Blake Walsh

20 Best Things to Do in New Britain, CT

  • Published 2023/04/17

Travelers from various nations visit New Britain, a city in Hartford County, Connecticut.

This city once went by the moniker “Hardware Capital of the World.”

Visitors from different places may choose from various fascinating attractions in New Britain.

Admire the treasures in the New Britain Youth Museum, the New Britain Industrial Museum, and the New Britain Museum of American Art.

Outdoor adventurers may play a game of golf at the Stanley Golf Course or stroll around Walnut Park.

This city is proud of its sizable Polish-American population, a park with many amenities, and several restaurants.

You need to travel a short distance to reach rural Connecticut, dotted with protected natural areas and farms where you can go apple picking in the fall.

Below are the best things to do in New Britain, CT.

View the Art at the New Britain Museum of American Art

Exterior of New Britain Museum of American Art

Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Discover American art at the New Britain Museum of American Art through their exceptional programs, special exhibits, and permanent collection.

The New Britain Museum of American Art’s collection spans over three centuries and includes works from major American artists and art movements.

You can find more than 8,400 paintings, works on print, sculptures, films, and photos in the gallery.

Interior of New Britain Museum of American Art

Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Works of the Hudson River School, federal and colonial portraits, and American Impressionists are among the collection’s highlights.

Surrealist art, Expressionist art, Pop and Op artwork, and Conceptualist works comprise the post-war highlights.

Additionally, they keep buying contemporary pieces from well-known artists to reflect American art’s dynamic and developing story.

Framed art in New Britain Museum of American Art

Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Grab a Refreshing Beverage at Five Churches Brewing

Five Churches Brewing aims to offer a welcoming and cozy taproom experience for visitors to savor.

The ideal pairing for every dining experience is their exquisite wood-fired pizza and the great art of craft beer.

The brewery’s enormous windows, lovely wooden bar, original brick walls, and flooring are among its most distinctive characteristics.

All of these elements pay respect to the original factory’s industrial history.

You can try around 10 to 12 beers on tap at The Five Churches Brewing, including classics made and selected by the family of artisans.

For a unique experience in New Britain, don’t miss a trip to the Five Churches Brewing.

Take a Private Lesson at Stanley Golf Course

The Stanley Golf Course is in New Britain, Connecticut, adjacent to major roads, just a short drive from Hartford.

The 27-hole Stanley Golf Course in New Britain will provide visitors with a fantastic day of golf, which will please them.

Try the driving range with 19 stations and a teaching academy at Stanley Golf Course.

Amateur and expert players may enjoy the course’s nicely maintained fairways and greens.

You may schedule a few private lessons to get you up to speed, or you can spend a few hours refining your swing at the warm driving range.

Enjoy a Performance at the Hole in the Wall Theater

Do you appreciate seeing performances wherever you go?

For more than 50 years, Hole in the Wall Theater has become a mainstay of the New Britain cultural scene.

The Hole in the Wall Theater has grown for years by providing a superb range of plays, musicals, and readings for the people and tourists of New Britain.

The theater started out as a humble paperback book store.

Their goal is to make theater available to everyone, which their hundreds of productions prove.

Hole in the Wall focuses on regional performers to create top-notch entertainment for theater enthusiasts to experience.

Grab a Snack at Capitol Lunch

Capitol Lunch is a New Britain classic, which has served its signature Cappy Dogs for generations.

If you haven’t tried one, a Cappy Dog is the restaurant’s highly praised hot dog, served with a distinctive sauce.

Visitors checking out New Britain should come and see what all the excitement is about.

Locals visit for their preferred hot dog and chips regularly.

Along with their popular hot dogs, the Capitol Lunch also offers a variety of other filling foods, including pies and burgers.

The ideal spot to get snacks after a fun day exploring New Britain’s tourist attractions is Capitol Lunch.

Watch a Game at New Britain Stadium

Scoreboard of New Britain Stadium

Waz8, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you wish to see a baseball game in New Britain, you should head to New Britain Stadium!

The 6,000-capacity New Britain Stadium mainly draws families and fans who prefer smaller crowds.

Due to the lower ticket prices compared to other major-league stadiums, many people watch a game here.

Compared to many major-league stadiums, the stadium is relatively small, making it ideal for families and spectators who find huge crowds unpleasant.

If you go during a weekend summer match, you can count on having a terrific time as a family.

Watch games at a very affordable price and maybe even witness a spectacular firework show.

Order a Cold Beer at Alvarium Beer Company

New Britain has a craft beer business and taproom called Alvarium Beer Company.

Established in 2017, the Alvarium Beer Company takes pride in its employees and products as a result of years of training and experience.

It has a large, inviting taproom where visitors can watch how the brewers craft beer.

The regional manufacturing sector heavily influences the taproom’s architecture in New Britain.

