- All right everybody.
We are back, Springtime is in full swing.
Hopefully you are all getting out and about,
soaking in all the things your city has to offer.
There are some awesome things to do in every town
across this country.
And we want to ensure that you know all about them.
This is Spring Forward USA.
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♪ Spring Forward USA ♪
Today, we are headed to one of the oldest cities in America,
the capital of Connecticut, Hartford.
And we have The Travel Mom, Emily Kaufman there.
Now along with the host of CT Live on NBC Connecticut,
Taylor Kinzler.
(audience cheering)
What's up y'all?
- Hey Kelly. - Hey.
- It's good to see you again.
- How are y'all doing?
- We are so good.
It is great to see you Kelly, welcome to Connecticut.
So about 40 miles south of Hartford,
you'll find Old Saybrook and that's where we are today.
And it may be quiet, but soon it will be packed.
And it's easy to see why,
the Connecticut shoreline is absolutely beautiful
even on a day like today.
- I love that,
my sister and I are actually both very obsessed
with lighthouses for some weird reason.
We just love them.
So Emily, you find all the best spots in every city,
so what have you done while in Hartford?
- You know, as Taylor mentioned
it is an area that is so rich in history
and I got to visit The Mark Twain House.
Now this is where he actually penned
"Tom Sawyer" and "Huck Finn",
great books we all read growing up.
And you know, learning doesn't stop
just because we're grownups.
I love bringing history to life,
walking through it and enjoying it, exploring
and this is a great, great place to do that.
- Really.
- Oh my gosh, that house is beautiful.
Like, I just don't feel like craftsman houses
like that exist anymore.
That's so beautiful.
So what other places have you checked out, Emily?
- You know, there's a magnificent park called Bushnell Park.
It's probably one of the prettiest in the Northeast
and the heart of it is a carousel that was built in 1914.
And I got a chance to ride that carousel.
And I know it sounds dorky, I might be a dork.
I love a carousel.
I feel like a kid again.
And I had a blast getting on that historic carousel.
- I love a carousel and it not just the child in me.
I always play like I'm in a romantic comedy
or something like, it's like a perfect little place for it.
So Taylor, what's your favorite part of Bushnell Park?
- So Kelly, if you've never been,
Hartford may be a small city
but it is rich in culture and the arts.
One of my favorite things to do during the summer,
and I know that you'll appreciate this,
Hartford has great jazz nights in the summer concert series
that happen right in Bushnell Park.
But if you want a better view of the city,
you can actually go up
to the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch
and see some of the most incredible sites,
a view of the capital building,
and you just fall in love with Hartford all over again.
- Oh man, I love the architecture, it's so beautiful.
So Emily, what about food in Hartford?
Asking for a friend, what?
(audience laughing)
- Oh.
- Well, you know, that friend you're asking for is me,
I'm hoping, because I'm a foodie and I love food.
And here in Hartford, they've got amazing seafood.
There's a fantastic place like a stones throw away from here
called Lobster Landing.
And they've got some of the most famous lobster rolls
in the entire world with their secret being
they soak the lobster in lemon.
- Yes. - Yes.
Oh my gosh.
So wait,
so Taylor this is one of your favorite spots, right?
So any tips when we go there?
- So it is one of my favorite spots and it's also one
of our favorite viewers spots at NBC Connecticut as well,
so a couple tips to remember,
get there early because they sell out fast,
parking is limited and it's also BYOB.
So you can grab a glass of wine, maybe a bottle,
maybe a blanket, put your toes in the water,
watch the boats go by.
It's so much fun.
And Kelly, I know that you have your Texas barbecue
but here in New England, we are proud of our lobster rolls
and it's hot and buttered, never cold with Mayo and Emily-
- Understood, understood.
- Girl, I love barbecue, I love lobster,
I love all the things, I have no,
I don't hate against anything.
Yeah, so have you tried the rolls yet?
- I have not yet,
I wanted to wait and do that with you.
So we've got some here,
super excited to be eating it.
- And I've got one here. - Let's give it
a try together.
- I'm so excited, my mouth is watering.
Who doesn't love a lobster roll diet shmaya.
Okay.
- Mm mm this is so good.
Cheers, hope you're enjoying yours.
- Oh my God, I'm gonna take it with me to lunch.
Thank you, Emily and thank you Taylor.
- We are too.
(audience cheering)
- Hartford looks beautiful, right y'all?
(audience cheering)
All right, well, one of you is going to be able to soak
in all its beauty because we are sending someone
on a three night vacation
to Saybrook Point Resort and Marina
in Old Saybrook, Connecticut.
You'll experience ocean view accommodations,
waterfront dining and more.
Let's see who it's gonna be,
Darren hit the lights!
(audience cheering)
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(audience cheering)
Ma'am wait, what's your name?
Where are you from?
You can stand up.
- I'm actually from Washington DC.
- [Kelly] You are?
- I am, yeah.
I live in LA now, but I'm from Washington DC.
- Oh, right on. - Yeah.
- Are you excited to go to Saybrook?
- I am super excited and I love lobster.
Cause we are seafood.
- I'm telling you right now ma'am,
that lobster roll, it's worth the trip guys.
Just for that.
It's the butter and everything was really good.
Well, enjoy Hartford.
- Thank you.