Hartford

A recommended route for getting to Hartford from a rather distant city is to fly into Boston Logan International Airport, and then taking one of the below-mentioned buses into the city. This also happens to be the cheaper route.

By plane

Bradley International Airport (BDL) is 15 miles north of Hartford in nearby Windsor Locks. It can be reached by car along I-91. CT Transit's Bus 30 operates service between the airport and downtown.

By car

Hartford is located in the junction of Interstates 91 and 84, as well as CT Route 2 and Route 6.

• From Boston/Worcester, MA: I-90 West (tolled), then I-84 West
• From Springfield, MA: I-91 South
• From New Haven: I-91 North
• From New York City: I-95 North or Hutchinson River Parkway/Merritt Parkway (CT-15 North), then I-91 North
• From Danbury/Waterbury: I-84 East
• From Providence, RI: Route 6 West, then I-384 West

By train

CTrail

CT Rail Hartford Line is a daily commuter rail service that connects Hartford with New Haven, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts. From New Haven it takes 45 minutes, and from Springfield it's 40 minutes. The Hartford stop is at the is at 1 Union Place.
Amtrak serves Hartford with its Hartford Line (New Haven–Springfield Shuttle), Northeast Regional and Vermonter services. There are 8 - 9 daily services on the Shuttle between New Haven and Springfield and one daily departure of Northeast Regional and the Vermonter. is at 1 Union Pl, a few blocks east of downtown.

By bus

• Greyhound operates to Hartford Union Station. Buses are available from Springfield, New Haven, New York City, and Boston.
• Peter Pan Bus operates express buses to Hartford Union Station from more than 50 cities in North East United States.
• Go Buses operate to the from Manhattan, Cambridge, Newton, and New Haven.

By car

Hartford is easy to navigate. Street parking is free on the weekends. Downtown is the safest to drive and park.

By public transport

• CT Transit operates public bus service throughout the Greater Hartford Area. Most bus-stops receive service every 15-30 minutes. The regular fare is $1.75, with one free transfer. All day passes are also available for $3.50. Passes can be bought online or at the CT Transit Customer Service and Sales Outlet located at State and Market Streets next to the Old State House (M-F 7AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-3PM,
• CT Fastrak is Connecticut’s first Bus Rapid Transit system. It is a system of bus routes that utilize a bus-only roadway. The CTfastrak system provides direct service to and from Hartford to New Britain, Bristol, Waterbury, Cheshire, Southington, Bristol and more with routes that take advantage of the bus-only CTfastrak roadway.
• Dash Shuttle is a free circulator bus that operates in the downtown area every 15 minutes Monday-Friday 7AM to 7PM and weekends during major events. The route connects the CT Convention Center, the Riverfront, the Arts and Entertainment District, various restaurants, and downtown hotels.

• Connecticut State Capitol

  phone: +1 860-240-0222
  address: 210 Capitol Ave
  Downtown atop Bushnell Park the capitol is a National Historic Landmark that opened back in 1878. This stunning building is made of marble and is topped off by a gold dome. Open for free on-hour tours year round.

• Bushnell Park

  address: Bounded by Jewell Street, Trinity Street, Elm Street and Capitol Avenue downtown
  The first publicly funded park in America. Located in the center of the city and bordering the state capitol building. The park was designed by the architect of Central Park in New York City.

• Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch

  address: Bushnell Park
  The first permanent triumphal arch and the first permanent war memorial in America, it pays tribute to the Connecticut soldiers who lost their lives in the American Civil War. It also pays tribute to slaves and their struggle. The iconic arch was dedicated on September 17, 1886.

• Old State House

  phone: +1 860-522-6766
  address: 800 Main Street
  Downtown. The original Connecticut Capitol building is a National Historic Landmark that dates back to 1796 making it one of the oldest state houses in the country.

• Elizabeth Park

  phone: +1 860-231-9443
  address: 1561 Asylum Avenue
  Elizabeth Park is on the national register of historic places. Elizabeth Park offers just over one hundred acres of formal gardens, green space, recreational facilities, walking loops, and the Pond House Café. Come enjoy the beauty of the gardens and grounds.

