Things to do in Norwich, Connecticut

Planning a trip to Norwich, Connecticut? This charming New England town offers a mix of rich history, scenic beauty, and great food and drinks. Whether you’re into exploring historic sites, enjoying the outdoors, or checking out local shops and restaurants, Norwich has something to offer every kind of traveler.

Yantic Falls

A waterfall flows over a man-made dam, surrounded by snow and ice, with a bridge and red brick building in the background under a cloudy sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Yantic Falls in Norwich, Connecticut is one of my favorite Connecticut waterfalls. Viewing this waterfall is very accessible and it does not require a hike. Enjoy views of the waterfall from multiple viewing platforms. There are also some old mill buildings you can check out within the park and there are bathrooms on-site.

Mohegan Park

A wooden gazebo stands in a garden filled with red, pink, and white flowers, surrounded by trees and greenery. Steps lead up to the covered structure, which has a sloped roof. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Mohegan Park is another great spot to visit. The park is over 200 acres and there’s plenty to do within the park. There are walking trails, a pond where you can fish, a rose garden, a small beach, playgrounds, and even a disc golf course!

Leffingwell House

A red wooden two-story house with a brick chimney, surrounded by a brown picket fence and green garden, with patriotic banners hanging on the fence. — Image credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Love history and touring historic homes? Step back in time at the Leffingwell House! This historic building, built in 1675, is a great example of New England Colonial architecture. The docents here are extremely knowledgeable. They have a lot of different events throughout the year, but my favorite is touring the house around Christmas time!

Slater Memorial Museum

A historic red brick building with a conical tower and arched windows, set against a cloudy sky. Sparse trees are in the foreground. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

If you’re into art, the Slater Memorial Museum is a great spot to visit. This museum is located on Norwich Free Academy’s campus. The museum itself was built in 1885. It has been displaying and interpreting the best examples of fine and decorative art, representing a broad range of world cultures, for over 100 years.

Howard T. Brown Memorial Park

A park scene with a walkway, gazebo, American flag on a pole, and trees. The sky is blue with a few clouds. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

This park is located on the Norwich Harbor where the Thames River, Yantic River, and Shetucket River meet. It features a gazebo, benches, and a boat launch. In addition to being a beautiful spot, it’s a great spot for bird watching as eagles tend to nest along the river.

Rose Garden Ice Arena

Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

The Rose Garden Ice Arena is a spot you can go ice skating year-round. It’s located only a couple miles away from Mohegan Sun. They have skate rentals available and it’s a great spot for a fun day of ice skating.

Millie’s Ice Cream

A waffle cone filled with chocolate soft-serve ice cream, topped with colorful sprinkles. In the background, there's a blurred outdoor setting with a wooden bench and signs. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

This seasonal ice cream stand has some delicious ice cream. There’s plenty of outdoor seating available to enjoy your ice cream. There’s also a driving range next door that you can check out once you’ve finished your sweet treat!

Norwich Inn and Spa

A long, bright hallway with large windows, round tables, and wicker chairs. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and framed artwork decorates the walls. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

The Norwich Inn & Spa is a destination spa and resort. This historic inn features a spa, multiple dining venues, and there are even events you can check out like trivia nights, happy hours, and afternoon tea. It’s a great spot for a relaxing escape.

Joseph Carpenter Silversmith Shop

A small, historic red building with a gambrel roof and a wooden sign reading "OPEN." A red flag hangs outside. There are trees and a parking area with cars nearby. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

The Joseph Carpenter Silver Smith shop, located along the Norwichtown Green, is an interesting historic site to visit in Norwich. This building was the shop of Joseph Carpenter, who was a prominent silversmith, clockmaker, and pewterer. The building is small, but you can learn a lot about Joseph Carpenter during you visit and see where he did his craft.

Epicure Brewing

Interior of a dimly lit brewery with wooden tables, chairs, brewing tanks, and a U.S. flag. Neon signs and a menu on a table are visible. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Epicure is a craft brewery and taproom that’s located in the heart of historic downtown Norwich. This brewery doesn’t offer food, but they do allow you to bring your own food. In fact, they encourage you to grab a bite to eat from local restaurants. The atmosphere here is fun and they have a lot of fun games to play while you enjoy your craft beer. (If you’re looking for other Connecticut breweries to check out, see our Best Breweries in Connecticut post.)

CREAM Coffee Shop

Mural with a large coffee cup labeled "Cream Coffee" in black and white design, next to a wooden bench. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Not far from Epicure Brewing is CREAM Coffee Shop. This spot is one of my favorite coffee shops in Connecticut. They offer some awesome seasonal drinks and they make homemade whipped cream to top your drinks with. And, it’s super cute inside!

Harp & Dragon Pub

Harp & Dragon is a traditional Irish pub located in the heart of downtown Norwich. It’s a casual spot that offers great food and drinks. They offer lots of beer on tap and they have a fully stocked bar. It’s a great spot to grab a bite to eat in town.