Driving around Hartford is generally straightforward and pleasurable, as the vast majority of its roads are well signposted, and the city’s network of streets tends to be easy to follow, which will help you navigate from attraction to attraction.

There are several major routes that you can access from this university city. Follow the 91 highway north as it meanders adjacent to the Connecticut River Valley, connecting to states such as Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. If you continue on the 91 south before heading south-west at junction 15, you’ll be on your way to New York – only around two hours’ drive away.

Cutting the city in two is the 84 highway which runs from east to west. Follow this east over the river to visit the neighbouring town of Manchester.

In Downtown, the roads are either single-lane or multi-lane roads, where the double yellow lines mean overtaking is forbidden in these parts. You’ll find traffic lights spread out periodically through the city centre to help reduce congestion.

Do remember that the speed limit in the city and around the wider residential areas can fluctuate between 20-40 mph, but this will be signposted. It’s also good to note that when you’re driving on a Connecticut motorway, or freeway, the maximum speed limit is 65mph on rural freeways, and 55mph on urban freeways unless otherwise signed. Driving in Connecticut, as with the rest of the USA, is on the right-hand side of the road.

There are plenty of parking facilities around the major attractions and throughout Downtown. You may find that some come with a small charge, so do look out for this before you park up.

Hartford is one of the oldest cities in America, and consequently features a wealth of political, artistic, literary and economic history to uncover.

Visit one of its fantastic museums or head to the first ever park funded by the taxpayer. There’s plenty to explore when you hire a car in Hartford.

Discover a rich literary history

Explore the city’s vibrant art and literary culture with a visit to the Mark Twain House and Museum. The famous writer lived in Hartford for 17 years, and he produced some of his most famous works while here – including The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

The impressive neo-gothic mansion, built in 1874 for Twain and his family, has stunning features including a gabled awning, patterned red brick and dramatic coned rooftops. Wander through the house to get a real picture of how the writer lived and worked and visit the modest museum to find out more. It is located west of Downtown on Farmington Avenue.

Another nearby literary home is equally as impressive, and belonged to the famous writer Harriet Beecher Stowe. You can visit her family residence on Forest Street, which was first built in 1871 and is now also a museum.

Explore more fantastic museums

There are many more excellent museums throughout the city, from a collection of Colonial American Tavern signs to the Museum of Natural and Other Curiosities, hidden on the top floor of the Old State House. If you’re after an attraction that’s fun for all the family, visit the exciting Connecticut Science Center for interactive exhibits and displays.

Delve under the sea for a look into the deep blue. Marvel over the skeleton of the life-size Sperm Whale and enjoy the immersive, huge LED Video Wall with its lifelike display of vibrant colours of a coral reef. In the Terra Firma exhibit, learn about tornados, volcanos and geology.

You can even peer into the body of a T-Rex to find out how they are more similar to humans than you might think. This museum covers a wide breadth of topics – there’s even a large space exhibit, complete with a replica of a real rocket.

Relax in the city’s parks

Among the towering cityscape you’ll find pockets of flourishing green. These natural parks not only break up the brickwork of the city, but also provide idyllic areas to unwind and relax in. The Elizabeth Park Rose Garden in West Hartford showcases a stunning collection of flora and foliage. Visit the 102-acre space in spring and summer to enjoy the scent of 15,000 rose bushes from more than 900 plant species. 

You can also take a visit to Bushnell Park to wander by the 167 varieties of plant life from East Asia, Europe and North America. Bushnell is a relatively small park, only 37 acres, but it packs in the trees, flowers and shrubs to create a beautiful setting.

Finished in 1891, this park is overlooked by the Capitol building, and was the first publicly funded park in the US. Today its Downtown location is where a number of music events are held, including the largest free jazz festival in New England every July. You’ll also find the stunning Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch here, honouring those who served in the American Civil War.

With historic museums, fantastic nature parks and plenty to discover in one of Connecticut and America’s most historic destinations, car hire in Hartford gives you the freedom to see all that this exciting city has to offer.