One of the best places to go in the Hartford area. It has an amazing collection of classic artwork…read moreand rotating collections of modern art. I've been many times and somehow I'm still surprised by some of the pieces on display (Van Gogh, Monet, Dali, etc.). They run various events and community days, and membership costs are very reasonable. Support the Arts!

I was miserable most of my time there. BUT. This was a great museum. I was miserable because the…read moreonly time I could go was on a Saturday, a free Saturday no less, on a day they had a festival, arts and crafts, and a Christmas tree event. So the crowds were INSANE. Like NYC level insane. That being said, I have lots of great things to say about this place, which underwent a huge renovation and modernization several years ago that was so good that the New York Times wrote an article saying it was "a masterpiece of renovation." The great hall is beautiful and though I don't care much for old school colonizer art, I was bummed it was teeming with Christmas trees and families, hindering my ability to take an artful photo to capture that masterpiece. The museum does a great job of mixing colors, styles, appreciating the classical, while also mixing in fun and modern elements. They have European art. Impressionist art. All that gold religious stuff. Modern art that's just some blocks and colors and makes you wonder, "is this really art?" They have a great surrealist section and a huge Dali painting, which is actually the marketing they used to get me here. They have some sculpture, some Greek sculpture and some contemporary art. I enjoyed the art by Black artists and art focusing on Black struggles in the Amistad Center, located on the third floor, though I wish this section was bigger. They had an Islamic art section, Chinese art, American art (most of what I saw was from the 20s through the 90s). I loved how each space was painted a rich, moody color. And the common spaces were full of patterns, stained glass, and multi-colored walls winding up the staircase. The staff were nice and helpful. I paid 20-something bucks for admission, but since I bought a ticket for a free Saturday, the staff was cool enough to contact me and ask me if I wanted a full refund. I told them to take the fee as a donation. I've seen almost all the museums in New York City, which is my favorite place in the world. But this one can hold its own. But if I ever visit again (which I doubt, cus who needs to see Hartford twice?)--I will avoid weekends and free days and definitely the Christmas tree festival!

I work from this library branch often, I'm happy to have it open again. I do wish they opened at…read more8am at least I'm typically an early morning work kinda gal. There's a healthy amount of noise for a library but I do appreciate that the staff doesn't have an issue telling people to quiet down. I also have attended for the yoga classes and loved every minute. The location is super accessible to the cafes and restaurants downtown.

It's a nice downtown library in the city which has improved compared to pre-pandemic times and…read morebefore the pipe burst from the day before Christmas Eve 2022 destroyed it. It's a very cool place to explore, read, relax and And study. The children's room looks nice and the main floor looks cool which makes the library an inviting and welcome place to spend time at. They have some cool books and many other resources. There's also a lot of seating and they even have unique things such as Library of Things collection, a DVD checkout slot machine and many more. The staff are caring, courteous and helpful. The customer service is great and the people served are good people. It's a wonderful place to spend time when you're in Hartford and need some down time. This library serves patrons from any neighborhood in Hartford.

I have been here a few times recently. My son had an appointment at CCMC, so we decided to go…read morebefore hands. It gives a mini NYC park vibe. There are food trucks, lots of walking space, a playground, a carousel, and lots to look at! There is a lot of space to sit and relax or have a picnic. I would love to see a little more love with the landscape. I'm bummed that the carousel was closed too.

This park is a cool little oasis in the middle of the city. It's giving "mini Central Park" vibes…read morewith the massive gold domed Capitol building as a backdrop, so bring your camera because the views and the stone Memorial Arch are stunning. I recommend checking out the vintage carousel; it's a total nostalgia trip and can easily be the best part of the visit. Overall, it's a solid spot to touch some grass, ground yourself, and soak in some history if you're in the area.

