Must-See Museums near Hartford, CT

Home to the famous Harriet Beecher Stowe and the oldest public art museum, the Hartford, Connecticut area is beautiful and rich with history.

If you’re planning on moving your household to Hartford, CT, there are a variety of fun things to do in your free time.

Read on for some of our favorite museums in the Hartford, CT area and why they’re worth a visit.

Five Top Museums near Hartford, CT

The Hartford, CT area is a beautiful region to call your home. Filled with rich history, it offers a wide variety of art collections and museums to visit.

1. Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum

The Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum allows you to take a step back in time. Take a tour through four remarkable 18th-century houses that stand next to each other on their original foundations on Main Street in Wethersfield, CT.

These three beautifully restored and preserved homes provide a study in architectural styles and decorative arts from the late 1600s to the mid-1800s as well as a comparison of the lifestyles of a well-to-do merchant, a politician, and a modest craftsman.

2. Connecticut Trolley Museum

View the museum’s historic collection of more than 70 pieces of rail and trolley equipment dating back to 1869. See vintage passenger and freight trolley cars, elevated railway cars, interurban cars, locomotive, and various other equipment from railways around Connecticut.

The Connecticut Trolley Museum has an assorted collection of trolley era equipment that tell the story of their impact on society. Enjoy unlimited 3-mile round-trip trolley rides for the day on various restored trolley cars from different cities.

As an added bonus, the Connecticut Fire Museum is also located on the same property as the Trolley Museum. The Connecticut Fire Museum preserves and exhibits antique fire equipment and motor coaches. Take in the sights of antique fire trucks and a functioning fire alarm call box during your visit.

3. Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

Founded in 1842 by Daniel Wadsworth, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is the oldest public art museum. As one of the top museums in Hartford, CT, it is home to over 50,000 pieces of art ranging from ancient to classic and contemporary.

This Hartford art museum inspired informative and encyclopedic museums around the country and still hosts a variety of famous and provocative art collections. Some of the artists featured include Salvador Dalí, Caravaggio, and Joan Miró.

Following its renovation in 2015, all galleries are now open to the public simultaneously for the first time in history. If you’re wondering what to do in Hartford, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is a great pick.

4. Harriet Beecher Stowe Center

Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of the anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, had a huge influence on American history. Today, her home is preserved as a historical landmark and one of the top Hartford, CT attractions.

The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center provides visitors with an interactive experience that deals with the issues of slavery and women’s rights in the 1870s.

5. Connecticut Science Center

One of the most well-known Hartford, CT attractions, the Connecticut Science Center features a high-tech 3D theatre, 165 interactive exhibits, and four educational labs.

This center is one of the best museums in Hartford, CT for families and educators looking for a hands-on learning experience. Daily exhibits are some of the most unique in the world.

Final Thoughts

If you’re planning a move, the Hartford, CT area is rich with history and museums and filled with fun things to do for you and your family.

To make your move easy, request a quote from us today.