Things to do in Hartford

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Hartford featuring heritage architecture, a city and an administrative buidling
Hartford which includes a city and cbd
Hartford featuring a garden and heritage elements
Hartford which includes a city
Hartford featuring a garden and outdoor art
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What to do in Hartford

Discover the most popular places to visit in Hartford

Mark Twain House featuring a house and heritage architecture

Mark Twain House & Museum

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

Mark Twain House & Museum
Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts which includes interior views

Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

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.

Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
Bushnell Park featuring a garden, heritage architecture and a castle

Bushnell Park

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.

Bushnell Park
Connecticut Science Center which includes interior views as well as children

Connecticut Science Center

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

Connecticut Science Center
Connecticut State Capital

Connecticut State Capital

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.

Connecticut State Capital
The Wadsworth Atheneum is an art museum located in Hartford, Connecticut.

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 entertainment choices and great live music.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
Riverside Park which includes a park

Riverside Park

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.

Riverside Park

Connecticut Convention Center

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

Connecticut Convention Center

PeoplesBank Arena

Catch an event at PeoplesBank Arena during your trip to Hartford. Experience the area's entertainment choices and great live music.

PeoplesBank Arena

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Hartford

Connecticut Science Center featuring a garden

Downtown Hartford

4/5(448 area reviews)

Downtown Hartford boasts a bustling business district, housing major corporations and Connecticut's state government. Explore historic sites like the Wadsworth Atheneum, Bushnell Park, and the Old State House, while enjoying convenient access to Connecticut Transit Hartford and Union Station.

Downtown Hartford
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Barry Square

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

Barry Square
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South Green

3/5(2 area reviews)

Though South Green might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts and Hartford City Hall.

South Green
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West End

If you're spending some time in West End, Elizabeth Park and Connecticut Historical Society Museum are top sights worth seeing.

West End
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Frog Hollow

While Frog Hollow might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Connecticut State Capital and Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts.

Frog Hollow
Mark Twain House which includes signage

Asylum Hill

You'll enjoy the museums and churches in Asylum Hill. You might want to make time for a stop at Harriet Beecher Stowe Center or Mark Twain House & Museum.

Asylum Hill

Popular day trips from Hartford

Photo by John

East Hartford

Wethersfield which includes a lake or waterhole as well as a family

Wethersfield

Photo by Lily Szajnberg-Martinez

West Hartford

Photo by Cariann Gutowsky Zeitman

Bloomfield

Frequently asked questions

Is Hartford worth visiting?
From shopping to outdoor pursuits and history, there are plenty of great things to do in Hartford. Don't forget to discover the area's blend of unmissable sights, local charm and culture.
How do I spend a day in Hartford?
Connecticut Science Center and Dinosaur State Park are two excellent places to start your adventures. Remember to check out the shopping and dining options in Hartford while you're in town too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Hartford?
The top tourist attraction in Hartford is Xfinity Theatre, so don't forget to include it on your sightseeing itinerary.
Is three days enough to stay in Hartford?
Three days in Hartford is more than enough to visit the city's major highlights. Many guests stay for two days on average. Xfinity Theatre, Connecticut Science Center and Nomads Adventure Quest are highly rated sights. Want to see more? Hang around a while longer to explore nearby hotspots like Windsor Locks.
Is Hartford a walkable city?
It depends on what you want to do and see in Hartford. Several sights, including Xfinity Theatre and Connecticut Science Center, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a wander around some of Hartford's neighborhoods, Downtown Hartford is 2 kilometers away from downtown, while South Meadows is 3 kilometers away from the city center and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Hartford with kids?
If you are after tours and attractions for all the family, have a look at these excellent ideas for what to do in Hartford with kids.

What to do in Hartford for adults?
There are lots of things to do in Hartford, with activities for adults of all ages. Round off your day with a visit to Thomas Hooker Brewery or Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion.
Are there free things to do in Hartford?
One of the easiest ways to find free things to do in Hartford is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider tips on exciting neighborhoods, parks and other highlights you can experience without reaching for your wallet. Museum of Connecticut History is one sight that doesn't have an entrance fee.