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HEADING TO HARTFORD? T R AV E L B Y D E S I G N
HERE’S ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN VISITING CONNECTICUT’S CAPITAL AND SURROUNDING SUBURBS BY KRISTEN FRITZ
22
dining, professional sports and destination hotels help to create an environment that enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. Adventurous types will enjoy Riverfront Recapture with scenic strolls along the banks of the Connecticut River. This beautiful riverfront renovation project has completely revitalized the banks of the river and offers paved and lighted walkways, four separate parks, hiking trails and rowing. Foodies will rejoice in the plethora of dining establishments. According to OpenTable, Hartford and West Hartford collectively have more than 277 restaurants. Adventurous eaters can savor extensive and diverse cuisines at Parkville Market, the state’s first food hall. Discerning eaters will find the most delectable donuts and drinks at Bar Piña, located inside the historic Goodwin Hotel, and foodies looking for alfresco dining will enjoy the transformative patio at Artisan Restaurant, Tavern and Garden in West Hartford. With hundreds of summer events to choose from, it’s best to plan in advance of your trip. Hartford’s culture, arts, music and dining might even have you visiting the area more often or possibly persuade you to relocate here.
ctc&g cottagesgardens.com july/august 2022
ELIZABETH PARK ROSE GARDEN
ARTISAN RESTAURANT, TAVERN AND GARDEN HARRIET BEECHER STOWE CENTER: HARRIET BEECHER STOWE CENTER/FACEBOOK
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artford is the heartbeat of Connecticut, with a pulse that’s quick to supply its residents and visitors with numerous eclectic opportunities. From diverse dining with ethnic eats, to destination hotels and cultural attractions, this is truly a must-stop, -stay, -dine and -play city. The capital city lures history buffs as it is rich in culture and history. Many of Hartford’s historical sites and landmarks are some of our country’s “firsts”—such as the first public arts museum, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art; the first publicly funded park at Bushnell Park; and the oldest public rose garden at Elizabeth Park. These historically significant and inspiring sites create a true urban oasis. The area also has ties to cherished American literary talents like Mark Twain and Noah Webster, plus social reformers like Harriet Beecher Stowe. Known as “the insurance capital of the world,” Hartford boasts more than 100 insurance companies, but the city itself and its surrounding suburbs, like the town of West Hartford, have so much more to offer than insurance. A bustling music and arts scene, numerous cultural festivals, beautiful parks, diverse