Sheldon-Charter Oak Travel Guide

Hartford

Underneath that blue dome lies the east armory of a factory once owned by a man who changed American history, the innovator of the revolver, Samuel Colt. Sprawling around the crumbling red brickwork of the old Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, once the largest private armory in the world, are the remnants of Coltsville, the utopian village he built for his workers. A model of 19th century industrial paternalism, Coltsville included a church, a social hall for dances and lectures, workers’ housing, a giant landscaped park home to deer and peacocks, sculpted botanical gardens, and thousands of feet of greenhouses filled with tropical fruit and flowers. Samuel Colt felt such responsibility for the welfare of his workers outside the factory that he went so far as to build Potsdam Village, to replicate the feel of the German village from which he imported his skilled craftsmen to work in his willow ware factory. The National Park Service began having on-site presence in 2015, with workshops and tours, including up into the Blue Onion Dome which affords magnificent views of downtown Hartford, the Connecticut River and Colt Park, formerly the back yard of Armsmear, Samuel & Elizabeth Colt’s mansion. By 2016, an NPS ranger had taken up residence in the South Armory and was giving walking tours of Coltsville. The old South, East and North armories are under renovation and the two 1855 brownstone buildings, the oldest structures on site, will become the National Park Service Visitor Center. The armories themselves have been or are being renovated into apartments, offices and education facilities.
Underneath that blue dome lies the east armory of a factory once owned by a man who changed American history, the innovator of the revolver, Samuel Colt. Sprawling around the crumbling red brickwork of the old Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, once the largest private armory in the world, are the remnants of Coltsville, the utopian village he built for his workers. A model of 19th century industrial paternalism, Coltsville included a church, a social hall for dances and lectures, workers’ housing, a giant landscaped park home to deer and peacocks, sculpted botanical gardens, and thousands of feet of greenhouses filled with tropical fruit and flowers. Samuel Colt felt such responsibility for the welfare of his workers outside the factory that he went so far as to build Potsdam Village, to replicate the feel of the German village from which he imported his skilled craftsmen to work in his willow ware factory. The National Park Service began having on-site presence in 2015, with workshops and tours, including up into the Blue Onion Dome which affords magnificent views of downtown Hartford, the Connecticut River and Colt Park, formerly the back yard of Armsmear, Samuel & Elizabeth Colt’s mansion. By 2016, an NPS ranger had taken up residence in the South Armory and was giving walking tours of Coltsville. The old South, East and North armories are under renovation and the two 1855 brownstone buildings, the oldest structures on site, will become the National Park Service Visitor Center. The armories themselves have been or are being renovated into apartments, offices and education facilities.

Popular places to visit

Trinity Church on the Green in New Haven - Connecticut, United States

Trinity College

Take a campus tour or just explore the area of Trinity College during your travels in Hartford. Experience the area's great live music and entertainment choices.

Trinity College
Mark Twain House which includes heritage architecture and a house

Mark Twain House & Museum

Walk in Mark Twain’s footsteps at the author’s beloved Hartford home. The museum next door will complete your Twain education.

Mark Twain House & Museum
Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts featuring interior views

Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

While seeing a play or concert in Hartford’s historic venue, look up to admire one of the largest ceiling murals in the United States.

Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
Connecticut Science Center which includes interior views as well as children

Connecticut Science Center

Leave your textbooks at home and learn about science by playing, exploring and inventing your way through this interactive science center in Hartford.

Connecticut Science Center
Bushnell Park featuring château or palace, a garden and heritage architecture

Bushnell Park

Relax near the pond or take a ride on the antique carousel at one of America’s oldest publicly funded parks, located in the heart of Hartford.

Bushnell Park
The Wadsworth Atheneum is an art museum located in Hartford, Connecticut.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

You can browse the exhibits at Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, a museum with a story of its own, during your travels to Hartford. Experience the area's great live music and entertainment choices.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

Top hotels in Sheldon-Charter Oak

The Capitol Hotel

The Capitol Hotel

3 out of 5
440 Asylum St Hartford CT
The price is Rp1.489.982 per night from 10 Feb to 11 Feb
Rp1.489.982
Rp1.713.480 total
10 Feb - 11 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hartford. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,167 reviews)
Glad

Reviewed on 31 Jan 2026

The Capitol Hotel
Candlewood Suites Windsor Locks Bradley Arpt by IHG

Candlewood Suites Windsor Locks Bradley Arpt by IHG

2.5 out of 5
149 Ella Grasso Turnpike Windsor Locks CT
The price is Rp1.400.708 per night from 2 Mar to 3 Mar
Rp1.400.708
Rp1.610.814 total
2 Mar - 3 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Windsor Locks. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,006 reviews)
Clean room, nice staff, quite location

Reviewed on 6 Feb 2026

Candlewood Suites Windsor Locks Bradley Arpt by IHG
Hampton Inn & Suites Hartford/East Hartford

Hampton Inn & Suites Hartford/East Hartford

2.5 out of 5
351 Pitkin Steet East Hartford CT
The price is Rp1.508.377 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
Rp1.508.377
Rp1.734.633 total
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in East Hartford. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,115 reviews)
It was good!

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

Hampton Inn & Suites Hartford/East Hartford
Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport

Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport

3.5 out of 5
1 Bradley International Airport Windsor Locks CT
The price is Rp3.864.604 per night from 28 Feb to 1 Mar
Rp3.864.604
Rp4.444.295 total
28 Feb - 1 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Windsor Locks. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,009 reviews)
Friendly casual staff. Plenty good room.

Reviewed on 4 Feb 2026

Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport
DoubleTree by Hilton Hartford Downtown

DoubleTree by Hilton Hartford Downtown

4 out of 5
315 Trumbull St Hartford CT
The price is Rp2.615.442 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
Rp2.615.442
Rp3.007.758 total
19 Feb - 20 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hartford. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the clean rooms in ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
Nice hotel, clean room, helpful staff, easy parking

Reviewed on 27 Jan 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Hartford Downtown
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hartford - Bradley Airport

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hartford - Bradley Airport

3 out of 5
64 Ella Grasso Turnpike Windsor Locks CT
The price is Rp1.579.594 per night from 10 Feb to 11 Feb
Rp1.579.594
Rp1.816.533 total
10 Feb - 11 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Windsor Locks. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,548 reviews)
The room was very warm and welcoming. Staff was friendly and took time to ask me if I needed a shuttle

Reviewed on 3 Feb 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hartford - Bradley Airport
See all 620 properties in Sheldon-Charter Oak
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Sheldon-Charter Oak

Dramatic cloudscape and autumn landscape over Connecticut State Capital building in Bushnell Park in Hartford, Connecticut

South Green

While there might not be top attractions in South Green, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts and Hartford City Hall.

South Green
Connecticut Science Center which includes a garden

Downtown Hartford

3.5/5(2 area reviews)

Unique features of Downtown Hartford include the theatres and live music. Make a stop by Hartford Stage or Dunkin' Donuts Park while you're exploring the area.

Downtown Hartford
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Barry Square

While visiting Barry Square, you might make a stop by sights like Webster Theater and Assaiante Tennis Center.

Barry Square
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South Meadows

Coffee shops and seafood restaurants are just a few things travellers like about South Meadows. A stop by Connecticut River is also recommended if you've got time to explore the area.

South Meadows
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Frog Hollow

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Frog Hollow and surrounding area, you can visit Connecticut State Capital and Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts.

Frog Hollow
Pyramid memorial to Mark Howard

South End

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in South End and surrounding area, you can visit Webster Theater and Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts.

South End

Sheldon-Charter Oak Travel Guide