# Danbury

Danbury$^{[deadlink]}$ - nicknamed Hat City - is a city in the interior of Fairfield County, Connecticut, making it part of the Litchfield Hills region.

## Understand

Danbury is a small city located 60 miles southwest of Hartford and 70 miles (110 km) northeast of New York City. Founded in the 17th century, Danbury is the former hat capital of the United States. It was once home to the Great Danbury Fair that has since been replaced by the Danbury Fair Mall, the largest shopping mall in Connecticut. The city has a population of about 75,000 people. It is home to Western Connecticut State University.
In 2020 Danbury made headlines because T.V. personality John Oliver started a "feud" with the city with locals (including the mayor) taking it in stride, opening a "John Oliver Memorial Sewer Plant" in his honor.

## Get in
### By plane

* Westchester County Airport (HPN) near White Plains, NY with direct flights from 21 US cities including Philadelphia, Atlanta, Washington DC, Detroit, Chicago, Orlando and Tampa. It is about 40 minutes away
* Stewart International Airport (SWF) near Newburgh, NY, with flights going to Philadelphia, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta, and Detroit. It is about 60 minutes away
* Tweed New Haven Regional Airport (HVN) in New Haven, with a flight going to Philadelphia. It is about 70 minutes away
* LaGuardia Airport in Queens, NYC, with dozens of flights going worldwide. It is about 70 minutes away
* Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Windsor Locks, with dozens of flights going worldwide. It is about 80 minutes away
* John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, NYC, with dozens of flights going worldwide. It is about 80 minutes away
* Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, NJ, with dozens of flights going worldwide. It is about 100 minutes away
* 41.371667-73.4822221 Danbury Municipal Airport (DXR ). A small two-runway public general aviation airport

## Get around

The easiest and best way to get around Danbury would be by car or bus. With the city being about 44 sq mi (110 km$^2$), it would not be easy to walk to see the entire town.
HART Bus Services The bus line that goes through Danbury is HART. The HART services range from regular buses that can go as far as New Milford and Norwalk, the CityCenter Trolley services, and bus shuttles that go straight to Brewster NY train station to go into New York City.
Rental cars Rental cars are also available for those who would rather drive themselves around. Most popular rental car services being Hertz Car Rental +1 203 743-6773, Avis Rent-A-Car +1 203 744-5450, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car +1 203 748-8998.

## See
### Museums

* 41.3886-73.44671 Danbury Museum and Historical Society, Main Campus: 43 Main St, ☏ +1 203-743-5200, DMHSA@danbury-ct.gov. W-Sa noon-4PM. Tours must be booked at least 24 hr in advance. 5 historical buildings: Huntington Hall, the Rider House, John Dodd Hat Shop, the Little Red Schoolhouse, and the Marian Anderson Studio. They also own and operate Charles Ives Birthplace. (updated Aug 2022)
* 41.395278-73.4372222 Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St (adjacent the Danbury Metro-North Train Station), ☏ +1 203 778-8337. Sa Su 10AM-4PM. This historical Danbury train station that closed in 1993 is now a museum that teaches the public about the history of railroading and its role in our town. Activities includ from tours, train rides, exhibits. Ages 3 and up $7, Free for under 3. Train rides are extra. (updated Aug 2022)

## Do
### Recreational sports

* 41.3951-73.45031 Danbury Ice Arena, 1 Independence Way, ☏ +1 203 794-1704. Hours vary for public skate and events. Home of the Danbury Whalers, a minor league professional ice hockey team in the Federal Hockey League. A great place to take the whole family. Have public skate during the days, as well as at night. Friday night is a great public skate night for the teenagers, while during the day on weekends is better for family activities. The activities are endless ranging from watch the Danbury hockey league the Mad Hatters or even watching the local high school and college hockey games.
* O'Neill Center Westside campus of Western Connecticut State University (turn into the westside entrance and go straight) It is the multi-purpose athletic facility for WCSU. It has a weight room, swimming pool, and locker room for students. Also, contains the Feldman Arena where WCSU basketball and volleyball teams play. Local high school sports teams also hold special games at this facility. All the events are open to the public.
* War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, ☏ +1 203 743-3932. 5:30AM-9PM. Have to obtain a membership to enter or pay one time fee. Activities range from open gyms, fitness center, yoga, karate, dance classes and more. Good place for students in the area to work out. Also are involved in many community events.
* Ritcher Park Golf Course, 100 Aunt Hack Rd, ☏ +1 203 792-2550. A full 18 hole, Demo Golf Course that sits on over 180 acres. Perfect for golfers of all skill levels. Aside for being a golf course, Ritcher also contains banquet facilities, tennis courts, and hiking trails.
* Danbury PAL: Police Activities League, 35 Hayestown Rd, ☏ +1 203 778-4725. A facility that is located directly across the street from Candlewood Lake. It is a great place for children of all ages to come and enjoy athletic and educational programs. These programs range from basketball, softball, cheerleading, bowling, volleyball, wrestling, etc. Aside from these organized activities there are open gyms that public can attend. Call the PAL center for specific times.

### Parks

* Candlewood Town Park, 36 Hayestown Rd. Over 200 yards of beach with an 100-acre grassy park attached. It is a manmade lake in Danbury that is a hotspot for the summer time. There is a playground and a concession stand in the park. There is also a boat dock near the beach front.
* 41.420278-73.452 Hatters Park, 7 E. Hayestown Rd. Around 30 acres for outdoor and indoor activities. Has a Duckpin Bowling Alley, banquet hall, pond, picnic area and three softball fields.
* Kenosia Park Christopher Columbus Ave: 25-acre park with over 100 yards of beach with tables, playground, 3 soccer fields, and row boats.
* Rogers Park End of Main St and South Main St. Around 60 acres that contains recreational fields for the public and many sports teams in the Danbury area. 8 tennis courts, 10 baseball fields, handball court, soccer field, volleyball fields, and basketball courts. Also has a large playground adjacent for younger children.
* Terrywile Park Southern Blvd. 717 acre park for the hiker or outdoorsy type. Has numerous hiking trails, green house, carriage house, farm house, gate house, and a castle to explore.

