Sheldon-Charter Oak, CT

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

Explore the campus of Trinity College, during your travels in Hartford. Experience the area's entertainment choices and acclaimed theater scene.

Trinity College
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
Mark Twain House featuring 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
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 a garden, heritage architecture and a castle

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

Sheldon-Charter Oak Hotel Deals

The Capitol Hotel

The Capitol Hotel

3 out of 5
440 Asylum St Hartford CT
$88 nightly
The price is $102 total per night from Mar 1 to Mar 2
$102 total
Mar 1 - Mar 2
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hartford. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,183 reviews)
Room was kind of dirty (brown liquid on the wall/curtain/floor), path to garage was not plowed

Reviewed on Feb 23, 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
$79 nightly
The price is $91 total per night from Mar 2 to Mar 3
$91 total
Mar 2 - Mar 3
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Windsor Locks. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,012 reviews)
Room did not smell fresh. Was not well kept and swimming pool has been out of service for months they told me but didn’t bother to mention that before I reserved my stay which I had to cancel immediately. Had to book a hotel somewhere else. They used to be really nice, not sure what happened ...

Reviewed on Feb 24, 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
$106 nightly
The price is $122 total per night from Mar 12 to Mar 13
$122 total
Mar 12 - Mar 13
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in East Hartford. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,126 reviews)
Clean, quiet and convenient

Reviewed on Feb 23, 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
$122 nightly
The price is $141 total per night from Mar 15 to Mar 16
$141 total
Mar 15 - Mar 16
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Windsor Locks. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the restaurant ...
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
$229 nightly
The price is $263 total per night from Mar 4 to Mar 5
$263 total
Mar 4 - Mar 5
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Windsor Locks. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,009 reviews)
Clean room. Comfortable bed.

Reviewed on Feb 23, 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
$76 nightly
The price is $87 total per night from Mar 6 to Mar 7
$87 total
Mar 6 - Mar 7
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Southington. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,221 reviews)
The room was clean, definitely couldve had a better draining tub and a wider room. It felt very compact, especially for the price. The breakfast was wonderful, though!

Reviewed on Feb 23, 2026

Holiday Inn Express Southington by IHG
See all 624 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 neighborhoods around Sheldon-Charter Oak

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

South Green

3/5(2 area reviews)

Though South Green might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts and Hartford City Hall.

South Green
Connecticut Science Center featuring a garden

Downtown Hartford

4/5(448 area reviews)

Downtown Hartford boasts a bustling business district, housing major corporations and Connecticut's state government. Explore historic sites like the Wadsworth Atheneum, Bushnell Park, and the Old State House, while enjoying convenient access to Connecticut Transit Hartford and Union Station.

Downtown Hartford
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Barry Square

If you're spending some time in Barry Square, Webster Theater and Assaiante Tennis Center are top sights worth seeing.

Barry Square
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South Meadows

3.5/5(87 area reviews)

Visitors to South Meadows like its coffeehouses and seafood restaurants, and Connecticut River is a sight worth a stop.

South Meadows
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Frog Hollow

While Frog Hollow might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Connecticut State Capital and Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts.

Frog Hollow
Pyramid memorial to Mark Howard

South End

While there might not be top attractions in South End, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Webster Theater and Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts.

South End
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Sheldon-Charter Oak, CT

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