• Mark Twain House & Museum

  phone: +1 860-247-0998
  address: 351 Farmington Ave
  Located in the city's historic Asylum Hill neighborhood, this is where popular author Mark Twain lived from 1874-1891. During this time Twain wrote many famous books, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Built in the high Victorian Gothic style, this home has been fabulously restored and offers an enlightening insight into the family life of one of America's favorite authors. The accompanying Visitors Center offers an additional educational perspective relative to the issues of Twain's day.

• Harriet Beecher Stowe House & Library

  phone: +1 860-522-9258
  address: 77 Forest Street
  This is the historic home of Harriet Beecher Stowe, who is best known for being the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin. The Stowe's moved in this house in 1873, one year before Mark Twain moved in next door.

• Butler McCook House & Garden

  phone: +1 860-522-1806
  address: 396 Main Street
  Downtown. The oldest home in the city that dates back to 1782. Also home of the city's oldest collection of art, antiques and household items. The site also includes a wonderful restored garden.

• Connecticut Historical Society Museum & Library

  phone: +1 860-236-5621
  address: One Elizabeth Street at Asylum Avenue
  In the West End the Connecticut Historical Society is one of the oldest historical societies in the country and has one of the greatest library and museum collections in New England.

• The Governor's Residence

  phone: +1 860-566-4840
  address: 990 Prospect Ave
  Located in the city's West End neighborhood the governor's mansion was built back in 1909 and has been the home of governor's and their families since 1943. The 15,000 square foot residence is on 4 acres and has 9 fireplaces, nine bathrooms, a pool and is a National Historic Landmark. Guided tours can be arranged.

• Colt Factory

  address: 140 Huyshope Avenue
  Hartford. America's favorite gun shop, shaped like an Arabian palace. It can be viewed just south of the skyline from East Hartford. It is in Hartford's south end.

• Connecticut Science Center

  phone: +1 860-SCIENCE (7243623)
  address: 250 Columbus Boulevard
  With 150 hands-on exhibits, a state-of-the-art 3D digital theater, four educational labs, plus daily programs and events, the Connecticut Science Center offers endless exploration for children, teens and adults.

• Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

  phone: +1 860-713-3131 ext 323
  address: 250 Columbus Boulevard

• XL Center

  phone: +1 860 249-6333
  address: 1 Civic Center Plaza
  The largest arena in Connecticut. This is the former home of the Hartford Whalers National Hockey League team and numerous other professional sports teams and the current home of American Hockey League Connecticut Whale, and one of two homes for both the men's and women's basketball programs of the University of Connecticut, nicknamed Huskies. Various bands and recording artists perform here, mostly popular and more established acts.

• Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

  phone: +1 860-987-5900
  address: 166 Capitol Avenue
  Hartford (Downtown). The state's premier performing arts theater. Home of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and Connecticut Opera. Principally showcases classical music and traveling Broadway shows. Popular comics also tour here.

• Xfinity Theatre

  address: 66 Savity Way
  Hartford (North Meadows - just north of Downtown). This is a huge amphitheater that has 6,100 seats in a covered pavilion and a lawn that can hold up to 18,000 people. The Center brings in big name concerts each year including the Dave Mattews Band, Britney Spears, O.A.R., Weezer, John Mayer, Pearl Jam and Aerosmith The Center is closed in the winter months but is open the rest of the year.

• Connecticut Convention Center

  phone: +1 860-251-8111
  address: 100 Columbus Boulevard
  At 540,000 square feet, the largest convention center in southern New England overlooks the Connecticut River and downtown. Hosts tons of national and local conventions, events, meetings, dinners, etc. each year. Attached to the center is the new 409 room 22 story Marriott Hartford Hotel Downtown.

• Hartford Stage

  address: 50 Church Street
  Tony award-winning theatre that constantly puts on shows / takes in shows from on-the-road Broadway plays. Usually produces six major productions annually and one to two summer productions each year.

