Traveling to UConn
Who's coming to Connecticut this weekend for the 8pm prime time showdown with the Huskies? I just bought my tickets so I am pretty excited. As my user name suggests I am from Massachusetts but I've also lived in the great state of Connecticut for 8 of my 30 years. Therefore, I'd like to impart some of my wisdom for visitors:
- Rentschler Field is in East Hartford about a half hour west of UConn's campus in Storrs. Don't show up to Storrs looking for the football game. They won't be able to help you.
- Liquor stores in CT close early and often. Back in the day it was 8 pm but I think they've extended that to 10 or 11 depending on the town/store. Bring a couple forms of ID. I've seen an Army veteran denied service because he didn't have a backup for his military ID.
- The Basketball Hall of Fame is a 20 minute ride up I-91 in Springfield, MA. Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos are each about 45 minutes from the Rent.
- I don't recommend spending too much time in Hartford proper but City Steam is an excellent brew pub. New Haven and in particular the area around Yale is a better bet for bars and restaurants. It's about 30 minutes south of Hartford.
- There's a weird quirk in the state that I call The Connecticut Lip. Basically all parking lots are raised slightly above the level of the street creating a lip of concrete. It acts as a sort of a speedbump. See if you notice it.
- I've only been to the Rent once and that was for lacrosse. It's easy to find off of I-84 but it's small and parking was disorganized even for a crowd that was much less than capacity. The upside? They are off-campus so they can serve beer.
- Of course no discussion of CT Football would be complete without the obligatory column from the Westport Patch. The Nutmegger's guide to a "Southern Tailgator":
See you at the Rent. I'll be the tailgate with the "freshly fallen leaves scattered about, pine cones, and twigs." You''ll have all day to come say hi. Go Blue!
September 16th, 2013 at 12:34 PM ^
Also the southern tailgater article is one of the all time Internet treasures.
September 16th, 2013 at 12:34 PM ^
I used to live in New England for a while, and my brother lived in CT up til quite recently, so let me add this: Anyone flying to the game, use the Hartford airport if you can. Delta has decently priced nonstop flights. Thinking you will fly to LGA or somewhere in NYC and then driving up is asking for traffic nightmares, especially in New Haven where there is a massive construction project. I-95 sucks donkey balls.
September 16th, 2013 at 12:44 PM ^
Yes, that is a good point. Bradley Airport outside of Hartford is your best bet for flying in to the game and CT is known for soul-crushing traffic.
September 16th, 2013 at 3:41 PM ^
September 16th, 2013 at 4:47 PM ^
Depends on where you mean in CT. I'd agree that CT traffic isn't bad in most parts of the state - except for 95 from the NY border to New Haven. HORRIBLE.
September 16th, 2013 at 12:49 PM ^
I'm flying into Newark and riding up with a buddy from Jersey. Thanks for the heads up.
September 16th, 2013 at 12:58 PM ^
Then I highly recommend the Merritt Parkway. Slightly slower speed limits but very scenic and much less likely to run into traffic problems.
September 16th, 2013 at 1:46 PM ^
Absolutely avoid 95 at all costs. Unfortunately, from Newark, you pretty much have to deal with the Cross-Bronx, which is the worst of it.
Apart from the Merrit, the other option from the city is to take 684 north to 84, which is about 5 miles longer than the Merritt but has higher speeds and generally avoids the potential messes that arise on 95. From the city it's the whitestone to the hutchinson to 684.
September 16th, 2013 at 9:59 PM ^
Note about 84 is part of it is closed this weekend near the NYS/CT line (this according to highway signs last weekend). And the traffic between Danbury and Waterbury is sometimes as bad as 95 since it's two lanes in a lot of spots.
September 16th, 2013 at 3:16 PM ^
I have to disagree about the slightly slower speeds. The Merritt has a bunch of hills, but there is one cop assigned to it per county. You can go pretty much as fast as you want. I have lived here for most of my life, and never got pulled over on the Merritt despite a very heavy foot. It is the Hutchinson parkway in new york, then runs into the Merritt.
September 16th, 2013 at 7:35 PM ^
I would caution people to be careful about the Merritt in the sense that it isn't always that fast either. My wife and I were stuck on it for hours during pretty regular weekend traffic because there was an accident miles ahead and, being that it is 2 lanes, not much in the way of getting around.
But yeah, 95 is the devil whenever we've taken it.
September 16th, 2013 at 9:56 PM ^
As a New Haven resident, I will strongly second the "stay the hell away from 95 in CT" point.If you must drive up from the NYC area, the Merritt/Wilbur Cross Pkwy is a much better way to do things.
September 16th, 2013 at 12:38 PM ^
Bringing a group of 5 with me. I expect to see a lot of Maize and Blue at this game.
September 16th, 2013 at 12:38 PM ^
Tickets are still over $100 online. I can't imagine it'd be tough getting something cheaper at the stadium but then again I don't know what the scalper scene is like around there.
Any idea form locals or people near by?
