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Capital city of Connecticut, U.S.
Photo: Paul Mihalick, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Hartford is the capital of the state of Connecticut in the United States of America. It is home to the country's oldest public art museum (Wadsworth Atheneum), and the Mark Twain House, in which the author wrote his most famous works and raised his family. Mark Twain wrote in 1868, "Of all the beautiful towns it has been my fortune to see this is the chief."
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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.
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.
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.
With 150 hands-on exhibits, a state-of-the-art 3D digital theater, four educational labs, plus daily programs and events, the Connecticut Science Center offers endless exploration for children, teens and adults.
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. The original Connecticut Capitol building is a National Historic Landmark that dates back to 1796 making it one of the oldest state houses in the country.
Elizabeth Park is on the national register of historic places. Elizabeth Park offers just over one hundred acres of formal gardens, green space, recreational facilities, walking loops, and the Pond House Café. Come enjoy the beauty of the gardens and grounds.
Located in the city's historic Asylum Hill neighborhood, this is where popular author Mark Twain lived from 1874-1891. During this time Twain wrote many famous books, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Built in the high Victorian Gothic style, this home has been fabulously restored and offers an enlightening insight into the family life of one of America's favorite authors. The accompanying Visitors Center offers an additional educational perspective relative to the issues of Twain's day.
This is the historic home of Harriet Beecher Stowe, who is best known for being the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin. The Stowe's moved in this house in 1873, one year before Mark Twain moved in next door.
Downtown. The oldest home in the city that dates back to 1782. Also home of the city's oldest collection of art, antiques and household items. The site also includes a wonderful restored garden.
In the West End the Connecticut Historical Society is one of the oldest historical societies in the country and has one of the greatest library and museum collections in New England.
Located in the city's West End neighborhood the governor's mansion was built back in 1909 and has been the home of governor's and their families since 1943. The 15,000 square foot (1,400 m2) residence is on 4 acres (1.6 hectares) and has 9 fireplaces, nine bathrooms, a pool and is a National Historic Landmark. Guided tours can be arranged.
Colt Armory
Hartford. America's favorite gun shop, shaped like an Arabian palace. It can be viewed just south of the skyline from East Hartford. It is in Hartford's south end.
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.
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.
formerly New England Dodge Music Center
Hartford (North Meadows - just north of Downtown). This is a huge amphitheater that has 6,100 seats in a covered pavilion and a lawn that can hold up to 18,000 people. The Center brings in big name concerts each year including the Dave Mattews Band, Britney Spears, O.A.R., Weezer, John Mayer, Pearl Jam and Aerosmith. The Center is closed in the winter months but is open the rest of the year.
At 540,000 square feet (50,000 m2), the largest convention center in southern New England overlooks the Connecticut River and downtown. Hosts tons of national and local conventions, events, meetings, dinners, etc. each year. Attached to the center is the 409-room, 22-story Marriott Hartford Hotel Downtown.
Tony award-winning theatre that constantly puts on shows and takes in shows from on-the-road Broadway plays. Usually produces six major productions annually and one or two summer productions each year.
Baseball stadium, home of the Hartford Yard Goats minor league baseball.
Stadium, home of the Hartford Athletic soccer team.
Rentschler Field
East Hartford. An awesome stadium completed in 2003 that is the home of University of Connecticut Football. The stadium is also used as a concert hall and has hosted big names like Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones and The Police. Overall the stadium sits on 75 acres (30 hectares) and has 40,000 seats.
An independent theater on the campus of Trinity College that shows classic, art house and second run films. The theater is open to the public and has been showing films since its founding in 1970.
Built in 1919 in the south end this is the city's last operating movie house. The theater used to be known as the Rialto and changed names in the 1950s when it started showing art films.
Voted the best rock club and best place to see live music for the past five years by the Hartford Advocate. The art deco theater has been fully renovated features everything from a movie screen to five different bars.
One of the country’s early multi-disciplinary “alternative spaces,” Real Art Ways has evolved to become a leading center for contemporary art and ideas. Programming covers a broad range of cultural activities including visual arts exhibitions, concerts, literary readings, education and family programs, public art, community projects, and daily cinema screenings.
A great place for beginner and intermediate skiers, about 40 minutes west of Hartford, in Northwestern Connecticut.
It has improv shows and comedy shows. Also, there are family-friendly shows every Sunday from 2PM to 4PM.
Opened in 2014, brings southern-style BBQ to the neighborhood.
Serves BBQ and Cajun restaurant southeastern food. The restaurant also plays live music from many well-known and local blues artists.
A neighborhood rotisserie joint featuring whole roasted chickens, fresh sides, tacos and salads.
Trendy Italian restaurant with an upscale menu of pastas (gluten-free available) & grilled dishes.
Vegan restaurant.
French restaurant, sandwiches.
Deli, Sandwich shop.
