Westmoor Park is located on Flogg Road in West Hartford, and is managed by the Leisure Services Department. The park is spread over an area of 62 acres (25 hectares), and includes a variety of natural habitats for visitors to explore. Open from dawn to dusk, the park is dedicated to promoting environmental education and awareness. There is a large garden that is dedicated to flowering plants, herbs and vegetables. The park is also home to a number of barnyard animals like horses, donkeys, sheep’s, goats, ducks etc. It is a perfect place for kids to see and observe farm animals and explore nature. The park also has an education center, a nature discovery room and meeting rooms that are available for classes and community use. There are special summer programs for kids and educational courses conducted all round the year.
The Hill–Stead Museum was bequeathed by Theodate Pope Riddle before her death to the public. The establishment was built in 1901 in the Colonial Revival style of architecture. The beautiful home was built according to the designs of Theodate Pope Riddle herself, she was one of country's pioneering female architects. The museum is housed in the mansion where a number of paintings, furniture, and other artifacts have been restored and maintained. The estate is popular for its French Impressionists art collection which boasts of paintings from artists like Eugène Carrière, Mary Cassatt, Édouard Manet and many others.
Built in 1876 by William Goodspeed, the Goodspeed Opera House is a gem of American musical theater. Overlooking the Connecticut River, this majestic building is now owned by Goodspeed Musicals and is home to award-winning shows and performances. It is the cradle of world famous musicals like Man of La Mancha and Annie. After its founder's death it became decrepit and was almost at the brink of destruction, thankfully, Goodspeed Musicals was formed to save this historic structure in 1959. It has since been restored to its former glory and opened after four years of intensive restoration in 1963.
This home on Farmington Avenue is where Mark Twain lived from 1874 until he moved to Europe (due to bankruptcy) in 1891. It is also the place where Twain wrote some of his most famous works, such as Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. The estate is in constant renovation and the curating team is always looking to restore it as it was when Twain lived here. Nonetheless, the adjacent Museum offers an exclusive documentary about the writer by director Ken Burns and the home was one of the first 100 architectural sites to be registered as a National Historic Landmark in the United States.
One of the state's best places to get an apple pie or pick-your-own fruit, Lyman Orchards offers fresh, local produce at great prices. There are a slew of annual events at the Orchards, starting with the Apple Hunt at Easter, where the Easter Bunny puts aside his candy for some healthy apples. During the summer months, there is the Sunflower Maze, and then if visiting in September and October, stop by the Corn Maze, which is spread across four acres of property. If golf is your game, there are two courses on the premises. You will never run out of things to do at Lyman Orchards!
Built in the style of an Italian villa in 1895, the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum houses an eclectic collection of artifacts from Ancient Rome, Greece, Egypt and China, plus artworks, Chinese ceramics, Japanese armor and plaster casts of major European sculptures. This art museum is a must-see for art enthusiasts of all ages who are visiting the Springfield Museums, especially with the Hasbro Games Art Discovery Center that encourages children to learn about art and history through interactive displays and activities.