Hartford CT

We are parked within walking distance of Downtown and the Building, so the second we had parked the step was down and we were out and exploring. Downtown is nice and clean, full of bars and eating type places but there really is a lack of shops. Though I have found this of most places. If you want a shop you have to hit the mall and you will find pretty much the same shops in each. Not many independent retailers. Though there was a nice wine shop just around the corner of the building that had wine tasting on Saturday afternoon.

We also found Bushnell Park on our first day which had a really fun water play park, except it wasn't that hot so it was absent any water, except for a couple of toads who spouted some. We went back another day when it was warmer and willow got covered in toad/frog spit, which she seemed to find amusing. There was a cute literary picnic area made up of rock books and rock seats and a little amphitheater. Also in Bushnell Park was a tree walk, with about 50 variety of trees, but not one willow tree was to be found. There is an old style carousel for the pricey sum of $1 each.




There seemed to be quite a few parks to explore here. On the train run we went over a really skinny wooden bridge which we saw from the other side when we went to Riverside park, which was really close via a footbridge. Its a really nice park right next to the river (hence the name) with quite a bit to do there and you could walk right along the river bank into downtown.




We also managed to visit the Children's museum with Tweedy in tow which was a first. It was a short bus ride away (past Mark Twain's house) in West Hartford. It also had a planetarium like the children's museum in Portsmouth which gave Tweedy the chance for a little sleep. Willows favourite was the bubbles and Dino golf (crazy golf) which is something else to be added to out garden if we ever have one again.

Another museum we visited was The Old State house, which was a lot more fun than we imagined it to be. There were a couple of floors of 'history talk' via a hand held tour thing (I'm sure someone will tell me their official name) which I think Willow appreciated more than Tweedy and myself since she is studying American History at school and understood more references than us. Downstairs was great and very hands on, there where even a couple of clips of the show from way back. I think I enjoyed it more than the children's museum.

As well as all the museums here, Hartford also seemed to be rich in the arts and theater, though we didn't get a chance to experience it ourselves. Another thing we didn't manage to do that Willow wanted was visit Rocky Hill, Dinosaur State Park. But you couldn't get there on public transport and we are limited to the amount we can fit in each place.

www.TheChildrensMuseumCT.org
www.bushnellpark.org
www.ctosh.org