Hartford, the “insurance capital of the world,” is also a great destination for outdoor activities. Visitors can swim, boat, play sports, visit historic parks, and take walking tours of the city’s landmarks. Elizabeth Park has the largest municipal rose garden in the country.
Hartford, the state capital of Connecticut, is sometimes referred to as the “insurance capital of the world” because the city is home to a number of national insurance company headquarters. However, Hartford is also a beautiful and historic city that is the perfect getaway for nature lovers. Whether you’re traveling on business or taking a family vacation, you’re sure to find outdoor activities in Hartford to suit your tastes.
Swimming is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Hartford. The city has many public swimming pools, as well as jetted pools for those who just want to jump in the water and enjoy the fresh air. If you’re looking for a swimming experience that’s a little closer to what nature intended, there’s also a cool swimming pond in Batterson Park.
Boating is another common pastime for visitors to the city. Charter Oak Landing is one of many Hartford parks with a boat launch. If you’re looking for a day of rest and relaxation, boating down the Connecticut River is one of the best outdoor activities in Hartford.
If you’re traveling with a group, you can take advantage of Hartford’s many facilities for organized athletics. The city’s parks are filled with basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer fields, and baseball diamonds. Keney Park also has a visitor cricket ground.
History buffs will be pleased to learn that Hartford’s scenic Bushnell Park is America’s oldest public park. If you’re looking for outdoor activities in Hartford, visit the park to hike, bike, or have a picnic. Children will love taking a ride on the park’s carousel, while adults will appreciate the park’s urban arboretum of rare trees which includes the Japanese Pagoda, Chinese Toon, and Eucommia.
Photography-loving travelers will want to bring their cameras to Elizabeth Park to photograph the largest municipal rose garden in the country. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Elizabeth Park contains approximately 15,000 bushes of more than 800 varieties of roses. The park’s century-old Lord and Burnham Greenhouses are a beautiful and awe-inspiring sight for anyone interested in outdoor activities in Hartford.
If you’d like to get some exercise while seeing Hartford’s many landmarks, consider taking a walking tour of the city. Hartford Walking Tours offers tours for the whole family to enjoy the outdoors in Hartford. The itinerary includes landmarks such as The Old State House, Stone Field, Corning Foundation, Thomas Hooker and The Soldiers & Sailors Arch.
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