Things to do in Hartford

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Hartford Attractions

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Hartford, Connecticut, is nicknamed the Insurance Capital of the World. The city is a major tourist attraction for business travelers, vacationers, and people who are passing through on their way between New York and Boston.

There are many Hartford excursions to spots like Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, Mystic Aquarium, and Hammonassett Beach. They are all situated only a quick drive on the map from Connecticut’s capital city. The city has earned the nickname of The Heartbeat because of its vibrant cultural scene and bustling commercial industries.

The Mark Twain House

The Mark Twain House is one of the best attractions in Hartford. Visitors can tour the estate where Twain penned many of his novels. Many famous contemporary authors, actors, and historians visit the Mark Twain House and accompanying museum for lectures. Daily tours are offered and exciting cultural events happen all week long.

Elizabeth Park

A trip to Elizabeth Park is the quintessential Connecticut experience. The park spans 102 acres of manicured grounds and horticultural delights. It is one of the most serene places in the city. The famous rose garden inside Elizabeth Park is an important spot on Hartford tours. The garden boasts over 800 varieties of roses. Visitors can also enjoy historic greenhouses that line the park's walking paths. Be sure to relax beside the park's popular pond during your visit. Entry to the park is free.

Bushnell Center for Performing Arts

The art scene in Hartford is alive and well. One of the best things to do in Hartford is catch a Broadway show at the Bushnell. The center offers tours behind the stage with rare glimpses of the green room, the electricians’ room, the projection room, and a hall of autographs.

Trinity College

Trinity College is one of the most beautiful college campuses in America. Be sure to visit The Long Walk. This portion of the campus was constructed in the 19th century and features beautiful architecture. The college's chapel is modeled after a medieval chapel and it attracts admirers from all over the world. The pews inside the chapel are comprised of hand-carved wood that features stunning symbols. Parking is free on campus.

Hartford is one of the top spots in New England for business, leisure, and fun. You simply must see all that Connecticut's capital city has to offer. Let Expedia.com help you plan fun local Hartford activities.

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Recommended things to do in Hartford

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What to do in Hartford

Free Things to Do in Hartford

There's no need to max out your credit card in Hartford. The following won't even cost a cent.

Museum of Connecticut History - Chock-full of exhibits and objects, this place is heaven for minds that burn with curiosity.

Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts - Feed your appetite for arts and culture here and witness local talent at work.

Colt Park - You can't top this place if you're in the mood to let go and simply have fun.

Ancient Burying Ground - Come to grips with some of the historical background of the region through this site.

Constitution Plaza - This lively area is a favorite hangout of visitors and locals alike.

West Hartford Reservoir - Spend a little time beside the water to rest and replenish your energy.

Hartford Downtown Farmers Market - Speak to a few locals and learn why many sightseers visit this place.

Christ Church Cathedral - Take some time for a bit of meditation or prayer at this respected sacred place.

Mortensen Riverfront Plaza - If you love digging about the garden, this attraction will delight your green thumb.

Things to Do in Hartford with Kids

Hartford is a great place for a family break. Bring the kids along and try these popular family friendly experiences together:

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Hartford? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

Frequently asked questions

What to do in Hartford on a sunny day?

You won’t want to be stuck in the hotel when you could be outside having fun on a Day Trip from New Haven to Philadelphia by Train with Lunch.

What should I not miss in Hartford?

You just can’t go home without crossing off the following list of superb attractions:

Trinity College
Lake Compounce
University of Connecticut-Hartford
Mark Twain House

Are there cheap things to do in Hartford?

You’ll find tons of fun experiences here that’ll catch your eye if you’re traveling on a tight budget:

What can you do in Hartford for free?

Your trip to Hartford needn’t cost a bundle with free attractions like these to keep you on the go:

Trinity College
University of Connecticut-Hartford
Bushnell Park
St. Joseph College

Discover the most popular places to visit in Hartford

Bushnell Park

4.5/5(70 reviews)

Relax near the pond or take a ride on the antique carousel at one of America’s oldest publicly funded parks, located in the heart of Hartford.

Mark Twain House & Museum

4.5/5(143 reviews)

Walk in Mark Twain’s footsteps at the author’s beloved Hartford home. The museum next door will complete your Twain education.

Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

4.5/5(29 reviews)

While seeing a play or concert in Hartford’s historic venue, look up to admire one of the largest ceiling murals in the United States.

Connecticut Science Center

4.5/5(60 reviews)

Leave your textbooks at home and learn about science by playing, exploring and inventing your way through this interactive science center in Hartford.

Connecticut State Capital

4.5/5(2 reviews)

After visiting Connecticut State Capital, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Hartford. Experience the area's great live music or attend a sporting event.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

You can browse the exhibits at Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, a museum with a story of its own, during your travels to Hartford. Experience the area's great live music and acclaimed theater scene.

Riverside Park

4.5/5(4 reviews)

Explore Hartford’s portion of the Connecticut River at this park. Walk along the Riverside and Sculpture trails, go boating or enjoy a picnic outside.

XL Center

4/5(316 reviews)

Catch an event at XL Center during your trip to Hartford. Experience the area's entertainment choices and acclaimed theater scene.

Connecticut Convention Center

4.5/5(135 reviews)

Learn about the events happening at Connecticut Convention Center during your trip to Hartford. Experience the area's great live music and entertainment choices.

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Hartford

Connecticut Science Center featuring a garden

Downtown Hartford

4/5(448 area reviews)

Unique features of Downtown Hartford include the theaters and live music. Make a stop by Dunkin' Donuts Park or Constitution Plaza while you're exploring the area.

Barry Square

If you're spending some time in Barry Square, Webster Theater and Cinestudio are top sights worth seeing.

North Meadows

2.5/5(76 area reviews)

Unique features of North Meadows include the live music and theaters. Make a stop by Xfinity Theatre or Riverside Park while you're exploring the area.

Northeast

If you're spending some time in Northeast, Circus Fire Memorial and Keney Park are top sights worth seeing.

Asylum Hill

You'll enjoy the museums and churches in Asylum Hill. You might want to make time for a stop at Mark Twain House & Museum or Cathedral of St. Joseph.

Underneath that blue dome lies the east armory of a factory once owned by a man who changed American history, the innovator of the revolver, Samuel Colt. Sprawling around the crumbling red brickwork of the old Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, once the largest private armory in the world, are the remnants of Coltsville, the utopian village he built for his workers.

A model of 19th century industrial paternalism, Coltsville included a church, a social hall for dances and lectures, workers’ housing, a giant landscaped park home to deer and peacocks, sculpted botanical gardens, and thousands of feet of greenhouses filled with tropical fruit and flowers. Samuel Colt felt such responsibility for the welfare of his workers outside the factory that he went so far as to build Potsdam Village, to replicate the feel of the German village from which he imported his skilled craftsmen to work in his willow ware factory.

The National Park Service began having on-site presence in 2015, with workshops and tours, including up into the Blue Onion Dome which affords magnificent views of downtown Hartford, the Connecticut River and Colt Park, formerly the back yard of Armsmear, Samuel & Elizabeth Colt’s mansion. By 2016, an NPS ranger had taken up residence in the South Armory and was giving walking tours of Coltsville.

The old South, East and North armories are under renovation and the two 1855 brownstone buildings, the oldest structures on site, will become the National Park Service Visitor Center. The armories themselves have been or are being renovated into apartments, offices and education facilities.

Sheldon-Charter Oak

While visiting Sheldon-Charter Oak, you might make a stop by sights like Connecticut River and Colt Park.

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