Welcome to West Hartford
West Hartford is a lively suburb that's located just five miles west of the state's capital city.
Recently named Money Magazine's "Best Place to Live," West Hartford is a bustling town with everything you need to live your best life. Here, you'll find a number of sprawling parks, boutique shops, and one-of-a-kind restaurants to try, all in a friendly — and easily walkable — city.
Residents of this suburb will find many gorgeous single-family homes and great schools, as well as top-notch schools and plenty of opportunities for community building. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the comforts and conveniences of a smaller community without giving up any of the amenities of a bustling hub.
What To Love
Local Lifestyle
West Hartford continuously ranks as the state's best place to live, and it's no surprise. This vibrant city is packed with unique places to explore, residential neighborhoods, and plenty of sidewalks for getting around on foot. Locals love the city's walkability and easy access to good food, shopping, and fun.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Shopping in West Hartford is a one-of-a-kind experience, with a plethora of little shops peppering its streets. Stop by West Hartford Center and walk along the city's streets to enjoy boutique shopping and eating at locally-restaurants. Blue Back Square is another shopping spot in town that boasts dozens of chain retailers, a movie theater, several restaurants, and a dog bakery. Bring your pup along for a special treat.
Westfarms Mall, on the other hand, offers a more traditional shopping mall experience. With over 1.2 million square feet of retail space, it's currently the third-largest mall in Connecticut.
For dinner, stop by West Hartford's Gastropark, where you can enjoy indoor or outdoor seating for the whole family — including your pup. Food trucks line up to serve the best food and craft beer in town in this breezy, laid-back space.
Things to Do
West Hartford has several large parks that are perfect for exploring and enjoying the area's beautiful landscape. At Westmoor Park, visitors can take part in special events and classes in its environmental education center or explore its 162 acres of gardens and trails.
Elizabeth Park boasts a picturesque rose garden, along with several greenhouses, a pond, and tennis courts.
The West Hartford Reservoir is the location that houses the MDC's water treatment facilities, but it's also a great place to explore. With over 3,000 acres of woodlands and over 30 miles of trails, it's a hiker's paradise.
Playhouse on Park is a unique performance venue that houses productions throughout the year. From contemporary plays to musicals, they offer something for everyone. In fact, Playhouse on Park was named the Best Professional Theater in Connecticut in 2013 by Broadway
Schools
West Hartford is home to many notable schools. Some of them include:
- Whiting Lane Elementary School, Kindergarten to 5th Grade, A Blue Ribbon School
- Kingswood Oxford, Grades 6 through 12, a private school with a college preparatory curriculum
- Northwest Catholic, Grades 9 through 12
- West Hartford Public Schools, Kindergarten through 12th Grade