[Wilton2ParkAve]

Originally Posted by SlimCharles

Wilton doesn't have a downtown, bro

It’s pretty clear you haven’t ever been there. You might want to look beyond route 7. A value add reply from the four post veteran. https://www.wiltonbulletin.com/wp-co...ys-640x400.jpg

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Wilton2ParkAve

It’s pretty clear you haven’t ever been there. You might want to look beyond route 7. A value add reply from the four post veteran. https://www.wiltonbulletin.com/wp-co...ys-640x400.jpg

I would call Wilton’s more of a “community center”. It doesn’t, IMO, have that downtown feel.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Wilton2ParkAve

Okay.

I’ll add it seems more of a cluster of shopping centers than a traditional Main Street with aesthetically pleasing sidewalks - nothing like Ridgefield. JMO.

[Wilton2ParkAve]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

I would call Wilton’s more of a “community center”. It doesn’t, IMO, have that downtown feel.

It’s a curious suggestion. Locally owned retailers, village market, library, movies, dry cleaners, jewelers, a dozen restaurants or so. Highly walkable - more so than Fairfield or Ridgefield.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Wilton2ParkAve

It’s a curious suggestion. Locally owned retailers, village market, library, movies, dry cleaners, jewelers, a dozen restaurants or so. Highly walkable - more so than Fairfield or Ridgefield.

Definitely walkable, just not a traditional layout.

[East of the River]

Originally Posted by ryanthegoldengod

West Hartford Center. Glastonbury Center on a quieter scale.

Many towns have no walkable downtowns to speak of. Either their stores and restaurants are spread out through town or you have something like Manchester or Enfield where it's completely car-centric and not very pedestrian friendly. Is it like that everywhere or is it just this state?

Manchester actually has both a traditional downtown and the huge retail area. Also as to elsewhere most of the country is worse as it was developed after the car was a thing.

New London has an interesting downtown. For smaller East Lyme has the funky downtown right next to the beach. Chester is cool but really tiny.

For downtowns with potential that aren't yet there I agree with Torrington but would add out Norwich and Willimantic as others.

[ryanthegoldengod]

Originally Posted by East of the River

Manchester actually has both a traditional downtown and the huge retail area. Also as to elsewhere most of the country is worse as it was developed after the car was a thing.

New London has an interesting downtown. For smaller East Lyme has the funky downtown right next to the beach. Chester is cool but really tiny.

For downtowns with potential that aren't yet there I agree with Torrington but would add out Norwich and Willimantic as others.

Cars ruined everything.

[RoundTableKnight]

Freekin cars !

[Ffcounty]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Then your selection is much smaller. SoNo, Fairfield, Westport, Black Rock, Milford, West Hartford.

Other downtowns mentioned are sleepier and more about the charm. Or family oriented.

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Definitely walkable, just not a traditional layout.

Agree with you as a Wilton resident. Lacks the beauty of Ridgefield or NC but there is definitely a community feeling IMO.

[Danny K]

As for Downtowns: Milford and Guilford are my favorites by far!

Then I'd say Essex, Chester, Litchfield, Stonington Borough (if that counts as Downtown Stonington), Old Saybrook, Madison, and Branford.

Fairfield and West Hartford also have some really nice downtowns but they're pretty busy and can be quite crowded, which is why I wouldn't call them my top.