The Japan Society of Greater Hartford holds an annual Japan Summer Festival for its 11th year. The…read moresquare is filled with vendors highlighting the Japanese culture, goods, snacks and food. Event though it's on its 11th year, the festival itself is not very big. There is sure is enough activities to try for an afternoon though. The general info tent were selling shirts and another one next to them had a yukata experience where you can try one for free. Always feel free to buy if you like it. The was a book author in the library which was followed by an origami activity. That was a challenge and definitely required patience. As for food, one table sold sushi which were kept in coolers since it was a hot day. I didn't recall seeing it being prepared on sites and other tables sold snacks and things. Since the event was in Blue Back Square, there are a number of options to dine in. They had both Pikachu and Hello Kitty on-site for pictures!

Grand opening is on 10/13/18! Best wishes for a great…read moreturnout. Wish I could've been there, but I'll be in very soon!

We were all excited to celebrate my grandson's 2nd birthday here today on the patio, with no more…read morethan 20 of us, but an employee named Carl made it extremely uncomfortable for myself and other guest. He was rude, loud, obnoxious and from what I witnessed a racist! He spoke to my daughter with extreme disrespect. When I said to him "you are very rude" he replied back and said "I do not care." But when three Caucasian guest who were not with us were leaving he spoke to them with the utmost respect and even offered to inform them about a bike that was recently put on display. He then tossed money and an envelope on the lap of a fellow employee who if I may add is a Black American and said... "That's $160 in cash and $50 in cash in the envelope." I'm leaving because of I have to yell at one more person." The party was extremely low-key not loud at all. The children played in the area where the party took place and no one at any point was disrespectful towards him. I would have given this place 5 stars had this not occurred. I highly recommend that if you are a person of color you will surely not feel welcomed here if Carl is on the schedule to work that day. It's unfortunate that we were treated this way, it's a beautiful building and there are lots of cool bikes for the children to enjoy looking at.

This is a great historical venue because you get 3 houses for the price is one. Silas Deane is…read morefamous for being an American Revolution figure, but it's interesting to compare. In the visitor's center, there is currently an exhibit on restoring these and other houses in the area, and a nice gift shop. In the houses, one is of Silas Deane's stepfamily next door, and one is a leatherworker, but one that was lived in by the family the longest and most naturally preserved. George Washington slept in one of the houses. There is also history of the guy who originally tried to restore the houses and painted great American history scenes - so not someone who was perfectly accurate in his restoration, but he had the spirit. The history of restoration can be just as interesting and relevant as the original inhabitant history. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and there is a lot to see between 3 houses, so the tour was pretty full. There is a parking lot on site as well as street parking. It's nestled on a regular street among other businesses, but it's a nice gem of the past.

If you're in the Wethersfield area, you simply have to stop in. My friend and I actually didn't do…read morea tour of the houses, what drew us in was the fruit over the door to the house and we wanted to find out why there was real fruit put up. PSA: it's because it used to denote wealth and so they've carried on this tradition. If you're looking for some unique holiday gifts then you really need to check out their gift shop, they have Caswell Massey soaps, where you or your loved ones can smell like George Washington. They also have an amazing face mask selection right now so if you're looking for a holiday mask, stop by, they come to just under $13 plus tax. The ladies there were all incredibly nice and helpful, and I'll definitely stop by again soon to see what else is here.

Found it this year even with all the parking problems as we were on a bus tour…read more Everything handled well with online tix and signage. Lots of walking and lots of informational exhibits which I did not expect. Some of the floral entries for prizes had started to wilt and this was only the opening day. Lots to do, eat, enjoy and purchase. I found that there were too many vendors with non-garden/floral themes. Glad to see KNOX with its excellent educational exhibits. Worth the entry fee!

First, it took us an hour from the exit ramp to the convention center. No parking, cops literally…read moredirecting us around the block, utterly clueless. The city is not set up for a lot of people. Second, there were some nice landscape designs, but the flower show itself was disappointing. Very limited...you'd see more at the Durham Fair. Lots of houseplants for sale, lots of garden gifty stuff, so if you like soap and candles and t-shirts, yay for you. Not not nearly enough about flowers and gardens. Will not go again.

