Private tour in Hartford Bernie W

Hartford has History - Arts and Culture: half-day tour

4.5

(2) reviews

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Hours icon 3 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-2 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
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-
Hours icon 3 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-2 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Bernie W.

4.5

Guide rating

2

Reviews

Tours delivered

2 hrs

Avg. response time

I've been showing sights and sharing stories with travelers for over twenty years. Conducting tours is an elegantly appropriate capstone to an eventful career in marketing and advertising, during which I learned that the very definition of marketing is telling engaging stories about the products being promoted. On tour, stories -- about what we're doing and the locations we're visiting -- are what add life and color to travel. They are what make touring different from merely trudging from place to place. I love to tell those tales; when my wife says I talk too much, I remind her that people pay to hear me talk. For me, the sites on the itinerary are cues to explore and explain who did what at each stop, and why they did it. I go beyond "what you learned in school, " adding fascinating, often obscure anecdotes and facts that broaden my visitors' understanding and appreciation of what they're seeing. Drawing on a deep knowledge of the rich yet not widely known history of Hartford -- political, commercial, and cultural -- I deliver an expertly crafted touring experience tailored to the interests of my guests. A senior level marketing executive in my "first life, " I understand the importance of giving my customer what he or she wants. I'm comfortable modifying the plan, and taking my guests where they want to go. And I know that travel is inherently stressful, even when it's a vacation, so I do what's necessary to smooth the occasional rough spots. American English is my native (and only) language. Having traveled broadly and lived in several areas of the US, east and west, I'm always amazed and often amused by the variety of regional speech patterns I hear. My tours of Hartford involve riding in hired vehicles with professional drivers. A modest amount of walking enables us to fully savor the character of the spots at which we stop. I adjust the extent of walking to suit my guests' preferences. 23 years of guiding experience none

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Bernie W.

Overview of your Hartford tour

History has been made in Hartford since 1636 when it was founded by English migrants from the Boston area. (Of course, what's now Hartford was populated by several Native American tribes long before Europeans "discovered" it. ) Hartford witnessed more than a few noteworthy political incidents through its history. . . the Fundamental Orders, the Charter Oak caper, the Hartford Convention, the first Amistad trial, to name a few. But Hartford was also home to some big-time - and lesser - authors and entertainers, even the first president of baseball's National League. Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe were neighbors who shared a lawn. Noah Webster, the word guy, lived nearby (his house is across the street from mine), as did poets Lydia Sigourney and Wallace Stevens. Turn of the 20th century theatrical star William Gillette was from Hartford. And Hollywood legend Katharine Hepburn was born here. The oldest public art museum in the US, the Wadsworth Atheneum, is in Hartford.

Your Hartford tour itinerary

We begin on Main Street in downtown Hartford, where Hartford itself began. Among the sites here are: * Old State House * Ancient Burying Ground * Stone Field Sculpture * Bushnell Park * Soldiers and Sailors Memorial * Travelers Tower * Wadsworth Atheneum * Stegosaurus * Goat Yard * Richardson Building Then we head for Nook Farm, where Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe lived, with Charles Dudley Warner, William Gillette, and Katharine Hepburn at various times nearby. Along the way, we view places associated with: * Wallace Stevens * Lydia Sigourney * Noah Webster * the house in which the macabre events that inspired "Arsenic and Old Lace" occurred Finally, explore your choice of a historic home or the Wadsworth Atheneum This tour can be customized upon request, please message me for more details

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Other

Vehicle suitable for two guests with professional driver; for parties larger than two, please request vehicle and pricing information.

What's included
Other: -
Private Guide
Private Transportation
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. Optional attraction entry fees
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

Hartford, Connecticut, United States

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide:

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Layover
Art And Culture
City Highlights
History
Tour reference number
816327
Languages
English
Activity level
Moderate
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible
4.5

Traveller reviews for this private tour in Hartford

2 reviews

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Hartford best suited for?

This private tour in Hartford is perfect for history enthusiasts, literature lovers, and those interested in arts and culture. It's also ideal for travellers who want to connect with a local guide like Bernie W. for deeper insights into Hartford's rich historical and cultural heritage.

Can this private tour in Hartford be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 3 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-2 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 3 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-2 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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