Greater Hartford and Mystic boast a long maritime history that translates into a variety of venues that hearken back to a time when rivers served as avenues of commerce and the highways of culture.
Hartford, which sits along the Connecticut River, started out as a trading outpost and later provided inspiration for Mark Twain’s greatest literary works. Mystic saw initial economic prosperity in its role as a leading seaport.
Today, the Connecticut and Mystic Rivers (and Long Island Sound) all provide scenic backdrops for memorable meeting experiences in Greater Hartford, the Mystic area and beyond.
Greater Hartford
The Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau—representing meetings and convention opportunities throughout the state—likes to tout the fact that 23.5 million people live within a two-hour drive of Connecticut. And Hartford, home of the Connecticut Convention Center, sits at the center of the meetings action in the state, only a few hours’ drive from New York City and Boston.
“One of the big advantages of hosting a meeting in Connecticut is that you can fit the entire state in what’s considered metro Houston, so it’s an easy state to get around in,” says H. Scott Phelps, president of the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau. “We have a lot of off-site attractions, we have the sandy beaches on our Long Island Sound, there’s some major cities and entertainment, two of the largest casinos in the world, and one of the great rivers of America, the Connecticut River.”
Back in the early 1980s, a nonprofit organization called Riverfront Recapture was formed to revitalize the banks of the Connecticut River in Hartford and East Hartford. Today, Greater Hartford is more unified than ever with an expansive park system connected by a series of river walkways.
The Riverfront Boathouse is Hartford’s only waterfront rental facility with meeting and banquet space overlooking the Connecticut River, and can accommodate up to 150 for a sit-down dinner, 230 for receptions and more than a thousand for tented events.
The venue’s customizable Riverfront Adventure program offers activities for groups of varying skill levels and can incorporate an on-site ropes course and climbing tower. Another popular competitive (or cooperative) activity for groups is the racing of 40-foot dragon boats along the Connecticut River.
The Connecticut Science Center provides groups with access to more than 165 exhibits and a 3D theater, with skyline and river views overlooking the Connecticut River throughout the facility. Receptions can be held in the exhibit areas and outside on the Riverfront Plaza.
For groups looking to hold a meeting or reception directly on the water, Lady Katharine Cruises offers themed riverboat cruises aboard its Mystique luxury yacht, which is certified for up to 270 passengers. Meanwhile, Hartford Belle Cruises is an ideal option for smaller groups of 30 to 35, though the boat is certified for up to 49 passengers.
Outside of Hartford, the Glastonbury Boathouse in Glastonbury is one of the newer riverfront venues in town, with room for 150 guests for a seated banquet and up to 300 for classroom-style functions. The venue also provides access to the surrounding Riverfront Park.
Brownstone Exploration & Discovery Park in Portland is an outdoor sports park located less than 30 minutes south of Hartford, built into the Portland Brownstone Quarries. Groups of up to 300 can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including wakeboarding, ziplines, rock climbing, swimming and various teambuilding options, along with an inflatable obstacle course on the water.
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Mystic Area
Mystic is a quaint seaport town that sits within Groton and Stonington, which are separated by the Mystic River. Groton lies to the west and Stonington to the east. The larger Mystic Country is a destination made up of 42 eastern Connecticut towns that is also easily explored by groups.
“Many visitors comment on how charming and comfortable the region is,” says Ed Dombroskas, executive director of the Eastern Regional Tourism District/Mystic Country. “They also like the fact that a meeting can be run in a modern facility with a subsequent dinner on the water or sunset sail, as examples. Visitors really enjoy that element of surprise, the opportunity to discover and experience something unique and full of regional character.”
Dombroskas adds that the region “blends the tranquility of classic New England seascapes and scenic rolling hills with rich cultural heritage and sophisticated, top-flight entertainment.”
Major meeting players in the area include Mohegan Sun and the Foxwoods Resort Casino, which offer plenty for groups to do whether inside or out (and over 100,000 and 150,000 square feet of conference space, respectively). And often groups staying at these modern casino resorts incorporate nearby Mystic into the agenda to experience the outdoor sights that draw tourists to the area each year.
The Mystic Seaport is a living history museum that documents the town’s role as a major seaport city. The museum provides visitors with a glimpse of what life was like in the 19th century, consisting of villages, ships and 17 acres of exhibits. It also houses a number of venues that can be used for weddings, meetings, corporate events and other special occasions.
Its largest event space is the North Lawn, where groups of 500 can meet along the Mystic River under a peaked white tent. The Boat Shed at Lighthouse Point provides views of the Mystic Seaport and Mystic River, and is a popular spot for clam bakes, receptions and buffet-style dining for up to 200 guests.
Mystic Aquarium is another waterside staple that is recommended for groups interested in marine life and related sciences. The aquarium is the home of Dr. Robert Ballard’s Institute for Exploration, which specializes in deep-sea archaeology and geology. Mystic Aquarium also contains one of the largest outdoor Beluga whale exhibits in the U.S.
The Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, in Essex, is a steam train and riverboat connection that runs through the Connecticut River Valley. The Essex Clipper Dinner Train and the MV Becky Thatcher riverboat can be reserved for private charters of up to 100 and 220 passengers, respectively. The dinner train can only be reserved on non-scheduled operating days.
Port ‘N’ Starboard at Ocean Beach Park, in New London, features a mile-long boardwalk on the beach of Long Island Sound, offering waterfront banquet facilities for up to 1,200. Groups can also take advantage of the area’s sugar-sand beaches and scenic views.
