Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
The restored house of author Harriet Beecher Stowe, where she lived from 1873 to 1896, is in Hartford’s Nook Farm neighborhood, close to that of fellow writer Mark Twain. Stowe made a profound contribution to the Abolitionist movement with her depiction of slavery in her book Uncle Tom’s Cabin to the point where Abraham Lincoln once credited her with starting the Civil War.
The kitchen design of the Gothic Revival cottage is based on the kitchen described in her book The American Woman’s Home. The house, which has a steep hip-roof, bay windows, and two side porches, is undergoing long-term restoration, but tours of the property are still offered and include details about restoring such a significant historic site.
Also included is the neighboring Katharine Seymour Day House, home of the author’s grandniece, now the Stowe Center Research Library and the Stowe Center’s administrative offices and used for exhibits and programs sponsored by the center.
Address: 77 Forest Street, Hartford, Connecticut
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum Of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 458 reviews
The first public art museum in the United States features 50,000 pieces ranging from ancient to contemporary, the largest collection of Hudson River School paintings in the world, an impressive array of Pilgrim-era furnishings and European and American art.
Reviewed By Carlton M – Edinburgh, United Kingdom
We had so much fun with Sez Zion, Lamont Williams and group were incredible. The buffet was wonderful as usual with fresh orange juice . Quiche Lorraine, Tomato and Spinach Quiche, Challah French Toast, Bagels & Cream Cheese, Breakfast Potatoes, Assorted Pastries, Fresh Fruit, Sausage and Bacon. Great coffee and wonderful service. Mimosas or Bloody Mary complimentary. The new Edward Gorey Exhibit ends May 6th. If you love PBS/Masterpiece Mystery, he did the art work, drawings and more. Don’t miss it! It is inspiring and emotional for some of us who remember the beginnings of “Mystery”.
Best Things To Do In Hartford Connecticut
The capital of Connecticut, Hartford is home to beautiful parks, a choice of unique museums, attractions, wedding venues, performing arts and restaurants. See the stunning Connecticut State Capitol, visit the Wadsworth Atheneum, one of the oldest art museums in the U.S., and stroll through the Rose Garden in Elizabeth Park on your weekend getaway or day trip. Best things to do in Hartford, CT with kids include the Connecticut Science Center, the and the carousel in Bushnell Park. Certain attractions may be temporarily closed or require advance reservations. Hours/availability may have changed.
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Pratt & Whitney Hangar Museum
Source:
On Tuesdays and Thursdays you can visit a hangar at the Pratt & Whitney Campus to check out a collection of engines from the companys earliest days to the 21st century.
The pièce de résistance has to be the F135 afterburning turbofan, used in the brand new Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.
The aviation pioneer Charles Lindbergh was employed by Pratt & Whitney for a time during World War II, and you can view the desk that he worked at while he was here.
Among a variety of piston engines from the interwar and WWII era theres a R-1340 Wasp which powered record flights by Amelia Earhart and Wiley Post, and the R-2800 Double Wasp, used for some of the United States most important aircraft in the war, like the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt.
Added to these are numerous jet engines, and intriguing prototypes that were never put into mass production.
Popular Places To Visit In East Hartford
You can find out about the history of Hartford when you stop by Mark Twain House. Experience the area’s acclaimed theater scene and entertainment choices.
Cabela’s
Enjoy a stop at Cabela’s, an entertaining place to visit in East Hartford. Experience the area’s acclaimed theater scene and great live music.
Pratt and Whitney Headquarters
Pratt and Whitney Headquarters is just one of the places to see in East Hartford, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Experience the area’s entertainment choices or attend a sporting event.
Rentschler Field
Catch an event at Rentschler Field during your trip to East Hartford. Amble around the area’s college campus or attend a sporting event.
East Hartford Shopping Center
You can search for that perfect souvenir at East Hartford Shopping Center during your visit to East Hartford. Wander around the area’s the college campus or experience its acclaimed theater scene.
East Hartford Golf Course
Enjoy a round of golf in East Hartford at East Hartford Golf Course. Amble around the area’s college campus or attend a sporting event.
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Elizabeth Park Rose Garden
The country’s first municipal rose garden and third-largest in the United States, Elizabeth Park Rose Garden was named for Elizabeth Pond and planted on 102 acres donated to the city by her husband, Charles H. Pond, in 1903. Today, the garden contains more than 15,000 plants with 800 varieties of roses.
These include old and new varieties of hybrid tea, climbers, hybrid perpetual, floribunda, shrub, and pillar roses. They are in bloom all summer, but the most spectacular time to visit is in late June and early July when the ramblers covering the arches are in full bloom. In the winter, the park is open for ice skating.
