About
Hartford is the capital of Connecticut, a city in the northern part of the state where history and culture sit close together. For a visitor, it makes a good base for a day or a weekend of museums, historic houses and easy walks through the centre.
Literary and historic sites
Two of the city's best-known houses are devoted to the writers who lived in them. The Mark Twain House is the place to see where the author of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn spent years of his life. Nearby, the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center tells the story of the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin and the household she shared with her family. Both suit visitors interested in American writing and the way it was shaped at home.
The stately Old State House, a dignified building in the heart of the city, adds a civic and historical layer to a visit.
Art and green space
The Wadsworth Atheneum is America's oldest continuously operating public art museum. It is a strong stop for anyone who enjoys painting, sculpture and decorative arts, and it gives a useful sense of the city's long commitment to culture.
Bushnell Park offers a calmer break between visits. Its open lawns and paths are a pleasant place to rest or to walk from one attraction to the next.
Riverfront and dining
The lively riverfront and dining scene give the city an easygoing evening side. Visitors can combine a museum afternoon with a walk along the water and a meal out, making Hartford a practical choice for a short trip that mixes history, art and an unhurried pace.
