Sheldon-Charter Oak Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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 entertainment choices and acclaimed theatre scene.

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

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 which includes 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 showing a castle, heritage architecture and a garden

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

Our pick of the best Sheldon-Charter Oak Hotel Deals

The Capitol Hotel

The Capitol Hotel

3 out of 5
440 Asylum St Hartford CT
The price is AU$138 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
AU$138
8 Mar - 9 Mar
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 ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,187 reviews)
All good

Reviewed on 1 Mar 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 AU$128 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
AU$128
8 Mar - 9 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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,012 reviews)
Front desk and house keeping team are the best!

Reviewed on 4 Mar 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$172 per night from 19 Mar to 20 Mar
AU$172
19 Mar - 20 Mar
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. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,132 reviews)
Looking forward to see the renovations

Reviewed on 3 Mar 2026

Hampton Inn & Suites Hartford/East Hartford
DoubleTree by Hilton Hartford - Bradley Airport

DoubleTree by Hilton Hartford - Bradley Airport

4 out of 5
16 Ella T. Grasso Turnpike Windsor Locks CT
The price is AU$195 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
AU$195
4 Apr - 5 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Windsor Locks. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the restaurant ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
The staff was great! The room was good very minor things. The lighting in the bathroom mirror not great. But overall good.

Reviewed on 26 Feb 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Hartford - Bradley Airport
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 AU$345 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
AU$345
4 Apr - 5 Apr
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
Very clean, good food

Reviewed on 1 Mar 2026

Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport
Holiday Inn Express Southington by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Southington by IHG

2.5 out of 5
120 Laning St Southington CT
The price is AU$137 per night from 21 Mar to 22 Mar
AU$137
21 Mar - 22 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Southington. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,225 reviews)
Room was amazing. Shower awesome. Breakfast was good.

Reviewed on 5 Mar 2026

Holiday Inn Express Southington by IHG
See all 626 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.

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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 featuring a garden

Downtown Hartford

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

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