Hartford Restaurants & Stores?

[EBonz30]

My wife, 2 year old son, & my newborn daughter are going to Hartford this weekend because my son & I are going to the Connecticut/Arizona game on Sunday morning. The reason I am posting is because I don’t know much about Hartford (live in Long Island, NY) & I am guessing there is a number of you who live in Connecticut, I was wondering if you guys knew of any good restaurants for families & or places for my wife & daughter to shop while my son & I are at the game?

Good Hartford Restaurants & Shopping?

Thanks guys!

 

[Robertelamin]

There is no shopping in Hartford. Go to West Hartford Center.

 

[8893]

Best bet for a nearby family restaurant imo is probably Bear's BBQ. Best bets for wife and daughter to shop while you and your son are at the game include Blue Back Square in West Hartford, West Hartford center, Westfarms Mall in Farmington or The Shoppes at Farmington Valley in Canton, depending on what they're looking for.

 

[crazyUCfan23]

If your looking for a really nice restaurant for just you and the wife, I would suggest Salute, but not really the kind of place you would bring your young kids to.

 

[jibsey]

Blueback Square in West Hartford and West Hartford Center. Shops, restaurants, nice walking around.

 

[Deepster]

Your son might be a little young, but you can check out the CT Science Center. Lots of interactive exhibits.

 

[Marat]

I agree that you will have to drop them off at a nearby mall (West Farms) or West Hartford Center (depending on weather) and return to dine with them at one of the restaurants nearby the shopping location.

 

[bendm]

yes hartford has no shopping, literally.

blue back square is 15 mins west in west hartford and Buckland Hills is 15 mins east in manchester. they will have to drop you off at the game.

after the game there are several good places to eat in hartford by the XL center: max downtown, capitol grille, teds grill, bears bbq, trumbull kitchen, salute, sorella, chango rosa, siam, the Russell, agave, etc.

 

[EBonz30]

You guys are great, thanks for all the suggestions, much appreciated!!

 

[Zionn]

while on this topic...anyone recommend a good place for a good bite before Hamilton matinee?

 

[Waquoit]

I agree that Bear's is probably the most kid-friendly set-up downtown.

 

[Waquoit]

while on this topic...anyone recommend a good place for a good bite before Hamilton matinee?

I like Firebox, not too far from the Bushnell. The Kitchen at Billings Forge is more casual right next door.

 

[Guapo]

Restaurant: First and Last

Shopping: [404 error]

 

[Mano]

New Britain is nice, not far, quaint, homey, check it out! Restaurants and shopping galore!

 

[Zionn]

Thank you. We have a Sunday show and brunch looks awesome at Firebox!

I like Firebox, not too far from the Bushnell. The Kitchen at Billings Forge is more casual right next door.

 

[8893]

I like Firebox, not too far from the Bushnell. The Kitchen at Billings Forge is more casual right next door.

Thank you. We have a Sunday show and brunch looks awesome at Firebox!

Agree on Firebox. I've had a few lunches and dinners there now and have always enjoyed it.

 

[Robertelamin]

New Britain is nice, not far, quaint, homey, check it out! Restaurants and shopping galore!

Elmer’s for pre game and then shopping at the Cricket Wireless store!

 

[HooperScooper]

I'll put in another vote for Bear's BBQ. As long as everyone likes BBQ. It's a little bit of a walk from the XL Center but not more than 5-10 minutes. I took two 3 year old boys there last year after visiting the Connecticut Science Center (right across the street) and it went well. It's a casual place where you order at the counter but the food is very good. The kids had smoked turkey breast. If you want more upscale dining @bendm gave you good suggestions all very close to the XL Center.

In terms of shopping, as others have said there is absolutely no shopping in downtown Hartford. 30 years ago there were a few department stores like G. Fox, Sage Allen and the department store in the Hartford Civic Center Mall (which name escapes me). Back then you could waste 2 hours shopping and walking around the Civic Center Mall. Today I couldn't even give you a suggestion for something to do for 2 hours near the XL Center for your wife and newborn to do while you're at the game. Need to get in the car and go to WestFarms or Blue Back Square.

 

[BUConn10]

Best bet for a nearby family restaurant imo is probably Bear's BBQ. Best bets for wife and daughter to shop while you and your son are at the game include Blue Back Square in West Hartford, West Hartford center, Westfarms Mall in Farmington or The Shoppes at Farmington Valley in Canton, depending on what they're looking for.

+1 for Bear’s. 8893 nailed it.

 

[8893]

FYI for all you Bear's BBQ fans, they just opened a New Haven location called The Stack. Went there with the family yesterday and it was awesome. The space is pretty impressive and will be even better in good weather because there is a large outdoor seating area as well. They have teamed with Black Hog (unfortunately imo, because I don't love any of their beers) and also have a half dozen guest beers and a cider (perfect for me).

 

[superjohn]

Bears BBQ has a place in West Hartford right next to Blue Back square and all the other West Hartford shopping called The Cook and the Bear. I liked it but might be more fun for you all to eat downtown in Hartford.

 

[Robertelamin]

There is Cook and the Bear in Blue Back Square too.

For the OP, if you do come to West Hartford, Blue Back and West Hartford Center are right on top of each other so you won’t even know when you left one and went to the other really.

Edit: superjohn beat me to it.

 

[huskymedic]

FYI for all you Bear's BBQ fans, they just opened a New Haven location called The Stack. Went there with the family yesterday and it was awesome. The space is pretty impressive and will be even better in good weather because there is a large outdoor seating area as well.

Went last Tuesday w/ wife and two young 20’s sons... good stuff. Pretty good variety of the menu ended up on the table. There were no complaints and left very full! I’ll be back for more Moinkballs and brisket fat basted pretzels.

 

[Mano]

There’s also The Blind Pig in the space where Bears used to be on Arch Street. Also from the Bear people. That’s not a race of anthropomorphic bears but rather the restaurant group behind the various Bears and Cook and the Bear and Bearly There, that’s their O2 bar that I just made up.

 

[Caronimo]

Blueback square/ West Hartford center.... Cheesecake Factory, movie theater, shopping. Cook and the bear good as well (same owner as bears)