Skip to main content

Mark Twain House & Museum

Hartford
American high Gothic style of the Mark Twain House in Hartford, Connecticut.
  • Photography is strictly forbidden on the premises, so keep smartphones turned off and safely stored in your pockets. The on-site gift shop sells postcards with images of the home’s opulent interiors.

  • Anyone unfamiliar with the celebrated humorist’s life and career can learn a basic biography of Mark Twain during a 23-minute screening of a Ken Burns documentary, which is included with the guided tour.

  • The museum strongly recommends that visitors purchase their tickets in advance, as tours sell out frequently. Admission tickets can be purchased online for extra convenience.

  • The Nook Farm Café is located on the second floor of the visitors’ center and is open during lunchtime. It offers snacks, light meals, and refreshments from local vendors in Connecticut, from handcrafted chocolates to freshly made sandwiches.

  • While the first floor of the historic home is wheelchair-friendly, access to Mark Twain’s famous billiard room requires climbing 41 stairs. There is no elevator. Tours for visitors with special needs can be arranged in advance upon request.

  • Senior citizens aged 65 and older receive a modest discount on admission tickets, while children aged 6 to 16 benefit from substantial savings. Kids six and under can attend the General House tour for free, but smaller children (8 and under) aren’t recommended for the Living History tour.

  • Traveling with kids? In addition to the General House tour, children can participate in a special Gilded Age-themed visit. The hour-long interactive tour is designed for kids aged 4–9. It is offered every Saturday and Sunday morning, but be sure to check the calendar in advance to confirm.