Guidebook for Hartford
Food Scene
Eclectic and fun with friendly staff and a cozy ambiance. Great for Sunday brunch, lunch bites, dinner, they even have a late night menu. There is a huge tea selection and WiFi for getting work done while you enjoy. Happy hours 4-7PM Monday-Friday. A quick 10 minute walk away or 3 minute drive.
22 moradores locais recomendam
Tisane Euro-Asian Cafe
537 Farmington AveEclectic and fun with friendly staff and a cozy ambiance. Great for Sunday brunch, lunch bites, dinner, they even have a late night menu. There is a huge tea selection and WiFi for getting work done while you enjoy. Happy hours 4-7PM Monday-Friday. A quick 10 minute walk away or 3 minute drive.
One of my favorite brunch spots in Hartford! It is located within Elizabeth Park, which is full of beautiful sites, flowers, trees, and ponds with fountains. A lovely restaurant to enjoy alone, with friends, or a special someone. I recommend getting a table outside overlooking the pond for a more romantic dining experience. Definitely call ahead for a reservation, or put your name down and walk around the park while you wait to be seated. Only a 15 minute walk or 5 minute drive away.
7 moradores locais recomendam
Pond House Cafe
1555 Asylum AveOne of my favorite brunch spots in Hartford! It is located within Elizabeth Park, which is full of beautiful sites, flowers, trees, and ponds with fountains. A lovely restaurant to enjoy alone, with friends, or a special someone. I recommend getting a table outside overlooking the pond for a more romantic dining experience. Definitely call ahead for a reservation, or put your name down and walk around the park while you wait to be seated. Only a 15 minute walk or 5 minute drive away.
This is a great wine bar and kitchen for a late night date spot. Dim lights, classy ambiance, huge wine selection, and delicious bites, dinner choices, and desserts. It's a bit more upscale, but well worth it on a night out.
Vinted
63 Memorial RdThis is a great wine bar and kitchen for a late night date spot. Dim lights, classy ambiance, huge wine selection, and delicious bites, dinner choices, and desserts. It's a bit more upscale, but well worth it on a night out.
One of my go-to Italian restaurants in the area. Try a personal pizza made to order in their wood-burning pizza oven, or a bowl of their homemade pasta (my personal favorite is the pesto!). It's great for a date night or a nice dinner out with friends. There is also a bar area with happy hour specials on the weekdays.
Rizzuto's
111 Memorial RdOne of my go-to Italian restaurants in the area. Try a personal pizza made to order in their wood-burning pizza oven, or a bowl of their homemade pasta (my personal favorite is the pesto!). It's great for a date night or a nice dinner out with friends. There is also a bar area with happy hour specials on the weekdays.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is a fun little pub with a warm and dim underground feel. A good beer selection and late night bites, including their infamous soft pretzels. They also have live music every Wednesday night! (Also one of my favorite brunch spots for Saturday or Sunday mornings). Only a 10 minute walk or 3 minute drive away.
6 moradores locais recomendam
The Half Door
270 Sisson AveThis is a fun little pub with a warm and dim underground feel. A good beer selection and late night bites, including their infamous soft pretzels. They also have live music every Wednesday night! (Also one of my favorite brunch spots for Saturday or Sunday mornings). Only a 10 minute walk or 3 minute drive away.
Only a block away, this is a great place to grab a beer at the bar or go with a group of people and bring your own snacks/food to eat on their huge tables. They have a great beer selection to choose from and entertainment includes a jukebox and dart boards. This is definitely a dive bar type of place, but it will make for a fun night with friends.
Spigot Cafe
468 Prospect AveOnly a block away, this is a great place to grab a beer at the bar or go with a group of people and bring your own snacks/food to eat on their huge tables. They have a great beer selection to choose from and entertainment includes a jukebox and dart boards. This is definitely a dive bar type of place, but it will make for a fun night with friends.
Parks & Nature
When it's nice outside, definitely take a walk to the Elizabeth Park Rose Garden. The first municipal rose garden in the US was opened in 1904. This beautiful and historic site is in full bloom during the summer months. Even in the spring or fall though, it is nice to walk through the park as there are other trees, flowers, and ponds to view and enjoy. There is also an amazing brunch spot within the park for Saturday and Sunday mornings. Only a 15 minute walk or 5 minute drive away.
41 moradores locais recomendam
Elizabeth Park Rose Garden
1561 Asylum AveWhen it's nice outside, definitely take a walk to the Elizabeth Park Rose Garden. The first municipal rose garden in the US was opened in 1904. This beautiful and historic site is in full bloom during the summer months. Even in the spring or fall though, it is nice to walk through the park as there are other trees, flowers, and ponds to view and enjoy. There is also an amazing brunch spot within the park for Saturday and Sunday mornings. Only a 15 minute walk or 5 minute drive away.
Arts & Culture
This is one of my favorite art museums in Hartford. It is a quick 8 minute drive away (plenty of Ubers available in this area). This is a large 3-story art museum with tons of American and European art. They also have 2-3 special exhibits that change from month to month. Entry is free every day from 4-5pm, and there is free parking on weekends.
79 moradores locais recomendam
Museu de arte Wadsworth Atheneum
600 Main StThis is one of my favorite art museums in Hartford. It is a quick 8 minute drive away (plenty of Ubers available in this area). This is a large 3-story art museum with tons of American and European art. They also have 2-3 special exhibits that change from month to month. Entry is free every day from 4-5pm, and there is free parking on weekends.
This beautiful and historic site was the home of Mark Twain in the late 1800s. Gorgeous architecture throughout this 25-room mansion. There are several different tours, films, and exhibits here, but check the calendar of events as these change regularly. If you want a particularly fun tour, try one of their murder mystery tour nights where you can tour the house as part of a CLUE style interactive game.
104 moradores locais recomendam
The Mark Twain House & Museum
351 Farmington AveThis beautiful and historic site was the home of Mark Twain in the late 1800s. Gorgeous architecture throughout this 25-room mansion. There are several different tours, films, and exhibits here, but check the calendar of events as these change regularly. If you want a particularly fun tour, try one of their murder mystery tour nights where you can tour the house as part of a CLUE style interactive game.
Shopping
Nearby shopping mall with all the essentials: clothing stores, food/restaurants, department stores, sporting goods, accessories, and even boutiques. If you're looking for gifts, a new outfit, or just to spend some time window shopping, this is probably the place for you.
West Farms Mall
West Farms MallNearby shopping mall with all the essentials: clothing stores, food/restaurants, department stores, sporting goods, accessories, and even boutiques. If you're looking for gifts, a new outfit, or just to spend some time window shopping, this is probably the place for you.
Entertainment & Activities
Nearby theater right off Main St. Great spot to watch a film on a rainy day, or just for a fun time out. Also surrounded by shops and restaurants in a walkable downtown area.
7 moradores locais recomendam
Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas
42 S Main StNearby theater right off Main St. Great spot to watch a film on a rainy day, or just for a fun time out. Also surrounded by shops and restaurants in a walkable downtown area.