Pizza, bar. Local branch of a small chain that started in New York's East Village.
Pho & other Vietnamese specialties.
Sichuan cuisine.
Fine dining restaurant. Acclaimed New American fare in an elegant, urbane space on the 20th floor with city & river views.
Fine dining restaurant. Outpost of the upscale steakhouse chain offers classic American fare and a clubby, refined setting.
Fine dining restaurant. Upscale spot with prime cuts & seafood, extensive wine list, cocktails for expense account crowd.
Peruvian cuisine.
Cozy pub offering traditional Irish fare, Guinness & single malts amid dark woods & memorabilia.
Famous for never having a cover, and live bands on the roof top patio. Overall a rowdy little place with lots of fun.
Southern fare & BBQ in a hip, vibrant roadhouse with live blues, jazz & soul music.
Historic restaurant/bar featuring a rustic atmosphere, pub food and live music.
Upscale tequila bar, quieter and more mature. Features an excellent selection of tequila and also serves up great Mexican cuisine.
Laid-back bar with wide selection of draft and bottled beers.
Attached to the Connecticut Convention Center and overlooks the Connecticut River and downtown. This new hotel features 409 rooms on 22 floors plus an indoor pool, fitness center, full service spa called Glo, as well as a restaurant and a bar.
Downtown, attached to the Hartford Civic Center / XL Center. Hotel features 393 rooms, an indoor pool, fitness center, a restaurant and an upscale bar.
In the heart of downtown in the Richardson Building which dates back to the late 1800s, two buildings away from the Old State House and the Hartford Stage and one block from the Hartford Civic Center / XL Center. Features 120 rooms on 8 floors plus a restaurant, 2 cafes and a fitness center.
In the city's south meadows neighborhood.
Upscale clothing store that has served the capital city since 1909. Carries men's and women’s clothing plus men's shoes. Sells top name brands including Burberry, Hickey Freeman, Agave, Scott Barber and Hugo Boss.
A New England Village that has vibrant entertainment, restaurant, and shopping just west of the Hartford city line. The "Center" as it's known locally boasts more than 140 shops and restaurants, most of which are locally owned and operated including Max's Oyster Bar, Bookworm, The Wild Raspberry, Becker's Jewelry, Allen Collins and Cuzzi's Men's Store.
An addition to West Hartford Center, this development is a 550,000-square-foot mixed-use development that features shops, restaurants, a movie theater, offices and condos. Very pedestrian-orientated development that has tiny streets and storefronts facing the streets. Shops and restaurants include Crate & Barrel, REI, Barnes & Noble, Whole Foods, Criterion Cinemas, National Jean Company, the Cheesecake Factory and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.
A large and upscale regional mall with over 1,000,000 square feet of shopping and dining space. The mall opened back in 1974 and today features 160 shops and restaurants including Nordstrom, Macy's, Lord & Taylor, JC Penny, Aldo, Apple, Banana Republic, Coach, Express, Gap, Martin + Osa, Talbots and Pottery Barn.
Specialty retailer focusing on hunting, camping, fishing and other outdoor activities. Bass Pro Shops stores serve almost as tourist attractions and the East Hartford location is no different. There is a museum displaying wildlife of the Connecticut River Valley, an indoor archery range, an aquarium, a gun library, a restaurant and a huge indoor mountain filled with taxidermy animals.
Landmark grocery store with 4 locations in New York and Connecticut including one in Greater Hartford. Stew Leonards is known as the world's largest grocery store. A visit here is unlike a visit to a typical grocery store. There are singing mechanical cows and bananas and samples of everything from soup to sweet potato chips.
A cute upscale lifestyle center located just south of Hartford that houses a mix of local and national shops and restaurants including Max Fish Restaurant, Knoyzz, Kzen, Lux Bond & Green, Chico's, Talbots and Max Amore Restaurant.
A traditional lifestyle center located east of Hartford, over the Connecticut River that opened not too long ago. Evergreen Walk is home to over 60 shops and restaurants including LL Bean, Eddie Bauer, 57 Sheffield, Ann Taylor, Coldwater Creek, Highland Park Market, Johnny Rockets, Joseph A Bank and Omaha Steaks
Another large regional shopping mall that is located east of Hartford, over the Connecticut River. The mall opened in 1990 and is part of one of the largest retail areas in the Northeast. The mall is home to big name shops and restaurants including Macy's, JCPenney, Barnes & Noble, Funny Bone Comedy Club & Restaurant, H&M and the Build-A-Bear Workshop.
By plane
Bradley International Airport (BDL) is 15 mi north of Hartford in nearby Windsor Locks. It can be reached by car along I-91. CT Transit's Bus 30 operates service between the airport and downtown.
By car
Hartford is located in the junction of Interstates 91 and 84, as well as Connecticut Routes 2 and 6.
By train
By bus
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Hartford · International · BDL
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