• Dunkin' Donuts Park

  phone: +1 860 246-4628
  address: 1214 Main St
  Baseball stadium, home of the Hartford Yard Goats minor league baseball

• Wadsworth Atheneum

  phone: +1 860-278-2670
  address: 600 Main Street
  America's first public art museum, founded in 1842. The Wadsworth has more than 45,000 works of art as part of its permanent collection. Free admission during final hour (4-5PM) $15/adult, $12/senior, $5/student, children free.

• Dillon Stadium

  address: 250 Huyshope Ave
  Stadium, home of the Hartford Athletic soccer team

• Pratt & Whitney Stadium

  address: 615 Silver Lane
  East Hartford. An awesome stadium completed in 2003 that is the home of University of Connecticut Football. The stadium is also used as a concert hall and has hosted big names like Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones and The Police. Overall the stadium sits on 75 acres and has 40,000 seats.

• Cinestudio

  phone: +1-860-297-2544
  address: 300 Summit Street
  An independent theater on the campus of Trinity College that shows classic, art house and second run films. The theater is open to the public and has been showing films since its founding in 1970.

• Bowtie Palace 17 & Odyssey Theater

  address: 330 New Park Avenue
  A 17-screen movie theater near the West Hartford town line that has stadium seating and digital sound as part of all the theaters. There is also an Odyssey Giant Screen theater here.

• Cinema City 4

  address: 235 Brainard Road
  Showing top domestic and foreign independent films in the city's south meadows neighborhood.

• Art Cinema

  address: 255 Franklin Avenue
  Built in 1919 in the south end this is the city's last operating movie house. The theater used to be known as the Rialto and changed names in the 1950s when it started showing art films.

• Webster Theatre

  address: 31 Webster Street
  Box Office. Voted the best rock club and best place to see live music for the past five years by the Hartford Advocate. The art deco theater has been fully renovated features everything from a movie screen to five different bars.

• Real Art Ways

  address: 56 Arbor Street
  One of the country’s early multi-disciplinary “alternative spaces,” Real Art Ways has evolved to become a leading center for contemporary art and ideas. Programming covers a broad range of cultural activities including visual arts exhibitions, concerts, literary readings, education and family programs, public art, community projects, and daily cinema screenings.

Sports

• Hartford Yard Goats - the Minor League Baseball team, home stadium is Dunkin' Donuts Park.
• Hartford Athletic - the Division II Professional League soccer team, home field is Dillon Stadium.
• Hartford Wolf Pack - the American Hockey League (AHL) team, they play their home games at the XL Center.
• UConn Huskies - The university's football team plays at Rentschler Field (Pratt & Whitney Stadium), and the men's and women's basketball teams play off-campus games at the XL Center.

• University of Connecticut - Hartford Campus In August 2017, UConn formally opened its new campus in downtown Hartford, after nearly 40 years in neighboring West Hartford. The new campus is in the old Hartford Times Building on Prospect Street, part of Hartford's Front Street neighborhood.
• University of Hartford - The University of Hartford was chartered through the joining of the Hartford Art School, Hillyer College, and The Hartt School in 1957.
• University of Connecticut School of Law - is the only public law school in Connecticut and one of only four in New England. The school was recently ranked 50th overall, and 51st by academic peer reputation.
• University of Saint Joseph - is a Roman Catholic comprehensive institution of higher education and an undergraduate coeducational university with graduate programs. In November 2016, the University of Saint Joseph began its comprehensive research and review of becoming a coeducational institution. Based on this review, the university will begin admitting male students to all full-time undergraduate programs in the fall of 2018.
• Trinity College - is a private liberal arts college in Hartford, Connecticut. Founded as Washington College in 1823 as an alternative to Yale, it is the second-oldest college in the state of Connecticut.
• Capital Community College - community college in downtown in the old G. Fox Department Store building on Main Street
• Rensselear at Hartford - is the Hartford branch of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
• Hartford Public Library - serves the city of Hartford, with the library's main branch is located at 500 Main Street in downtown Hartford. There also nine branch locations throughout the city.

• Stackpole Moore & Tryon

  address: 242 Trumbull Street
  Downtown. Upscale clothing store that has served the capital city since 1909. Carries men's and women’s clothing plus men's shoes. Sells top name brands including Burberry, Hickey Freeman, Agave, Scott Barber and Hugo Boss.

