Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Norwalk, CA

  • Published 2022/06/17

Norwalk is a city in Los Angeles County, Southern California.

The Native American Shoshonean tribe used to live there.

The city continuously grew owing to its advantageous location on the El Camino Real Trail.

It was later renamed “North Walk” and then “Norwalk.”

Norwalk has over 105,000 people and is also home to many parks and recreation facilities, businesses and cultural attractions.

Norwalk is now primarily a residential neighborhood in warm California.

Still, it’s a terrific place to get outside and appreciate the surroundings, making it an essential stop on the Anaheim Branch Railroad Line.

Norwalk is full of luscious parks and outdoor places.

While you can come here to relax and unwind, the city is also close to some of the best attractions in the California area, including Knott’s Berry Farm.

Here are the best things to do in Norwalk, CA:

Play Basketball at Norwalk Park

Welcome sign of Norwalk Park

Northwalker, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Norwalk Park is in the Aquatic Pavilion.

It’s one of the city’s most popular places to play basketball.

Because of its spacious center court, Norwalk Park is the city’s signature park and an attraction for anybody who enjoys basketball.

The park service has 12 parks with a total area of 87.3 acres, and the parks host sports tournaments and programs and community events.

The grounds of Norwalk Park

Northwalker, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

You should watch a game here whenever you visit.

Likewise, you can do plenty of other activities in Norwalk Park if you want something more relaxing.

Bring your kids to the playgrounds or the picnic spots for the whole family.

If you’re looking for a place to enjoy some outdoor activities, Norwalk Park is the perfect place.

Practice Your Swing at the Golf ‘N’ Stuff

Golf ‘n’ Stuff in Firestone Boulevard is famous as the location of the classic movie Karate Kid.

They are already known as one of the most fun places in Norwalk, offering a variety of activities for the whole family.

Golf ‘N’ Stuff has offered exceptional family fun for all ages for over 50 years.

This amusement park and golf course offer arcade games, miniature golf, laser tag, batting cages, and go-karts.

You can spend an afternoon or evening trying to get that hole-in-one.

There are always other people around to challenge you to a game.

There are also food bars to keep you entertained on your travel.

This is a terrific place to practice your swing or play a game of miniature golf.

Explore the Los Angeles County Fire Museum

The Los Angeles County Fire Museum is one of California’s best places to learn about firefighting history through fascinating exhibits.

The Museum displays around 60 historic fire engines, with some of the oldest pieces dating back to the 1860s.

Find artifacts such as Model T fire engines, person-drawn fire engines, horse-drawn steam engines, and equipment used by the Los Angeles County Fire Department in the 1920s.

You can also see the famous “Disneyland” fire engine.

Marvel at the 1950s fire engines tastefully included in this collection, such as trucks shown in the 1970s Emergency! TV series.

You can also see a variety of interactive displays, which makes learning about the history of firefighting fun for the whole family.

Make a Splash at the Norwalk Aquatic Pavilion

Norwalk Aquatic Pavilion is one of the best places to cool off in the summer heat.

It’s a state-of-the-art facility that features a full-sized outdoor swimming pool.

You can beef up your swimming skills in the Norwalk Aquatic Pavilion, as they offer classes to beginners and experienced swimmers.

If you don’t like swimming, you can still enjoy the sun and Norwalk Aquatic Pavilion’s beautiful surroundings.

Relax on the deck or play one of the many available games.

The pavilion is open to the public for lap swimming, diving, and general recreation.

Take a Day Off at the Cerritos Park East

Cerritos Park East is a beautiful two-mile park with many options, such as picnicking, playing sports, or relaxing in the sun.

The park also features a 6,600-square-foot multipurpose California Room.

Moreover, spaces for sports and activities are available at Cerritos Park East’s community center.

The Cerritos Park East has a mirrored wall and a ballet barre in the dancing studio for those raring to try ballet dancing.

You will not be disappointed with Cerritos Park East’s amenities.

These amenities include a theater, lighted tennis courts, a lighted jogging track, picnic tables, and handball courts, like playground equipment.

Cerritos Park East is the perfect place to spend a day outdoors with family and friends.

See Extraordinary Artifacts at the D.D. Johnston-Hargitt House Museum

Exterior of D.D. Johnston-Hargitt House Museum

Einbierbitte, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

D.D. Johnston-Hargitt House Museum is one of the best places to see artifacts and learn about the history of Norwalk.

The house contains family treasures and Victorian-era antiques.

Darius David Johnston owned the house first.

Johnston belonged to one of Norwalk’s founding pioneer families; he also organized the Norwalk School District.

The two-story house is made of solid redwood brought to Anaheim Landing from Northern California.

The Museum features a variety of exhibits, including heirlooms and other memorabilia from the Johnston-Hargitt family and historical artifacts from Norwalk.

The table in its dining room, for instance, was brought from DD Johnston’s original home in Ohio.

His family ate holiday meals at that table.

The Friends of Hargitt House provides docent-led tours that bring the Museum to life and explain to you the antique items.

See a wood-burning stove, old irons on the stove for smoothing clothes, and old cooking gadgets.

The D.D. Johnston-Hargitt House Museum is a great place to learn about the history of Norwalk and see some fascinating artifacts.

Discover the Culture of Norwalk at the Cultural Arts Center

The Cultural Arts Center is one of the best places to learn about the culture of Norwalk.

It offers Norwalk citizens and the surrounding community high-quality arts and cultural training at a reasonable price.

Located on Clarksdale Avenue, the center features a variety of cultural arts programs and events.

Likewise, the Culture Arts Center offers classes for children of different ages.

The center also features a gallery that exhibits the work of local artists in the Mary Paxon Art Gallery.

The Cultural Arts Center is a great place to see some fascinating artwork.

