10 Things to Do in East Hartford That You Shouldn't Miss

November 20, 2017 Chanda Heide

East Hartford in United States, from Nouth America region, is best know for Theaters. Discover best things to do in East Hartford with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in East Hartford

1. Hartford Stage

50 Church St, Hartford, CT 06103-1201 +1 860-527-5151
Excellent
78%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 209 reviews

Hartford Stage

Hartford Stage, located in Hartford, Connecticut, is one of the nation's leading resident theatres, known for producing innovative revivals of classics and provocative new plays and musicals, including 68 world and American premieres, as well as offering a distinguished education program, which reaches more than 20,000 students annually.

Reviewed By gersty - NYC

This is our 15th year attending this production. We have loved this production since we first saw it with our 4 year old daughter in 2003. Attending this production is a family holiday tradition that always puts us in the Christmas spirit. While we lament the retirement of Bill Raymond from the production, Michael Preston's Scrooge was a deft and more than acceptable replacement. We hope to come back for our 16th year in 2018.
Bravo Hartford Stage!

2. Wickham Park

1329 Middle Tpke W, Manchester, CT 06040-1805 +1 860-528-0856
Excellent
70%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 178 reviews

Wickham Park

Reviewed By Geno1015 - Manchester, Connecticut

This is a great picnic spot for couples, parents and children or whole family groups. It is well maintained with flowers, duck ponds, mini-zoo with various birds and a children's play scape. Schools use the grounds for cross-country races and at Christmas time they have a Santa visit at the log cabin. All year round, the scenery and views are special.

3. Elizabeth Park

1561 Asylum Ave, I-84 Exit 44, West Hartford, CT 06106 +1 860-722-6543
Excellent
70%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 332 reviews

Elizabeth Park

This walkers' haven, with several gardens along its wildflower trail, a lovely pond and sports and concert facilities, is best known for its magnificent rose garden, with 800 varieties of roses.

Reviewed By Otis_108 - San Diego, California

What a lovely treasure in the middle of the city. Was such a treat to walk through it. We happened to be there in October when they had a lot of Halloween things up and that was really a bonus. Loved our time here!

4. Cabela's

475 E Hartford Blvd N, East Hartford, CT 06118-1156 +1 860-290-6200
Excellent
50%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 84 reviews

Cabela's

Reviewed By John L - West Hartford, Connecticut

Cabela's is a welcome mega sized Outdoor Sporting Goods store in East Hartford. The first anchor store of what's hoped to shopping destination right off route I-84. Placed above the historic Pratt & Whitney Rentschler air field.

Cabela's is fun to visit, especially with your Wee Ones, with their immense indoor wildlife exhibits and fish aquarium. Beyond that you can literally wander the store for hours. All enthusiasts: Hunters, Fishermen, Campers, Boaters, Hikers, Motorized Trail Riders, Back Country Life, and Venturous Chefs.

The only game I shoot is with a camera, but that doesn't matter here. Their clothing and outdoor accessories, such as, binoculars, high powered optics, backwood gear & chow make the Shutter Bug experience more comfortable and worthwhile.

My favorite find here at Cabela's has been their Dehydrators along with outdoor smokers & cooking gadgets. I jumped headfirst into a whole new hobby. My first dehydrator, which sported 12 racks ran almost nonstop. It well outlasted it's warranty and now I'm onto my second dehydrator of similar specifications, but with a few design improvements.

So if you have sometime to browse, drop by and enjoy. Who knows you might find a new hobby to distract you from your sofa!!!

5. Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

600 Main St, Hartford, CT 06103-2911 +1 860-278-2670
Excellent
72%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 458 reviews

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

The first public art museum in the United States features 50,000 pieces ranging from ancient to contemporary, the largest collection of Hudson River School paintings in the world, an impressive array of Pilgrim-era furnishings and European and American art.

Reviewed By Carlton M - Edinburgh, United Kingdom

We had so much fun with Sez Zion, Lamont Williams and group were incredible. The buffet was wonderful as usual with fresh orange juice (PLUS). Quiche Lorraine, Tomato and Spinach Quiche, Challah French Toast, Bagels & Cream Cheese, Breakfast Potatoes, Assorted Pastries, Fresh Fruit, Sausage and Bacon. Great coffee and wonderful service. Mimosas or Bloody Mary complimentary. The new Edward Gorey Exhibit ends May 6th. If you love PBS/Masterpiece Mystery, he did the art work, drawings and more. Don't miss it! It is inspiring and emotional for some of us who remember the beginnings of "Mystery".

6. Onyx Moonshine

64 Oakland Ave Ste D, East Hartford, CT 06108-4042 +1 860-540-6699
Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 17 reviews

Onyx Moonshine

Reviewed By dkfromny - New York City, New York

Never would have thought there was a place like this in what looked like a warehouse. Very cool speakeasy tasting room. We love whiskey, but fell in love with the moonshine, talk about smooth. Tasting was $20 pp, staff was great, very friendly and willing to tell us all about what we were drinking. Definitely worth a stop.

