Hartford, Connecticut, exudes a classic elegance that makes it the ideal destination for a romantic getaway. As the state capitol, Hartford has a wide array of activities and attractions for every type of couple. Food lovers, outdoors enthusiasts, and culture aficionados can all spark romance after they book their hotel in Hartford.
The foodie couple
The bustling metropolitan area of Hartford attracts world-class chefs of all specialties. The couple that loves to eat will find no shortage of delicious fare to cook up some weekend romance.
First & Last Bakery Café – Make sure you and your sweetie start off the day right with a delicious breakfast. First & Last Bakery Café offers standard breakfast nosh like French toast, quiche, and corned beef hash. If you’re feeling adventurous, the café serves up a breakfast Panini with applewood smoked bacon, eggs, and cheese that cannot be missed. Or you could opt for one of the bakery’s delicious muffins or pastries. Whichever you choose, you will not leave disappointed, or hungry, at this local favorite.
Salute – Salute is a relatively new restaurant venture in Downtown Hartford, but it’s already amassing hoards of rave reviews. The “upscale casual” atmosphere and inviting dining room create the perfect environment for a romantic dinner. Underscoring the warm surroundings is the friendly and knowledgeable staff waiting to make you feel at home. And we haven’t even mentioned the food yet! Salute promises to bring you fresh Italian dishes, creative wine pairings, and unique specialty cocktails. Countless customer reviews praise Salute for having a lively atmosphere delicious and food at reasonable prices.
Max Downtown – Located in the center of Hartford’s downtown business center, Max Downtown is a long-standing and well-respected eatery. The outstanding service and atmosphere has earned the restaurant an “excellent’ from Zagat Survey, numerous “Reader’s Choice” awards from Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Magazine. Max Downtown also made an impression on The New York Times, who described it as a “Don’t Miss” restaurant. The cuisine is typical of a top-notch steakhouse and is complemented by an award winning wine list.
Firebox Restaurant – Located just blocks from the capitol building, Firebox Restaurant holds close to its philosophy that “the best food travels the shortest distance from farm to table.” To bring this belief to fruition, Firebox uses only locally grown ingredients which the talented chefs combine with classic technique and innovative thinking. In May of 2014, Firebox was awarded with the “Best Locally Made Food and Drink” from The Hartford Advocate/CTNow.com. The renovated brick building creates the picture-perfect atmosphere for a unique, yet romantic dining experience.
The outdoorsy couple
Hartford has plenty of options if you and your sweetheart can’t go a day without getting outdoors. The beautiful Connecticut River which separates East Hartford from West Hartford creates the optimal playground in any season.
Riverside Park – Riverside Park is located just north of Downtown Hartford. This Victorian-Era park offers countless outdoor activities. If water sports are your forte, the park offers fishing, rowing docks, and a boat launch. The Riverfront Boathouse is the center of the park’s Community Rowing Program and the Riverfront Adventure Challenge Course program. If you and your dearest are sports fans, the park has something for you too! Volleyball, cricket, and numerous athletic fields will be a welcome oasis from the city. The park is also home to more than 4 and a half miles of unpaved riverfront trails, which vary in length catering to whatever your stamina or time requires.
Travelers Tower – After you’ve traversed Hartford’s outdoors firsthand, climb the stairs to the top of the city’s historic Travelers Tower to survey the natural beauty from a distance. When the tower was constructed in 1919 for the Travelers Insurance Company, it was the seventh tallest building in the world. Travelers Tower is still the second tallest building in Hartford where sweeping views of the countryside are sure to take your breath away.
The culture-loving couple
As the former home of legendary American authors and the current home to dozens of renowned higher-education institutions, Hartford is overflowing with rich culture to satisfy even the most seasoned traveling couple.
Hartford Stage – Hartford Stage is both a nationally and internationally renowned theater. As one of the leading resident theatres in the US, it is also globally renowned for entertaining audiences with a wide range of plays and musicals. Not only are the shows at Hartford Stage award winning, the theater itself is too! It is honored with awards including the Regional Theatre Tony Award, the Margo Jones Award for Development of New Works, OBIE and New York Critics Circle Awards, an Elliot Norton Award, and a 2007 Bank of American Neighborhood Builders Award.
Wadsworth Atheneum – Founded in 1842, The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is the oldest public art museum in the United States. The five buildings that comprise the museum are home to 50,000 works of art that span 5,000 years. Art lovers will revel in the museum’s large collection of Hudson River School Paintings as well as surrealist paintings by Dali and de Chirico. Wadsworth Atheneum allows you and your partner to see Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, and Warhol works up close and personal.
Regardless of your definition of romance, a weekend in Hartford is sure to be unforgettable. Whether you choose to dine at world-class restaurants, explore the east coast outdoors, soak up rich culture, or even a combination of the three, you are sure to spark romance for you and your better half. Choose from several hotels in Hartford for your getaway.