Saddle up your glitzy, hand-carved horse and ride the 1914 Stein and Goldstein carousel in Bushnell Park (Trinity and Elm streets), one of many fun places to go with kids. One of only three of its kind in the country, the carousel is enclosed, heated and operates year-round. Other points of interest in Bushnell Park include sculptures, fountains and the Civil War-era Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch.
Marvel at impressive Gothic spires and a gold-leaf dome atop the Connecticut State Capitol (210 Capitol Ave.). Embark on a free guided history tour of the building and hear stories of Connecticut's most celebrated heroes.
Feel like a kid again—and learn a thing or two—at the Connecticut Science Center (250 Columbus Blvd.). More than 165 interactive exhibits spanning four floors cover everything from the human body and sports to physics and space exploration. An eco-friendly rooftop garden offers a chance to get outside in warmer months.
Hunt for ghosts of early settlers at Ancient Burying Ground (60 Gold St.), the city's first cemetery in use 1640 until the early 1800s. Brochures available at the Main Street gate and Greater Hartford Welcome Center, 100 Pearl St., will guide you to the gravesite of Hartford founder Thomas Hooker.
Lace up your walking shoes and stroll winding paths and elegant rose gardens at Elizabeth Park Rose Garden (1555 Asylum Ave.) on the city border in West Hartford . In June and July the park's century-old rose gardens are the place to be when more than 800 rose varieties are in full bloom. The perennial gardens are home to eye-popping displays of tulips in spring, while dahlias steal the show in fall. Best of all, it's free and open 365 days a year.
Order a bowl of old-fashioned clam chowder at family-friendly restaurant U.S.S. Chowder Pot IV (165 Brainard Rd.). Large portions and house specialties like Chowder Pot lobster pie and creamy lobster bisque are sure to satisfy.
Settle into your seats at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts (166 Capitol Ave.) and take in a Broadway show. The glamorous Art Deco theater, designed by the architects credited with New York City's Radio City Music Hall, features the country's largest hand-painted mural suspended from the ceiling. Take the free behind-the-scenes tour—you'll get to check out the theater's green room as well as a 14-foot glass chandelier designed by Dave Chihuly.
If smaller venues and off-beat productions are more your style, check the event calendars at Hartford Stage (50 Church St.) or TheaterWorks (233 Pearl St.). Both venues are highly regarded in the local arts community and are fun places to go with friends.
Spend an afternoon at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art (600 Main St.), the country's oldest public art museum. The museum is known for its impressive collection of Hudson River School landscapes. Take a self-guiding cellphone tour for a fresh perspective on works by all the greats—Picasso, Dalí, Monet, Warhol and Van Gogh.
Hit the slots at Mohegan Sun Casino (1 Mohegan Sun Blvd.) in Uncasville or Foxwoods Resort Casino (350 Trolley Line Blvd.) in Mashantucket and prepare to be amazed. More like mini-cities than casinos, both feature plenty of activities for non-gamblers. Shopping malls, concert venues, day spas, golf courses and dozens of excellent places to eat are among the offerings. For lunch or dinner, try Alta Strada at Foxwoods.