My Favorite Connecticut Town: West Hartford

Connecticut’s Office of Tourism has a new contest.  Vote for your favorite town and be entered to win a grand prize (A four-night getaway anyone?)!

The prize package is pretty sweet, so you should definitely check it out.

As part of the campaign, they asked Shawna and I to post about our favorite CT town.  We were happy to do so, but, not surprisingly, we both decided that we really wanted to write about our individual hometowns {I mean, why else would we live there?}

So, I’m posting today about my hometown and Shawna will be back on Thursday to tell you all about hers.

Now, to get you thinking about your favorite Connecticut town and get you inspired to vote, let me give you the scoop on why I love living in my hometown of West Hartford, Connecticut.

Here’s my story . . .

Shortly before we were married (like a few weeks before, SURPRISE!), my husband informed me that he had received a job offer in Connecticut.  As a southern girl living in Atlanta, Georgia, the idea of moving to the northeast sounded a bit crazy to me.

Now, I’m no stranger to the northeast by any means.  I lived in Pennsylvania for a few years when I was young and my mom’s ENTIRE family lives in Delaware (Hi to any of my family reading this!)  But moving away from family and friends living in and around Atlanta was going to be a tough decision.

So, given that my only experience in Connecticut was through work I had done at Bradley Airport, I figured we probably should take a trip to the area before he agreed to take the new position.

We got on a plane, headed to Hartford, Connecticut, rented a car and then just started driving around.

We knew that we wanted to live close to my husband’s work and were told that we should look at a few towns in that area.  After driving, driving, and driving, we finally stumbled upon West Hartford.

My husband likes to tell the story that as we were driving around the town, I spotted a Target and yelled “Yay!  They have a Target!”

Now, it wasn’t really that I was excited about Target (ok, I actually heart Target a lot), but that seeing the store made me realize that it was a “normal” town.

As we continued on, I saw Westfarms Mall filled with stores I loved (Nordstrom, H&M, William Sonoma, need I say more?), then we passed a Trader Joe’s (yum!) and continued on until we hit West Hartford Center.  I think I might have fallen in love with the town when we hit West Hartford Center because it reminded me so much of one of our favorite areas in Atlanta.

Anyways, so we decided to take the job in Connecticut and moved to West Hartford, and I’m so happy we did.  After living here for six years and after being a young professional in the town and now a mom in the town, I have learned that West Hartford is much more than just a great shopping destination with a cute downtown area, it has a lot to offer.

So, let me share with you the Top Ten things I like about West Hartford (from a Mom with three kids under the age of 3!):

These are in no particular order.

1. Fernridge Park:  This park is located off of Fern Street, pretty much in the center of town.  It is a beautiful park and has a lot to offer in a small space.  We frequent the playground there most of the year, but during the summer, we are all about their brand new spray pad and pool.
2. Westmoor Park:  This park is a hidden gem in West Hartford.  It is a demonstration farm with beautiful grounds and walking trails.  The park itself is FREE and open to the public, but you can also support this great resource by participating in one of their wonderful (and reasonably priced) classes.  We enjoyed the Gentle Touch class, but there are a variety of classes offered for every age.  They also have an annual Farm Day which is coming up on May 18, 2013.  A wonderful opportunity to check out all that this park has to offer.
3. Elizabeth Park:  Well I know we have this park listed in Hartford on our site, but I’m including it because it is technically in both West Hartford and Hartford (the place is HUGE).  This park is home to the oldest (and in my opinion the most beautiful) public rose garden in the country and so much more.  From the gorgeous tulips that bloom in the Spring, to the rose garden and summer concert series in the Summer, to the walking trails that can be enjoyed all year-long, there is so much to offer here.  If you haven’t been, you must go.  Maybe grab brunch at the Pond House Cafe over the weekend and then roam the grounds of one of my favorite parks.
4. West Hartford Reservoir:  Another beautiful place for a walk (or run or bike ride) in my hometown is in the Reservoir located off of Farmington Avenue.  I think my absolute favorite time to visit this destination is in the Fall when the leaves are changing, but any time of year is a treat.  The longest trail (3.4 miles) is completely paved which makes it great for bike rides or trips with a stroller.  But most of all, you can’t beat the views of the water.  Beautiful.
5. Noah Webster Library:  I really need to update my post on this library, because it has changed a lot since my last post.  The library is located in the heart of Blue Back Square so it is a great place to stop when you are visiting the area.  The play area for kids is HUGE and amazing.  I really, really need to get some updated pictures up on the site.  They also have a separate baby play area perfect for pre-walkers of any age (which has also been updated since my last post).  But this library is way more than just a play area for the kids, it has a wonderful selection of children’s books and an amazing children’s program (including drop-in classes like this one for the babies).  If you are visiting the town stop by the library and give the kids a chance to play and explore, then enjoy the rest of Blue Back and West Hartford Center (details below).
6. Blue Back Square:  When I first moved to West Hartford, Blue Back Square didn’t exist, now it is a destination I go to almost every day.  When I’m there with the kids, we usually spend some time at the library or in the kids section of Barnes and Noble,  then grab lunch at Moe’s and dessert at Pinkberry.  When I’m on my own, I prefer to spend my time there shopping at Crate & Barrel and Lucy or picking up a gift (or a treat for myself) at Spin Monograms & Gifts.  When the hubby is in tow, we like eating and drinking at the Rizzutos‘ bar area and maybe catching a movie at the Bowtie Cinemas (FYI.  They have discounted movie prices on Tuesdays).
7. West Hartford Center:  But, as I mentioned before, West Hartford Center is really the part of town that sold me on living in West Hartford.  There is so much to see and do (and eat!) in this area, but the places we like to frequent on date nights are Bricco and Barcelona (though I really haven’t found a restaurant I don’t like in the Center).
8. Park Road:  This area of West Hartford isn’t usually the first place people mention, but I think that is starting to change.  We love going out to breakfast at the casual Quaker Diner, grabbing sandwiches for lunch from Hall’s Market and getting a sweet treat from A Little Something Bakery.
9. Elmwood Community Center:  I feel so fortunate to have a vibrant, active community center here in West Hartford.  I love walking in there and seeing the interaction between the toddlers heading to a Dance, Dance class and the Seniors heading to a meeting or event.  The ECC offers many great programs and classes year-round including a much appreciated Gym Kids drop-in program during the cold winter months.
10. Celebrate West Hartford:  A not to be missed event in our town is the annual Celebrate West Hartford festival.  This year it will be held June 8th and 9th behind Town Hall.  Arts & crafts, rides for the kids, music and, of course, food will be available.  A great family friendly outing to kick off the summer.

So there you have it.  My top 10 list for West Hartford.

What is your favorite Connecticut town?  Vote soon because the contest ends May 15, 2013.  Enter to win here.

Oh and don’t forget to enter our GIVEAWAY for tickets to the upcoming Raffi #belugagrads Concert in New Haven.  That giveaway ends this Thursday, April 25th at noon.

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