During the spring and summer months, once a month, the Vietnamese night market springs into life…read more Local aunties and uncles toil away in makeshift kitchens to bring a taste of their home to the community. Pho, bahn mi, and milk tea are the tip of the iceberg of what's offered here. There's a plethora of delicious food options, loads of vendors and lots of people. They got a band playing in the main thoroughfare and karaoke towards the tail end of the night. We tried a smattering of dishes, ranging from mini shrimp pancakes, scallop noodles served in the shell, Takoyaki and meat skewers, grass jelly and lotus sticky rice. Each one very fresh, lots of flavor and a good price for the portion. The only dilemma being parking and the crowds. It's gotten very popular as of late, so if you don't go early they can run out of food. During our brief stint, they were out of sesame balls and onigiri, with lots of places running low on supplies. It's a fun experience and worth a try if you manage to get a chance to come there. It's a great community deserving of the popularity and it's a great fundraiser for the local church. Go in with an open mind and enjoy the adventure!

So much fun! I went with a group of friends who had been before and was glad I did. We arrived over…read morean hour before opening and the lines were already starting to grow. I tried a little bit of everything and took some food home for tomorrow! I will definitely be back next year as everything I ate was delicious and I ate until I was stuffed. The music was hopping, the vendors were friendly and quick considering the crowd (which was insane by the time we left two hours later) and the food was reasonably priced.

Finally got to the Food Truck gathering here at the Know Good Market. Great summer night with lots…read moreof food trucks to choose from. I ended up at Craft Bird Food Truck and it was the first time eating here [and not the last]. I wasn't super hungry but had the delicious Street Corn Salad and Truffle Mac and Cheese Bites. What a great combination. From mellow corn, spicy cherry pepper aioli and smooth jicama to the salty and crunchy coated super creamy mac and cheese. Great people, great food and super hot weather with a happy cloud giving a bit of shade.

I came by for this season's grand opening. There was definitely a solid group of people here and a…read moregood vibe overall. This market is small but special. There were only two savory food trucks, NoRA, N2 coffee, and River Hog brewery with a limited number of samples this opening Thursday. I guess I would have liked more food variety. It was neat touring River Hog's space, though it sounds like it'll be a few months until they're up and running. But at least we can say, "We saw it when...!" There were some interesting tables with accessories and clothes to buy, but the selection was a bit limited. Worth checking out for sure, though I'll probably wait until deeper in the summer when there may be more vendors around.

Towards the "bottom" of Riverside Park on one of the paths that is close to the river not far from…read morethe I-84 bridge is this simple statue. It is a tribute to the first "pardoned turkey," a tradition that goes back at least as far as President Abraham Lincoln. As to why it's in Connecticut, it's a bit of a stretch. Lincoln's pardoned turkey was actually gifted to the First Family in 1863, just a month after the president declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. Though meant to be Christmas dinner that year, the turkey was quickly adopted by Tad Lincoln, the president's 10-year-old son. Tad named the bird Jack and trained it to follow him all over the White House. When the time came to slaughter and eat Jack, Tad begged his father to spare the creature's life. Lincoln, ever indulgent of his youngest child, wrote a note "pardoning" Jack and gave it to Tad, who showed it to the head chef, thus granting a reprieve for the beloved pet. In 2005, as part of a riverfront revitalization effort in downtown Hartford, the Lincoln Financial Group sponsored 16 sculptures along the Connecticut River. The series commemorates the life and achievements of the insurance and investment company's namesake. A coincidence as just a few days ago, I saw another turkey statue in Virginia - https://www.yelp.com/biz/rockingham-county-turkey-statue-plains?hrid=ep6u8rIZfpIbscLhcF6GhQ. Small world? [Review 15164 overall, 666 of 2021, number 20 in Connecticut.]

This is a statue of a turkey that was pardoned by Abraham Lincoln. We were in Hartford Connecticut…read moreand we like to see random statues and landmarks so we had to come see this turkey. Basically it was the holiday season and Abraham Lincoln decided to pardon this turkey and they named it I think tad turkey or something like that and he was pardon free for the holidays

This imposing outdoor sculpture is located near the Connecticut Army National Guard on Minuteman…read morePark. I found mention of it at https://www.ctexplored.org/elbert-weinbergs-enduring-monuments/, "In 1988, toward the end of Weinberg's life, one of his proposals received an award in Art for All, a contest sponsored by The Hartford Courant, and was purchased for the City of Hartford with funds donated by The Courant. Although more abstract than Weinberg's earlier works, the sculpture's shining steel forms still evoke forms drawn from nature. An early model for the sculpture was called Tropicale, and while the final work was officially untitled, it was--and is--commonly known as Pickles and Palm Trees." It is hard to miss the tall artwork and I stopped to check the caption. "This sculpture by Elbert Weinberg was commissioned by The Hartford Courant as part of a program initiated by Northeast magazine to bring works by distinguished Connecticut artists into the public domain. The abstract composition is made of stainless steel and is untitled. Mr. Weinberg, a Hartford native and longtime resident, who achieved international recognition, died on December 27, 1991 at the age of 63." The sweeping arcs make for a beautiful piece of art that is worthy of a stop. [Review 15179 overall, 681 of 2021, number 31 in Connecticut.]

