Tag: trip

Welcome to the Insurance Capital of the World! Hartford, Connecticut is not only the state capital but also the fourth largest city in the state. The city managed to snag this nickname thanks to its abundance of big name insurance companies and its illustrious medical universities. Hartford is the main city of the Greater Hartford metropolitan area, and has a population of over 100,000. It’s also one of the oldest cities in the United States, this means the city is filled with rich history for any visitor to enjoy.

Hartford was also where Mark Twain would raise his family, he would remark about how he found the town to be beautiful. For a while, Hartford was one of the richest cities in the United States, many of its riches coming after the American Civil War. This was because Hartford was the home of one of America’s most famous arms makers, Colt’s Arm Manufacturing Company.

Hartford is now in a strange situation, while the Greater Hartford Area is one of the richest in the country, most of its population lives below the poverty line. Though you’ll find this is true of most major cities. You’ll often find most of Hartford’s younger residents enjoying the nightlife, while the older residents take a limo home. Despite this, Hartford is filled with vibrant culture for any visitor to enjoy. Greater Hartford‘s is also filled with both high ranking universities and manufacturing companies, however Hartford is most known for its top tier insurance companies.

Many insurance companies built their main operating bases in Hartford due to its location. Connecticut is in between New York and Massachusetts, making it an ideal location for companies looking for a work force. With both New York‘s and Massachusetts’ concentration of workers, Hartford is perfect for insurance companies who mainly rely on blue collar workers. Recently, New Jersey has also become a prominent location for insurance companies, as it sits in between New York and Washington D.C.. now a days you’ll find many big name executives taking limos to places like Downtown Jersey City in order to extend their reach. Don’t be too surprised if you find a car service going to or from New Jersey and Connecticut.

Hartford would also have a prominent role during the industrial revolution. The city would begin to specialize in manufacturing precision parts used in automobiles, clocks, and even rifles. Colt’s Arm Manufacturing Company was stationed in Hartford Connecticut. Hartford was also known for its innovation, with many modern pieces of technology coming from that time. Some of these include rotator cuffs for machinery, gear transmission for vehicles, and even chucks that are used for drills.

Hartford would storm back into power following the establishment of the Hartford Graduate School. The city would then kick off a 4 decade long rebuilding process beginning with the reconstruction of the Cathedral of St. Joseph. Multiple colleges, and company buildings would be constructed, and many houses were turned into museums. Transit hubs were built and many skyscrapers began to pop up around the city, the most notable being City Place I. Connecticut’s insurance giants would move back in during this time, most famously the Phoenix Life Insurance Company. Most company’s would build their offices on Constitution Plaza.

It was seen as the ideal urban environment and was often used as an example for what urban growth should look like. a mixed urban plaza were both vehicles and pedestrians can co-exist safely, while still allowing access to the road should any resident want to take a taxi home. The plaza is surrounded by a number of mid-twentieth century buildings that were mostly designed by Charles Dubose. Such buildings include the 100 Constitution Plaza, 200 Constitution Plaza, and many more. Though most residents would agree that the Phoenix Life Insurance Company Building is the staple of the plaza. Constitution Plaza also features a freestanding pavilion used by Trinity College as part of their campus, and a U shaped court that was repurposed to luxury apartments by the company Spectra in 2015. The plaza itself is connected via well kept walkways and has numerous large pedestrian areas that include pools, fountains, and even a clock tower. Constitution Plaza is now home to many restaurants and shops, turning it into a retail hotspot for anyone visiting Hartford.

The Greater Hartford area is a name that is used to define a large boundary that covers both Hartford and even parts of New England. While Hartford is known for being home to insurance companies it has recently expanded its specialty. Recently Hartford is becoming one of the leading entities in the tech industry thanks to its location.

Hartford is now home to schools that specialize in areas such as tech, and manufacturing. Some of Hartford’s universities now specialize in healthcare. Some of these universities include UCONN, Trinity, and even St. Joseph’s. This has also made Hartford one of the best states for tech companies wanting to put to use the skills of graduates.

If you consider yourself a museum goer than you’ll be happy to know that Hartford is packed with them. From the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art to the Mark Twain Museum, Hartford is worth visiting for the history alone! Most people like to visit a new place for the shopping and dining and Hartford is no exception to this. Whether you love pizzerias or Halal food, you’ll find something for anyone, including a few taverns. If you’re Still looking for a reason to take a limo to Hartford than look no further then its collection of breweries. Phantom Brewery, Thomas Hooker Brewery, the Hanging Hills Brewing, and so many more. If Breweries aren’t your thing then you’ll be glad to know that Hartford also features a number of wineries as well.

As of late, The Greater Hartford Area is becoming prominent in manufacturing and even aerospace. Some of these manufacturing companies include Reno Machine Co., Novo Metal Finishing Equipment, Hebert Engineering & Design and plenty more, including a couple of solar companies. While most manufacturing companies in Connecticut fabricate heavy machinery and metal framing, they also conduct plenty of precision manufacturing as well. Companies such as Synectic Product Development, focus on developing medical products for hospitals and clinics. Hartford’s expansion into tech and manufacturing has led to an explosion of vibrant urban culture in the city.

Hartford is now home to many different types of arts, whether that be music, writing or even performing arts. Hartford has many different genres of music for anyone to enjoy, from salsa, jazz, blues, indie, composer and even electric! The city also has plenty of shows for any visitor interested in Street Performances, acting, or even comedy shows! Hartford has a number of parades for anyone looking to vacation on a holiday. Some of which include, St. Patrick’s Day, Veterans Parade, and even a Puerto Rican Day Parade!

Bushnell Park is at the center of downtown Hartford, not only does it have scenic views but also offers a number of activities for visitors to enjoy. While one of its main attractions is the ice skating rink during the winter they also offer a carousel. During Hartford’s winter holidays they also offer free carousel rides on Sundays from 12 to 5 PM. There are also a number of marathons and even jazz concerts that can make visiting Hartford worth while.

Hartford is also packed with residents who work in the city, so you’ll often times find them taking a car service or taxi in order to avoid public transit. Most drivers in the city are very reliable, however if you want to be absolutely sure than you can also order a limo. Overall any visitor planning a visit to Connecticut should absolutely give Hartford a chance, but remember! Connecticut may be the insurance capital of the world but it has much more to offer for any visitor. If you’re looking to get away from all the noise then you’ll be glad to know Connecticut has plenty of quiet towns to enjoy, our personal favorite being Old Greenwich. So if you’re looking for your next vacation spot, give Connecticut a try!