Best Things To Do in Hartford, Connecticut

Are you looking for what to do in Hartford?

You might have a list of things to do in Hartford and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. Places like The Mark Twain House And Museum and Harriet Beecher Stowe Center will make sure your dream destinations are ticked off. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

With so many world-famous sites and attractions to visit, deciding on the best things to do in Hartford can be a daunting task. Visiting selective places and carrying the best memories is the best alternative. Don’t rush to see all of the attractions in Hartford on your first trip itself.

Hartford is the type of city that you will love to visit again and again. Every time you revisit Hartford you can keep unfolding the different sides of it. This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Hartford getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Hartford with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Hartford

Here is the list of things to do in Hartford and tourist attractions in city.

  1. The Mark Twain House And Museum

    Museum, Historical Site

    The Mark Twain House & Museum is the very house where the famous American writer lived from 1874 to 1891. The house is built in the classic American High Gothic style of architecture and has been declared a National Historic Landmark because of its illustrious history. The building has in the past served as a public library, apartment building and even a school. The museum here showcases Ma...Read more
  2. Harriet Beecher Stowe Center

    Museum, Landmark

    The historic Harriet Beecher Stowe House was the house of the famous author Harriet Beecher Stowe. It has been declared a National Historic Landmark. The house now operates as a museum and guided tours are provided for the detailed information of visitors. An old carriage house is also located on the premises and in-fact functions as the visitor centre. The house is a must visit for all those w...Read more
  3. Connecticut State Capitol

    4.6 (188 Votes)
    Connecticut State Capitol

    Architecture

    The Connecticut State Capitol comprises of some of the most important institutions of the state of Connecticut like the Lower House, Upper House, State Senate, General assembly, Governor's office and the House of Representatives. The building was built from 1872 – 1878 and the architecture is a classic mix of Eastlake Movement architecture stylized with a few French and Gothic elements. A...Read more
  4. Connecticut Convention Center

    Convention Center

    Located right next to the Connecticut River, the Connecticut Convention Center is a huge 205000 square feet exhibition area that is able to host a variety of fun and interesting events like the ConnectiCon. The architecture of the building is very grand, and sets the convention center apart from all of the other buildings in the city. Because of its huge size, it is also famous as the largest c...Read more
  5. X L Center

    4.2 (79 Votes)
    X L Center

    Arena, Entertainment, Concert, Convention Center

    Opened in 1975, the XL Center is a multi-sporting arena and convention center that hosts a number of sporting events all through the year. Basketball and Ice Hockey are 2 of the most popular sporting events that take place in XL Center. Apart from these sporting events, a number of musical concerts and gigs also take place in the center area. The facility also has an exhibition center with ampl...Read more
  6. Old State House

    Landmark, Architecture

    The Old State House in Hartford is popularly believed to be the first public building that was constructed in the city and was used for various official purposes. Over the years it has seen a number of famous people and popular events being hosted. Thus, the building was also declared to be a National Historic Landmark in 1960. Though the building has been closed for indoor viewing, the archite...Read more
  7. TheaterWorks

    4.7 (59 Votes)
    TheaterWorks

    Performance, Theatre

    Started in 1985, Theater Works is a professional theater company that has made over a hundred plays and puts up more than 200 performances in a year. The group is known for its brilliance, ingenuity and highly enjoyable plays, with thousands of people vying to attend one of their shows every year. The theater is relatively small, seating 195 people at a time, making the experience of watching a...Read more
  8. Cedar Hill Cemetery

    4.9 (127 Votes)
    Cedar Hill Cemetery

    Statue, Cemetery

    Cedar Hill Cemetery is spread over a huge 270 acres and is one of the most popular attractions in Hartford. The reason for this immense popularity is the history and natural beauty of the park. There are a number of unique and totally unseen structures in the Cemetery like life-sized angel statues, pink granite pyramid and some very differently designed graves and gravestones. A number of famou...Read more
  9. Trinity College

    3.6 (141 Votes)
    Trinity College

    Educational Site

    The privately run liberal arts teaching Trinity College was established in the year 1823, becoming one of the oldest colleges in the whole state of Connecticut. The college has a magnificent campus and can accommodate almost 2300 students with its various courses. The campus has some very famous landmarks like the Trinity College Chapel, Main Quad, Crescent Street and Long Walk Buildings. A wal...Read more
  10. Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

    4.6 (144 Votes)
    Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

    Waterfront, Park, Walking Area, Sculpture

    Opened in 1999, the Mortensen Riverfront Plaza is a beautifully landscaped park that is located on the very edge of the Connecticut River. The Plaza is a wonderful attraction and hosts a number of events all through the year. Apart from the performances and beauty of the park, visitors can also enjoy the boat cruises that start from the Plaza. Various sculptures have been installed all over the...Read more
  11. Connecticut State Library And State Archives

    Library

    The Connecticut State Library aims to preserve and make accessible the history of Connecticut, its culture and legacy to the people and aid in development of the whole state. It is a treasure trove of knowledge with its various books, public records and the archives. The library is almost 150 years old now and listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its fantastic architecture and...Read more
  12. Blue Back Square

    4.4 (19 Votes)
    Blue Back Square

    Mall, Shopping Center

    The Blue Back Square is a shopping mall that was built to meet the shopping and recreational needs of the people of Hartford. There are a number of clothing stores, retail outlets and restaurants in the building. Some of the most popular ones are Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Charming Charlie, Cheesecake Factory, West Elm, Starbucks, Pure Barre and NYSC. One can easily spend a couple of hours...Read more
  13. Hartford-Brainard Airport Image
    ©
    Hartford-Brainard Airport (IATA: HFD, ICAO: KHFD, FAA LID: HFD) is a public airport located three miles (5 km) southeast of the central business district of Hartford, a city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is owned by the City of Hartford.The airport is used for general aviation, and is also served by one commercial airline, American Eagle, which operates regional jet service...Read more
  14. Charter Oak Temple Restora Image
    ©
    The Charter Oak Temple Restoration project was started in the late 1970s by the Hartford Preservation Alliance (HPA). The HPA was founded in 1975 by a group of local citizens who were concerned about the deteriorating condition of the historic Charter Oak Temple in Hartford, Connecticut. The building, which was built in 1876, had been neglected for many years and was in need of major repairs. T...Read more
  15. Connecticut Landmarks Image
    ©
    The Connecticut Landmarks, Hartford, United States was founded in 1936 by the Antiquarian & Landmarks Society. The mission of the organization is to preserve and interpret the history and architecture of Connecticut. The organization was founded to preserve and protect the state's historic buildings, sites, and landscapes. The organization has since grown to include a network of historic sites,...Read more