Cultural and recreational activities abound throughout the region. Centrally located in the beautiful Connecticut River valley less than a two-hour drive from Boston or New York City, Hartford is also ideally situated to take advantage of the beaches of Cape Cod, the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire, and the picturesque coast of Maine. Connecticut itself has beautiful coastal and inland communities offering a variety of easily accessible indoor and outdoor entertainment. The metropolitan area, which includes the city and 32 surrounding suburbs, has nearly one million residents. Housing choices are plentiful and can suit any lifestyle and taste, ranging from contemporary condominiums and apartments to traditional colonial-style houses.
Cultural opportunities are numerous as well.
The esteemed 80-member Hartford Symphony and Hartford Ballet Company present performances throughout the year. The Hartford Stage Company was awarded a 1989 Tony Award for the best regional theatre in the United States. The Bushnell Memorial Hall is a 3,000-seat auditorium that presents Broadway shows, plays, musical concerts and other programs to the Hartford community. The Hartford Civic Center, a multipurpose indoor entertainment and convention facility, includes a 15,000 seat coliseum as well as an enclosed mall featuring restaurants and dozens of shops and boutiques. I men's basketball team which hosts rivals from the Big East Conference.