This is the second year I've been to the Bookwyrm Festival in West Hartford. It's a free event…read more It's located in the Noah Webster Library; parking can be found throughout the area. It's a family friendly and fun event. They had sword fighting with knights outside. Inside there were vendors and authors. Vendors include a fudge shop, coffee shop, and more. There is an area for table games. Downstairs, there is face painting and people making animal balloons. There was a librarian reading children's books. We enjoyed it last year and decided to go again this year. Nerds, knights, and bookworms, unite!

May 18, 2024 Every…read moreyear, the City of New Britain hosts a street festival right in downtown. Parking is located in the parking garage for free; there were plenty of spaces when we went right around 12, when the event first started. A large stage on the overpass with live music; another stage near the Central Park. There were quite a few food trucks; fried dough, Thai, Latin, tacos, ice cream, etc. There were plenty of picnic tables and hand washing stations. Other entertainment included, a car show and kid zones; bouncy houses, bubble machine truck, and live animal demonstration. They even had a touch a truck event; huge police swat vehicles, ambulance, and public works trucks. If you're thirsty there was a 21+ area you can get alcoholic drinks at. The event was from 12-8; we had a fun filled day. The city of New Britain did a great job with organizing this event!

The Rock Voices Choir put on several concerts at Trinity on Main in the last year. The staff was…read moremost accommodating, and the sound and the lighting was the best we have experienced. We've packed the place both times we held concerts there, and both the choir and the audience loved the experience. Alas, we are too large (over 100 voices) to be able to use this facility for our upcoming concert, but we look forward to performing there again when our numbers are better suited for this location.

My sister and I follow John the violinist on IG. It was my first time at Trinity-On-Main. It used…read moreto be a church. They were serving lite fair for food. But we didn't have any food. The service was excellent at the bar. We did have cocktails. The price was reasonable. When we walked in to sit down. It was so warm and cozy and intimate. All the seats were nice. Everyone was able to take awesome pics and videos. I would return to Trinity-On-Main. Yelpers if you enjoy violin, please follow John the Violinist on IG.

Free is always good and free in Hartford is even better. Great event at Bushnell Park, especially…read morefor families. We rode the carousel for free and walked around the market place and stage which was playing some funky music while we were there.

You can get the full tour of downtown Hartford for free if you come on this one Saturday in…read moreSeptember. EnvisionFest is a terrible name but a great idea. Just about everything you want to see downtown is here: free museums, historic buildings, plus a big dose of music, shopping and food trucks. You can really speed along, too, going from a grounded hot air balloon to the top of the Travelers building to watching bands in under an hour. Plus, the Governor's Footguard roams downtown in their wool reds with marching band. Kid-friendly activities abound, from face-painting and sidewalk chalk to giant puppets roaming the park. Word of advice: park at your closest Fast Trak station so you don't have to bother with parking downtown. Way smoother experience. Free Museums The Wadsworth Atheneum, the Connecticut Science Center, the Butler-McCook House & Garden and the Old State House. Plus, the Bushnell stages 20-minute selections of their current show on an outdoor stage (we saw two numbers from Cinderella, which was impressive to hear up close and personal, even if it was sans costume). Don't pass up the free antique carousel in Bushnell Park, which is worth the embarrassment of imaginary riding next to four-year-olds to touch these gorgeous hand-painted horses while the ancient Wurlitzer plays piano. An easy highlight. Free Music & Dance Music is being made wherever you turn. We caught the Hartford Steel Symphony playing Calypso-inspired tunes outside of the Old State House. Two main stages, one in Bushnell Park and one on Gold Street, play host to musicians, dancers and other acts. Inside the Wadsworth, Hart students arrived en mass to take over the Great Hall, and the Connecticut Lyric Opera belted out selections from a Gertrude Stein opera over the entry balcony. Food Trucks The food trucks converge along Bushnell Park for easy pickings. We saw artisanal grilled cheese at the Whey Station, fresh guacamole at Agave Canteen, pressed sandwiches at Toasted, vegan cakes at Amor and the Ben & Jerry's truck. Open Historic Buildings Wander City Hall or tour the original Tiffany glass windows at Center Church, which comprise their own 14-window museum. Take the elevator 34 floors up to the top of the Travelers Building for scenic panoramas, or climb the spiral staircases to the top of the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch, that fairy castle arch peaking out above the trees in Bushnell Park. The ancient burying ground on Gold Street makes peaceful if eery spot to rest your tired feet.