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SIGHT SEEING
For those of you who enjoy wandering through the outdoors,
you'll want to head to Bushnell Park, off I-84 between Elm and
Jewel Streets, downtown, 860-522-6400. Started in 1854, this
lovely 37-acre park features over 600 trees, some of which were
planted over 100 years ago. As you stroll the grounds, you'll
also find the 116-foot tall Soldiers & Sailors Civil War
Memorial, a mini-public art gallery, and a hand carved Carousel
built in 1914. Rose lovers will enjoy spending time at Elizabeth
Park, Prospect Ave an Asylum Ave, 860-722-6514. Here you will
find more than 900 varieties and 14,000 rose bushes in bloom
during the summer months.
If you love exploring new towns on walking tours, you will
be glad to know you can stop by the Convention and Visitors Bureau
office and pick up a copy of their Hartford guide which contains
a walking tour map. You'll also find Hartford Guides on duty
downtown ready to make your walk more fun with information on
local history, store locations, and current events.
If you enjoy old historic homes, you'll want to tour the Butler-McCook
Homestead, 396 Main St., open Tuesday and Thursday, 12:00-4:00
p.m., 860-522-1806. This simple frame house was built in 1782,
making it the oldest private home in Hartford. You will also
want to visit the Harriet
Breecher Stowe Center, 77 Forest Street, 860-522-0258. It
was at her Nook Farm cottage that she wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin.
Her home has been lovingly restored and features many of her
own possessions including some of her paintings.
To see where another famous author lived, head to 351 Farmington
Ave and the Mark Twain
House, 860-493-6411. Built by Twain in 1874, this 19-room
Victorian mansion was decorated by Tiffany and Associated Artist
in 1881. During the 17 years he lived here, Twain wrote seven
major works. In fact it was in this home that the very popular
Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn sprang to life.
If you've ever depended on a Webster dictionary to get you
out of a spelling jam, you'll want to tour the Noah
Webster House, 227 South Main Street, West Hartford, 860-521-5362.
As costumed docents take you through Noah's birthplace you will
learn about the life of the author of the Blue-Backed Speller
and first American Dictionary.
Next visit the Isham-Terry House, 211 High St., for tour information
call 860-247-8996 or 860-522-1984. Built in 1854, this mansion
is a fine example of the Italianate style which was in vogue
before the Civil War. Inside you will find many original touches,
like the gas lights, and an interesting collection of 19th century
furniture.
At the Old State House,
800 Main Street, 860- 522-6766, you'll find a restored Senate
chamber, a Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington, and
a museum store featuring Connecticut crafts, fine arts, and souvenirs.
The building itself also has a story to tell. Designed by Charles
Bulfinch, it is the oldest State House in the United States and
was the site of the first written constitution.
A visit to the Cathedral of St. Joseph, 140 Farmington Ave,
West Hartford, CT, 860-249-8431, will give you a chance to see
the largest ceramic mural of Christ in Glory in the world. You'll
find more church history at the Center Church and Ancient Burying
Ground, Main and Gold St., Wednesday and Friday, 11:00 a.m. to
2:00 p.m., 860-249-5631. The original church is where the Reverend
Thomas Hooker met with his congregation over 360 years ago. The
present church was finished in 1807 and is based on London's
St. Martin-In-The-Fields, complete with stain glass windows by
Louis Tiffany.
Nearby, you'll find the Christ Church Cathedral, Main and
Church Streets, 860-527-7231, which was built in 1828 and is
one of the oldest Gothic churches in America. You also may want
to tour the State Capitol Building, 210 Capitol Ave, one hour
tours at 9:15, 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, and 1:15, leave from the
Legislative Office Building, 860-240-0222. This Victorian Gothic
building, complete with gold dome, was finished in 1878 and is
a National Historic Landmark.
If you love the idea of doing some of your sight seeing from
a train, then head to Essex and the Essex Steam Train, I-91 South,
exit 22 then Route 9 south to exit 3, 860-767-0103. They will
take you on a great two 1/2 hour excursion through the Connecticut
River Valley to the Deep River where you will transfer to a river
boat which will glide by several historic sites. Then its back
on the 1920s vintage train to Essex.
