The 15 Best Things to Do in Hartford, Connecticut (2024)

FAQs

What is the number one attraction in Connecticut? ›

Mystic Seaport Museum, The Mark Twain House & Museum, Parks, Art Galleries.

Over time, Hartford grew to be one of the most prosperous cities in the nation, and by the late-19th century, was the wealthiest city in the country. Today, Hartford is known for the Colt Manufacturing Company, the city's ties to Mark Twain and the Stowe family, and for its critical role in the evolution of the state.

Asylum Hill

This Hartford neighborhood is known for its stunning array of mansions, public buildings, and opulent homes in Italianate, Queen Anne, Victorian, and Colonial Revival styles.

The Hartford is a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits and mutual funds. We are proud to be widely recognized for our customer service excellence, sustainability practices, trust and integrity.

From its rich history and museums like the Mark Twain House, universities, and parks, to its beautiful views of the Connecticut River and of course, its epic food scene. Italian, BBQ, classic New England fare, Mexican and Mediterranean, Hartford has it all.

From its origins as a Connecticut River trading post in 1633, Hartford has become not only the state capital but also the insurance capital of the world, with a slew of historical attractions, a thriving arts and entertainment center, a revitalized riverfront and beautiful parks and public gardens.

Not only are there so many things to do in Hartford, CT, including visiting the famed Mark Twain House & Museum, but there's plenty of beauty at every turn to admire as well. Hartford, CT, the state's capital, is often overlooked when it comes to fantastic New England cities to visit.

Is Hartford a walkable city? ›

Hartford is ranked #13 on the list for The 25 Best Cities for Walking! Click here to read the full article of Hartford as a pedestrian-friendly city!

Hartford, CT, was a major cultural and financial center in the Victorian era. It hosted many famous American industrialists, inventors, and artists. And today, many of those historic holdovers provide the attractions, activities, and things to do in Hartford that draw so many visitors.

Hartford, Connecticut's cost of living is 3% higher than the national average. The cost of living in any area can vary based on factors such as your career, its average salary and the real estate market of that area.

New Haven, however, had a higher property crime rate than Hartford, at 3,101 per 100,000 residents. But Hartford, despite ranking fairly high on MoneyGeek's list (the 25th most dangerous U.S. city overall), still didn't record nearly as many violent or property crimes as those at the top.

Connecticut Facts. Connecticut is known for its beautiful fall foliage, its cultural heritage, its manufacturing industry, Yale University, and being the home of ESPN, the famous American cable sports channel.

Long known as a leader in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, finance and insurance, Connecticut is also home to thriving sectors in bioscience, green energy, technology and digital media.

1. The Mark Twain House. Although Mark Twain may have been born in Missouri and his most famous stories take place down south, his family made their home in Hartford, Connecticut, where visitors can still visit the Mark Twain House today.

Tourism in Connecticut is a $4 billion-a-year business. Much of it based on the attraction of the state's 250-mile Long Island Sound shoreline, its rolling Litchfield Hills, and its unspoiled Connecticut River Valley. With its wealth of open land, Connecticut's scenery is some of New England's most beautiful.