Hartford travel guide
Hartford Tourism | Hartford Guide
You're Going to Love Hartford
Hartford is the capital city of Connecticut and one of the oldest cities in America. Over its long history, it gave birth to industries like insurance and printing, creating a diverse and healthy local economy.
Greater Hartford merges into Springfield to the north, creating what has become known as the Knowledge Corridor: an area of 29 colleges and more than 120,000 students that creates a youthful and vibrant atmosphere in the city.
Historic buildings sit alongside Hartford's modern skyline and reflect this city's diverse and cosmopolitan community.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Hartford
1. Its Literary Past
Hartford was home to Mark Twain when he wrote some of his most famous works, and Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, lived right next door. The poet Wallace Stevens was also a resident. You can visit the Mark Twain House and Museum, the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, and take the Wallace Stevens Walk to soak up all this local literary history.
2. The Food
The city has a large Italian population and this is reflected in the number and quality of Italian restaurants. Many of these can be found in the South End, while Park Street is home to some great Puerto Rican eateries. The Caribbean population has resulted in some excellent West Indian restaurants, especially around Albany Avenue in the North End. The Downtown area, meanwhile, hosts a growing number of upscale restaurants.
3. Unstoppable Nightlife
All of those college students contribute to a great nightlife in Hartford, with lots of pubs, clubs, and music venues. Try the Pour House for great beer and dancing or The Agave Grill for a more elegant feel and excellent tequila; both are on Allyn Street. The Webster Theater on Webster Street is a great venue for Indie music.
4. The Huskies
No, not those huskies. Hartford is home to the University of Connecticut Huskies college basketball team. The city is mad for the Huskies, and attending a game is a highlight of any visit to Hartford. The season runs from November through March, and even if you can't get a ticket, the atmosphere during games in the city's sports bars is fantastic.
5. Explore the Surrounding Countryside
The Connecticut countryside has it all: beautiful lakes, stunning forests, and one of the prettiest coastlines in America. All of it is easily accessible from Hartford, making the city a great base for a touring vacation.
What to do in Hartford
1. Mark Twain House & Museum: Step Back in Time
The great American tales of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn were born in the late 19th century from the mind of celebrated author Samuel Clemens - more popularly beloved as Mark Twain. From the comfort of this unique gothic home on Farmington Avenue, Twain changed the course of literary history. Now one of the world's most renowned house museums, this property is inspirational from tip to toe. Meanwhile, the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center next door also delves into America's past.
2. Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art: Heart of Hartford
Held within this castle-like building is a comprehensive collection of art, from modern European painting to decorative American furniture. History intermingles with the fine arts from one gallery to the next, and around every corner another fine work awaits. From Caravaggio to Dalí, from Pollock to Mondrian, Hartford's glorious museum has brought masterpieces to locals and tourists alike for over 150 years.
3. Connecticut State Capitol: A Political Centerpiece
With a glimmering golden dome crowning the grand State Capitol, Hartford is the proud political hub of Connecticut. Tours regale visitors with the history of the city and state, all surrounded by the lavish interior of the epic construction. Important paintings and monuments are dotted throughout the premises, each a puzzle piece to the story. Delightful Bushnell Park surrounds the gorgeous building, and the Bushnell Performing Arts Center is worth checking out too.
4. Elizabeth Park: For Rosy Days
Outside Hartford's busy downtown, this oasis is a favorite escape. The entire area is both a nature reserve and leisure park, featuring walking trails, ponds, and even tennis courts. Visitors from near and far are drawn to the traditional Rose Garden in particular, its irresistible colors and aromas bringing relaxation to all. For over a century this has been the perfect place for a stroll, and it continues to live up to its reputation.
5. Connecticut Science Center: Our Earth, and Beyond
Fun for all ages, this immense nine-story science center wows visitors over and over again. There is no end of entertainment in these interactive galleries, as enthralling as they are educational, with topics from prehistoric dinosaurs to contemporary space travel. Even the building is a fascinating feat of architecture and engineering! Inspiration is found at every turn as children are welcomed to explore, and adults are sure to learn something new with every visit too.
1. Mark Twain House & Museum: Step Back in Time
The great American tales of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn were born in the late 19th century from the mind of celebrated author Samuel Clemens - more popularly beloved as Mark Twain. From the comfort of this unique gothic home on Farmington Avenue, Twain changed the course of literary history. Now one of the world's most renowned house museums, this property is inspirational from tip to toe. Meanwhile, the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center next door also delves into America's past.
2. Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art: Heart of Hartford
Held within this castle-like building is a comprehensive collection of art, from modern European painting to decorative American furniture. History intermingles with the fine arts from one gallery to the next, and around every corner another fine work awaits. From Caravaggio to Dalí, from Pollock to Mondrian, Hartford's glorious museum has brought masterpieces to locals and tourists alike for over 150 years.
3. Connecticut State Capitol: A Political Centerpiece
With a glimmering golden dome crowning the grand State Capitol, Hartford is the proud political hub of Connecticut. Tours regale visitors with the history of the city and state, all surrounded by the lavish interior of the epic construction. Important paintings and monuments are dotted throughout the premises, each a puzzle piece to the story. Delightful Bushnell Park surrounds the gorgeous building, and the Bushnell Performing Arts Center is worth checking out too.
4. Elizabeth Park: For Rosy Days
Outside Hartford's busy downtown, this oasis is a favorite escape. The entire area is both a nature reserve and leisure park, featuring walking trails, ponds, and even tennis courts. Visitors from near and far are drawn to the traditional Rose Garden in particular, its irresistible colors and aromas bringing relaxation to all. For over a century this has been the perfect place for a stroll, and it continues to live up to its reputation.
