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4/12/19 - By Tania Pesce

Smack in the middle of the state, Hartford County is a place you'll probably have lots of occasions to pass through even if you don't live nearby. Luckily, this county, the second most populous in Connecticut, is packed with museums, parks, and other attractions that are worth a stop for a morning or afternoon. While there are many more things to do with kids than this 50-item list shares, we have collected some unmissable places and events Connecticut has to share. Whether you and the brood are in the mood to learn, soak up nature, or get some exercise, this list has a family fun idea for you.

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Things To Do in Hartford - Top Family Attractions

1. Cheer on the Yard Goats at the all new Dunkin Donuts Stadium

2. Ride the carousel at Bushnell Park.

3. Spend a summer day at Lake Compounce in Bristol.

4. Get all the little wiggles out at this Milford trampoline park. 

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

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

7. Go see The Christmas Carol or another great show at the Hartford Stage.

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

Things To Do in Hartford - Outdoor Activities

Farmington River is a tubing mecca. Photo courtesy of Connecticut Office of Tourism

9. Go tubing down the Farmington River.

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

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

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

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

14. Smell the roses at Elizabeth Park’s rose garden.

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

16. Climb to the top of Castle Craig in Meriden.


Baby animals are for cuddling. Photo courtesy of Flamig Farm 

17. Pet the animals at the Flamig Farm.

18. Hike around Talcott Mountain State Park.

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

Things To Do in Hartford - Museums and Indoor Fun


Got kids who like to play pretend? Visit Imagine Nation. Photo by Clementina Verge

20. Let your imagination run wild at the Imagine Nation Museum.

21. Go inside "Conny," the gigantic life-size whale at The Children’s Museum.

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

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

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

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

27. Try indoor rock climbing at Central Rock Gym in Glastonbury.

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

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

30. Take in a class at the New Britain Youth Museum.

Things To Do in Hartford - Where To Eat

31. Cupcakes. So many cupcakes at Pink Cupcake Shack.

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

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

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

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

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

Things To Do in Hartford - Seasonal Fun

37. Eat apple fritters at the Southington Apple Harvest.

38. Watch a show at the Southington Drive-in Theater.


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

39. Gaze in awe at the Hot Air Balloon Festival. 

40. Go apple picking at Karabin Farms

41. Ski the slopes at Mt. Southington

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

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

44. Sled down the huge hills at Page Park.

Originally published 1/29/2012.

Places featured in this article:

IT Adventure Ropes Course
Roaring Brook Nature Center`
Castle Craig at Hubbard Park
Institute for American Indian Studies
Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Glastonbury
Amato's Toy and Hobby Store
Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society
Earthplace - the Nature Discovery and Environmental Learning Center