Waterbury
Around Waterbury
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Metro area · Connecticut · 462k people
Waterbury
Locals say Naugatuck Valley · “Brass City”, “Bell City”
Waterbury · Shelton
Where the river meets the brass
Brass GoldRiver BlueValley Green
Welcome to the Naugatuck Valley, where the rivers run through our towns and the clock towers keep time. Whether you're here for a Blues game at Muzzy Field or a slice of apizza, you'll find a friendly community that loves its history and outdoors.
Clubs for Waterbury
No clubs for Waterbury yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Waterbury. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Waterbury. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Palace Theater Historic performing arts venue in Waterbury.
- Mattatuck Museum Art and history of the Naugatuck Valley.
- Lake Compounce America's oldest continuously operating amusement park.
- American Clock & Watch Museum Showcases the region's clock-making legacy.
- New England Carousel Museum Antique carousels and restoration exhibits.
- Muzzy Field Historic baseball field, home of the Bristol Blues.
- Outdoors Hike the Naugatuck State Forest
- Outdoors Bike the Naugatuck River Greenway
- With kids Lake Compounce
- With kids New England Carousel Museum
- Evenings Live music at the Palace Theater
- Evenings Craft beer at local breweries
- Locals love Local diners
- Locals love Pizza parlors
Through the year
- Bristol Blues home games summer Summer baseball at historic Muzzy Field.
- Naugatuck Riverfest August Live music, food vendors, and family fun along the river.
- Waterbury Summer Music Series July–August Free concerts on the Waterbury Green.
- Shelton Riverwalk Concert Series summer Evening concerts along the Housatonic.
- Bristol Mum Festival September Fall celebration with a parade, crafts, and chrysanthemums.
Humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, winters cold and snowy. Best: Late spring and early fall are ideal for being outdoors.
Talk like a local
- “the valley”
- The Naugatuck Valley region
- “Naugy”
- Naugatuck (town)
- “Brass City”
- Waterbury's nickname from its brass industry
- “apizza”
- New Haven-style thin-crust pizza
Getaways
- New Haven for apizza and Yale Grab a coal-fired pie and tour the campus.
- Torrington for hiking and the Warner Theatre Explore the Litchfield Hills and catch a show.
- Hartford for museums and the Mark Twain House A short drive to the state capital's cultural sites.
- Bridgeport for the zoo and seaside Visit Beardsley Zoo and stroll along the harbor.
Local flavour
Teams
- Bristol Blues New England Collegiate Baseball League
Also rooting for UConn Huskies (NCAA Division I)
Eat and drink
- New Haven-style apizza Though originating in New Haven, it is widely enjoyed and sought after in the region.
- Duchess A local fast-food chain known for burgers and hot dogs, with locations in the area.
- Steamed cheeseburgers A Connecticut specialty, more associated with nearby Meriden, but found in the region.
Where people go
- Diners Classic Connecticut diners serving comfort food around the clock.
- Pizza parlors Neighborhood spots serving apizza and Italian-American classics.
- Clock towers Waterbury's Union Station clock tower is an iconic landmark.
- River walks Trails and parks along the Naugatuck River.
- Hiking trails Access to the Litchfield Hills and state forests.
Heritage and traditions
The Naugatuck Valley is proud of its industrial heritage as the 'Brass City' and 'Clock City,' its tight-knit ethnic communities, and its scenic river valleys.
This time of year in Waterbury
- Fall foliage October October brings brilliant colors along the Naugatuck and Housatonic rivers.
- Apple picking September–October Local orchards open in September and October for picking and cider donuts.
Say it like a local: “Naw-guh-tuck” — A local pronunciation of 'Naugatuck' – the town and river
Festivals
- Feast of the Assumption August Waterbury's Italian community celebrates with a procession, food, and a street fair in August.
- Bristol Polish American Festival July Polish food, music, and dancing at the Polish National Home in July.