7. The Mark Twain House & Museum

351 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT 06105-6400 +1 860-247-0998
Excellent
69%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

The Mark Twain House & Museum

The Mark Twain House & Museum, a National Historic Landmark in Hartford, Connecticut, was the home of America's greatest author, Samuel Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain) and his family from 1874 to 1891. It is also where Twain lived when he wrote his most important works, including Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Prince and The Pauper and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. A stunning example of Picturesque Gothic architecture, the 25-room home features a dramatic grand hall, a lush glass conservatory, a grand library and the handsome billiard room where Twain wrote his famous books. The Webster Bank Museum Center at The Mark Twain House & Museum offers visitors an opportunity to learn more about Mark Twain, his family, the historic house, and the author's legacy. This state-of-the-art facility houses our ticket desk; the Aetna Gallery with a permanent exhibition on Twain's life and work; a rotating exhibition hall, The Hartford Financial Services Theatre, showing a Ken Burns mini-documentary on Twain; classroom space; the lecture hall-style Lincoln Financial Auditorium; The Mark Twain Store; entertaining spaces like the soaring Hal Holbrook and the sunny second floor cafe/patio area.

Reviewed By terrsall - Waterloo, Indiana

While listening to our excellent guide talk about Sam Clemens love of this house, my mind wandered. I could envision him walking the hallways and rooms, proudly! What a great writer and humanitarian he was. Lived in this house longer than anywhere else but did not do a lot of his writing here. You not only learn more about his writing but also his family life. What an interesting and inspiring tour. Two thumbs up!

8. Rentschler Field

615 Silver Ln, East Hartford, CT 06118-1255 +1 860-610-4700
Excellent
38%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
0%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 16 reviews

Rentschler Field

Reviewed By Mrs-K-albany - Albany, NY

Went to a USMNT Soccer Game here along with about 36,000 other fans.

Getting there: We left our hotel (supposedly by GPS an 18 minute ride) 1 ½ hours early to give ourselves time to get there, find our seats, and grab a bite to eat. What we did not know is that the Hartford police blocked off the easiest route to the stadium (rumor was the locals complained about too much traffic in their neighborhood) but only after you got part way up the street and then had to turn around and go back instead of just blocking the street at the intersection and routing people around. The great circle route they sent people on was ridiculous and added about 30 minutes to the ride. Parking at the field was $20 pretty standard for such a venue. As one member of our party was recovering from orthopedic surgery we were allowed to park in handicapped parking which is plentiful and very convenient (not that the parking staff even knew where it was- - -each one we asked said “I don’t know, as the guy up there.” Finally after about 5 such replies we finally found someone who had a clue where it was and pointed us in the general direction.)

The stadium itself is pretty standard. On the main level there is the usual assortment of fast food places featuring sandwiches, lots of fried options, nachos, hot dogs, burgers, chicken nuggets all for about the average stadium price of food. There were beer booths strategically placed across/next to every access point into the seating area. Conversely there was no way to buy a simple bottle of water without standing in line (the long lines) at the food outlets. If someone opened a water booth they would make a fortune! Rest rooms are plentiful and as clean as one can hope for in such an environment.

We were in the 200’s meaning upper tier. There was a good amount of room between the rows. The seats were just metal benches mounted on concrete. Luckily we had brought our stadium seats so we were OK. Seating on bare metal for an evening game in October can be VERY chilly. There were stadium seats for rent for a very reasonable $5. If you do not bring your own, definitely rent one. Otherwise it may be a very uncomfortable game.

Never having been to the stadium before we were NOT prepared for the process of leaving the game. We got to our car relatively quickly, and pulled out---about 10 feet. And there we sat for over 40 minutes. The place was totally grid locked, and while there were local police and State Troopers around they did absolutely nothing to help the traffic move. We finally realized why so many people were tail gating AFTER the game. . .they had been there before and knew it would take an hour or two to clear the traffic jam. We finally made our way back TOWARD the stadium and around the outside of the parking lot barriers to finally make it off the property – 1 hour and 10 minutes later. Be forewarned: if you are going to this stadium the parking and the traffic flow is terribly managed. After the game the best advice is to take a nap or tail gate until the traffic clears to save yourself a lot of aggravation and gas.

9. Connecticut State Capitol

210 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT 06106-1535 +1 860-240-0222
Excellent
70%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 168 reviews

Connecticut State Capitol

A tour of the gold-leaf-domed capitol includes the Hall of Flags and, when they're in session, a chance to see the state senate and house of representatives in action.

Reviewed By Kay M - Augusta, GA

We have been to at least 25 state capitol buildings and rarely take the tour because we are just popping in to look under the dome or see the materials it’s made of, etc. For whatever reason, we decided to take this tour and are so glad we did. We were able to go inside both the representative and senate chambers and sat in the Lt. Governor’s chair that is one of two chairs made out of the famous Charter Oak tree. We knew nothing about the Charter Oak tree before the tour. It is a huge part of CT’s history. You get great stories with the tour, and we heard many from our guide, Susan. She was wonderful. The stories about the Genuis that used to grace the top of the dome were special. This is a very nice capitol to visit and tour. Takes about an hour with guided tour.

10. Olde Burnside Brewing Company

776 Tolland St, East Hartford, CT 06108-2727 +1 860-306-2653
Excellent
60%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5 reviews

Olde Burnside Brewing Company

Reviewed By Alison R - Charlotte, North Carolina

The downside here is their drinking area is behind the ice house and a small outdoor patio – so its dependent on good weather. And their hours aren’t that long. I believe they are only open from 1-5pm on Saturdays and Sundays so you will have to pay attention to when you want to go. Beers are great – mostly ales and dark brews. Owner will probably be there working the counter so feel free to ask any questions about the operation.

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