scolley06

My husband and I are traveling with another couple to Hartford the first of October for the Marathon. The marathon is on Saturday and we are arriving on Friday. My first questions is how long to stay in Hartford? We will be staying downtown and enjoy walking and enjoying new cities. We also like history. We will definetely stay through Saturday night but would there be enough to do for a thrid night. We fly back out of Hartford the following Saturday and are wondering what is the best beach to visit for the last 5 days or so? We want to drive as little as possible but at the same time want the best views while we are there. So we are willing to compromise. I have checked out Mystic but I am not sure. We enjoy running of course, biking, hiking, eating seafood, drinking wine, relaxing, sail boats, animal watching and history. Thanks for any tips.

GoTravel

Have you run a marathon before? You really aren't going to be up for a lot of walking the following two days afterwards and up to a week.

scolley06

Yes. It is my fifth. I have actually felt really good after the last 2 marathons. We would rather run then vacation that way our vacation isn't effected by our diet during the week before the marathon.

wyatt92

I wouldn't spend a 3rd night in Hartford.

Head to Newport RI. It probably won't be beach weather in Oct but there's lots to do there, it has everything you have listed as interests.

steviegene

2 nights in Hartford is probably good.
You could spend some time in Mystic, Madison area visit the beach, etc.
The Litchfield hills are very beautiful and within about an hour of Hartford. It has beautiful scenery, upscale restaurants, antiquing, and some hiking/biking opportunities too.

sobster

You might look into New Preston, CT, Lake Waramaug, Ct, Washington,CT, Madison Beach Hotel, Old Saybrook Pointe Inn, Manchester, VT

ladystack

Sunday, Hartford has the Mark Twain House, Atheneum Art Museum, short drive to Old Wethersfield with more historic homes. Monday, drive south to Essex,then Mystic and finally to Pt Judith RI. Tuesday -day trip to Block Island via ferry to spend the day biking, hiking . Wednesday and Thursday -- see Newport RI with plenty to see and do.Beautiful mansions, walk the Cliff Walk, day sails in harbor. Friday wander back through Ct and stay near airport. Or personally I would skip Sunday in Hartford and enjoy extra time in Newport RI. Have fun.

bachslunch

ladystack has listed some worthy Hartford things to do in the Mark Twain House and Wadsworth Atheneum. Other things to consider seeing would be the state capitol building (a very good one as these things go), Old State Capitol Building, and Harriet Beecher Stowe House.

scolley06

Thanks for the tips and ideas!

yk

bachslunch, do you think it's possible to visit:

Mark Twain House
Harriet Beecher Stowe House
State Capitol tour
Wadsworth Atheneum

All in one day? The Atheneum is open until 8pm on the first Thursdays of the month, so I can time my visit with that Thursday and make it my last stop of the day?

emcash

you could def do all of those in one day. I would do 2 nights in hartford and then head over to newportand the shoreline

seafox

See YK's recent trip report on Hartford - you can do all that and more!