Things to do in Hartford
« wedding | Posted on 02/09/2009 02:07 pm by danaANDtaylor
Now, as I am talking for Hartford, I will talk earnestly but modestly. There is much here to see — the state house, Colt’s factory and the place where the Charter Oak was. ..It is more beautiful than any other city excepting Worcester and it is the honestest city in the world.
- Mark Twain, 10/19/1882
Hartford is a great city with plenty of activities for you to take advantage of while you are there. We spent four amazing years in Hartford and did plenty of exploring (and eating too). We’re excited to be able to share Hartford with you and hope that you can get out and do some exploring of your own while you are in town for our wedding.
Here are some of our favorite things to do while in New England’s Rising Star.
Museums and Historical Activities
Hartford is the capitol of Connecticut, and the State Capitol Building is the place where all the action happens. It’s a beautiful building and tours cover the legislative process as well as the building’s history. As an interesting side note, Trinity College was originally on the site where the Connecticut State Capitol is now located, but in 1872 it sold the land to the state of Connecticut and moved to its current location on Summit Street. You’re welcome, state of Connecticut.
Hartford Belle Connecticut River Cruise
The Hartford Belle is a 50 passenger riverboat that offers narrated tours of the Connecticut River. Take a ride for some great views of Hartford and to enjoy native wildlife (like herons). The Hartford Belle is reasonably priced, and snacks and drinks are available on board.
Harriet Beecher Stowe House and Library
Harriet Beecher Stowe is one of Hartford’s many famous residents. Her house is beautiful and tours include the house as well as the personal history of the woman who wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin. There’s also an interactive children’s tour on Saturdays and Sundays at 2PM, and a craft activity is offered as well.
Mark Twain moved to Hartford in 1871 and spent the next 20 years here. He was a quirky guy, and his house (which was built for him) reflects this. The interiors are all inlaid wood designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, and no two rooms in the house are alike. It’s definitely worth visiting.
The Wadsworth Athenaeum Museum of Art
The Athenaeum is a fantastic art museum located right in downtown Hartford. Its permanent collection includes work from Monet, Dali, and Van Gogh. It also has an extensive (and fun) textiles and costumes collection. The Atheneum is also the home to the Amistad Center for Arts and Culture.
Movie Theaters
Back in 1970, a group of Trinity students converted a lecture hall in the Chemistry Building into a movie theater. Almost 30 years later, Cinestudio is still going strong. Cinestudio gets excellent independent films, as well as some more mainstream movies. You can check out what’s playing on their website. Dana and Taylor spent a lot of time at Cinestudio because Dana volunteered here for all four years of college (and Taylor exploited her free tickets)!
Another excellent art house movie theater in Hartford! Who knew? Real Art Ways has great old movies and plenty of new, independent ones as well.
Parks and Outdoor Activities
Right in the middle of downtown Hartford is beautiful Bushnell Park. We were always told that Bushnell Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (yet ANOTHER famous Hartford resident). As it turns out, Olmstead was too busy with Central Park to design Bushnell Park, but later his son’s architecture firm helped with the park’s redesign. Go figure.
Right in the middle of Bushnell Park is the famous(?) Bushnell Park Carousel – one of only 100 working wooden carousels in the US. And you can take a ride on it for just $1!
Elizabeth Park is a beautiful park located a short ride from downtown Hartford. In June, the extensive 2.5 acre rose garden should be in full bloom and will definitely be worth checking out. Elizabeth Park is out in the fancy part of Hartford, and the governor’s mansion is located right next to the park.