Hartford Connecticut Self-Guided Driving Tour: Iconic Landmarks & History
Places: 28 POIsDistance: 15 miDuration: 1h:13m
Tour #2573
About this English self-guided 1h:13m driving tour in Hartford, CT
Welcome to Hartford, Connecticut — one of the oldest cities in America, the proud capital of the Constitution State, and the place where history, industry, and culture all come together.
Founded back in 1635, Hartford has seen just about everything — from colonial beginnings to revolutionary ideas, from industrial breakthroughs to literary masterpieces. This is the city where the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, often called the first written constitution in the Western world, were adopted. It’s also the birthplace of legends like Mark Twain, who wrote The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn here, and Harriet Beecher Stowe, whose Uncle Tom’s Cabin helped ignite the Civil War.
But Hartford isn’t just about books and politics. It became one of America’s great industrial hubs in the 19th century. Samuel Colt’s firearms, Pratt & Whitney’s precision tools, and the booming insurance industry all left their mark, earning Hartford its nickname — The Insurance Capital of the World.
Along the way, the city has also been home to artists, inventors, governors, and icons like Katharine Hepburn, who remains one of the most celebrated actresses in Hollywood history.
Today, Hartford is a city of contrasts — with grand historic buildings standing right next to sleek modern skyscrapers, peaceful parks, and vibrant neighborhoods that reflect its diverse communities.
On this tour, we’ll guide you through the landmarks that tell Hartford’s story: the majestic State Capitol, the shady paths of Bushnell Park, world-class museums, historic churches, riverfront views, and even the quiet cemeteries where some of America’s most influential people rest. We’ll share the history, the legends, and the little details that make this city unique.
So get comfortable, keep your eyes open, and let’s discover Hartford together — a city that’s been shaping America for nearly four centuries, and still has plenty of stories to tell.
Capitol Ave at State Armory, Hartford, CT 06106, USA
Connecticut State Capitol & Museum of Connecticut History
Welcome to Hartford, the capital of Connecticut, and the starting point of our tour. As we get rolling, take a look around — there’s history in every direction.
On your left is the magnificent Connecticut State Capitol, completed in 1878. Its gleaming gold dome has become one of Hartford’s most iconic landmarks. Inside, this Victorian Gothic masterpiece houses the State Senate, House of Representatives, and the offices of the Governor. The building is adorned with marble, stained glass, and statues of important figures from Connecticut’s past — a true showcase of the state’s pride and heritage.
On your right is the Museum of Connecticut History, located inside the State Library and Supreme Court building. Here you’ll find a treasure trove of artifacts, including Colt firearms, historic flags carried by Connecticut soldiers, and portraits of the state’s governors stretching back to colonial times. It’s the perfect place to connect with the state’s story, from the Revolutionary War to the present day.
With government on one side and history on the other, this is the perfect spot to begin exploring Hartford.
Place #2
Distance: 0.12mi
175 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT 06106, USA
Bushnell Performing Arts Center
Go ahead and take a left here onto Trinity Street. As you make the turn, look to the corner — that striking red brick building is the Bushnell Performing Arts Center.
Built in the 1930s, the Bushnell has been Hartford’s premier stage for nearly a century. From Broadway musicals and symphonies to comedy shows and community events, it’s the city’s cultural heartbeat. Inside, the Mortensen Hall is famous for its art deco design and its enormous ceiling mural, often called “the largest hand-painted ceiling mural in the United States.”
If you’re here in the evening, chances are you’ll see the marquee lights glowing, drawing in theatergoers from all over Connecticut.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1Connecticut State Capitol & Museum of Connecticut History
Place 2Bushnell Performing Arts Center
Place 3Bushnell Park
Place 4Zion Hill Cemetery
Place 5St. Augustine Church
Place 6Cedar Hill Cemetery (Intro)
Place 7Katharine Hepburn
Place 8Grave of Katharine Hepburn
Place 9Grave of Samuel Colt
Place 10Grave of Amos Whitney
Place 11Hartford: The Story of a Capital City
Place 12Wethersfield Avenue
Place 13Colt Park & Armsmear
Place 14The Connecticut River
Place 15Connecticut Science Center
Place 16Wadsworth Atheneum & Tower Square
Place 17The Hartford Times Building
Place 18Hartford City Hall
Place 19Bushnell Park Carousel & Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch
Place 20PeoplesBank Arena (Hartford Civic Center)
Place 21Hartford Stage
Place 22Pratt Street
Place 23Connecticut’s Old State House
Place 24Asylum Street
Place 25Cathedral of St. Joseph & Aetna Headquarters
Place 26Connecticut Museum of Culture and History
Place 27Elizabeth Park
Place 28Elizabeth Park Rose Garden (Finale)
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A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
Apple CarPlay connection (for iOS users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
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Earphones (highly recommended).
Smartphone.
Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).