West Hartford Luxury Travel Guide
West Hartford, Connecticut’s capital region, is one of the best spots in the state to enjoy the very best Connecticut has to offer. Fine dining attracts foodies from all over the East Coast. Luxury hotels in the area have proven to be world-class. Plus, there are plenty of unique, lovely things to do in the area, too. This West Hartford Luxury Travel Guide will help you tune out the noise and focus on only the very best West Hartford has to offer.
Best Time of Year to Visit West Hartford
West Hartford is prettiest in spring, summer, and autumn. Winter, however, is a great time to visit because the lines will be shorter, accommodations can be significantly less (which means you can book that penthouse suite for the same price as a regular room in summer), and parking won’t be as competitive. No matter which time of year you find yourself in West Hartford, you’ll have a great time.
How to Reach West Hartford
Fly into Bradley International Airport (BDL) or Hartford-Brainard Airport (KHFD). It’s also an easy drive if you’re already in New England or passing through. Amtrak has a station in Hartford, too, so you can access the area from anywhere Amtrak goes.
How to Get Around West Hartford
West Hartford is not the most walkable city. We had to drive pretty much everywhere we went, except around our hotel. The Blue Back square area was walkable, but outside of that, things were too far apart. Either ride share or drive yourself for the best experience.
Where to Stay in West Hartford
We had the best stay at Delamar West Hartford. It’s a beautiful hotel with a fantastic spa and brilliant, allergy-friendly on-site restaurant. Plus, the service there is excellent, and they’ll valet your car for you, complimentary. Read the full review here.
Where to Eat in West Hartford
West Hartford has some of the best food in Connecticut, outside of Greenwich, Litchfield County, Mystic & Stonington, and New Haven. Here are some of our favorites.
Artisan
Located within the Delamar, they take allergies seriously, and you won’t leave hungry.
Avert Brasserie
The best French food in the area.
Barcelona
These are the best tapas I’ve had outside of Spain!
bartaco
If you like tacos, you can’t skip bartaco’s elevated take on this Mexican-American dish.
The Charles
Fantastic food in a cute location.
Cha Papi
Bubble tea, mochi donuts, and other delicious snacks await you in this beloved local sweet shop. They have black sesame drinks, and that’s one of my all-time favorite flavors!
The Laurel
Hartford’s premier fine dining establishment.
Maruichi
Part Japanese market, part grab-and-go counter, Maruichi has some of the freshest
Zohara
The best Mediterranean food in New England!
Things to Do in West Hartford
Connecticut State Capitol Building
Connecticut has one of the prettiest capitol buildings I’ve seen in the States. If you are in town during the week, they offer free tours until 5 pm, except on federal holidays. Connecticut is the Constitution State, after all! When in Rome, eh?
Elizabeth Park
If you’re lucky enough to see the roses in bloom, you can enjoy the nation’s oldest rose garden. It smells incredible when they’re in full bloom! This is one of my favorite gardens in New England.
Mark Twain House & Museum
Mark Twain, aka Samuel Clemens, lived in Connecticut for nearly two decades. Explore his home and stand where he stood while learning about his incredible literary career.
Museum of Culture & History
Exactly what it sounds like, this museum takes visitors on a journey through Connecticut’s history and all of the myriad ways the Nutmeg State shaped the nation.
Noah Webster House
The childhood home of the man who made the original Webster’s dictionary, visitors can see what it would’ve been like to spend a day in his (little) shoes.
Stowe Center for Literary Activism
Love reading? Want more people to be literate and able to understand what they’re reading? Yeah, me, too. Visit the Stowe Center for Literary Activism and learn how to get involved in the fight against illiteracy & media ignorance.
Wadsworth Museum
One of Connecticut’s best art museums.
Day Trips from West Hartford
The Berkshires
47 miles, 1h 20 minute drive
This gorgeous, world-famous mountain range is within driving distance of West Hartford. Have the best of both worlds by staying in luxury in West Hartford and spending the day (or more than one) hiking in one of the most beautiful mountainous spots in the world.
Boston, MA
104 miles, 2h drive
Home of revolutionaries and scholars, Boston is one of the USA’s most famous cities. With more than 170 museums, two centuries of public gardens, and incredible fine dining, a day trip to Boston is another possible adventure from West Hartford.
Green Mountains National Forest (NH)
93 miles, 1h 50 minute drive
Perfect for avid hikers, the Green Mountains National Forest has breathtaking waterfalls, ponds, and other gorgeous scenic highlights.
Greenwich, CT
83 miles, 1h 30 minute drive
Greenwich is perfect for those who love to shop, visit New York City, or enjoy a charming town along the water.
Hudson Valley, NY
114 miles, 2h 20 minute drive
One of the most beautiful spots in the nation, the Hudson Valley has so many things to do outdoors that I couldn’t list them all. Check out my archives for a few ideas to get you started.
Above: Wildflower Farms & Clay Restaurant by Auberge Resorts
Mohonk Mountain House & New Paltz, NY
119 miles, 2h 30 minute drive
If you visit the Hudson Valley, you need to visit nearby New Paltz. Buy a day pass at Mohonk Mountain House (around $80 per person) to enjoy swimming, rock climbing, mountain hikes, paddleboarding, tennis, archery, and so much more. Or, enjoy all of the rustic beauty New Paltz has to offer.
Above: Mohonk Mountain House & Surrounding Mountains
Mystic & Stonington, CT
68 miles, 1h 10 minutes
Seafood lovers can’t miss some of the freshest fish & seafood in New England at the Shipwright’s Daughter, Mystic Fish Camp, or Breakwater. Famous for the Seaport Museum and one of the world’s only remaining Bascule bridges, Mystic is a great waterfront village to visit. Nearby Stonington has pretty beaches, great food, and even more colonial charm.
New York City, NY
119 miles, 2h 30 minutes
Wake up early and visit the city that never sleeps. As a day trip, you can hit most of the major tourist attractions before having a fabulous dinner and heading back. Or, make it the leg of your road trip.
Newport, RI
91 miles, 1h 50 minutes
Gaze upon old lighthouses, vintage sailboats, pristine beaches, and million-dollar sunsets. The food in Newport is among the best in New England, and the Gilded Age mansions draw visitors from around the globe.
Washington, CT
46 miles, 1h drive
Fancy something more bucolic than busting cities and big seafood bites? Visit the rolling hills of Washington & Litchfield to enjoy a slower pace, without sacrificing fine tastes. The shopping is fantastic, especially if you favor family-owned establishments.
Above: Mayflower Inn & Spa by Auberge Resorts
Watch Hill, RI
79 miles, 1h 20 minutes
This delightful neighborhood in Westerley has it all: sand, surf, and seafood. Oh, and Taylor Swift lives here, sometimes.
Above: Ocean House, Napatree Point Beach, and Watch Hill’s Yacht Club
Safety
West Hartford is a pretty safe community. As with anywhere, stay in well-lit areas, keep personal belongings close, and don’t flash valuables or leave them unattended. We’ve never once felt unsafe.
Explore more of our adventures in Connecticut and New England.
