go straight at the next stop sign.
At the traffic signal at the end of Reed Street, turn left onto West Avenue and head north in the right lane.
At the third traffic signal, take a right into Mathews Park and follow the signs to the parking area for the Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum.

I-95 Southbound:
Take exit 15 and stay in the right lane. Bear right at the fork at the end of the exit ramp.
At the traffic signal at the end of the exit ramp, turn right onto West Avenue and head north.
At the first traffic signal, take a right into Mathews Park and follow the signs to the parking area for the Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum.

Ann Street / Maritime Aquarium Entrance
I-95 Northbound:
Take exit 14. Go straight at the stop sign at the end of the exit ramp.
Continue parallel to I-95 on Reed Street and go straight at the next stop sign.
At the traffic signal at the end of Reed Street, turn right onto West Avenue and head south in the left lane.
At the third traffic signal, bear left at the fork onto North Main Street.
At the first traffic signal after the fork, turn left onto Ann Street and head east.
At the intersection of Ann Street and North Water Street, follow the signs to the parking area for the Maritime Aquarium.

I-95 Southbound:
Take exit 15 and stay in the right lane. Bear left at the fork at the end of the exit ramp.
At the traffic signal at the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto West Avenue and head south in the left lane.
At the fifth traffic signal, bear left at the fork onto North Main Street.
At the first traffic signal after the fork, turn left onto Ann Street and head east.
At the intersection of Ann Street and North Water Street, follow the signs to the parking area for the Maritime Aquarium.

Webster Street Parking Lot
I-95 Northbound:
Take exit 14. Go straight at the stop sign at the end of the exit ramp.
Continue parallel to I-95 on Reed Street and go straight at the next stop sign.
At the traffic signal at the end of Reed Street, turn right onto West Avenue and head south in the left lane.
At the third traffic signal, bear right at the fork onto Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
At the first traffic signal after the fork, turn left into the Webster Street Parking Lot.

I-95 Southbound:
Take exit 15 and stay in the right lane. Bear left at the fork at the end of the exit ramp.
At the traffic signal at the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto West Avenue and head south in the right lane.
At the fifth traffic signal, bear right at the fork onto Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
At the first traffic signal after the fork, turn left into the Webster Street Parking Lot.