### Music and theaters

* Palace Theater, 165 Main St. Opened in 1928. Now it is a single screen venue for performing arts and movies. A great place to go and see part of the original Main St. in Danbury.
* AMC Theater, 61 Eagle Rd, ☏ +1 203 796-7777. Hours vary call theater for specific movie times. A place to go and see the newest movies out. A great spot on weekends for young teenagers to hang out with an arcade in the back of the lobby.
* Ives Concert Park. WSU University Blvd. The perfect place to go for the summer. Ives is a venue for live music that is located on the west side campus of Western Connecticut State University. During the summer it is a great place for families to go and enjoy popular live music and fine arts events.
* City Center Danbury: (in downtown Danbury on Main St. and various streets off of Main St.). Hosting events like the Danbury Farmers Market, Halloween on the Green, Holiday Lights, Summer Concert Series: live music located on Ives St. Green, A Taste of Greater Danbury: event with food from local restaurants, crafts and entertainment.

## Buy

* 41.3822-73.47751 Danbury Fair Mall, 7 Backus Ave, ☏ +1 203 743-3247. M-Sa 10AM-8PM, Su 11AM-76PM. 2-level mall with over 200 stores and food establishments. The main anchor stores are Macy's, JCPenney, Primark, and Dick's Sporting Goods. (updated Jan 2022)
* 41.4068-73.41522 Berkshire Center, 67 Newtown Rd. It is across the street from the Holiday Inn and Courtyard Marriott and includes Marshalls, Walmart, Radio Shack, Home Goods, Staples Fashion Bug, a nail salon, pet store, Sprint phone company store, Namco pool supplies and Edible Arrangements.
* North Street Shopping Center, North Street (near Danbury Hospital). Has a Burlington Coat Factory, Mandee (a young ladies' clothing store), A&P supermarket, Radio Shack, Carvel's Ice Cream Shop, a barber shop, Hallmark, laundromat, nail salon, Dollar Tree and Rite Aid.

## Eat
### Diner

* Three Brothers Diner: 242 White St, +1 203 748-6008
* Elmer's Diner: 22 Padanaram Rd, +1 203 731-2559
* New Holiday Diner: 123 White St, +1 203 748-9798

### Italian

* Cafe on the Green: 100 Aunt Hack Road, +1 203 791-0369
* Sal's Pizza Restaurant: 23 Padanaram Rd # R23, +1 203 744-2422
* 41.3888-73.471 Michael Angelo's Pizzeria, 75 Lake Ave, ☏ +1 203 797-1333. M-Sa 11AM-9PM (closed Su). Pizza in a strip mall. (updated Jun 2020)

### Chinese

* Sesame Seed Restaurant: 68 W Wooster St, +1 203 743-9850
* Good Taste Chinese Restaurant: 247 Main St, +1 203 798-8978
* Beijing Chinese Restaurant: 216 White St, +1 203 743-1188
* China King: 1 Division St # C, +1 203 798-9262
* Jeffrey's Chinese Kitchen: 7 Pembroke Rd, +1 203 730-8603
* Dragon Cheng: 132 West St, +1 203 790-4297

### Mexican

* El Rancho Mexican: 20 White St, +1 203 730-9470
* El Millieno Restaurant: 21 North St, +1 203 207-0156
* Panchos Tacos Mexican Restaurant: 145 White St, +1 203 790-0900
* Britos Restaurant Mexican Food: 41 South St, +1 203 797-0885

### Food shopping

* Stew Leonard's, 99 Federal Rd, ☏ +1 203 790-8030. Daily 8AM-10PM. It's Disney meets dairy, where you can enjoy a song and dance from large mechanical chickens as you pick up your eggs. Fresh dairy store that also has expanded to meats, produce, bakery, fish, cheese and wine.
* C-Town, 45 North St, ☏ +1 203 748-5466. Individually owned and operated store. Great place to go if you are looking for international food products.
* Stop & Shop 44 Lake Ave. Ext. +1 203 797-8901 Daily 7AM-midnight

## Drink

* TK's American Cafe, 255 White St, ☏ +1 203 730-1776. Daily 11AM-1AM. Known for their 52 flavors of wings and TVs in every booth. A sports bar atmosphere.

## Sleep

* 41.3854-73.48641 Maron Hotel & Suites, 42 Lake Avenue Ext, ☏ +1 203 791-2200, fax: +1 203 791-2201. The Maron Hotel & Suites is situated between New York City and Boston along Interstate 84. With airports such as Tweed, Westchester and Danbury Municipal all within 30 minutes, and La Guardia International 48 miles away. $129+.
* SpringHill Suites Danbury, 30 Old Ridgebury Rd, ☏ +1 203 744-7333, fax: +1 203 744-7555. Easy access to many international airports and minutes to Western Connecticut State University, Charles Ives Center, O'Neill Center, Brewster Sports Center and the Brewster Ice Arena.
* Comfort Suites Danbury, 89 Mill Plain Rd, ☏ +1 203 205-0800.
* Courtyard Danbury, 3 Eagle Road, ☏ +1 203 730-2228, fax: +1 203 730-6667.
* Holiday Inn, 80 Newtown Rd, ☏ +1 203 792-4000.
* Residence Inn Danbury, 22 Segar Street, ☏ +1 203 797-1256, fax: +1 203 797-1268.