We can't say enough about how amazing this restaurant is. They fit our party of 6, even though they…read morewere setup for a private event and we didn't have a reservation. Every member of the staff was super friendly, helpful, and especially patient with our 4 kids. From drawing pictures for our youngest to color, to keeping our other kiddos laughing, the staff were all fantastic. The best part though, the food was amazing, and servings were huge, so we all have lunch tomorrow! Salute, and the Salute staff, are truly top notch. If we're ever back in the area, we'll remember to make a reservation first!

Went to Salute on a Friday night without a reservation and were pleasantly surprised to get a table…read morefor five within five minutes. That said, it was clearly busy, so I would definitely recommend making a reservation on peak nights--we got lucky. The service was excellent from start to finish. Our waiters were very friendly, attentive, and welcoming. Portions are generous. The cheesy bread appetizer is a must-order--warm and perfect for sharing I ordered the cod and salmon, and both were absolutely delicious, cooked well and full of flavor. The wine selection is also strong, with plenty of good options to pair with the meal. Overall, a great Italian spot with great food, service, and atmosphere. I would happily go back.

According to one legend, a man admitted himself into Hartford Hospital after a heart attack. He…read moretold his dog, right outside of the door to the hospital, to "Stay." The dog sat and waited. The man eventually died in the hospital (according to one version of the story, at least), but his faithful dog, named Rover, never moved from the spot. Although various hospital staff attempted to cajole, tempt, or bribe the loyal pup, he refused to move. Many of the staff grew to love the dog and tried to take him home out of the rain and wind and hard cement spot he sat and lay on day after day, but he never moved. There is a happier version that I prefer. The man stayed in the hospital for over a month and finally left, the dog was overjoyed at the man's return after his long, agonizing wait. In another version the man came to the hospital for a weekly treatment with his dog who waited at the spot each time, never distracted by the cars, pigeons, or children passing by tempting him with food. Regardless of the true story, Hartford Hospital erected this statue to the memory of Rover outside the hospital entrance. According to the hospital, the story of Rover represents love, devotion, and commitment. Keeping the story alive inspires the hospital to exhibit these same qualities in treating its patients, families, and community. If the story seems familiar, it's the same as the Japanese Hachiko and I've been to that monument in Tokyo, https://www.yelp.com/biz/忠犬ハチ公像-渋谷区-2?hrid=hpVFbORIuzva6JpkXDh0-g. The statue of Rover is mounted on a small granite block and therefore is somewhat mobile if they want to put it elsewhere. At this time, it's to the left in front of the windows as you would walk into the main entrance. [Review 15173 overall, 675 of 2021, number 27 in Connecticut.]

While we are in Hartford we like to stop by and look at the landmarks in different unique statues…read moreand things. This is the statue of Rover. I looked up the story of Rover and it was a sad one the one I read. It was about a man that went in the hospital and told his dog to stay outside and the dog stayed with me and died in the hospital and the dog still stayed and did not ever leave and then I guess eventually died so that's a sad story but the people of Hartford decide to make a little statue at a rover and the old story

"You used to call me the top You put me up on the throne…read moreYou let me fall with a drop And now I'm out on my own" (Billie Holiday) Fans of Game of Thrones know the Iron Throne in Westeros was made from the surrendered swords of enemies. Today I learned the White Oak Leaf Throne in Hartford's Bushnell Park was made from the Hoadley Oak. It was a dead 180-year-old White Oak tree that was a park eyesore. On September 10, 2024, it became the latest piece of public art to join the dozens of attractions and monuments spread across the park. Local artist Tao LaBossiere transformed that huge dead tree into a 9 1/2-foot-tall throne with ornate carvings all over its surface. The structure was sealed with five coats of marine-grade urethane to protect it from the elements. You'll find it on the east side of the park by Jewell Street. The throne has landing steps at the front, so you can climb up, and have a seat for a few minutes of solitude or an epic photo op. PRO TIP The Hoadley Oak is believed to be a descendant of Connecticut's historic Charter Oak. In an early act of resistance against the British, in 1662, Connecticut colonists hid their colony's Royal Charter in that tree to keep it safe.

06/08/24: First time at this huge event hosted by Town of West Hartford! It's a two day event; June…read more8, 10-6 and June 9, 12-6. My family and I had a great time. There were rides, food trucks/tents, vendor/arts/craft booths, and music. First we started off at the carnival rides. They had a ferris wheel, huge slide, and various of other rides my little one enjoyed. Then we had food; so many options to to choose from. We had the fried potato/cheese/corn balls from Chompers food truck. My husband and son had hot dogs at another vendor. I had pad Thai from a Thai booth. All were good and decently priced. There's ice cream for dessert; something for everyone! There were over 150 vendor booths. We bought some art from various vendors. The quality and craftsmanship at these booths were great. I am happy to support small businesses! The turn out was great, there were hundreds of people. Overall, a fun family event and can't be missed!