The modest crew at Alvarium hand-crafted the taproom, complete with honeycomb lighting, strong steel I-beams for the bar, and recovered redwood for the bar.

The partners of Alvarium Beer Company, who are also artists, meticulously produce and curate the premium ales and brews.

Go on a Family Outing at New Britain Industrial Museum

Interior of New Britain Industrial Museum

Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

See items from more than 200 years of creativity and development in New Britain at the New Britain Industrial Museum.

This facility is committed to preserving and presenting an incredible collection of industrial relics.

The city has built a reputation for innovative manufacturing, where Americans developed most of its early hardware and technology.

Reflecting this renown, people occasionally refer to New Britain Industrial Museum as “Hardware City.”

Corbin cabinet displayed in New Britain Industrial Museum

Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Museum and its exhibits form a link between New Britain’s history and the present, serving as a motivation for the future.

Presently, you may visit the New Britain Industrial Museum to learn more about the city’s industrial past.

The New Britain Industrial Museum is the venue for a great family outing.

Stanley exhibit in New Britain Industrial Museum

Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Enjoy German Delicacies at East Side Restaurant

New Britain’s East Side Restaurant has served genuine German cuisine and beer for more than 80 years.

The formal dining area at East Side Restaurant features a painting covering the whole wall.

This painting depicts Heidelberg, a historic German city.

They also feature a beer garden in the English fashion.

Order classic German delicacies, including rosti, German sausages, schnitzels, and more, from the fascinating and diverse dining menu.

Try several German beers, expertly poured and delivered on a “snow rail” to keep them properly cold.

The East Side Restaurant invites you for a good time while savoring fantastic German cuisine and excellent beer.

On weekends, you can eat while listening to live music.

Entertain Yourself with the Connecticut Theatre Company

A performing arts company called Connecticut Theatre Company is committed to energizing, instructing, and assisting the community.

Directors and actors from the Bristol Theatre Arts and the New Britain Repertory Theatre organizations came together to establish the Connecticut Theatre Company in 2013.

Connecticut Theatre Company’s primary goal is to deliver outstanding performances and entertainment programs to central Connecticut and the neighboring areas all year.

They also aim to educate the community about the dramatic arts.

The Connecticut Theatre Company, which operates out of the historic Repertory Theatre on Norden Street, wishes to amuse tourists.

They produce an annual schedule of plays, comedies, operas, and other expert productions.

Theater enthusiasts may easily access a wide range of entertainment options in the area, including Broadway musicals.

Bring Your Kids to the New Britain Youth Museum

Opposite the New Britain Public Library lies the Youth Museum, an engaging venue where kids and teenagers may participate in cultural and artistic activities.

Bring the youngsters to the New Britain Youth Museum for a good few hours of engaging, entertaining activities.

Your kids may join various educational activities, such as storytelling sessions, animal encounters, painting classes, and much more.

To increase the number of women interested in science, the museum provides a remarkable “Sisters in Science” program.

This program introduces girls to the fascinating world of science as early as age five.

Children may discover the natural environment while exploring an outdoor route at the museum’s outdoor nature center.

Have Lunch at Staropolska Restaurant

The sizable Polish immigrant population in New Britain has passed down Polish cuisine for generations.

The Staropolska Restaurant is where you go if you want to sample real Polish food.

Try the substantial Polish food you might want from the restaurant’s menu.

These dishes reach your table with a warm greeting and a side of Polish beer or vodka.

Every day, the restaurant uses only the purest ingredients and tried-and-true family recipes to create Staropolska Restaurant’s delectable meals.

Their most popular meals include pork cutlets, potato pancakes, pierogi, and kielbasa served with filled cabbage or sauerkraut.

Also, you need to sample one of their delectable sweets.

Drink a fresh Polish lager or a shot of Polish vodka to go with your dinner.

Learn History and Culture with the Polish American Foundation of Connecticut

There is a sizable Polish immigrant population in New Britain, some of whom arrived in the state as early as the 1870s.

By staging frequent concerts, plays, and musical productions, the Polish American Foundation of Connecticut works to preserve the Polish language and culture in New Britain.

The Sloper-Wesoly Mansion, where you can find the foundation’s offices, welcomes guests to many of its events and programs.

The foundation offers Polish language lessons, Folk Dancing groups, the Chopin Society, and several other educational initiatives for both adults and children.

Subsequent generations of Polish immigrants should learn about their ancestors’ traditions.

Their goal is to better the community’s access to social services, education, training, and employment opportunities.

Likewise, they want to maintain and promote immigrant and cultural history, encourage inter-ethnic dialogue, and foster global interchange.

