Looking for fun things to do and family-friendly places to visit in Hartford?
With great museums, parks, toy stores, and restaurants, Hartford has a lot of fun activities and exciting attractions. We’ve scoured the city to find the best places and activities for families. Whether you’re a resident or a first-time visitor, here are the best things to do in Hartford.
Visit the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
Distinguished as the oldest public art museum in the US, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art was founded in 1842 and has an extensive collection of paintings, works on paper, and sculptures from medieval to modern times.
The museum’s collection is internationally renowned for its quality, rarity, and beauty. It has 50,000 works of art, including works by Claude Monet, Salvador Dalí, and Pablo Picasso.
The museum also features interactive programs to stimulate your love for history, foster family bonding, and spark creative moments.
Stroll Through Elizabeth Park
This unique 102-acre park features numerous gardens and is a gem of serenity within the hustle and bustle of Hartford, CT. Elizabeth Park, a former estate turned into a park and garden, is best known for its impressive rose gardens, boasting 800 varieties of roses.
The park is a walkers’ haven, featuring several gardens along a wildflower trail and a charming pond. It also includes basketball and tennis courts, baseball fields, a youth playground, lawn bowling, walking circuits, and concert facilities.
Open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset, Elizabeth Park is an excellent place to walk, picnic, or sit and enjoy the views.
Connect at the Connecticut Science Center
Are your kids interested in science, mathematics, or technology?
Consider taking them to the Connecticut Science Center. This 154,000-square-foot facility offers many programs for kids and teens. It’ll give your kids an opportunity to explore a broad range of STEM fields with over 165 hands-on exhibits.
The galleries in this science center include tactile, audio, visual exhibits, and more.
If your child would like to journey across the galaxy, make sure you visit the Exploring Space gallery. There, your kid will see moon craters, moon rocks, and even learn about black holes.
Step Back in Time at the Mark Twain House and Museum
Built in 1874 and now a National Historic Landmark in Hartford, the home was once owned by one of America’s most celebrated authors, Samuel Clemens (better known as Mark Twain) and his family. Here is where Twain lived when he wrote his classic works, including The Prince and The Pauper, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
The 25-room estate is an impressive example of Picturesque Gothic architecture and features an impressive grand hall, a dramatic glass conservatory, a magnificent library, and the distinctive billiard room where Twain wrote his acclaimed books.
The Mark Twain House has been named one of the 10 Best Historic Homes in the World by National Geographic, so you will want to make sure you stop in for a tour.
Fun Things to Do in Hartford
Hartford is an adventure lover’s playground.
If you’re in Hartford, make sure you visit the places we’ve highlighted above. They’re beautiful and we guarantee that you and your family will have fun.
With all the exciting things to do in Hartford, you may consider relocating to this beautiful city. If you need our residential moving services, feel free to contact us or request a quote right away.
