1. Bushnell Park
Between Elm and Jewel Streets, 860-232-6710
America's oldest public park is home to more than 125 tree species, some more than 100 years old. Pick up a free Bushnell Park Tree Walks brochure at the League of Women Voters desk at the entrance to the Legislative Office Building on Capitol Avenue or at the Hartford Welcome Center at 45 Pratt Street, Hartford. The self-guided tour described in the brochure will take you on several different walks through Bushnell Park and help you to locate more than 40 different species of trees.
2. Center Church and Ancient Burying Ground
Main and Gold Streets, 860-249-5631
Church open Thursdays, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. (seasonal)
The Ancient Burying Ground is the final resting place for many of Hartford's founders and early settlers. Center Church, built in 1807, was modeled after St. Martin-In-The-Fields in London and features stained glass windows by Louis Tiffany.
3. Elizabeth Park
Prospect and Asylum Avenues, 860-231-9443
Hartford is home to the first municipal rose garden in the U.S. During the summer months, more than 14,000 rose bushes representing 900 different varieties of roses are in bloom. The park is open free daily. Elizabeth Park Photo Tour
4. Governor's Residence
990 Prospect Avenue, 860-566-4840
By appointment
This 1909 Georgian Revival mansion has been home to Connecticut's governors since 1945. Free tours are available by appointment.
5. Katharine Hepburn's Grave Site
Cedar Hill Cemetery, 453 Fairfield Avenue, 860-956-3311
Monday - Sunday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
It's not exactly an attraction, but if you are a Katharine Hepburn fan and you happen to be in Hartford, you may want to pay your respects to the late star of more than 75 films by visiting her grave site. Hepburn was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on May 12, 1907, and following her death on June 29, 2003, she was buried in her family's plot at historic Cedar Hill Cemetery.
6. Museum of Connecticut History
231 Capitol Avenue, 860-757-6535
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
See historical exhibits depicting Connecticut's history and heritage including the original 1662 Connecticut charter issued by the British crown, a collection of Colt firearms and portraits of state governors.
7. Hartford Star Shuttle
Downtown Hartford, 860-522-8101
Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 11 p.m, Saturday 3-11 p.m.
The Hartford Star Shuttle is a free shuttle bus service that connects the Connecticut Convention Center and the riverfront with downtown hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions. Take a free ride to reach a specific Hartford spot or for a quick tour of the city.
8. Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch
Trinity Street, 860-232-6710
This Gothic brownstone monument honors the 4,000 Hartford citizens who served in the Civil War and the 400 who died for the Union. Free half-hour Arch Tours are available Thursdays only, noon to 1 p.m., May through October.
9. State Capitol
210 Capitol Avenue, 860-240-0222
Monday - Friday, hourly tours starting 9:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.; July and August 2:15 p.m. tour as well, Saturday tours April - October only, 10:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Hartford's spectacular gold-domed State Capitol building was completed in 1878 and is a National Historic Landmark. Free one-hour tours begin in the adjacent Legislative Office Building. Advance reservations are required for groups of 10 or more.
10. Wi-Fi at the Hartford Public Library
500 Main Street, 860-695-6300
Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday 1 - 5 p.m. (October - May only)
Bring your wireless-enabled laptop to the Hartford Public Library and surf the Web for free. Hotspots powered by NETPLEX are located in the Information & Reference Services and New Books areas and also in the Children's Library.
