Waterbury
Introduction
Waterbury sits in New Haven County in the U.S. state of Connecticut, about 33 miles southwest of Hartford and 77 miles northeast of New York City. It is the largest city in the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region.
Before you go
Waterbury is a city in Connecticut with a history rooted in brass manufacturing, a heritage still visible in its motto, "Quid Aere Perennius?" ("What Is More Lasting Than Brass?"), which is inscribed on a marble frieze inside City Hall. Keep that industrial past in mind as you plan: it shapes the city's identity and gives context to what you'll see downtown. Details on when to visit, what to pack, and how to get around are limited here, so plan to confirm practical arrangements—transport, lodging, and local conditions—through other sources before you set out.Getting there
Waterbury sits at the junction of Interstate 84, which runs east–west, and Connecticut Route 8, which runs north–south, so it's easy to reach by car from across the region. The city lies in Central Western Connecticut on the Naugatuck River. Several major Connecticut cities are within about a 35-minute drive: Hartford and New Britain to the east and Danbury to the west, all on I-84; New Haven to the south via Connecticut routes 63 or 69; Bridgeport to the south and Torrington to the north via Route 8; and Meriden to the east via I-84 to I-691.
By rail, the Waterbury train station is on the Metro-North line, which links the city to the train stations of several Naugatuck Valley towns to the south. Through connections at Bridgeport, MTA trains continue to the coastal "Shoreline East" stations to the east and to Fairfield County stations to the west, terminating at Grand Central Terminal in New York City.
Getting around
Waterbury sits at the junction of Interstate 84, running east–west, and Connecticut Route 8, running north–south, so arriving by car is straightforward, with Hartford, New Britain and Danbury along I-84 and New Haven, Bridgeport and Torrington reachable via Routes 63, 69 and 8. If you come by rail, the city's train station is on the Metro-North line, which links Waterbury to the Naugatuck Valley towns to the south; at Bridgeport you can connect onward to the coastal Shoreline East stations, to Fairfield County, or all the way to Grand Central Terminal in New York City. Coming from the airport, the practical route is to reach Grand Central first and take the train north.
Downtown Waterbury is compact and works well on foot, and because the city's neighborhoods grew up around clusters of shops at street corners, each has a village-like center you can cover by walking before moving on. A fairly extensive local bus system serves the city and runs into the late evening, so public transport is usable for an evening out rather than just a daytime commute. The Waterbury Green, the central downtown gathering point, is the easiest place to catch a bus if you are unsure where to board, and inter-city bus lines also serve the city. Cab services offer a door-to-door alternative when a bus does not fit your route or schedule.
Where to stay
Waterbury has very little in the way of published accommodation, so plan your stay around the one listed option rather than expecting a range of choices. The Courtyard by Marriott sits on Grand Street, in the downtown core, which puts you within easy reach of the city's central streets and makes it a practical base if you're passing through the area or visiting on business.
Food & drink
Waterbury has plenty of choices for eating out, with Italian cooking a particular strength. In the Town Plot neighbourhood, which has a strong Italian-American character, D'Amelio's Italian Eatery serves traditional home-style favourites and an extensive list of entrees, with a lunch menu that's tasty and reasonably priced, a nice bar and friendly service. A short distance away, La Tavola Ristorante has established itself among the finest Italian restaurants in Connecticut, with a lively bar crowd and an extensive wine selection; its prosciutto-wrapped gorgonzola-stuffed figs are a signature you won't find elsewhere. Downtown, Diorio Restaurant and Bar has been a landmark since the 1920s, long rated for classic Italian cuisine, and the old-school tile flooring, tin ceiling, mahogany bar and colourful scenic murals on the mirror offer a glimpse into the past — a good choice for a business lunch or before or after a show at the Palace Theater.
For something quicker, Frankie's Hot Dogs on Watertown Avenue is the town's most famous hot dog joint, a landmark since the Caiazzo family opened it in 1933; other franchised locations exist, but this is the original. For drinks, Ború's Bar on West Main Street is one of the better Irish bars in town, with a young, inclusive atmosphere, quality beers and other drinks, good burgers and steaks, and pleasant bartenders and patrons. The 457 Lounge and Grill, also on West Main Street, is a wing and burger bar.
What to see and do
Start your visit at the Mattatuck Museum Arts & History Center on West Main Street, where the Waterbury area's long history is chronicled and the main gallery is given over to works by Connecticut artists. Among the exhibits is a collection of thousands of buttons donated by the town's now-defunct Button Museum. The museum occupies the former Masonic Temple building on the city's historic Green.
- Admire Waterbury City Hall on Grand Street, designed by architect Cass Gilbert and opened in 1915; an extensive renovation restored the Georgian Revival building's original splendor. The Chase Building across the street and other nearby structures form the Cass Gilbert Historic District, one of the few places in the world where a collection of the architect's buildings sit within walking distance of one another.
- Take in a show at the Palace Theater on East Main Street, the area's premier performance venue. Renovated and opened in 1922, it has ornate domed ceilings and grand lobbies; seeing the building is as much fun as the performance itself.
- Head west of the city to Quassy Amusement & Waterpark in Middlebury, off Highway 64, for coasters, waterslides and views of Lake Quassapaug.
Three days in Waterbury
Day one: Start in Downtown Waterbury, the heart of the city, and take in City Hall, whose motto—Quid Aere Perennius, "What Is More Lasting Than Brass"—reflects the city's identity. From there, follow the Naugatuck River through the Naugatuck Valley, the corridor that has shaped Waterbury's growth within New Haven County and the wider Naugatuck Valley Planning Region.
Day two: Use Waterbury as your base for exploring Central Western Connecticut. Head north toward Torrington or south through the Naugatuck Valley toward Derby and Shelton, or east to New Britain and Meriden. If you prefer a bigger city, Hartford lies within easy reach, and Danbury and New Haven are both straightforward drives from Waterbury.
Day three: Leave the car behind and take the train. Metro-North's Waterbury branch connects the city to the main line, and from there you can ride south through Fairfield County to Grand Central Terminal in New York City. Coming back, the same line returns you to Waterbury, with Shoreline East offering onward connections along the coast.