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Hartford, Connecticut City Guide

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Hartford Meeting Planning

Connecticut Convention Center

With a knack for preserving and celebrating its history while still modernizing its amenities, Hartford boasts the much-deserved nickname of "New England's Rising Star." Leading the way to cementing this glowing reputation is the modern, spacious Connecticut Convention Center. Opened in June 2005, the $276 million center is, at 540,000 square feet, the largest meeting space between New York CityNew York City
New York City and Boston. Designed to resemble the natural movement of the neighboring Connecticut River, the center's curvilinear lines and 110-foot-tall glass atrium are unique additions to the city's traditional architecture.

The Connecticut Convention Center is just one piece of the of the city's $775 million riverfront revitalization plan. Known as Adriaen's Landing, this 30-acre project will provide visitors with numerous shopping, dining and entertainment options just steps away from the convention center. Among the attractions at the Landing, the 144,000-square-foot Connecticut Science Center will offer innovative, hands-on science exhibits for visitors of all ages upon its completion in spring 2009. Beyond its exhibits, the eco-friendly building will offer a variety of modern spaces for events, including the two-story, 2,000-square-foot Travelers Science Hall overlooking the Connecticut River. The Adriaen's Landing project is also expanding the city's lodging options. In 2005, the Marriott Hartford Downtown Hotel opened with 409 guest rooms and an additional 13,500 square feet of meeting space.

Though its new venues are certainly creating buzz, Hartford's numerous historic attractions are available to impart a true New England feel to any event. The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is a classic venue for large or small events, while the Bushnell Center for the Performing ArtsBushnell Center for the Performing Arts
Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts' famed Art Deco interior lends a stylish feel to dinners and receptions. The center's glass-enclosed Autorino Great Hall, adorned by a 14-foot-tall bright red chandelier, is a striking venue for events of up to 320 people. Or, enjoy New England's great outdoors by hosting an event at Elizabeth ParkElizabeth Park
Elizabeth Park, home to the oldest municipally-operated rose garden in the United States.

Visitors are happy to discover that reaching Hartford and its array of attractions is quick and convenient. In fact, more people - 23 million, to be exact - live within 100 miles of Hartford than any other U.S. city except New York. Visitors from destinations such as New Haven, Providence and Boston, all fewer than 100 miles away, can easily reach the city by car on one of four recently expanded major U.S. interstates.

Air travel is also a breeze, with the city's Bradley International Airport completing the final stages of an eight-year, $200 million modernization project. The airport offers nearly 300 national and international flights each day and is serviced by low cost carriers such as Southwest and America West. Once inside the city, travelers can take advantage of the free Hartford Star Shuttle making stops at most downtown attractions.

Hartford's economic mainstay is the insurance industry, and it is headquarters for insurance companies such as Aetna, Cigna, Lincoln, Mass Mutual and Travelers. Higher learning also holds a strong presence within the city, as Hartford is home to Trinity College, the University of Hartford and the University of Connecticut's Schools of Business and Law.

Key Statistics

About Hartford / Additional Info

Hartford Skyline

The capital city of Connecticut, Hartford is home to 124,512 people in the city area itself, making it the 2nd largest in the state. Its 469-square-mile metro area, though, is the largest in the state and 45th largest in the country with over 1.1 million residents. Poised on the west side of the Connecticut River, Hartford is nestled among the rolling hills of the fertile Connecticut River Valley, creating the lush setting for which New England is so well known.

With its location at the forefront of the navigable portion of the Connecticut River, Hartford was a prime landing site for early explorers and settlers. Settled as Dutch trading post Good Hope in 1623, the area was later re-colonized by English settlers and prospered as a center for trade of goods such as molasses, spices, coffee and rum. To protect the valuable trade, the insurance industry developed. The Hartford Insurance Company, the nation's oldest such organization, opened at that time and still operates in the city today.

As its economy grew and expanded, so did Hartford. Waves of immigrants flooded the city, giving rise to its present-day diverse and historic neighborhoods. Visitors can soak up the global flavors of cultures from all over the world in this small New England town. Stop by an authentic Italian bakery or restaurant in South End, home to Hartford's Little Italy. Near downtown, Park Street in Frog Hollow and Parkville comes alive with the sights and sounds of Latin America. Enjoy authentic Portuguese cuisine such as the house Paelha, a traditional rice and seafood dish, at O'Porto, or stop by El Mercado, a busy hub where visitors can pick up traditional cooking ingredients including nine varieties of yams.

Connecticut State Capitol

Though its multicultural citizens are certainly adding new life and vibrancy to Hartford, its rich and storied history has not been forgotten. Connect with New England's maritime history at Mystic Seaport, the country's leading maritime museum and home to more than one million maritime photographs. Explore the regal Connecticut State Capitol to see the government at work or to peruse the impressive display of flags carried into battle by Connecticut soldiers. See a concert or Broadway show at the elegant Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, dedicated to bringing world-class entertainment to Hartford.

Hartford's famed writers left their mark on the cultural and arts scene in the city as well. Just 30 minutes from the city, the fanciful Dr. Seuss National Memorial invites visitors to stroll among life-size bronze sculptures of the author's most famous characters, including the Grinch Who Stole Christmas and the Cat in the Hat. In the city itself, guests can pay a visit to the stately Harriet Beecher Stowe Center to catch a glimpse of the life and works of the accomplished author.

At the whimsical Mark Twain House and Museum, guests can step into the room in which Twain penned his popular novels The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Perhaps Twain described it best when, asked why he chose Hartford as a residence, he said, "of all the beautiful towns it has been my fortune to see, this is the chief." After exploring Hartford, visitors will undoubtedly agree.