Explore AAA Travel
Great Lakes
Road TripsHartford EventsIn addition to its many cultural and historic landmarks, this destination hosts a number of outstanding festivals and events that may coincide with your visit.
Bushnell Park is the site of jazz concerts and other entertainment events in the spring and summer. Nearby West Hartford's Elizabeth Park Rose Garden, the nation's first municipally owned rose garden, also is the site of summer concerts. Mortensen Riverfront Plaza plays host to concerts, festivals and performances.
The official Connecticut state fish is celebrated in May at the Shad Derby Festival in Windsor with a fishing tournament, a parade and family-oriented activities.
In mid-June, Elizabeth Park Rose Weekend coincides with the blooming of some 15,000 rose bushes. In late June, the TPC River Highlands in nearby Cromwell is the site of the PGA Tour's Travelers Championship PGA Tournament .
Southington's Italian Festival , held in late July, offers an Italian mass, a procession with the Madonna della Strada statue, arts and crafts, entertainment, food and wine.
Southington salutes the local bounty with arts and crafts, bed races, a carnival, entertainment, fireworks and a parade the first two weekends in October during the Apple Harvest Festival . Also in early October is the Head of the Riverfront Rowing Regatta , one of New England's largest rowing events with high school, collegiate, individual and masters rowers racing on the Connecticut River.
Middletown is the location for the Wesleyan Potters Exhibit and Sale in late November and early December. More than 200 juried artists offer their work in fiber weaving, metalworking and pottery. In late November through December, Bushnell Park is transformed into a winter wonderland during Winterfest Hartford , with ice-skating, holiday light displays and photos with Santa Claus among the festive offerings.
See all the AAA recommended events for this destination.
Hartford, CT
AAA’s in-person hotel evaluations are unscheduled to ensure the inspector has an experience similar to that of members. To pass inspection, all hotels must meet the same rigorous standards for cleanliness, comfort and hospitality. These hotels receive a AAA Diamond designation that tells members what type of experience to expect.
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Residence Inn by Marriott-Downtown Hartford942 Main St. Hartford, CT 06103
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Fairfield by Marriott Hartford Manchester121 Pavilions Dr. Manchester, CT 06042
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Homewood Suites by Hilton Hartford/Manchester109 Pavilions Dr. Manchester, CT 06042
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Sheraton Hartford South100 Capital Blvd. Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Book NowCity Population
124,775
Elevation
100 ft.
Sales Tax
Connecticut sales tax is 6.35 percent. Room occupancy tax in the greater Hartford area is 15 percent. The car rental tax is 9.35 percent with an added $1 per day tourism tax.
Emergency
911
Police (non-emergency)
(860) 757-4000
Fire (non-emergency)
(860) 757-4500
Hospitals
Hartford Hospital, (860) 545-5000; Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, (860) 714-4000.
Visitor Information
One Constitution Plaza 2nd Floor Hartford, CT 06103. Phone:(860)256-2800
Air Travel
Bradley International Airport
Rental Cars
Hertz, at the airport and at several downtown locations, offers discounts to AAA members; phone (860) 627-3850 or (800) 654-3080.
Rail Service
The Amtrak station, (860) 727-1776 or (800) 872-7245, is downtown in the Union Station Transportation Center at 1 Union Pl.
Buses
Greyhound Lines Inc., (860) 724-7080 or (800) 231-2222, Peter Pan Bus Lines/Bonanza Bus, (800) 343-9999, and other intercity buses operate out of the Union Station Transportation Center at 1 Union Pl. Taxis and CTTransit buses also are available.
Taxis
Taxis hired at the airport taxi stand charge $45 to downtown (for up to four people). Cab companies include Yellow, (860) 666-6666. Base fare (for up to four people) is $3.00 for first one-ninth mile, then 30c per each additional one-ninth mile.
Public Transportation
The buses of CTTransit, (860) 525-9181 or TTY (860) 727-8196, run on more than 30 routes servicing Hartford and its surrounding towns. The buses operate daily, with reduced schedules weekends and holidays. Regular fare $1.75; all-day pass $3.50.
As a AAA member, you'll save even more. Your AAA Travel Agent will check to see if AAA Vacations is combinable with other AAA member benefits, plus cruise and tour past passenger discounts and benefits.
