Imagine being able to take the train andbus to travel around the state, or wake up at any time of the day and find something to do-whether it be eat, dance, or talk, or even walk to the nearest corner store to buy junk food. Imagine being born and raised in a place known as the city that never sleeps and becoming accustomed to seeing thousands of tourists visit a place that is nothing more than home to you, but a huge attraction to those around the world who travel thousands miles to take pictures as proof of having been there. That is what it feels like for a Brooklyn native and most likely for the majority of New Yorkers.
Being a city girl living in Connecticut has been a culture shock. After moving here in 2006, I thought I had met my doom. Nicknamed“the Insurance capital of the world”, I found it difficult to find lots of‘touristy’ things to do like I could in New York. After accepting that the two states were very different, I decided to take things into my own hands.
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| Wadsworth Atheneum |
In Connecticut, you can visit the famous Wadsworth Atheneum (the oldest public museum in the country) and view its wonderful art, take a tour of the Hartford Courant (the oldest published newspaper) enjoy an event at the XL Center, stroll through the rose garden at Elizabeth Park, or enjoy the Bushnell Park carousel (the oldest operating carousel in the country).
What else is there to do? Well, I’m glad you asked!!
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| (Bonitha at I at the Russell) |
If you become tired of hearing the crickets from your hotel or bedroom on a Monday Night, visit The Russell Restaurant located conveniently downtown and enjoy spoken word and live entertainment as you sip on the delightful rum punch and eat the most amazing jerk chicken sandwich and fried plantains in Connecticut. You can also visit The Russell on a Friday evening after work and enjoy Happy Hour with coworkers and friends as you kick off your heels and uncomfortable work shoes and enjoythe live DJ.
If you have a taste for authenticCaribbean food and don’t mind eating where the Connecticut natives eat, stop byDunn’s River Jamaican Restaurant and enjoy amazing fried chicken or moretraditional foods like curry goat and white rice or oxtail and rice and peas.It may sound weird, but I promise that it’s “umm umm good!”
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| Talcott Mountaintop |
When you’ve finished enjoying the tasty foods in Connecticut, feel free to visit Talcott Mountain State Park for some exercise and hike along the trail which provides a spectacular view you can see for miles once you’ve reached the top of the mountain. At the center of Talcott Mountain is the Hublein Tower which now serves as a museum with artifacts and furnishings. For this adventure, I’d recommend that you bring lots of water, bug spray and wear comfortable walking shoes.
Feeling romantic or just want to take a stroll? Takeyour significant other for a long walk along the pedestrian bridge that links East Hartford with Hartford and enjoy breathtaking views of the CT River and the city skyline. You may also be able to enjoy the boat racing and Asian festival, or my personal favorite-the Taste of Hartford, or the Caribbean Jerk Festival. During Fourth of July Weekend, you can enjoy an impressive display offireworks.
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| Real Artways |
Real Art Ways offers live music and performances, book readings, art exhibits and more. Community events are heldon a monthly basis which is usually free or reasonably priced. Young professionals and entrepreneurs can mingle on the third Thursday of every month during “Creative Cocktail Hour” and enjoy live entertainment.
All of these fun adventures are ones that I have taken part in firsthand and highly recommend. Don’t be boring! Step off the beaten path!
