Refine Your mind in Hartford

Hartford, the state's capital, is home to a wealth of historic and cultural attractions, including the Connecticut Science Center, the Bushnell Center for Performing Arts, and the Old State House, a national historic landmark and current museum that served as the seat of state government from 1796 to 1878.

The Mark Twain House & Museum, where the famed author lived while creating several American classics, including "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," is one of the city's most well-known sites. The stunning Gothic-style home and grounds, which are only accessible by guided tour, are highly praised by visitors (advanced reservations recommended).

An adjacent museum honoring novelist Harriet Beecher Stowe, who lived next door to Mark Twain, is also located there. The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is the oldest and largest public art museum in the state, and it stores its holdings in a 75,000-square-foot castle that experts have called "amazing," "diverse," and "beautiful." One of the nicest places to stay and eat in the area is the Delamar West Hartford Hotel and its on-site restaurant, Artisan.

• Location: Connecticut