East Hartford: Parks, Nature and History

When looking for a hotel in East Hartford, you can start by considering which themes you want to shape your stay: parks and trails, historic sites, or events. Local destinations offer different highlights and give you specific points of reference for planning your trip.

Parks and Nature Experiences

Wickham Park extends into East Hartford and covers 280 acres, with gardens, open spaces, wooded areas, ponds, picnic areas, and sports facilities. Its ten themed gardens range in size from half an acre to eight acres. There is also a well-defined option for exercise: the 26-hole disc golf course is free to use with park admission.

At the aviary, visitors can observe birds and learn about them. The Nature Center complements this focus with interactive nature exhibits and historical information about the Wickham family and their estate. The park thus offers both bird-watching and exhibits on local history and the family.

East Hartford Nature Park is a wooded area of more than 80 acres dedicated to passive recreation, with several trails. Activities include jogging, hiking, and cross-country skiing. The Hockanum River Linear Park Trail offers a different route: the approximately 3.5-mile trail consists of boardwalks and a water-bound macadam surface, and runs from Hillside Street to Meadow Hill Station on Pitkin Street.

Waterways and Getting Around

Great River Park has a public boat launch and is served by CTtransit Route 87. East Hartford is also a junction of the East Coast Greenway trail system and the Connecticut River National Blueway.

Historic Sites in East Hartford

The history of the area can be explored at sites spanning several centuries. Center Cemetery is the second-oldest Colonial-era cemetery in the Hartford Colony and opened in 1709. Audio recordings about notable sites in the cemetery are available on the Internet Archive. The Makens Bemont House, also known as the Huguenot House, was built in 1761 and is open for tours during the summer months. Visiting times depend on the Historical Society’s current schedule.

The Historical Society also holds weekly tours of the historic Selden Brewer House year-round. It is a good idea to check the Society’s current tour schedule before visiting. The Burnham Blacksmith Shop contains tools and equipment used in the East Hartford area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Together with Center Cemetery and the Makens Bemont House, these sites offer different historical points of reference: Colonial-era cemetery history, an 18th-century house, and tools from later decades.

Market, Events, and Recreation

For the 2026 season, the East Hartford Farmers' Market is scheduled for Tuesdays from 12:00 to 2:30 p.m., July 7 through October 27, on the Town Green at 1047 Main Street; it will not be held on August 4. Agricultural vendors listed for the season include Killam & Bassette Farmstead and Handel Family Farm. Since future market dates and the seasonal vendor lineup may change, check the latest schedule if the market is important to your plans.

Riverfest is among the events held annually in July at Great River Park. Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field hosts sporting and special events. The open-air stadium has 36,000 seats; check the schedule for the specific edition of an event if you are planning to attend.

Sports options can also be described with specific figures: East Hartford Golf Club is an 18-hole course. From the longest tees, it measures 6,208 yards and has a par of 72. Nova Adventure Park in East Hartford offers an arcade, a foam pit, trampolines, and a slackline. These destinations complement the nature and history themes with golf, indoor activities, and events, without requiring you to choose a particular focus.

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