"You used to call me the top You put me up on the throne…read moreYou let me fall with a drop And now I'm out on my own" (Billie Holiday) Fans of Game of Thrones know the Iron Throne in Westeros was made from the surrendered swords of enemies. Today I learned the White Oak Leaf Throne in Hartford's Bushnell Park was made from the Hoadley Oak. It was a dead 180-year-old White Oak tree that was a park eyesore. On September 10, 2024, it became the latest piece of public art to join the dozens of attractions and monuments spread across the park. Local artist Tao LaBossiere transformed that huge dead tree into a 9 1/2-foot-tall throne with ornate carvings all over its surface. The structure was sealed with five coats of marine-grade urethane to protect it from the elements. You'll find it on the east side of the park by Jewell Street. The throne has landing steps at the front, so you can climb up, and have a seat for a few minutes of solitude or an epic photo op. PRO TIP The Hoadley Oak is believed to be a descendant of Connecticut's historic Charter Oak. In an early act of resistance against the British, in 1662, Connecticut colonists hid their colony's Royal Charter in that tree to keep it safe.

Definitely follow Riverfront Recapture on Facebook for tons of great free events. Jerk festivals,…read moreAsian Dragon Boat Races, Free concerts, Food trucks, Fireworks, etc. It's always a well organized, safe good time.

I finally visited the Hartford waterfront today thanks to the Dragon Boat and Asian Festival. I…read morecan't say enough about how impressed I was! It was as scenic and as pleasant as can be. It was jam packed with couples and families and folks of all ages enjoying the sun, the scenery, and a perfect summer day. Hartford has really come a long way since I moved here in 1987. The Science Center, the Convention Center, a re-invigorated downtown, the Lincoln Sculpture Art Walk, and the beautiful Riverfront. I can't wait to see what the future brings.

I love coming to the Bushnell to watch amazing shows. I seen three show here so far and had great…read moreexperience for all of them. They have good parking, which is right across the street. It might take time to get out of the parking after the shows but it is manageable. I suggest to get there early to get good parking, light snacks, and some merchandise. The merch line is usually long but it is organized. All the staff is friendly and willing to help if you have questions. Seating in the theater can be a bit tight but it is not too bad. Overall I love coming here when there is show I want to see but don't feel like going to NYC to watch it.

Can't wait for the show to begin. Some of the young girls have dressed up as Belle- so cute.read more

From frequent performances by local dance collectives to galleries, films, lectures and fascinating…read morepanel discussions, it's safe to say I'm pretty glad that Charter Oak is in Hartford. As one of my favorite organizations in the city, I'm always impressed by the range of programs and activities they put on every day of the week. I'm not sure if they still do this (I participated several years ago) but Food Not Bombs used to utilize their kitchen space to cook/prepare food for the hungry on weekend days. Needless to say, this truly is an admirable community space. Between Indie Fest (supa talented local bands!) and the newest Bots Pots initiative (fresh food for folks in need - all around the city!), this is one non profit that wears many hats and supports oh so many causes.

Neat building. Very intimate. Tiny weeny snack bar selling skittles and such. Not super handicap…read moreaccessible as was noted when a visually impaired individual was found knocking at the back door while the show was being introduced. Of course, everything was halted and this person was let it and sauntered across the stage to their seat. Anyway... I was pleased with the performance i saw. This is CT though and it was way horribly cold waiting on the steps for the doors to open pre show.

I have not tried the bistro yet, but this is my second time seeing a concert in the music hall…read more The music hall is on the smaller side, making each show more intimate than one in a larger venue. There is a bar in the back and additional seating in a balcony area. There really isn't a bad seat in the house, and both times I went the tickets were less than $50. I will definitely be back again.

Went to see Too Many Zooz here and had a great time. It's a great venue, easy to get to, good…read moredrinks. You can sit at a table upstairs or go downstairs and dance. It's a lot of fun.

Found it this year even with all the parking problems as we were on a bus tour…read more Everything handled well with online tix and signage. Lots of walking and lots of informational exhibits which I did not expect. Some of the floral entries for prizes had started to wilt and this was only the opening day. Lots to do, eat, enjoy and purchase. I found that there were too many vendors with non-garden/floral themes. Glad to see KNOX with its excellent educational exhibits. Worth the entry fee!

First, it took us an hour from the exit ramp to the convention center. No parking, cops literally…read moredirecting us around the block, utterly clueless. The city is not set up for a lot of people. Second, there were some nice landscape designs, but the flower show itself was disappointing. Very limited...you'd see more at the Durham Fair. Lots of houseplants for sale, lots of garden gifty stuff, so if you like soap and candles and t-shirts, yay for you. Not not nearly enough about flowers and gardens. Will not go again.