In 1836, Connecticut-born gun manufacturer Samuel Colt (1814-62) received a U.S. patent for a…read morerevolver mechanism that enabled a gun to be fired multiple times without reloading. Colt founded a company to manufacture his revolving-cylinder pistol; however, sales were slow and the business floundered. Then in 1846, with the Mexican War (1846-48) under way, the U.S. government ordered 1,000 Colt revolvers. In 1855, Colt opened what was the world's largest private armament factory (here in Hartford!) in which he employed advanced manufacturing techniques such as interchangeable parts and an organized production line. By 1856, the company could produce 150 weapons per day. Colt was also an effective promoter, and by the start of the U.S. Civil War (1861-65) he had made the Colt revolver perhaps the world's best-known firearm. He died a wealthy man in 1862; the company he founded remains in business today. This monument to the famous Samuel Colt was commissioned by his wife in 1902 and the foundation was laid in 1905. Unfortunately, Elizabeth Hart Jarvis Colt never saw the completed memorial, as she passed in late 1905. The memorial statue was designed by John Massey Rhind, a Scottish sculptor from New York. The Samuel Colt Monument depicts Samuel at different stages throughout his life, each representing a significant moment chosen by Elizabeth to tell and preserve the legend of her husband. At the base the memorial statue sits a young Samuel whittling a revolver cylinder during his time as a mariner. Sitting atop a tier of six granite steps, rising above Colt Park overlooking the entrance, stands the triumphant figure of a man who achieved success. Samuel Colt, a tenacious man with an entrepreneurial spirit, faced numerous struggles in his life, both personal and business related, achieved the success he dreamed of his entire life. Colt is laid to rest beside his wife not far from here in the Cedar Hill Cemetery, https://www.yelp.com/biz/cedar-hill-cemetery-hartford?hrid=7Y0aUvQeznXHxPEngg367g. While Samuel Colt was a great man who achieved great things, this monument needs some help and attention. Some of the concrete is broken and uneven. The copper is deteriorating. The monument has a lot of litter. It's a shame. [Review 15231 overall, 733 of 2021, number 47 in Connecticut.]

So who do you think are the most famous people that ever lived in Hartford? Mark Twain? Yes, of…read morecourse. Noah Webster? Sure. Well how about Samuel Colt? He was one of America's greatest inventors and pioneered the use of interchangeable parts in manufacturing. His career as a gun manufacturer was jump-started in 1847 when the Texas Rangers ordered 1,000 of his revolvers for the Mexican War. Fifteen years later, he was selling guns to both the North and South in America's Civil War. This impressive and very unique monument is located at an entrance to Colt Park near the intersection of Wethersfield Avenue and Stonington Street. Why unique? Well, the monument includes two separate statues of Colt and a series of engraved wall panels. The larger of the two statues depicts Colt as an older man. He is wearing a long coat and looks every bit the successful inventor. A smaller statue depicts Colt as a young boy. He is whittling a piece of wood that looks remarkably like the chamber of a revolver. The engraved panels on the back wall of the memorial show Colt and the Russian Czar at the British House of Commons. Sadly, the memorial is in a distressed condition. The statues are pitting and deteriorating, as are the panels which are very hard to decipher. There's an inscription behind the statue of the elder Colt that reads: Samuel Colt 1814-1862 On the grounds which his tastes beautified by the home he loved this memorial stands to speak of his genius, his enterprise and his success and of his great and loyal heart." His wife in faithful affection dedicates this memorial 1905 The memorial was commissioned by Colt's wife Elizabeth. Had this memorial been in better condition, I would have given it 5 stars because of its unique nature, but its poor condition made me adjust the rating down to 4 stars.

"If I were a painter And could paint a memory…read moreI'd climb inside the swirling skies to be with you" (Norah Jones) In the vicinity of the Avon Village Center shopping complex, roughly between Avon's Whole Foods and Police Station, you'll find a paved path. Its the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail portion of the East Coast Greenway. And as you walk the path towards Route 44, you'll come across an underpass with a very pretty decorative mural. It a sunrise/sunset nature pictorial with hand painted flowers, vines, stars, mushrooms, and even rock walls The mural is the creation of local artists Christy Hickey and her daughter Olivia. The mural was commissioned by Bike Walk Avon CT and I read that several anonymous Avon residents donated the paint and assorted materials to craft the mural. The best way to see it is to park in the extreme right side (facing the store) of the Whole Food lot, take the iron railed staircase down, and walk to the right towards Route 44. It's an unexpected splash of color and creativity that was badly needed inside a drab concrete underpass!