- Shelton Greek Festival June Greek Orthodox church festival with gyros, pastries, and traditional dancing in June.
- Waterbury St. Patrick's Day Parade March A lively Irish heritage parade through downtown in March.
Landmarks with a story
- St. Anne's Church A historic Catholic church in Waterbury with striking architecture and a strong Italian heritage.
- Waterbury Green The historic town green surrounded by old buildings, the site of many civic events.
- Shelton History Center A local history museum with exhibits on Shelton's industrial and farming past.
- Naugatuck Railroad A heritage railroad offering scenic excursions along the Naugatuck River.
- Ansonia Opera House A restored 19th-century theater hosting performances and events.
- Bristol Historical Society Preserves the town's clock-making and industrial heritage.
Food traditions
- Sunday gravy Italian-American families simmer tomato sauce with meatballs and sausages for Sunday dinners.
- Grinder nights Sub sandwiches – called grinders – are a staple at diners and pizza shops, especially after games.
- Pizza strips Cold rectangular pizza with no cheese, a Connecticut bakery staple often served at parties.
- Polish pierogi Bristol's Polish community makes pierogi for holidays and church suppers.
- Steamed cheeseburgers A local specialty – burgers cooked with steam, served on a bun with melted cheese.
Music and arts
- Community theater Local groups in Waterbury and Shelton stage musicals and plays year-round.
- Waterbury Symphony Orchestra Performs classical and pops concerts at the Palace Theater.
- Brass band tradition Rooted in the industrial era, local bands still perform at parades and festivals.
- Mural art Several downtown murals in Waterbury and Bristol celebrate the valley's history.
A little history
- 19th century Waterbury became the 'Brass City' with a booming brass industry.
- 19th century Bristol emerged as a center of clock manufacturing, earning the nickname 'Clock City.'
- Late 19th–early 20th century Immigrant waves from Italy, Poland, and Ireland shaped the valley's neighborhoods and traditions.
- 18th century The Housatonic River was a key trade route for early settlement.
- Post-1865 The Naugatuck Valley was a major manufacturing hub after the Civil War.
Rivalries
- Bristol Central vs Bristol Eastern High school football rivalry that splits the city.
- Game day High school football rivalries
- Game day Little League baseball
- Outdoors Hike the Naugatuck State Forest
- Outdoors Bike the Naugatuck River Greenway
- With kids Lake Compounce
- With kids New England Carousel Museum
Locals speak with a typical New England accent, dropping 'r's in some words and adding them in others. Italian and Polish words pop up in food talk, and 'wicked' is a common intensifier.
Only here
- The 'Holy Land USA' theme park in Waterbury – a quirky, now-closed religious landmark on a hill.
- Waterbury is nicknamed the 'Brass City' for its industrial past.
- Bristol is known as the 'Clock City' due to its clock-making history.
- The Naugatuck Valley is a distinct region with its own identity, separate from New Haven or Hartford.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to say 'Naugatuck' as 'Naw-guh-tuck' – locals will appreciate it.
- Route 8 is the main artery; expect traffic during rush hour, especially near Waterbury.
- Try a steamed cheeseburger at a local diner – it's a true Naugatuck Valley specialty.
- Explore the river greenways – the Naugatuck and Housatonic offer flat, scenic paths.
- Winter can bring heavy snow; be ready for occasional storms from December through March.
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Part of Hartford area
Nearby
Every areaNew HavenConnecticutHome of the apizza and the Bulldogs.TorringtonConnecticutWhere autumn lingers and hills hold their secrets.HartfordConnecticutWhere the river meets the capital, and the leaves turn gold.BridgeportConnecticutWhere the Sound meets the suburbs.SpringfieldMassachusettsWhere the river meets the mountains and history lives.New London–NorwichConnecticutSalt air and shipyard steelKingstonNew YorkWhere the river meets the mountain, and the apples taste like autumn.Hudson ValleyNew YorkRiver, ridge, and orchard.
Waterbury-Shelton, CT. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.