Hartford, Connecticut, the state's capital city, is located in the north-central part of the state. It was originally a Dutch trading post before the Rev. Thomas Hooker established an English settlement there in the 1630s.
Although mainly known as an industrial, financial and insurance center, Hartford has a number of historic buildings and some good restaurants in the downtown area. You can get an idea of the importance of the insurance business to Hartford's economy at Constitution Plaza (site of the graceful, boat-shaped Phoenix Mutual Life building) and at the Travelers Tower (headquarters of the Travelers Insurance Co.), which offers sweeping views of the surrounding area.
Start your visit with a stop at the state Capitol building, topped by a magnificent gilded neo-Gothic dome. It overlooks Bushnell Park, which was codesigned by the famed Frederick Law Olmsted and has an antique carousel that's accompanied by a mighty Wurlitzer organ.
Hartford has a number of museums and historic homes of interest. Visit the Connecticut Historical Society's archives and exhibits pertaining to the state's history.
Go to State House Square for the Old State House, the Pavilion, a collection of shops and restaurants in a postmodern/classical structure.
On the west side of Hartford, visitors can tour the homes of Harriet Beecher Stowe (author of Uncle Tom's Cabin) and Mark Twain—the two writers were neighbors on Farmington Avenue. Twain wrote many of his most famous books while living in this house. The building looks like something you'd expect the author to live in—an eccentric structure that resembles a land-bound steamboat.)
A good way to take in Hartford's historic sights is to walk and drive the city's Victorian Trail, a tour similar to Boston's Freedom Trail. It includes some two dozen stops. You can obtain a brochure from the Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau.
To request access to the full version of this destination guide, please provide your email address below. Your email address will only be used for verification purposes and will not be used for marketing purposes.