I’m going to be flying in to Hartford, Connecticut on 18 June to have a public conversation about The Happy Atheist. I know some people won’t be free at 7pm to join in, and I’ve been asked if there are any other public events planned while I’m there.
No, there isn’t. It’s a real blitz — I fly in on Wednesday morning, and fly out again early on Thursday. But I’m amenable! I’m staying at the Hilton Hartford on Trumbull Street, and if anyone knows of any good nearby places (or we could just meet at the Hilton bar), let me know and we’ll arrange something for post-talk relaxation. I imagine I’ll be free after 9pm, and I just have to be at the airport around 4am, so what the heck, the night is a dead loss anyway. Make it better.
I lived in West Hartford for 6 years. I can’t recommend much around Hartford and it probably changed somewhat in those six years anyway. If you are looking for a diverse dining experience you can grab a taxi out to West Hartford. Otherwise, stay in the hotel bar. Unfortunately I don’t know anyone in Hartford anymore to send your way for scintillating conversation. However, I’m sure there are interesting people in Central Connecticut who read this blog and will find you at the bar.
Oh by the way, the Mark Twain house featured on “Ghost Hunters”. Be sure to mock the people who work there and believe in that crap.
I live in Hartford. There is a great Irish Pub called Vaughn’s Public House (http://www.irishpublichouse.com/) on Pratt Street about a block from your hotel. The Trumbull Kitchen is also taste if a little expensive. If you are having a little get together I’d love to come.
Also, my friends work at the Mark Twain House and I don’t know one who believes in the supernatural so I really don’t think mocking is in order.
I was going to suggest you visit the Mark Twain House & Museum. Then I looked up the site of your talk.
What to do in Hartford. . . .
Keep going? That’s only seven hours from Acadia!
Could always motor over to Wethersfield and visit Beaver Creek though getting a good look at beaver is questionable.
Me, I just have a sub at D’Angelo while hanging out at Bradley International.
Not far from the Mark Twain House is The Half Door on Sisson Avenue. It’s right at the corner of Sisson Ave and Farmington Ave. An easy walk from the Twain House, AND.. $2 Irish drafts on Wednesdays.
The Half Door is known far and wide for pouring a fine pint of Guinness (as is Vaughn’s Public House, in all fairness).
On my way back from Maine, Wife and I usually stop at one just west of Hartford on Route 10? Number 9 pocket, no fungus.
You should have booked in at the Wellesley Inn.
Then you could have done a proper job of celebrating the 199th anniversary of Waterloo.
Check out Mark Twain house. Should be 10 minutes drive from downtown.
Oops did not realize that your talk is at Mark Twain house.
There’s quite a good brew pub on Main Street not far from the Hilton: City Steam.
I will be in New Jersey on business, otherwise I’d join you.
The bars and restaurants in West Hartford are great.
If you like hiking then check out Talcott Mountain state park in Simbury. 15 mins drive. There is nice 30 min hike up the mountain. There is nice tower up there. From the top you can get a good view of most of Connecticut.
You are but a hop, skip, and a jump from Dinosaur Trackway State Park, which also has a timeline of life on earth laid out as a sidewalk and a bit of an arboretum including some California redwoods. But you might need to rent a car to get there.
The SO is staying in the hotel that houses City Steam brewpub and might drop in on your soiree.
Probably a little too far out of the way, but depending on how early you fly in on Wednesday morning, you can take a trip to New London (about 1 hr with no traffic) and check out the Submarine museum there.
OK, I’m biased, I spent a few years on a submarine, and my old boat’s control room is on display there!
I have zero time for excursions, unfortunately. I 1) fly in, 2) talk, 3) sleep, 4) catch a plane straight back home. I might be able to squeeze in something very local between 2 and 3.
In that case, my advice to you, is to start drinking heavily :)
http://youtu.be/uepFO4psgKE
I’ve been to the Agave Grill, about a block and a half from there – tiny place, but pretty good food and nice atmosphere.
My Young-Earth-Creationist grandfather lives 20 minutes outside town, if you feel like antagonizing him ;)
I thought you super-heroes didn’t sleep. Us mere mortals…
Oh PZ, right day but wrong place for it to be your birthday present to me :( Any chance of rescheduling it for Melbourne, Australia? =P
Really looking forward to meeting you. The CT Kraken.
I can vouch for Agave Grill (and I can confirm that Carlie’s been there!). City Steam is also good. I haven’t been to either Vaughn’s or Half Door, but I hear good things. All of these but Half Door are within walking distance of your hotel, as is the Trumbull Kitchen.
Whatever place everyone picks, I’ll be there!
Wish I could make the talk. Alas I’m teaching evening classes this month. I would second (third) Vaughan’s Public House. It’s got good food and beer and is only a block from your hotel.
Hey, there are indeed atheists, progressives, and Pharyngula readers here in the Nutmeg State. Two of us just got our tickets. As for places to go, when I had a commercial photography studio in Hartford thirty years ago we joked that they rolled up the sidewalks promptly at 6:30 PM, and it might still be the case.–Carl
Like Markita Lynda, I was going to suggest Dino St. Park as well, but for your next trip given the timing. Location of one of the largest concentrations of dino (Dilophosaurus) footprints in the world, over 2000. The museum is built right over them, so there are (IIRC) around 500 on display still in the ground. If you’re there in the warm months, you can bring plaster and make your own cast. When I was there 15-20 years ago on one of my many visits, I introduced myself to the resident paleontologist after he came out to give a talk, and he was so happy to talk to an ACTUAL scientist that he took my wife and me behind the scenes to see what they’re doing. Introduce yourself.
You’re one day too early for the Connecticut Valley Atheists pub night in Hartford, and three days too early for the Eleventh Annual Connecticut American Atheists Solstice Party in Vernon.