Hartford Things to Do Tips by Ace43 Top 5 Page for this destination

Old fashioned carousel at an old fashioned price

In Bushnell Park, there is still an old carousel from 1914, that's only 50 cents a ride! And if you're really into carousels, there's a carousel museum in Bristol, about a half hour ride SW of Hartford, right down Rte. 84. Go to the web site I list below--it has wonderful detail about the carousel, including a virtual tour, and also has info about the museum.

Address: On the Trumbull St./Jewell St. side of the park.

Directions: The downtown side of the park., near the Arch, across from the YMCA

Website: http://hartford.about.com/cs/attractions/a/aabparkcarousel.htm

Mark Twain's "boat" house

The wrap-around porch on the Mark Twain House has often been described as making it look like a boat. The Victorian architecture & decor are extensive & complete & fascinating. This is where Twain lived when he wrote some of his best-known works (Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn, I believe). A brand new museum building has just been completed next to the house.

The Harriet Beecher Stowe House is right next door.

Address: 351 Farmington Ave. (Corner of Forest St.)

Directions: From downtown, take Asylum St. west past the train station, to the fork in the road. Fork left & you're now on Farmington Ave. It's about a mile down on the left. Many buses go that way, or you can get a cab at the train station.

Phone: 860-247-0998

Website: http://www.marktwainhouse.org/