• West Hartford CenterWest Hartford. A New England Village that has vibrant entertainment, restaurant, and shopping just west of the Hartford city line. The "Center" as its known locally boasts more than 140 shops and restaurants - most of which are locally owned and operated including Max's Oyster Bar, Bookworm, The Wild Raspberry, Becker's Jewelry, Allen Collins and Cuzzi's Men's Store.

• Blue Back SquareWest Hartford. An addition to West Hartford Center, this development is a 550,000-square-foot mixed-use development that features shops, restaurants, a movie theater, offices and condos. Very pedestrian-orientated development that has tiny streets and storefronts facing the streets. Shops and restaurants include Crate & Barrel, REI, Barnes & Noble, Whole Foods, Criterion Cinemas, National Jean Company, the Cheesecake Factory and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.

• Westfarms MallWest Hartford / Farmington. A large and upscale regional mall with over 1,000,000 square feet of shopping and dining space. The mall opened back in 1974 and today features 160 shops and restaurants including Nordstrom, Macy's, Lord & Taylor, JC Penny, Aldo, Apple, Banana Republic, Coach, Express, Gap, Martin + Osa, Talbots and Pottery Barn.

• Cabela's

  address: 475 East Hartford Boulevard North
  East Hartford. Specialty retailer focusing on hunting, camping, fishing and other outdoor activities. This is the only Cabela's in all of southern New England. Cabela's stores serve almost as tourist attractions and the East Hartford location is no different. There is a museum displaying wildlife of the Connecticut River Valley, an indoor archery range, an aquarium, a gun library, a restaurant and a huge indoor mountain filled with taxidermy animals.

• Stew Leonards3475 Berlin Turnpike, Newington. Landmark grocery store with 4 locations in New York and Connecticut including one in Greater Hartford. Stew Leonards is known as the worlds largest grocery store. A visit here is unlike a visit to a typical grocery store. There are singing mechanical cows and bananas and samples of everything from soup to sweet potato chips.

• The Shops at Somerset SquareGlastonbury. A cute upscale lifestyle center located just south of Hartford that houses a mix of local and national shops and restaurants including Max Fish Restaurant, Knoyzz, Kzen, Lux Bond & Green, Chico's, Talbots and Max Amore Restaurant.

• The Promenade Shops at Evergreen WalkSouth Windsor. A traditional lifestyle center located east of Hartford, over the Connecticut River that opened not to long ago. Evergreen Walk is home to over 60 shops and restaurants including LL Bean, Eddie Bauer, 57 Sheffield, Ann Taylor, Coldwater Creek, Highland Park Market, Johnny Rockets, Joseph A Bank and Omaha Steaks

• The Shoppes at Buckland HillsManchester. Another large regional shopping mall that is located east of Hartford, over the Connecticut River. The mall opened in 1990 and is part of one of the largest retail areas in the northeast. The mall is home to big name shops and restaurants including Macy's, JC Pennys, Barnes & Noble, Sears, Brookstone, Coach, Dick's Sporting Goods, Funny Bone Comedy Club & Restaurant, H&M and the Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Over the years, Hartford came to be known for its Italian cuisine. South End of Hartford used to be called Little Italy, and even though the most Italian-Americans have migrated to the southern suburbs of the city, their restaurants and shops remain. Today, however, Hartford is not limited to Italian cuisine. Waves of immigrants from South America, the Caribbean Islands (mainly Puerto Rico and Jamaica) and southeast Asians have added a richer cuisine to Hartford. South End and West End is filled with Peruvian and Brazilian cuisines. West End and parts of East Hartford have seen a surge in Vietnamese and Thai cuisine, North End and parts of West End are known for their Jamaican and Caribbean/West Indies cuisines, and Park Street for the Puerto Rican cuisine.
To the locals and the those in the surrounding areas, Hartford is known for its giant grinders (sandwiches). Most of these giant grinders shops are in the South End neighborhood, on or near Franklin Avenue, which include Corner Grinder, Franklin Giant Grinder, La Rosa's, and Wethersfield Pizza House.

