Overview
West Hartford is a town in Connecticut.
3 sights · 6 things to do · 7 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about West Hartford
The Children's Museum
The former science center of Connecticut in West Hartford has hands-on exhibits, a planetarium and mini zoo designed for grades k-6. Founded in 1927, the museum has a mission to inspire and educate children aged twelve a…
Noah Webster House and West Hartford Historical Society
Noah Webster is best remembered for being the author of the Webster American Dictionary. He is also the author of another famous book, the Blue Back Speller for which the West Hartford town center is now named after. Tog…
West Hartford Reservoir
A nature lover’s dream with thousands of acres of beautiful forestland with more than 30 miles of paved roads for joggers and bicyclists. There are also different levels of hiking trails. Seasonal activities include acce…
Elizabeth Park
Beautiful and large park in the west end equipped with gardens, gazebos, a restaurant and trails. The rose garden is also not to be missed.
Westmoor Park
Demonstration farm, discovery room with snakes and lizards, gardens, nature trails, and two ponds. No dogs.
Cow Parade
Has been a unique way to raise money for various charities in West Hartford has added character throughout the town. It’s hard not to notice the five-foot cows that are placed randomly in front of homes and businesses in…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Sep. (climate data from nearby Hartford)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BDL Bradley International Airport, Hartford — 12 mi away (major hub). Directions
- HVN Tweed New Haven Airport, New Haven — 36 mi away. Directions
Bradley International Airport is located in nearby Windsor Locks. This airport is less than a half hour away from West Hartford.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Children's Museum, Noah Webster House and West Hartford Historical Society, Westmoor Park
- Lunch The Elbow Room
- Afternoon Elizabeth Park, Cow Parade
- Dinner Harry's Pizza
- Evening Barcelona Restaurant and Wine Bar
Day 2
- Morning West Hartford Reservoir, West Hartford Symphony Orchestra
- Lunch Max's Oyster Bar
- Afternoon Park Road Playhouse
- Dinner Pond House Cafe
- Evening Corner Pug
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
West Hartford is known for its wide variety of restaurants.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
West Hartford’s motto: Where City Style meets Village Charm. This large town is a suburb of Hartford. West Hartford is known best for its safe neighborhoods, rich history and culture as well as its booming shopping and dining districts. West Hartford has a vibrant downtown called West Hartford Center which is also home to Blue Back Square, where there is much fun to be had.
West Hartford is approximately 100 miles southwest of Boston. and 100 miles northeast of New York City.
Get in
Bradley International Airport is located in nearby Windsor Locks. This airport is less than a half hour away from West Hartford.
Get around
Unfortunately, due to the lack of public transportation in West Hartford the easiest way to get around is with a car.
See
See The Children's Museum
The former science center of Connecticut in West Hartford has hands-on exhibits, a planetarium and mini zoo designed for grades k-6. Founded in 1927, the museum has a mission to inspire and educate children aged twelve and under. Their saying is: “Igniting Curiosity Through Science and Nature.” The Children’s Museum is the largest in the state and one of the nation's oldest. The Children’s Museum also houses Connecticut’s largest space theater, the Gengras Planetarium. One of the most popular exhibits includes a wildlife sanctuary that supports a habitat of over seventy exotic animals from around the world. In 2007, the Children’s Museum served more than 200,000 students, families, and groups through its exhibits, programs and activities.
See Noah Webster House and West Hartford Historical Society
Noah Webster is best remembered for being the author of the Webster American Dictionary. He is also the author of another famous book, the Blue Back Speller for which the West Hartford town center is now named after. Together with the West Hartford Historical Society and the Noah Webster house, visitors can explore and discover a man’s vision and his impact on American culture. The museum also has exhibits on the town's later history, including textiles and 19th century pottery.
See Cow Parade
Has been a unique way to raise money for various charities in West Hartford has added character throughout the town. It’s hard not to notice the five-foot cows that are placed randomly in front of homes and businesses in West Hartford. Over fifty cows were created by artists statewide benefiting Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters, Make- A-Wish of Connecticut and the West Hartford Library Foundation, along with dozens of other local non-profit organizations.
Do
Do West Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Has events running all year. The orchestra is made up of talented people of all ages, from all walks of life, all bound together by a common devotion to the art of music. Most WHSO events take place at the West Hartford Meeting and Conference Center located in West Hartford’s Town Hall.
- Movies & Mimosas - See the best classic films on the big screen and enjoy mimosas before or during the film.
Do West Hartford Reservoir
A nature lover’s dream with thousands of acres of beautiful forestland with more than 30 miles of paved roads for joggers and bicyclists. There are also different levels of hiking trails. Seasonal activities include accessible picnic groves, cross-country skiing and snow shoeing.
Buy
There are two major areas to find shopping in West Hartford.
Shop Blue Back Square
One of the latest shopping plazas to show up in West Hartford. Blueback offers a variety of shops, such as Barnes & Noble, Crate and Barrel, and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse. It also has a Cinépolis theater with waiter service, and Muse Paintbar, with scheduled public painting events, wine, and flatbread pizza. The plaza was named after the Blueback Speller, by Noah Webster, who was once a West Hartford Resident.
Eat
West Hartford is known for its wide variety of restaurants.
Eat The Elbow Room
This spot has the feeling of a corner cafe with a menu of an upscale American restaurant.
Eat Harry's Pizza
A family owned neighborhood pizza restaurant and a West Harford favorite.
Eat Max's Oyster Bar
Features modern renditions of classic American seafood. Max’s Oyster Bar has received numerous awards such as Reader’s Choice Awards, including “Best Seafood Restaurant” in 2003 and 2005. Zagat’s Survey has also given the place an “extraordinary” rating of 26.
Eat Pond House Cafe
Set on the grounds of Elizabeth Park in West Hartford, this cafe has creative cuisine that focuses on fresh and organic ingredients for seasonal favorites—with a twist.
Eat Quaker Diner
Popular breakfast spot.
Eat Tapas Restaurant
Serves Mediterranean cuisine in a casual, comfortable setting. The menu offers a variety of Greek, Israeli, Spanish, French and Middle Eastern dishes. Tapas is consistently recognized as one of central Connecticut's best Greek restaurants and as a vegetarian-friendly dining option
Drink
After a long day of traveling there are a couple great hot spots in West Hartford to grab a drink.
Drink Barcelona Restaurant and Wine Bar
An award-winning Spanish tapas restaurant.
Drink Corner Pug
Has the feel of a classic English pub with a pug theme.
Sleep
Stay West Hartford Inn
This hotel offers a quiet and relaxing place to stay. The West Hartford Inn is within walking distance from the vibrant and trendy downtown area that includes Blue Back Square. The hotel is also in close proximity to well known historical sites such as the Noah Webster House, the Old State House and the oldest museum in the country, the Wadsworth Athneneum. For the guests' convenience there is free enclosed parking. A complimentary continental breakfast of hot beverages, juice, and pastries are also included in the stay at the West Hartford Inn.
Nearby
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