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For those of you who enjoy wandering through the outdoors, you'll want to head to Bushnell Park, off I-84 between Elm and Jewel Streets, downtown, 860-522-6400. Started in 1854, this lovely 37-acre park features over 600 trees, some of which were planted over 100 years ago. As you stroll the grounds, you'll also find the 116-foot tall Soldiers & Sailors Civil War Memorial, a mini-public art gallery, and a hand carved Carousel built in 1914. Rose lovers will enjoy spending time at Elizabeth Park, Prospect Ave an Asylum Ave, 860-722-6514. Here you will find more than 900 varieties and 14,000 rose bushes in bloom during the summer months. If you love exploring new towns on walking tours, you will be glad to know you can stop by the Convention and Visitors Bureau office and pick up a copy of their Hartford guide which contains a walking tour map. You'll also find Hartford Guides on duty downtown ready to make your walk more fun with information on local history, store locations, and current events. If you enjoy old historic homes, you'll want to tour the Butler-McCook Homestead, 396 Main St., open Tuesday and Thursday, 12:00-4:00 p.m., 860-522-1806. This simple frame house was built in 1782, making it the oldest private home in Hartford. You will also want to visit the Harriet Breecher Stowe Center, 77 Forest Street, 860-522-0258. It was at her Nook Farm cottage that she wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin. Her home has been lovingly restored and features many of her own possessions including some of her paintings. To see where another famous author lived, head to 351 Farmington Ave and the Mark Twain House, 860-493-6411. Built by Twain in 1874, this 19-room Victorian mansion was decorated by Tiffany and Associated Artist in 1881. During the 17 years he lived here, Twain wrote seven major works. In fact it was in this home that the very popular Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn sprang to life. If you've ever depended on a Webster dictionary to get you out of a spelling jam, you'll want to tour the Noah Webster House, 227 South Main Street, West Hartford, 860-521-5362. As costumed docents take you through Noah's birthplace you will learn about the life of the author of the Blue-Backed Speller and first American Dictionary. Next visit the Isham-Terry House, 211 High St., for tour information call 860-247-8996 or 860-522-1984. Built in 1854, this mansion is a fine example of the Italianate style which was in vogue before the Civil War. Inside you will find many original touches, like the gas lights, and an interesting collection of 19th century furniture. At the Old State House, 800 Main Street, 860- 522-6766, you'll find a restored Senate chamber, a Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington, and a museum store featuring Connecticut crafts, fine arts, and souvenirs. The building itself also has a story to tell. Designed by Charles Bulfinch, it is the oldest State House in the United States and was the site of the first written constitution. A visit to the Cathedral of St. Joseph, 140 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT, 860-249-8431, will give you a chance to see the largest ceramic mural of Christ in Glory in the world. You'll find more church history at the Center Church and Ancient Burying Ground, Main and Gold St., Wednesday and Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 860-249-5631. The original church is where the Reverend Thomas Hooker met with his congregation over 360 years ago. The present church was finished in 1807 and is based on London's St. Martin-In-The-Fields, complete with stain glass windows by Louis Tiffany. Nearby, you'll find the Christ Church Cathedral, Main and Church Streets, 860-527-7231, which was built in 1828 and is one of the oldest Gothic churches in America. You also may want to tour the State Capitol Building, 210 Capitol Ave, one hour tours at 9:15, 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, and 1:15, leave from the Legislative Office Building, 860-240-0222. This Victorian Gothic building, complete with gold dome, was finished in 1878 and is a National Historic Landmark. If you love the idea of doing some of your sight seeing from a train, then head to Essex and the Essex Steam Train, I-91 South, exit 22 then Route 9 south to exit 3, 860-767-0103. They will take you on a great two 1/2 hour excursion through the Connecticut River Valley to the Deep River where you will transfer to a river boat which will glide by several historic sites. Then its back on the 1920s vintage train to Essex. |