With only 100 miles separating the cities of Boston and Hartford, a road trip should definitely become one of your top priorities. Not only can you see a new town but you also get to experience fresh food, great people, and an altogether different vibe. If you're looking for an exciting day or weekend trip, trek down Interstate 84 or an alternative route to explore the area. Along the way, you'll find plenty of fun things to do. Here are a few places you can't afford to miss.
Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden
If you don't mind straying from the interstate, the
Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden in Springfield, Massachusetts, is well worth the extra 30 minutes of drive time. Theodor Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss, was a popular writer and illustrator for several generations. Whether you loved "The Cat in the Hat" or "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish," his uplifting works are forever memorialized in this sculpture garden. Kids and adults alike will have a superb time exploring the grounds.
The Basketball Hall of Fame
Although Springfield might take a backseat to its larger neighbors, Hartford and Boston, it's home to the Basketball Hall of Fame, where the greatest players of all time are remembered for their contributions to the game. The Hall of Fame features interactive exhibits, as well as plaques and stories from the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Wilt "The Stilt" Chamberlain. Even if your hoops game isn't exactly stellar, you'll love reading about uplifting stories and triumphant victories. Adult tickets cost $23, and children's tickets are $16.
Harriet Beecher Stowe House
In the midst of the Civil War, few people stood for equal human rights like Harriet Beecher Stowe did. This outspoken abolitionist and author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" became an iconic figure in the fight to end slavery. When you arrive in Hartford, you can visit the house where she penned some of her most famous works. The house is still set up like it was more than 100 years ago, and you can feel the ambiance and patriotism as soon as you walk in the door. Admission for adults is $14, while children 16 and under can go for just $8. It's an experience that will stick with you for a lifetime.
Legal Sea Foods
If you head into Boston, you can't go without sampling some of the freshest seafood on the Eastern Seaboard. That's why you head to Legal Sea Foods. This Boston institution has served up some of the finest ocean cuisine for more than 35 years. When you go, make sure to try the clam chowder, which each president since Ronald Reagan has eaten at his inauguration. Look for specials as well, such as $1 oysters served on the terrace.
There are hundreds of places to go when you set out on the route between Hartford and Boston, but these four stand out among the rest. Whether you want a little patriotism, children's literature, seafood, or basketball, you'll end the trip feeling satisfied. Just don't eat too much clam chowder.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vanhoosear/26947840156/sizes/l/
Image via Flickr by tvanhoosear
