Inside: Discover Extraordinary Living
Ranked number-one in 2023, for the sixth year in a row, on Niche.com’s “Best Places to Live in Connecticut,” West Hartford offers a lot to love. Located two hours from both New York and Boston, this urban-style suburb is packed with action: bars, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, colleges, and historic landmarks are all within its borders. With two main entertainment / business districts — the recently transformed Blue Back Square area and the historic downtown known as “The Center” — as well as 3,000 acres of preserved woodlands around five reservoirs along its western edge, West Hartford is equally appealing to both nature-lovers and urbanites. It is home to several public and private schools, the University of Saint Joseph and the University of Hartford, as well as The American School for the Deaf, which was founded 200 years ago. Adjacent to Hartford, West Hartford also borders the towns of Bloomfield, Newington, Farmington, and Avon in the Central Connecticut region.
Here are some of the best things to see, do, and eat in West Hartford.
Historic Sites
Mark Twain House
351 Farmington Ave, Hartford
Beloved author Mark Twain lived in Hartford from 1874 to 1891 while writing iconic classics such as Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. The home he lived in with his family is now a museum dedicated to his legacy. The beautifully restored mansion, designated a National Historic Landmark, spans more than 11,500 square feet and boasts 25 rooms, including standout spaces such as a drawing room, library, and conservatory. Offering exhibitions and educational and cultural activities, The Mark Twain House & Museum also includes stunning gardens and grounds as well as a gift shop and café.
Dining
Max’s Oyster Bar
964 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford
Popular and boisterous, Max’s Oyster Bar is a staple in the Downtown West Hartford dining scene. High ceilings, an expansive dining room, and a large raw bar stocked with bi-coastal oysters and shellfish set the tone for the seafood-centric restaurant. The menu also includes global takes on American classics and modern renditions of traditional fare, which includes plenty of options for non-seafood diners. Max’s has won a variety of awards since its inception in 1999, including “Best New Restaurant” by Connecticut Magazine and an “extraordinary” rating from Zagat’s.
Artisan
1 Memorial Rd, West Hartford
Equal parts homey and sophisticated, Artisan brings an innovative concept to West Hartford. Offering both casual and fine dining, the emphasis at Artisan is on farm-fresh fare, inspired by classic, New England-style American cuisine and brought to life with sustainable ingredients sourced from the on-site garden and area farms. The seasonal menu features a balanced mix of seafood, pasta, and meat/poultry as well as light fare and inventive cocktails such as “Red Eye to Paris”, “Summertime Sling”, and “Diablo’s Garden.” The restaurant also hosts events, like its recent artisan dinner and comedy series and Voyage Month, where it highlighted a different country’s cuisine each week.
Parks & Recreation
West Hartford Reservoirs
1420 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford
A nature-lover’s paradise, The West Hartford Reservoirs consists of five small reservoirs and more than 3,000 acres of forestland, which includes more than 30 miles of paved and gravel roads (suitable for jogging and biking) as well as hiking trails, picnic areas, and cross-country skiing and snow shoeing. The land is a public water-supply watershed and not technically a public park, but visitors can find plenty of recreational activities while abiding by the clearly marked restrictions. The Reservoirs are particularly popular in fall, when the autumn leaves bring added beauty to the landscape.
Seasonal Attractions
West Hartford Memorial Day Parade
Parades are a great way to bring a community together! And the West Hartford Memorial Day Parade has been going strong ever since it was established by West Hartford veterans returning from World War I in the 1920s. The parade is held annually on Memorial Day — rain or shine — and follows a route down Farmington Ave and onto South Main St. Participants include veterans, either alone or in a group, as well as organizations that have a veteran or military focus.
Hartford Yard Goats
Dunkin Donuts Stadium | 1214 Main St, Hartford
A Double-A affiliate team of the Colorado Rockies, the minor-league Hartford Yard Goats have been a point of pride for area residents since the team’s inception in 2016. Home games take place at the 6,000-seat Dunkin Donuts Stadium, which was named by Ballpark Digest as the best Double-A ballpark four times. The popular team sells out the park for nearly every baseball game and fans count on favorite activities like the baby goat race, kiss cam, and dancing grounds crew.
