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Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
The first publicly funded park in America. Located in the center of the city and bordering the state capitol building. The park was designed by the architect of Central Park in New York City.
Bushnell Park in Hartford, Connecticut is the second oldest publicly funded park in the United States, after Boston Common, which was established in 1634, and converted to a park in the 1830’s. Bushnell Park was conceived by the Reverend Horace Bushnell in the mid-1850s at a time when the need for open public spaces was just starting to be recognized. Today the park comprises 50 acres (20 ha) of green space, and is visited by over one million people each year. Paths through the park contribute to the East Coast Greenway.
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The first permanent triumphal arch and the first permanent war memorial in America, it pays tribute to the Connecticut soldiers who lost their lives in the American Civil War. It also pays tribute to slaves and their struggle. The iconic arch was dedicated on September 17, 1886.
Downtown atop Bushnell Park the capitol is a National Historic Landmark that opened back in 1878. This stunning building is made of marble and is topped off by a gold dome. Open for free on-hour tours year round.
Hartford (Downtown). The state's premier performing arts theater. Home of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and Connecticut Opera. Principally showcases classical music and traveling Broadway shows. Popular comics also tour here.
The largest arena in Connecticut. This is the former home of the Hartford Whalers National Hockey League team and numerous other professional sports teams and the current home of American Hockey League Hartford Wolfpack, and one of two homes for the men's and women's basketball programs of the University of Connecticut Huskies, and for its men’s hockey program. Various bands and recording artists perform here, mostly popular and more established acts.
America's first public art museum, founded in 1842. The Wadsworth has more than 45,000 works of art as part of its permanent collection. Free admission during final hour (4-5PM) $20/adult, $15/senior, $10/student, children free.
It has improv shows and comedy shows. Also, there are family-friendly shows every Sunday from 2PM to 4PM.