HARTFORD

Hartford is Connecticut's capital and sits along the Connecticut River in the center of the state. Once nicknamed the Insurance Capital of the World, the city has shifted toward arts, healthcare, and entertainment as economic anchors.

Downtown and the Asylum Hill neighborhood hold most of the action. The Webster, a former art deco theater, has launched national acts since the 1990s and runs The Webster Underground for smaller bookings. Xfinity Theatre handles outdoor amphitheater-scale tours. Black-Eyed Sally's keeps a regular live blues and roots calendar. Infinity Hall Hartford offers a mid-capacity room with strong acoustics.

PeoplesBank Arena draws arena-level tours while The Bushnell and Belding Theater at The Bushnell anchor the performing arts side. Hartford Stage and TheaterWorks run year-round theater seasons. Cinestudio and Real Art Ways Cinema cover independent and repertory film.

Tip: The Webster Underground books emerging acts on nights when the main room is dark. If you are heading to Xfinity Theatre, arrive early because the lawn fills fast on summer dates.

Neighborhoods: Downtown • Asylum Hill • Parkville • Frog Hollow • West End