1. Hartford Is Mark Twain Approved
Hartford resident, and famous author, Mark Twain said about the city of Hartford before he died: "Of all the beautiful towns it has been my fortune to see, this is the chief... You do not know what beauty is if you have not been here." Twain moved to Hartford in 1871 and built a house there with his wife in 1873. You can still visit his Hartford home today (and almost every public school student in CT has visited at least once on a class trip).
2. Get Ready To Rally
Hartford is the state capital of Connecticut so it’s at the heart of its political action. The State Capital Building is no stranger to protests, rallies, and marches, and—if you want to be in the center of it all—you can be.
3. UConn Huskies Are Pretty Much Everywhere You Look
I’ll probably mention UConn several times throughout the article, but as a former UConn student I am well aware of how much UConn basketball means to the surrounding Connecticut cities, especially Hartford who hosts many UConn events (cough, basketball games) and also provides UConn students with some choice nightlife…
4. Make Your Liver A Pig Sty At The Pigs Eye Pub’s Rooftop Bar
Hartford is known for its bar and club scene. Head to Pigs Eye Pub on Wednesday for $1 dollar 23 oz. beers. And be ready to see a lot of UConn students in and out of all of the nightlife Hartford has to offer. I assure you that they will add their own kind of entertainment to your night.
5. You Will Need To Make The Pilgrimage To The Hartford XL Center Event-ually
There isn’t a person in Connecticut who hasn’t been to the Hartford XL center at least once for an event. And, yes, UConn Men’s and Women’s basketball teams play some of their home games here.
6. Hartford Should Really Be Called Brainiac City
UConn, University of Hartford, Trinity College, and UConn Hartford give the city a college-town feel. Young, educated men and women are all around you, attracting business, entertainment, great restaurants, and the like. When Mom and Dad came to visit—even if you were at UConn Storrs and 20 minutes out of the city—you would definitely drive into Hartford for your first real meal since the last time Mom and Dad came.
7. Red Sox Or Yankees? Choose Wisely. Or Else.
Hartford is located approximately two hours from Boston and approximately two hours from New York City, making for some crazy baseball rivalry. This is probably one of the most exciting cities to be during a Red Sox/Yankees game because the city’s baseball fans are pretty much split 50/50 Red Sox/Yankees. But, come on, seriously? Yankees all the way. Obviously... Obviously?
8. Treat Your Earholes To One Of The Best Amphitheatres In The Country
The Comcast Center (or, as everyone calls it, The Meadows) is a really popular indoor/outdoor amphitheatre. In the summer, the lawn is always packed with music lovers both young and old. No matter where you’re from in Connecticut, you’ve definitely been to at least one tailgate in the parking lot of The Meadows before heading to the infamous lawn for a concert (the lawn can—and regularly does—seat 22,500 people). All types of bands play here, from Maroon 5 to Pearl Jam to Radiohead to Phish.
9. Get Some Indie Cred At The Webster
Alternative bands—rock, punk, indie, etc.—tend to frequent the Webster Theater. If you’re in for a more close-knit, blow your eardrums out, kind of concert (complete with the occasional crowd surfer and/or mosh pit) then you should definitely get to the Webster.
10. Put On Your Fancy Pants For An Enchanted Evening At The Bushnell Center
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts hosts a variety of events: whether you want to see an opera, watch some professional dance or musical theater, or go to a comedy show, the Bushnell Center has it.
11. And Keep It Super Classy At Dish Bar And Grill
Boasting farm-to-table quality meat, veggies, and seafood, you can’t go wrong at Dish. It is absolutely necessary that you try their signature cheese bread. You’ll probably dream about it for a few nights… and that’s totally OK.
12. Make It Rain At Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods
You’re approximately one hour away from two excellent casinos. Mohegan Sun has better events, but Foxwoods is known for its poker tournaments. Either way, you’ll win…well, statistically you probably won’t win, but you’ll still have a great night.
