West Hartford offers a range of reasons to visit: a paved greenway along Trout Brook, trails through meadows and wooded hills, historic sites, and an art museum with free admission. To plan your visit, it helps to first choose your focus: time outdoors, local history, art, or events.
Trails and Natural Areas
The nearly 4-mile Trout Brook Trail follows Trout Brook from New Park Avenue to Asylum Avenue. As a paved greenway, it is intended for walkers, runners, and cyclists. For a different kind of trail, try the Rockledge Winter Trails: when the golf course is closed, you can hike, jog, cross-country ski, and snowshoe there. The closure condition is important when planning these activities.
At 33-acre Spicebush Swamp Park, the focus is on nature observation and walking. The trails pass through an upland meadow and wooded hills. Public fishing is available at McGovern Pond. This makes it possible to pursue different interests within the park, from a trail through varied landscapes to fishing at the pond.
Westmoor Park offers a different focus: the 162-acre center is dedicated to environmental, agricultural, and horticultural education and is operated by West Hartford Leisure Services. It offers educational programs about agriculture and nature for people of all ages. If you want to attend a specific program, check the current schedule.
The West Hartford Reservoirs also offer extensive woodland and trail areas: together with Reservoir 6, they cover more than 3,000 acres. The reservoirs are located at 1420 Farmington Avenue; the entrance to Reservoir 6 is on Route 44. Check the access information for Reservoir 6 before your visit.
History and Art
Thirty-nine historic sites in West Hartford are marked with signs and plaques. A map at Goodman Green in West Hartford Center lists all 39 numbered locations, providing a concrete starting point for exploring local history. Old Center Cemetery at 30 North Main Street is open to visitors. It offers insight into the lives of notable, distinguished, and lesser-known residents of the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Art Museum at USJ combines an extensive collection with changing installations, a print study room, and various programs for the university and the public. The collection includes more than 3,000 works of art, and admission is free. The professional Playhouse on Park on Park Road adds theater to the cultural offerings.
Events, Market and City Life
Celebrate! West Hartford is a free, two-day community festival held every June. If you plan to visit around the festival, check the specific event dates. The Blue Back Farmers’ Market offers live music and events as well as fresh fruit, vegetables, free-range meat, coffee, and bagels. Products may vary depending on the season and vendor; the accompanying program may also change seasonally.
If you’re looking for restaurants, boutiques, and nightlife, consider West Hartford Center or Blue Back Square: both offer these options.
Explore more destinations: New Britain, Manchester, Wethersfield, Bristol, Plainville, Windsor Locks, Windsor, Southington.
For the main travel overview: Hartford.
