I am not sure Wallingford has a true “downtown” in a city sense. But,Choate students can do easily walk to the older small town center. There are 6 to 10 to restaurants/cafes and a few shops. My DD and all her friends make that walk regularly. There is suburban strip road with a Walmart and a lot more restaurants. That is a much further walk. My understanding is that this is an Uber ride in most cases.