13. Blow The Dust Off Your Actuarial Table
Health insurance companies kind of own the city, so if you’re an actuary, business analyst, or marketing kind of person, then you can’t go wrong in Hartford.
14. Connecticut Trusts Its Science To Hartford
The nine-story Connecticut Science Museum has hosted many famous traveling exhibits, such as the Bodies Exhibit or Lost Egypt.
15. Hartford Art Geeks Rejoice!
The Wadsworth Athenaeum Museum of Art, the oldest public art museum in the United States, has everything from the baroque to the contemporary. And don’t miss its annual Christmas Festival of Trees: Hartford residents come to vote on which local competitor has the most creatively decorated Christmas tree while simultaneously perusing famous art.
16. Catch And Off, Off, Off Broadway Show At The Hartford Stage
Tony award winning dramas, classic musicals, and new plays or shows are always going on at The Hartford Stage.
17. Get Your Nature Fix In The Heart Of The City
Local parks like Bushnell Park and Wickham Park are great picnic spots if you’re looking for a quiet afternoon.
18. Stick Your Schnoz In Some Roses At Elizabeth Park
Elizabeth Park has the oldest public rose garden and it’s also the third largest rose garden in the entire United States. It’s pretty incredible in the Spring. Just be sure to bring your EpiPen!
19. A River Runs Through It—Literally
You should definitely take a river cruise on the Hartford Belle, especially if you want to get a great view of the city from the river.
20. Pay Tribute To The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch
This memorial to the Civil War was the first permanent triumphal arch in all of the United States. It honors the 4,000 Hartford citizens who served in the war, and the 400 who died for the Union.
21. This City Is Haunted…Really Haunted
If you’re into the paranormal, check out the Old State House. Its haunted reputation comes from the eyewitnesses who have experienced paranormal activity inside the building. In 2009, the Old State House was even investigated and featured on the SyFy series “Ghost Hunters.”
Apparently, they captured audio of strange sounds inside the building. Something that sounded like a doorknob being opened was recorded in the Senate Room while no one was in it, and audio of a woman sighing was captured in the Steward Museum room when no female team members were present in the building. Spooky.
22. Hartford Has Break Your Heart Blues And Blow Your Mind BBQ All Under One Roof
If you want to hear some great live Blues or Jazz while also indulging in some home-cooked soul food, check out Black Eyed Sally’s. They’ve got an extensive menu, great BBQ, a late night bar, and, of course, live music. Start out with the fried green tomatoes or cheddar grits, and try their BBQ pulled pork. Oh, and Pigs Eye Pub is just above Black Eyed Sally’s.
23. Get Back That Lovin’ Feeling At Max
Located in the center of Hartford’s downtown, the ambiance at Max Downtown makes for a perfect romantic dinner. It’s expensive, but absolutely worth it.
24. Say Bon Journo To Hartford’s Little Italy
Flickr use: Carbone’s Restorante via Facebook
The Italian-American in me feels the need to talk about Hartford’s Little Italy on Franklin Ave. It’s true that the neighborhood has gotten more diverse in the past 20 years, and some argue it has lost its “Italy” vibe, but those people are just haters. There are still plenty of Italian bakeries, restaurants, and stores all down Franklin. And you can’t go wrong at Carbone’s if you’re looking for authentic Italian food.
25. Get A Molto Delizioso Brain Freeze At Mozzicato DePasquale
Mozzicato DePasquale Bakery and Pastry Shop, located on Franklin Ave in Little Italy, has delicious cake and crazy-good cannolis, but (let’s be honest) you’ll really end up going there for the gelato: the best flavors are tiramisu, hazelnut, and pistachio. Mmmmmmm...
26. Fire Up Your Tastebuds At Firebox
Firebox Restaurant is a tavern with healthy food worthy of five stars. The menu changes seasonally and the chefs are ridiculously creative (Calamari with chickpeas and kale, for example). The chef has also been known to do off-the-menu vegan options if you ask. 