• Bear's Smokehouse Barbecue

  phone: +1 860-785-8772
  address: 25 Front St
  Opened in 2014, brings southern-style BBQ to the neighborhood.

• Black-Eyed Sally's Southern Kitchen & Bar

  phone: +1 860-278-7427
  address: 350 Asylum Avenue
  Serves BBQ and Cajun restaurant southeastern food. The restaurant also plays live music from many well-known and local blues artists.

• Toasted

  phone: +1 855 558-6278
  address: 188 Asylum St
  Bakery, sandwich shop

• Banh Meee

  phone: +1 860 880-2264
  address: 399 Capitol Ave
  Vietnamese food and sandwiches

• The Blind Pig Pizza Co.

  phone: +1 860 744-4333
  address: 89 Arch St
  Trendy pizzeria offering inventive pies, including BBQ options, paired with cocktails & wine.

• El Pollo Guapo

  phone: +1 860-246-2800
  address: 26 Front Street
  A neighborhood rotisserie joint featuring whole roasted chickens, fresh sides, tacos and salads.

• Salute

  phone: +1 860-899-1350
  address: 100 Trumbull Street
  Trendy Italian restaurant with an upscale menu of pastas (gluten-free available) & grilled dishes.

• Fire-N-Spice Vegan Restaurant

  phone: +1 860-519-0476
  address: 491 Capitol Avenue
  Vegan restaurant

• Le Petit Chef

  phone: +1 860-241-8877
  address: 40 Temple Street
  French restaurant, sandwiches

• Cornerstone

  phone: +1 860-278-2923
  address: 529 Main Street
  Deli, Sandwich shop

• Ted's Montana Grill

  phone: +1 860-692-1167
  address: 35 Front Street
  Old West-style steakhouse chain known for its burgers & chops made from bison.

Splurge

• ON20

  phone: +1 860-722-5161
  address: 400 Columbus Boulevard, One State Street Building
  Fine dining restaurant. Acclaimed New American fare in an elegant, urbane space on the 20th floor with city & river views.

• The Capital Grille

  phone: +1 860-244-0075
  address: 44 Front Street
  Fine dining restaurant. Outpost of the upscale steakhouse chain offers classic American fare and a clubby, refined setting.

• Max Downtown

  phone: +1 860-522-2530
  address: 185 Asylum Street
  Fine dining restaurant. Upscale spot with prime cuts & seafood, extensive wine list, cocktails for expense account crowd.

• Firebox Restaurant

  phone: +1 860-246-1222
  address: 539 Broad Street
  Upscale-casual spot in a renovated forge offers a farm-to-table New American menu.

• Costa del Sol Restaurant

  phone: +1 860-296-1714
  address: 901 Wethersfield Avenue
  Spanish restaurant. Family-run Spanish venue (since 1986) where paella & sangria star in an elegant, sunny setting.

• Carbone’s

  phone: +1 860-296-9646
  address: 588 Franklin Avenue
  Italian restaurant. Venerable white-tablecloth eatery that prepares its classic Northern Italian cuisine tableside.

Dessert

• King Donut (multiple locations)
• Whole Donut (multiple locations)

• Tastease

  address: 70 New Park Avenue
  Donut shop, breakfast, pastries

• First and Last Bakery Cafe

  address: 920 Maple Avenue

• Modern Pastry

  address: 422 Franklin Avenue

• South End Bakery

  address: 227 Franklin Avenue

• Mozzicato De Pasquale Bakery & Pastry Shop

  address: 329 Franklin Avenue

• Roma Bakery & Pastry Shop

  address: 416 New Britain Avenue

• Scotts' Jamaican Bakery

  address: 801 Windsor Street

• Vaughan's Public House

  phone: +1 860 882-1560
  address: 59 Pratt St
  Cozy pub offering traditional Irish fare, Guinness & single malts amid dark woods & memorabilia.

• Pig’s Eye Pub

  address: 356 Asylum Street
  Famous for never having a cover, and live bands on the roof top patio. Overall a rowdy little place with lots of fun.

