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.

Popular places to visit


Sheldon-Charter Oak Hotel Deals

The Capitol Hotel

The Capitol Hotel

3 out of 5
440 Asylum St Hartford CT
The price is NT$2,977 per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
NT$2,977
NT$3,423 total
Mar 29 - Mar 30
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! (1,194 reviews)
A solid OK hotel. It's very evident there is no brand standard. The room is dated and in need of repairs. I recommend having a white noise machine because this is next to a train station and they can keep you up all night. The continental breakfast was comical. They serve cut up hot dogs as your ...

Reviewed on 2026/3/12

The Capitol Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Southington by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Southington by IHG

2.5 out of 5
120 Laning St Southington CT
The price is NT$2,784 per night from Mar 21 to Mar 22
NT$2,784
NT$3,202 total
Mar 21 - Mar 22
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Southington. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,233 reviews)
Breakfast was not the best but good.

Reviewed on 2026/3/11

Holiday Inn Express Southington by IHG
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 NT$2,799 per night from Apr 13 to Apr 14
NT$2,799
NT$3,219 total
Apr 13 - Apr 14
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! (1,006 reviews)
We had a last minute change of plans due to weather- Candlewood was an exceptional choice! We will definitely book there again - clean, services were timely...perfect!

Reviewed on 2026/3/12

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 NT$3,364 per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
NT$3,364
NT$3,869 total
Mar 29 - Mar 30
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! (1,130 reviews)
Pool was not open. Winter, didn't need ac

Reviewed on 2026/3/9

Hampton Inn & Suites Hartford/East Hartford
The Farmington Inn & Suites

The Farmington Inn & Suites

3 out of 5
827 Farmington Ave Farmington CT
The price is NT$3,956 per night from Mar 16 to Mar 17
NT$3,956
NT$5,098 total
Mar 16 - Mar 17
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Farmington. Enjoy free breakfast, room service, and a health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
My dogs and i had a great 3 night stay! Great staff! Very comfortable bed.

Reviewed on 2026/3/7

The Farmington Inn & Suites
Best Western Hartford Hotel & Suites

Best Western Hartford Hotel & Suites

2.5 out of 5
185 Brainard Rd Hartford CT
The price is NT$2,771 per night from Mar 22 to Mar 23
NT$2,771
NT$3,186 total
Mar 22 - Mar 23
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Hartford. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,025 reviews)
Ugh

Reviewed on 2026/3/11

Best Western Hartford Hotel & Suites
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.

Other neighborhoods around Sheldon-Charter Oak

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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.

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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.

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Sheldon-Charter Oak, CT