Get out and about in Greater Hartford for family fun! Photo courtesy of Lake Compounce

Things To Do in Hartford - Top Family Attractions

1. Yard Goats Baseball

Cheer on the Yard Goats at Dunkin Donuts Stadium

2. Bushnell Park

Ride the carousel at Bushnell Park.

3. Lake Compounce

Spend a summer day at Lake Compounce in Bristol.

4. Urban Air Trampoline Park

Get all the little wiggles out at this Manchester's Urban Air trampoline park. 

5. Fearless Flyers Academy

Have an adventurous child? Bring them out to Fearless Flyers Academy to learn trapeze.

6. Sonny's Place

Take a ride on the go-karts at Sonny's Place.

7. Hartford Stage

Go see a concert, a lively musical, or another great show at the Hartford Stage.

8. Old State House

Learn about the history of this great state at The Old State House. 

 
Photo courtesy of Flamig Farm

Things To Do in Hartford - Outdoor Activities

9. Farmington River Tubing

Go tubing down the Farmington River.

10. Roaring Brook Nature Center

Explore New England’s woodland environment at Roaring Brook Nature Center.

11. Enders Falls

Take a gander at Connecticut's waterfalls at Enders Falls.

12. Connecticut Audobon Society

Take your little nature-lover to a Budding Naturalists class at the Connecticut Audubon Society.

13. Bushnell Memorial Theater

Dress up and enjoy a show at the Bushnell Memorial Theater.

14. Elizabeth Park

Smell the roses at Elizabeth Park’s rose garden.

15. Wickham Park

Excite all your senses at Wickham Park's Sensory Garden.

16. Castle Craig

Climb to the top of Castle Craig in Meriden.

17. Flamig Farm

Pet the animals at the Flamig Farm.

18. Talcott Mountain State Park

Take the family for a hike around Talcott Mountain State Park.

19. Dinosaur State Park

Learn about the prehistoric times at Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill.

 
The fun is taking off with the top things to do in Hartford! Photo courtesy of the New England Air Museum

Things To Do in Hartford - Museums and Indoor Fun

20. Imagine Nation Museum

Let your imagination run wild at the Imagine Nation Museum.

21. The Children's Museum

Have fun while learning and engaging interactive exhibits at The Children’s Museum.

22. Connecticut Science Center

Explore bubbles, robots, tornadoes and more: Our universe sure packs a lot of excitement, power, and puzzles, and so does the Connecticut Science Center.

23. Noah Webster House

Learn about the original creator of Webster's Dictionary at the Noah Webster house in West Hartford. 

24. New England Carousel Museum

Learn about the history of carousels at the New England Carousel Museum in Bristol.

25. New England Air Museum

Sit in the cockpit of an airplane at the New England Air Museum.

26. Amato's Toy and Hobby

Stop in at Amato's Toy and Hobby store, one of the oldest toy stores in the state.

27. Central Rock Gym

Try indoor rock climbing at Central Rock Gym in Glastonbury.

28. Mark Twain House

Learn about Hartford's most famous author at the Mark Twain House.

29. Time Machine Hobby

Indulge your favorite hobby at the Time Machine Hobby in Manchester.

30. New Britain Youth Museum

Take in a class at the New Britain Youth Museum.

31. Storyteller's Cottage

Enter into a magical world of literature at the Storyteller's Cottage in SImsbury.

 
Grab a quick bite while you're having fun with kids in Hartford! Photo courtesy of Canva

Things To Do in Hartford - Where To Eat

32. Pink Cupcake Shack

Cupcakes. So many cupcakes at Pink Cupcake Shack.

33. Mozzicato's Italian Bakery

Taste the amazing pastries and baked goods at Mozzicato's Italian Bakery.

34. Bloom Hill Farm

Grab a cold ice cream on a hot day at Bloom Hill Farm.

35. Avery's

Go for a tour of the factory and then make your own soda at Avery’s.

36. Farmington Mini Golf

Grab an ice cream cone and a game of summer mini golf at Farmington Mini Golf.

Plainville's hot air balloon celebration heats up in August. Photo courtesy of the festival

Things To Do in Hartford - Seasonal Fun

37. Southington Apple Harvest

Eat apple fritters at the Southington Apple Harvest.

38. Southington Drive-In

Watch a show at the Southington Drive-in Theater.

39. Hot Air Balloon Festival

Gaze in awe at the Hot Air Balloon Festival. 

40. Apple Picking

Go apple picking at Karabin Farms

41. Mt. Southington

Ski the slopes at Mt. Southington

42. Veteran's Memorial Rink

Lace up your skates and enjoy a day at West Hartford's Veteran’s Memorial Rink.

43. Christmas Lights

Become mesmerized by the beauty of Fantasia’s Christmas Light show.

44. Page Park Sledding

Sled down the huge hills at Bristol's Page Park.

Originally published 1/29/2012.