Address: Prospect Avenue and Asylum Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut
Best Things To Do In East Hartford Connecticut
Have you ever visited a new place and felt wow about it? For many visitors, it happens at East Hartford.
East Hartford may not be as popular as other cities in United States, but dont let that fool you. East Hartford is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination.
You can definitely plan a few hours of a side trip here while traveling to Boston or Hartford. You might wish to revisit it someday again, to take a break and relax at East Hartford.
If you have plans to visit United States and are not sure if East Hartford should be included in your itinerary, keep reading. In this list, we have put together some of the things to do in East Hartford and around. We have a hunch that if you include this city in your travel plans, you will be thrilled you did so.
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Things To Do In East Hartford With Kids
East Hartford boasts plenty of nearby fun experiences for you and the kids. Our family friendly experiences will keep the gang entertained for hours.
Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in East Hartford? Search event tickets to see what’s happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!
Cabela’s
Enjoy a stop at Cabela’s, an entertaining place to visit in East Hartford. Experience the area’s acclaimed theater scene and great live music.
Pratt and Whitney Headquarters
Pratt and Whitney Headquarters is just one of the places to see in East Hartford, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Experience the area’s entertainment choices or attend a sporting event.
Rentschler Field
Catch an event at Rentschler Field during your trip to East Hartford. Amble around the area’s college campus or attend a sporting event.
East Hartford Shopping Center
You can search for that perfect souvenir at East Hartford Shopping Center during your visit to East Hartford. Wander around the area’s the college campus or experience its acclaimed theater scene.
East Hartford Golf Course
Enjoy a round of golf in East Hartford at East Hartford Golf Course. Amble around the area’s college campus or attend a sporting event.
Hugenot House
You can find out about the history of East Hartford with a trip to Hugenot House. Amble around this family-friendly area’s college campus and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.
Windsor Nature Park
Six Flags New England
Where To Stay In Hartford For Sightseeing
The best place to stay in Hartford is in the compact city center. The downtown area is dominated by the State Capitol grounds and Bushnell Park, and most of the attractions are within a mile or two of this central reference point. The Amtrak station is to the northwest, and access to downtown is easy from either Interstate 84 or 91. Below are some highly rated hotels in good locations:
Luxury Hotels:
- is a modern downtown hotel in the heart of the city, with free hot breakfast and a fitness facility. Walk to restaurants and attractions, including the adjacent Bushnell Park and Union Station.
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Cathedral Of St Joseph
Replacing an earlier Gothic Revival cathedral that was destroyed by fire, the Cathedral of St. Joseph was dedicated in 1962 and in 1979 was named as a contributing property in the Asylum Avenue District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The new building was designed in a more modern interpretation of the Gothic style, with the soaring lines of the previous structure and a tower 284 feet high.
Tall bronze doors are covered with biblical scenes and above the entrance is a frieze honoring the church’s patron, Saint Joseph. Highlights of the interior are the series of 70- by 14-foot stained-glass windows created in France, and the ceramic tile altar mural of Christ in Glory, thought to be the largest in the world. The pipe organ is the largest in the state.
Address: 140 Farmington Ave, Hartford, Connecticut
Official site: www.hartfordcathedral.org
Bushnell Park & Carousel
This 37-acre park next to the Capitol grounds is noted for being America’s first public park. It contains the Civil War Memorial, the Pump House Gallery, the Israel Putnam statue, and the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch.
A 1914 Stein and Goldstein carousel with 48 hand-carved wooden horses and two chariots circling a Wurlitzer band organ is one of only three surviving Stein and Goldstein carousels in existence, and it is one of the city’s most popular places to visit for families.
Tours of the park are offered the second Saturday of the month, May through October, and tours of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch are on Thursdays at noon, May through October.
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Colt Park & Coltsville Historic District
The 114-acre park on the former Armsmear Estate of Hartford armament manufacturer Samuel Colt was given to the city in his memory. It was a grand affair in Colts day, with gardens, lawns, conservatories, fountains, reflecting pools, fish ponds, and a deer park.
Not just for his own family and guests, the park was a place where Colt employees and their families could relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. This was part of Colts ideas of paternalistic capitalism, which also encompassed an industrial village, complete with a church.
The Church of the Good Shepherd is an outstanding example of Gothic Revival architecture, designed by Edward Tuckerman Potter, who was also the architect of the Mark Twain House in Hartford. A unique feature of the church is the incorporation of Colt revolver parts into the decoration of the Armorers Entrance.
