Jessica Jones
Membership and Convention Services; Greater Hartford CVB
What are three of the best ways for groups to experience the historic side of Greater Hartford?
- Walking Tours/Bus Tours: A variety of walking and bus tours introduce visitors to different parts of Hartford and several wonderful historic venues, including the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, the oldest public museum in the U.S., and Connecticut’s Old State House. Connecticut Landmarks, which owns the historic Butler-McCook House & Garden, Post Road Stages and DATTCO Tours all run walking tours and bus tours.
- Off-Site Venues: The Society Room, the Marquee/960 Main Street and the Bond Ballroom are all equally exquisite renovated meeting and reception venues that offer a glimpse into Hartford’s past. The Marquee/960 Main Street, an Art Deco space that was formerly a department store, has three elegant reception venues. The Society Room of Hartford, once the headquarters of a prominent regional bank, features grand marble columns, a mural ceiling and a sweeping staircase, and was superbly renovated several years ago to accommodate private parties and business events. The Bond Ballroom, situated on the 11th floor of the Hilton Homewood Suites Hotel, offers a sweeping view of Bushnell Park and the State Capitol Building.
- New England Air Museum: The New England Air Museum, located in Windsor Locks on the north end of Bradley International Airport, has outdoor and indoor displays comprising one of the world’s most impressive collections of historic aviation artifacts, with more than 80 aircraft as well as engines, uniforms and personal memorabilia. The museum is both an attraction and off-site event venue where guests can dine and dance right next to historic aircraft.