Hartford

Connecticut's second largest city, Hartford is the capital of the state. The riverside city is bordered by the Connecticut River to the east and is one of the oldest in the country. The insurance business is said to have its roots here, earning the city the moniker of 'Insurance Capital of the World'. While the city boasts an astonishing ensemble of elegant heritage buildings and parks—like the landscaped beauty of Elizabeth Park and the imposing Connecticut State Capitol, which is constructed in a blend of Gothic and French traditions, an exemplar of the Eastlake Movement style—it has garnered a somewhat rough reputation, with a few parts of the city requiring exploration with caution. The city's literary legacy is showcased in places like the interesting Mark Twain House and Museum. Experience New England through the warm colors of fall and the bursts of blossoms in spring in Hartford when its old-world charm is best showcased.