Take in the Stillness of the Wilderness Park

Wilderness Park is perfect if you love hiking and you happen to be in Norwalk.

The Park welcomes visitors to bring their leashed pets, but if you plan to visit wilderness inside or near a national park, you must follow the Park’s rules.

The Wilderness Park has two little ponds, kids’ play equipment, picnic tables, barbecue grills, and ball diamonds.

The Park has a variety of hiking and biking trails and a lake where you can go fishing.

The Park also combines outdoor leisure with environmental conservation.

It has a 12-acre nature preserve home to various plant and animal species.

The Wilderness Park is a great place to get some exercise and fresh air and appreciate Norwalk’s’ natural beauty.

Browse the Gilbert Sproul Museum

The Gilbert Sproul Museum is one of Norwalk’s most popular historical sites, for the city’s first resident, William G. Sproul, lived there.

Built in 1886, the Gilbert Sproul Mansion was converted into a museum.

It will feel like you’re traveling back in time, as some of the parts of the house still look like how it was during the 1870s.

Its kitchen, for instance, still features the equipment, plates, and cabinets used when the Sprouls lived there.

The Gilbert Sproul Museum contains a variety of artifacts that tell the story of Norwalk, from its early beginnings to the present day.

Take a Stroll at Robert White Park

Robert White Park is a popular park in Norwalk because it offers tourists a wide range of services.

Situated on Hoxie Avenue, the Robert White Park is recognized for its vast playground area suitable for residents and visitors.

It also features basketball courts.

The Robert White Park lets you bring your dog for a walk on the well-manicured grounds.

Likewise, you can have a romantic picnic with your partner.

Robert White Park also features benches, perfect for those who want to contemplate the tranquil surroundings.

Robert White Park is a great place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy some peace.

Admire Contemporary Art at Mary Paxon Art Gallery

The Mary Paxon Art Gallery is one of Norwalk’s hidden gems.

Located in the Cultural Arts Center, the gallery features a variety of artwork from local artists.

The gallery is named after Mary Paxon, a local artist and one of the founders of the Norwalk Arts Commission.

The gallery aims to promote the work of local artists and provide a venue for a get-together and express appreciation of the arts.

The Mary Paxon Art Gallery is a great place to see some fascinating artwork and learn about Norwalk’s’ culture.

Tour the Hathaway Ranch and Oil Museum

The Hathaway Ranch and Oil Museum is one of Norwalk’s most popular tourist attractions.

The Hathaway Ranch and Oil Museum is in a sizeable Spanish-Mediterranean home built in 1933.

It is a five-acre repository of Los Angeles County mining history dating back 150 years.

Check out the equipment multiple generations of the Hathaways used for ranching, oil drilling, and farming at the Ranch.

The Ranch still features multiple outbuildings required by a ranch and oil industry.

It also has one of the region’s most extensive collections of steam engines and oil field equipment.

The Museum and grounds are still privately owned by relatives of the original owners.

Until she died in 2002, Nadine Hathaway, who founded the Museum, lived in the house as her primary residence.

Discover the Frontier Park

Frontier Park is a popular tourist destination because it offers a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy.

The park features many things to do for tourists who either like peace or enjoy the outdoors.

These amenities include several restaurants, a playground for children, a small arts and crafts room, and a softball field.

The Park also has a walking trail, perfect for those who want some exercise while enjoying the scenic views.

The Frontier Park is dog-friendly, so bring your furry friend along for fun.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Spend the Day at Knott’s Berry Farm

A ride at Knott’s Berry Farm

Danita Delimont / Shutterstock.com

Knott’s Berry Farm is one of California’s most popular tourist attractions.

Find it in Buena Park, California, 14 minutes from Norwalk.

The former family farm is now a 160-acre theme park with various rides, attractions, and shows.

The previously tiny family farm is now home to the Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park, waterpark, and hotel.

Knott’s Berry Farm is a must-visit for thrill-seekers or theme park enthusiasts.

Rollercoaster at Knott’s Berry Farm

Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com

See dozens of exhilarating shows and ride attractions in four sections inspired by California’s history and culture.

From the iconic Ghost Rider wooden roller coaster to the Hang Time drop tower, you’ll enjoy plenty of thrills at the Knott’s Berry Farm.

Knott’s Berry Farm has something for everyone, whether you’re’ searching for a weekend escape, a family road trip, or an overnight stay.

Supreme scream tower at Knott’s Berry Farm

Logan Bush / Shutterstock.com

Marvel at the Exhibits in the Discovery Cube Orange County

Aerial view of Discovery Cube Orange County

Matt Gush / Shutterstock.com

Discovery Cube Orange County is a museum dedicated to science and technology.

The Museum has over 80 hands-on exhibits that focus on different aspects of science and technology, designed to educate and entertain visitors of all ages.

It’s in Santa Ana, California, 18 minutes away from Norwalk.

The Discovery Cube Orange County also has a planetarium and an IMAX theater, which show educational films about space, the solar system, and other scientific topics.

Entrance to the Discovery Cube Orange County

Simone Hogan / Shutterstock.com

The Museum also offers a variety of programs and workshops that allow visitors to learn more about science and technology.

Some Discovery Cube Orange County exhibits include the Dino Quest, Bed of Nails, Rocket Launch, and the Apollo 11 Command Module.

The Discovery Cube Orange County is a great place to learn about science and technology, interactive and fun.

It lets you experience different aspects of science and technology firsthand.

A rocket displayed on the grounds of Discovery Cube Orange County

Steve Cukrov / Shutterstock.com

Final Thoughts

Norwalk is a great place to visit, and plenty of activities keep you busy.

Spend time outdoors at the parks and discover the city’s top museums to maximize your time in the city.

You’ll find everything you need for an eventful holiday in Norwalk, California.

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