5. Connecticut Science Center: Our Earth, and Beyond
Fun for all ages, this immense nine-story science center wows visitors over and over again. There is no end of entertainment in these interactive galleries, as enthralling as they are educational, with topics from prehistoric dinosaurs to contemporary space travel. Even the building is a fascinating feat of architecture and engineering! Inspiration is found at every turn as children are welcomed to explore, and adults are sure to learn something new with every visit too.
1. Mark Twain House & Museum: Step Back in Time
The great American tales of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn were born in the late 19th century from the mind of celebrated author Samuel Clemens - more popularly beloved as Mark Twain. From the comfort of this unique gothic home on Farmington Avenue, Twain changed the course of literary history. Now one of the world's most renowned house museums, this property is inspirational from tip to toe. Meanwhile, the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center next door also delves into America's past.
2. Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art: Heart of Hartford
Held within this castle-like building is a comprehensive collection of art, from modern European painting to decorative American furniture. History intermingles with the fine arts from one gallery to the next, and around every corner another fine work awaits. From Caravaggio to Dalí, from Pollock to Mondrian, Hartford's glorious museum has brought masterpieces to locals and tourists alike for over 150 years.
3. Connecticut State Capitol: A Political Centerpiece
With a glimmering golden dome crowning the grand State Capitol, Hartford is the proud political hub of Connecticut. Tours regale visitors with the history of the city and state, all surrounded by the lavish interior of the epic construction. Important paintings and monuments are dotted throughout the premises, each a puzzle piece to the story. Delightful Bushnell Park surrounds the gorgeous building, and the Bushnell Performing Arts Center is worth checking out too.
Where to Eat in Hartford
Capa di Roma on Burnside Avenue in East Hartford is a local institution, with some of the best Italian food in the city. Main courses start from $10.99. Jahm Ske's is a casual Caribbean restaurant on Albany Avenue with dishes from under $10, while Max Downtown is one of the city's best regarded upscale restaurants, serving excellent seafood and steaks from around $25.
When to visit Hartford
Hartford is a year-round destination. Summer is warm and a good time to visit the coast with its cooling breeze, while fall brings a splendid display of colorful foliage. Spring has beautiful flowers and winter, although cold and snowy, has the best of the college town atmosphere and all of those Huskies games to enjoy.
How to Get to Hartford
Plane
Hartford's major airport is Bradley International Airport (BDL), which has extensive connections across the USA and Canada. There are also scheduled flights to Puerto Rico. The airport is located 15 miles north of the city at Windsor Locks. The 30-Bradley Flyer bus leaves hourly for the city and costs just $1.75 for the 30-minute journey. A taxi will cost around $35 and takes 20 minutes.
Train
Amtrak operates regular services from Hartford Union Station, close to the State Capitol Building. Trains run to Springfield, Massachusetts, and New Haven, where you can catch connections to New York City. A single ticket from NYC to Hartford costs from $39 for the 3 hour 30 minutes trip.
Car
Hartford is well connected by road to surrounding cities. The I-95 runs south to NYC, while the I-84/I-90 route will take you northwest to Boston. The I-90 also runs west to Albany and the I-87 goes north to Vermont and on to the Canadian border.
Bus
Greyhound and Megabus operate bus services from Boston, NYC, New Haven, Amherst, and Burlington to Hartford. A pre-booked fare from NYC to Hartford can vary between $10 - $25. The bus station is located on Union Place in the Downtown area.
Airlines serving Hartford
Where to stay in Hartford
Old Wethersfield - this is the city's historic district, with more than 100 homes that pre-date the Civil War. It is an original neighborhood, rather than a touristy village, and is home to a number of good museums, such as the Webb Deane Stevens Museum.
Popular Neighborhoods in Hartford
West End - West End is Hartford's most prominent residential district, with lots of beautiful Victorian houses. It is home to Elizabeth Park, the University of Connecticut School of Law, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The area around Farmington Avenue has lots of shops, restaurants and bars.
Upper Albany - this is one of the city's up-and-coming districts, with some wonderful historic streets, such as Burton Street and Deerfield Avenue. It is becoming an arty area and is home to the University of Hartford's Handel Performing Arts Center and the Artists Collective. Albany Avenue is rapidly becoming and excellent shopping and entertainment center.
Where to stay in popular areas of Hartford
Most booked hotels in Hartford
How to Get Around Hartford
Public Transportation
CTtransit operates the bus service in the city. Fares are reasonable, with a two-hour ticket costing $1.50 and a day ticket costing $3. CTfastrak operates a rapid transit system to neighboring towns, with the same fare structure. There is also a free bus service, the Dash Shuttle, which services a circular route including most of the main city center attractions. It runs every 15 minutes during weekdays, from 7 am - 7 pm.
Taxi
Taxis in Hartford are plentiful and reliable. You will be charged an initial $3 for the meter drop and first 1/9th of a mile, and then $0.30 for each additional 1/9th of a mile.
Car
While Hartford's public transport network is excellent, a car may be a good idea if you plan to visit the surrounding towns and countryside. Car rental is available at the airport from companies like Avis, Enterprise, and Europcar, and in the city center from around $140 per day.
The Cost of Living in Hartford
Shopping Streets
The West Hartford Center is a good mall to the west of the city, designed as a New England Village. It has more than 140 stores, with a focus on local ownership, and is good for fashion, jewelry, books, and food. Westfarms Mall at Farmington is more mainstream, with big chain stores such as Macy's, Nordstrom, and JCPenney. Downtown Manchester is another good area for local shops, including antiques, collectibles, outdoor gear, and bicycles.
Groceries and Other
A quart of milk in Hartford is priced at around $0.86, while a dozen large eggs will cost $3.28. Major supermarket chains in the city include Greenway Market, Associated Supermarkets, and Bravo Supermarkets.