Both the church and Colt Park are part of the Coltsville Historic District, which is registered as a National Historic Landmark. Colt Park is also part of Coltsville National Historical Park today it features two public swimming pools, playgrounds, sports facilities, and walking trails.
Address: 130 Wethersfield Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut
Essex Steam Train And Riverboat
The Essex Steam Train and Riverboat has outdoor adventures for the whole family including train and boat excursions along the Connecticut River, Pirate Adventures, Murder Mysteries, Private Parties, Pumpkin Patch Trains, Elf Academy, North Pole Express, and more! Their mission is to keep alive the rich mechanical, industrial, and transportation heritage of our state through the continual operation of vintage steam and diesel locomotives and passenger coaches. New for 2020: Pedal a Rail-Bike on a round trip adventure over easy terrain with stunning scenery along the CT River! 4, 6 and 9.5 miles excursions are on sale now!
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Places to Visit from Hartford: The state’s relatively small size makes it easy to reach the many popular tourist attractions in Connecticut, including places to visit in New Haven and all the top small towns in Connecticut. If you are doing a road trip or trying to plan a larger vacation, not far north of Hartford, there are more things to do in Massachusetts.
More Things to Do in Connecticut: With our handy guides to the best beaches in Connecticut, and suggestions for the top beach hotels, it’s easy to plan a summer vacation. As you explore the shore, you’ll find more top-rated resorts around Connecticut’s beautiful lakes.
Bear’s Smokehouse Hartford Connecticut
Vegetarians, beware: Bears Smokehouse is an unapologetic carnivores heaven. The meat is delicately smoked in hickory and other fragrant woods, rubbed to perfection, and barbecued until it is charred on the outside and pink on the inside and falls off the bone.
Chef Jamie The Bear McDonald has perfected his own sauces and rubs, and he chooses everything from the wood to the meat cuts very carefully. You can find all kinds of meat on the menu, from briskets, beef, pork, chicken, turkey, and sausages, along with a whole range of sides. The ambiance fits the feast the restaurant is located in a converted garage and has a counter service and a sink next to the exit so you can wash the sauce off your face and hands.
25 Front St, Hartford, CT 06103, Phone: 860-724-3100
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The Mark Twain House & Museum Hartford Connecticut
Located on Farmington Avenue, the Mark Twain House & Museum is where Samuel Longhorne Clemens lived and worked between 1874 and 1891. Before living in this house, Clemens, known as Mark Twain, lived in several places including Hannibal, Missouri. However, it was in this house in Hartford where he wrote his most famous books, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, among other well-known works.
Built in the Victorian Gothic style between 1873 and 1874, the house has 19 rooms. Opened in 2003, the museum features permanent and rotating exhibits that give visitors the chance to learn more about the author and his life.
351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut, 860-247-0998
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The Mark Twain House & Museum
Samuel and Olivia “Livy” Clemens commissioned their new home in Hartford in 1873 and moved in the following year. The house had every latest convenience, some of which you’ll see demonstrated on the tour of this three-story Victorian mansion. Louis C. Tiffany was one of the four designers engaged for the interior of the house, and you’ll see some of the exotic influences that were popular at the time.
Throughout the tour, you’ll hear engaging stories that reveal insights into both Samuel’s and Livy’s personalities and the somewhat eccentric habits of the entire family. The death of their daughter made it difficult for them to return to this house where she had grown up, so the family sold it in 1903.
But Clemens recalled their years in the Hartford home as the happiest and most productive of Twain’s life. It was here that he wrote The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and several others of his best-known works. The Victorian Gothic mansion is a National Historic Landmark.
Address: 351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut
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Ancient Burying Ground & Butler
Two neighboring attractions along Main Street will appeal to those interested in history. The Ancient Burying Ground is Hartford’s oldest historic landmark and the only one to survive from the 1600s. The oldest gravestone is from 1648, and there are about 6,000 graves, as it was Hartford’s only graveyard until the early 1800s.
You can learn more about early Hartford only three blocks south on Main Street at the Butler-McCook House & Garden. Built in 1782, Butler-McCook Homestead is the oldest house in Hartford and home to generations of a family who lived here for nearly 200 years, from the Revolution to the middle of the 20th century.
“Witnesses on Main Street” uses their words and experiences to show the changes in Main Street, from wooden homes and small shops into a modern city of steel, brick, and stone. Displays of art, antiques, and other household furnishings do not depict the house at a specific moment in its long history, but show the changes that occurred over the years.
Special interest tours focus on various topics: women, art, and the Cook family’s world travels. The Victorian garden was designed by Jacob Weidenmann.
Ancient Burying Ground
