5 Nature & Parks in Hartford That You Shouldn't Miss

December 8, 2021 Marlin Saiz

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. It was here that the lovable Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer were born in the imagination of celebrated author Mark Twain and immortalized on paper during the writer's Hartford years. Twain's home and those of fellow literary figures Harriet Beecher Stowe and Noah Webster are open to the public. The Wadsworth Atheneum, the oldest public art museum in the U.S., houses Pilgrim-Century furniture, the Amistad collection and a special treasure hunt system to entice kids to explore the museum's works. If your timing is right (end of June, beginning of July), you'll catch the Elizabeth Park rose gardens in bloom, but fall is also great for brilliant leaf colors, and spring yields colorful gardens and blossoming trees. For a bird's-eye view of the city, visit the observation deck of Travelers Tower, where you might also spot two resident falcons.
Restaurants in Hartford

1. Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

300 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT 06103-2802 +1 860-713-3131 [email protected] http://www.riverfront.org/parks/mortensen/
Excellent
56%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 32 reviews

Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

2. Riverside Park

20 Leibert Rd, Hartford, CT 06120-1616 +1 860-413-3131 http://www.riverfront.org
Excellent
60%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
8%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 25 reviews

Riverside Park

Reviewed By dustythoughts - Manchester, United States

This wonderful park is a great place to enjoy a combination of nature and an urban environment, situated as it is on the river right in Hartford. There's space for walking, sitting and enjoying the river, and also a big waterfront where they have various festivals throughout the year - although lately they can't because of COVID. Nonetheless, you can still come here and admire the statues, like the Abe Lincoln and Harriet Tubman statues. The park is clean and well-maintained, and there's plenty of space for everyone to practice physical distancing.

3. Bushnell Park

30 Arbor St, Hartford, CT 06106-1215 +1 860-232-6710 [email protected] http://www.bushnellpark.org/
Excellent
38%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 197 reviews

Bushnell Park

The first public park in America that was financed with public funds, Bushnell Park draws visitors to its 1914 carousel, and also features memorials honoring Civil War and Spanish-American War soldiers and some 150 varieties of trees.

Reviewed By dialam

As far as parks go, this is a nice one. Not much goes on in the winter time. A place to ice skate. I think that's about it. The summer time is when it comes to life. Jazz bands and other things. Nice place to run and walk around. As well to play in the park it self. For something/Nothing to do for free, this is your place.

4. Charter Oak Landing

50 Reserve Rd, Hartford, CT 06114-1610 +1 860-713-3131 [email protected] http://www.riverfront.org/parks/charter/
Excellent
0%
Good
86%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 7 reviews

Charter Oak Landing

5. Goodwin Park

1130 Maple Ave, Hartford, CT 06114-2734 +1 860-722-6542 http://www.friendsofgoodwinpark.org/
Excellent
19%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
26%
Poor
15%
Terrible
21%
Overall Ratings

3.0 based on 27 reviews

Goodwin Park

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