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

4/5(157 reviews)

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

4.5/5(29 reviews)

Get tickets for a show at Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, a theater with a story to tell in Hartford. Experience the area's great live music and acclaimed theater scene.

Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
Mark Twain House featuring a house and heritage architecture

Mark Twain House & Museum

4.5/5(143 reviews)

You can browse the exhibits at Mark Twain House & Museum, a museum with a story of its own, during your travels to Hartford. Experience the area's great live music and entertainment choices.

Mark Twain House & Museum
Connecticut Science Center which includes interior views as well as children

Connecticut Science Center

4.5/5(60 reviews)

You can browse the exhibits at Connecticut Science Center, a museum with a story of its own, during your trip to Hartford. Experience the area's acclaimed theater scene and great live music.

Connecticut Science Center
Bushnell Park featuring a garden, heritage architecture and a castle

Bushnell Park

4.5/5(70 reviews)

After visiting Bushnell Park, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Hartford. Experience the area's entertainment choices and acclaimed theater scene.

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
The price is SAR 316 per night from Mar 8 to Mar 9
SAR 316
SAR 363 total
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & 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! (1,177 reviews)
Yes

Reviewed on 20 February 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 SAR 296 per night from Mar 2 to Mar 3
SAR 296
SAR 341 total
2 Mar - 3 Mar
includes taxes & 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! (1,009 reviews)
The room was not as clean as I expected. I witnessed stained pillowcases, a dirty remote control, the shower head was rusted and the walls of the shower had soap scum. It was necessary to wipe down all surfaces and I had to request new pillowcases and an additional blanket to cover the old chair ...

Reviewed on 21 February 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
The price is SAR 397 per night from Mar 9 to Mar 10
SAR 397
SAR 456 total
9 Mar - 10 Mar
includes taxes & 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! (1,122 reviews)
The rooms was clean the staff was friendly and helpful.

Reviewed on 22 February 2026

Hampton Inn & Suites Hartford/East Hartford
Extended Stay America Suites Hartford Farmington

Extended Stay America Suites Hartford Farmington

2.5 out of 5
1 Batterson Park Rd Farmington CT
The price is SAR 338 per night from Feb 23 to Feb 24
SAR 338
SAR 388 total
23 Feb - 24 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Farmington. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
The room was spartan but very clean. The bed is comfortable. The hotel is near the highway but far enough to be very quiet.

Reviewed on 21 February 2026

Extended Stay America Suites Hartford Farmington
DoubleTree by Hilton Hartford Downtown

DoubleTree by Hilton Hartford Downtown

4 out of 5
315 Trumbull St Hartford CT
The price is SAR 581 per night from Feb 28 to Mar 1
SAR 581
SAR 669 total
28 Feb - 1 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hartford. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the clean rooms ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,002 reviews)
Clean easy and kind people

Reviewed on 17 February 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Hartford Downtown
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hartford - Bradley Airport

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hartford - Bradley Airport

3 out of 5
64 Ella Grasso Turnpike Windsor Locks CT
The price is SAR 357 per night from Feb 23 to Feb 24
SAR 357
SAR 411 total
23 Feb - 24 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Windsor Locks. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,558 reviews)
Room was dirty. Mini fridge didn’t work. Bathroom was dirty. Elevator was out of order. Air wasn’t working well. Front desk was very helpful.

Reviewed on 21 February 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hartford - Bradley Airport
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

Sheldon-Charter Oak, CT

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