Appreciate Nature at Walnut Hill Park

Trail leading to Walnut Hill Park's fountain and world war memorial

Jennifer Yakey-Ault / Shutterstock.com

Walnut Hill Park offers tourists and residents a lovely green area where they can engage in walking, running, or relaxing.

It’s a terrific spot to spend a couple of hours breathing fresh air and taking advantage of the Park’s recreational amenities.

Walnut Hill Park’s 40 hectares feature tennis courts, baseball diamonds, and a paved mile-long route for bicycling, running, and strolling.

Paved trail at Walnut Hill Park

Katikat43 / Shutterstock.com

If you go in the summer, you may explore the lovely rose garden, and the area also has a playground for kids and some outdoor fitness equipment.

In addition, the park has a World War I Memorial Garden with a monument honoring those who perished in the conflict.

Unwind at Walnut Hill Park, a well-known tourist attraction in New Britain with lots of greenery.

Steps at Walnut Hill Park

John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Have a Beer at Avery’s Beverages

In the summer of 1904, Sherman F. Avery started producing soda in the red barn on Corbin Avenue.

Avery’s Beverages has long been a favorite among residents of New Britain.

The business continues to make its renowned sodas in the same red barn they first built on Corbin Avenue.

Avery’s soon gained a reputation for its extensive flavor selection, particularly for its cream, birch beer, root beer, and ginger ale.

They make a variety of 35 sodas in both traditional and novel quirky tastes.

To provide the most incredible possible quality, they only make sodas with the finest organic ingredients.

They also use glass packaging.

You may plan a Make Your Soda encounter on the premises for a friend’s birthday or other celebration.

Otherwise, you can get a batch of beverages with custom labels prepared mainly for the occasion.

Spend a Day at Stanley Quarter Park

A pond at Stanley Quarter Park

Sage Ross, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you’re a traveling family, one of the best spots in town to spend a fun full day is Stanley Quarter Park on Blake Road.

Families, friends, and lovers love this park for its tranquility and great features perfect for everyone.

Its centerpiece is the pond, which is filled with geese, waterfowl, turtles, beavers, and other aquatic animals that you’ll enjoy watching while taking advantage of the park’s peaceful vibe.

The kids can also have fun at the playground’s nice playscape while adults can have some time exercising with the fitness equipment.

Stanley Quarter Park also hosts the annual 4th of July fireworks.

Catch Live Performances and Shows at Trinity-On-Main

Exterior of Trinity-On-Main

Kenneth C. Zirkel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Whether you want a comedy show or a concert of your favorite band, Trinity-On-Main doesn’t disappoint!

This charming events venue hosts many live shows and performances both big and small.

Many world-renowned artists like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd grace the stage, as well as comedy shows, wine tasting and a movie, karaoke, opera shows, and many more.

So when you’re in New Britain, be sure to check with Trinity-On-Main to see what’s going on.

You can find it on Main Street right in the heart of downtown New Britain.

Get Your Coffee Fix at Miel Coffee at the Assembly Room

Coffee is already good, but if it’s organic and non-GMO, coffee is even better!

At Miel Coffee at the Assembly Room, you can enjoy a cup of your favorite coffee, which is organically and non-synthetically sourced.

Try its popular lattes, or its signature Cafe Miel, which is a blend of cinnamon and honey, and pair it with its mouthwatering breakfast sandwiches.

Its avocado toast, chicken quesadilla, burrito, and grilled cheese are to be had!

And if you have diet restrictions, you can ask for oat milk to use on your coffee.

Go find Miel Coffee at the Assembly Room on Main Street.

Have a Good Read at the New Britain Public Library

The New Britain Public Library keeps a great selection of books to read, which you can borrow and simply take refuge in the comfortable reading nooks of the library.

There are plenty of genres to choose from, depending on your preferences from fiction to non-fiction, and more.

Categories for kids, teens, and adults make it easier for you to find what you need.

Established in 1853, the library also hosts many programs and events for all ages.

You can find it on High Street.

Get Your Loved Ones Unique Gifts and Souvenirs at Quo Vadis

Many Polish-made mugs, knit scarves, Christmas ornaments, and lots of unique, special items for gifts and souvenirs are found at Quo Vadis.

This charming gift shop features many items handmade in Poland, including home decor, drinkware, figurines, books, car decor, and many keepsakes.

It has a little bit of everything that you may not be able to find elsewhere; perfect for a gift or a souvenir for yourself and your loved ones for this trip.

Quo Vadis was established in 1997.

It’s located off Broad Street.

Final Thoughts

With this knowledge of the best things to do in New Britain, you can now plan your next family holiday in this well-known tourist destination.

New Britain offers indoor and outdoor activities and has everything you could imagine.

Visit museums, stadiums, theaters, parks, and many more.

Enjoy life and visit cities like New Britain.

You’ll undoubtedly make memories that you will never forget.

© All rights reserved.