• Black-Eyed Sally's

  phone: +1 860 278-7427
  address: 350 Asylum St
  Southern fare & BBQ in a hip, vibrant roadhouse with live blues, jazz & soul music.

• Arch Street Tavern

  address: 85 Arch Street
  Historic restaurant/bar featuring a rustic atmosphere, pub food and live music.

• Federal Cafe

  address: 84 Union Place
  Hartford's oldest bar is a pretty laid-back place with the occasional DJ or live music. Happy hour five days a week here as well.

• Agave Grill

  address: 100 Allyn Street
  Upscale tequila bar, quieter and more mature. Features an excellent selection of tequila and also serves up great Mexican cuisine.

• The Half Door

  phone: +1 860 232-7827
  address: 270 Sisson Ave

• Casona

  phone: +1 860 519-5590
  address: 681 Wethersfield Ave
  Upbeat restaurant & bar offering Latin American fare, plus cocktails, live music & dance lessons.

• Spigot Cafe

  address: 468 Prospect Avenue
  Laid-back bar with wide selection of draft and bottled beers.

• The Corner Pug

  address: 1046 New Britain Ave

Microbreweries

• Hanging Hills Brewing Company

  phone: +1 860 263-7033
  address: 150 Ledyard St

• City Steam Brewery

  phone: +1 860 525-1600
  address: 942 Main St

• Hog River Brewing Company

  phone: +1 860 206-2119
  address: 1429 Park St

• Thomas Hooker Brewery at Colt

  phone: +1 860 461-0945
  address: 140 Huyshope Ave

• New Park Brewing

  phone: +1 860 232-2033
  address: 485 New Park Ave

*

There are an abundance of large chain hotels in the Hartford area as well as many upscale ones downtown and in the suburbs. Over 60,000 rooms are located in Greater Hartford.

Downtown

• Red Lion Hotel Hartford

  phone: +1 860-549-2400
  address: 50 Morgan Street
  Downtown and just a short walk to the Connecticut Convention Center and the XL Center with spectacular views of the Connecticut River. Hotel features a full breakfast buffet and daily drink specials, an outdoor pool, fitness center, business center, and 40" TVs.

• Hartford Marriott Downtown

  phone: +1 860-249-8000
  address: 200 Columbus Blvd
  Attached to the Connecticut Convention Center and overlooks the Connecticut River and downtown. This new hotel features 409 rooms on 22 floors plus an indoor pool, fitness center, full service spa called Glo, as well as a restaurant and a bar.

• Hilton Hartford

  address: 315 Trumbull Street
  Downtown, attached to the Hartford Civic Center / XL Center. Hotel features 393 rooms, an indoor pool, fitness center, a restaurant and an upscale bar.

• Residence Inn Hartford Downtown

  phone: +1 860-524-5550
  address: 942 Main Street
  In the heart of downtown in the Richardson Building which dates back to the late 1800s, two buildings away from the Old State House and the Hartford Stage and one block from the Hartford Civic Center / XL Center. Features 120 rooms on 8 floors plus a restaurant, 2 cafes and a fitness center.

• Homewood Suites of Hartford

  phone: +1 860-524-0223
  address: 338 Asylum Street
  This hotel is in the historic Bond Hotel which opened back in 1921. Located downtown directly across from Bushnell Park and one block away from the Hartford Civic Center / XL Center. There are 116 rooms and a fitness center.

• Goodwin Hotel

  phone: +1 860-246-1881
  address: 1 Haynes St

• The Capitol Hotel

  phone: +1 860-455-4001
  address: 440 Asylum St

• Candlewood Suites Hartford Downtown

  phone: +1 860-724-1074
  address: 370 Market St

• Holiday Inn Hartford

  phone: +1 860-528-9703
  address: 100 E River Dr, East Hartford

• Hampton Inn & Suites

  phone: +1 860-282-2500
  address: 351 Pitkin St, East Hartford

South Meadows

• Best Western Hartford Hotel & Suites

  address: 185 Brainard Rd
  In the city's south meadows neighborhood.

