M & J

After my wife's conference is over, we will have two days in Hartford, CT. We enjoy history, art, and architecture. Please give us suggestions. We will have access to a car.
Thanks

x

Drive to Boston. Should be about 1.5 hours, take 84E to Mass Pike E. Walk the freedom trail, quincy market, duck tour, etc. I can't think of 2 days worth of Hartford though the Atheneum in Hartford can get some good travelling collections, saw a Dali collection there once.

Marcus

There is plenty to do in the Hartford area. The Atheneum is a very good art museum (half day), Mark Twain House is beautiful and a slice of history (2 hours), Litchfield Hills scenic rural and small towns area (at least a half day), Old Deerfield, MA, is a major architectural/history/art trove (at least half a day/full day when combined with Northampton or other towns). Of course, you will have to squeeze some time to eat in there too. Boston? You don't need to go to Boston!

kathy

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lena

Drive to Boston as x suggested, or you can also visit Newport, RI and see the mansions.

KenCT

Driving to Boston is ridiculous. I can't think of any place where a person couldn't spend a couple of meaningful days. The Atheneum is one of the finest small museums in the country, as are the nearby New Britain Museum of American Art and the Yale museums in New Haven.

Old Deerfield is indeed an excellent day trip, but you'll certainly find enough to do within a 50 mile radius of Hartford.

sluggo

How about visiting beautiful Gillette Castle State Park by the Conn. River in Haddam? The former home of stage actor William Gillette, it just reopened after a major refurbishing. You could lunch at the Gelston House. Along Long Island Sound, you could visit Mystic Seaport and historic towns along the coast. You certainly don't need to leave CT.

kris

I'm glad I saw this post because I was thinking of this area for a weekend trip. Is it possible to get around without a rental car? I want to avoid renting one if possible. Thanks!

katie

History, art and Achitecture - the Hillstead Museum in Farmington is right up your alley. It is national historical landmark. It was previously a private home designed by one of the first female architects in the US named Theodate Pope. The museum houses a wonderful collection of impressionist paintings (Monet, Manet, Degas to name a few) and other treasures (like Ming vases, etc) and the gardens and grounds are lovely. Nearby is the Stanley-Whitman house built in the early 1700's, another historical landmark and museum. Farmington is about 15 miles west of Hartford.

M & J

This is great information. Thanks to all of you!
M&J