West Hartford, in Hartford County, incorporated in 1854, was formerly a parish of Hartford. The town is an upmarket, adjacent neighbor of the capital city.
On the west, the town is bounded by the Metacomet Ridge, (traversed by the 51-mile Metacomet Trail): an undulating traprock ridgeline originating in Long Island Sound, stretching almost to the Vermont border. The Ridge includes Talcott Mountain and a number of highland water reservoirs. Travelandleisure magazine called the West Hartford Reservoir off Farmington Avenue "West Hartford’s version of Central Park."www.west-hartford.com
Surrounding towns are: Bloomfield, Newington, Farmington and Avon.

West Hartford is remarkable for its successful growth and development. A strongly bonded suburban community takes well-deserved pride in its warm, classy attractiveness, safe neighborhoods, excellent schools and colleges, dynamic shopping, dining, entertainment and recreation facilities. Its business and community services are strong. It boasts its own television and several radio stations, a symphony orchestra, theaters and playhouses.
West Hartford Center is a thriving, vibrant downtown district flanking Farmington Avenue and South and North Main Streets. A traditional New England town center with over 140 outstanding retailers ranging from fine specialty stores, gift shops, unique boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops etc. as well as offices, businesses and public amenities. It is home to the annual Chamber’s antique auto show “Cruising the Center,” Dancing under the Stars, the Cow Parade and the Holiday Stroll. www.thewesthartfordbook.com

Westfarms is an upscale mall with 160 specialty shops, clothing stores and restaurants. Forty percent of the stores are unique to the market including Connecticut’s only Nordstrom’s and Rain Forest Café.
Blue Back Square is a 20-acre redevelopment aligned on the east side of the Center, comprising of cinema complexes, high-end shops, restaurants and luxury condominiums and businesses.
Corbin's Corner houses 20+ famous chain-stores, restaurants and even a Trader Joe's.
New Park Avenue has regenerated with new specialty businesses. The Home Design District is dedicated to home-improvement projects.
Park Road showcases diverse ethnic markets, restaurants, stores and businesses, with brick sidewalks and turn-of-the-century street lamps. The Park Road Association hosts an annual parade each year in the fall. Park-to-Park (Park Road Association + Parkville Business Association), promotes Park Road, West Hartford and Park Street, Hartford, to visitors as a “seamless street” that offers diverse cultures in dining, entertainment and shopping.
Elmwood Center is a neighborhood shopping area along New Britain Avenue, with multifarious stores and businesses. There are ongoing revitalization plans, making this street improvement project the largest in the town’s history.
Bishops Corner, in the northern part of town, is a neighborhood destination unto itself, featuring a variety of businesses at each corner.
Elizabeth Park lies on the border of Hartford and West Hartford. Its world-renowned Rose Gardens are in full bloom in June, while tulips and daffodils herald the spring. In the northwest corner, there are hiking trails around the MDC reservoirs and a demonstration farm at Westmoor Park.
In the Prospect Street, Albany Avenue and Bloomfield Avenue neighborhoods are some of the most envy-inspiring mansions emanating the grandiose spirit of yesteryears.
Visit the historic Sarah Whitman Hooker House, a carefully restored early 18th century mansion, the Art League Galleries, indoor ice skating rink and 9-hole golf course. The birthplace of Noah Webster, the award-winning Rockledge Golf Club, The Children's Museum, the Connecticut Veterans Memorial and the Playhouse on Park are some other attractions.
Take time to explore West Hartford and discover one of the top destinations in the nation having won many accolades:
2010 - Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine - one of the nation's "10 Great Cities for Raising Families."
2010 - Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine - # 9 on its "10 Best Cities for the Next Decade" list.
2010 - CNN Money - 55th best small city in America.
2010 - travelandleisure.com - one of 10 "coolest" suburbs in the nation.
It is one of those towns where residents take pride in the privilege of living here, and all visitors sigh with yearning, wishing they lived here