• Days Inn Hartford

  address: 207 Brainard Rd
  In the south meadows just 5 minutes from downtown. This hotel features 68 rooms, a fitness center and complimentary parking.

North Meadows

• Travel Inn Motel

  address: 100 Weston Street
  In the city's north meadows neighborhood just 4 minutes north of downtown. Features 115 rooms and complimentary parking.

• Super 8 Motel Hartford/Windsor

  address: 57 West Service Rd
  Just north of downtown in the north meadows just 4 minutes from downtown. There are 104 rooms and complimentary parking.

Despite what the media says Hartford is a safe city. The areas where tourist attractions, colleges, shops, nightclubs and restaurants are is safe. Most of the violence is confined to the north end of Hartford which includes areas north and west of downtown (excluding the North Meadows and West End). A majority of the attractions and entertainment in Hartford is located in Downtown/Central Business District, the West End, South End, and North Meadows and and these areas are fairly safe.
North Meadows Safety: If you are a visitor you would visit the North Meadows if you were attending some sort of event. The Dodge Music Center, Connecticut Expo Center and the Greater Hartford Jaycees Community Boathouse are all in the North Meadows. This area is not a residential neighborhood, it is a commercial and industrial neighborhood and when major events take place there is a police presence in the area to make sure things don't get out of hand at a big concert for example.
West End Safety: The West End is home to the Mark Twain House, Harriet Beecher Stowe House, UCONN School of Law, Hartford Seminary, University of Hartford, Governors Mansion, Elizabeth Park and Watkinson School. This area is extremely safe and since there are so many colleges University of Hartford and UCONN police patrol the area in addition to the Hartford Police Department
Downtown/ Central Business District Safety: Downtown is home to the Old State House, Wadsworth Atheneum, State Capital, Capital Community College, Constitution Plaza, Hartford Civic Center, CT Convention Center and most of the major Hartford hotels (Marriott, Hilton, Holiday Inn Express Downtown, Goodwin, Residence Inn by Marriott, Homewood Suites by Hilton) as well as many of the well known nightclubs, bars and restaurants and so there are usually people downtown. If you are planning on going to the major nightclub/bar area by Union Station (Allyn Street, Union Place, Ann Street) there are sometimes police patrolling the area to make sure nothing gets out of control. Also when there are major events such as games or conventions there are also usually extra police on duty.
South End Safety: The south end is safe but when driving in areas of the south end do be cautious as drivers can be wild and pedestrians many times do not abide to crosswalks. Besides Franklin Avenue, Wethersfield Avenue and Maple Avenue many areas of the South End are residential so there is a sense of community and low crime
Safety Precautions:
1) As in any place always lock your vehicle and keep valuables hidden because it is better to be safe then sorry
2) If it is after dark try to walk in well light areas and is possible with other people
3) Carry a cell phone in case of an emergancy
4) Areas in the north end of Hartford (Albany Avenue between just north of downtown and the west end) and the surrounding neighborhood can be dangerous during the nighttime. Since it is better to be safe then sorry if you are planning on driving through this area keep your doors locked for safety's sake

Radio

Radio stations serving the Hartford area include:

• Top 40/Mainstream: KISS 95.7 FM; 96.5 TIC FM; KC 101.3 FM
• Hip-Hop/R&B: Hot 93.7 FM
• Classic Rock: 102.9 The Whale FM; The River 105.9 FM
• Alternative Rock: Radio 104.1 FM
• Country: Country 92.5 FM
• News/Talk: WNPR 90.5 FM (NPR), WTIC 1080 AM (conservative)

Television

Television stations serving Hartford include:

• WFSB Channel 3: CBS.
• WTNH Channel 8: ABC.
• WEDH Channel 24: PBS.
• WVIT Channel 30: NBC.
• WTIC Channel 61, FOX

Newpaper

• Hartford Courant - the largest daily newspaper in Connecticut, and is the oldest continuously published newspaper in the United States.

Consulates

• Brazil

  phone: +1 860 760-3100
  address: One Constitution Plaza

• Springfield, Massachusetts - 24 miles north.
• New Haven, Connecticut - 37 miles south.
• Storrs, Connecticut - 25 miles east.