September 16th, 2013 at 12:48 PM ^
I've been watching the prices closely on Stubhub all summer. The cheapest ones were at $130 and came down to $70 after UConn lost to Towson. They seem to be climbing back up slowly now.
I don't know how much of a scalper scene there will be because the stadium is right off the highway but it isn't near anything. It's almost like if you put all the effort in to get there you might as well just go to the game. It is UConn's biggest home game ever and the 8 pm kick off might entice people to keep their tickets.
September 16th, 2013 at 12:55 PM ^
...considering I don't have the added expense of getting on a plane to fly to Michigan the extra cost is worth it. Very excited to have the team playing on the East Coast this year.
September 16th, 2013 at 1:05 PM ^
thanks for the info. I have been watching too. I'm leaving from NYC so its a train ride for me (not much$) also have a free place to stay (fiancee has friends in CT). So I don't lose a whole lot by going and not getting cheap tix (just time).
I guess I'm just suprised how much the tickets are. Its $100+ now for endzone seats so not even that good of tix. I expected a lot of UM fans but figured UConn fans would be unloading like crazy take some cash for bball tix or something. I know the 8pm time prob doesn't help things either, more Uconn fans prob want to experience a night game.
September 16th, 2013 at 1:15 PM ^
UConn has a fair amount of night games so that part isn't unusual. Also there are only around 40K seats so don't expect prices to fall too low - there should be sufficient demand to hold them up, especially for this game
I live in CT, have been there and know people with season tickets. Most of them go to every game regardless of how the team is doing. The stadium is actually pretty nice.
September 18th, 2013 at 11:14 AM ^
I just found out I have four extra tickets for the game. Bought them through the UM Ticket Office and would be happy to sell them for face value. If you are interested, contact me at [email protected]
September 16th, 2013 at 12:50 PM ^
I looked at the satellite view on google maps and it sure looks like tons of parking around the stadium. Is that the only/best place to tailgate?
September 16th, 2013 at 8:17 PM ^
September 16th, 2013 at 12:59 PM ^
I live 8 miles from Rentschler field. I agree with most of the suggestions. I would not advise anyone to go visit New Haven. Lots of great places to eat in the West Hartford area. The parking at the stadium is disorganized but they are able to accomidate all comers.
I have lived here going on seven years and have never notices the lip you speak of.
September 16th, 2013 at 1:36 PM ^
Admittedly, I first developed the Lip theory while living in Fairfield County. I think it's more prevelant there but there's examples all over the state. Look for it.
September 16th, 2013 at 2:02 PM ^
September 16th, 2013 at 3:43 PM ^
September 16th, 2013 at 8:44 PM ^
that lives in E. Brunswick in Jersey. She is going to pick me up at airport, then we'll go to the game on Sat. Will see you guys gating and waiting.
September 16th, 2013 at 10:04 PM ^
Why the hate on New Haven? We've got at least as many restaurants and general things to do as Hartford does and frankly it's a nicer place.
September 17th, 2013 at 12:47 AM ^
September 16th, 2013 at 1:02 PM ^
If u do good luck as your looking at an hour added onto your trip. Feels like next exit is another 30 min away.
September 16th, 2013 at 1:04 PM ^
Just double checking logistics. There's a lot on their website about parking passes, but they also have a section for gameday parking without passes. I assume most of you lot will be parking or tailgating in this area here?
They specifically said no cameras with lenses >90mm. So ANY DSLR (ie 5dmkii) as long as the lens is <90mm is acceptable? I tried calling to ask but spent forever in their maze of automated telephone assistance.
September 16th, 2013 at 1:04 PM ^
September 16th, 2013 at 1:06 PM ^
Bitterly disappointed about the 8:00 PM kick. Bringing my 5 year old to his first game and expect he will be melting by the end, then the 3 hours back to NYC, etc. I appreciate and have been looking forward to this since the home and home was announced, because it makes it closer for NYC area alumni like me, but it reeeeaaaalllly sucks.
September 16th, 2013 at 1:49 PM ^
Same situation here. Now leaving kids at home. There's no way mine would make it to even halftime of a night game.
September 17th, 2013 at 9:53 AM ^
I would leave my boy home, too, but he would be devastated. If w have to leave early, assuming this is not Akron II, I guess I'll live with it. It is for us to have the time together, so I feel like I have to. Hoping for a long nap on the ride up...
September 17th, 2013 at 4:05 PM ^
I haven't told mine yet. If we can't find a willing sleepover friend or sell the tix, I may just say f' it and go with your approach, hoping for a long nap after soccer in the morning.
September 18th, 2013 at 11:24 PM ^
So...yay for Rutgers joining the B1G?
September 16th, 2013 at 1:35 PM ^
I will be driving to Wocester from NYC after work Friday, then heading to the Rent in the afternoon on Saturday. My main concern right now is parking.
Can anyone advise on where i can find the least expensive parking place(walkable distance from the stadium)? I would prefer free parking instead of paying $20-50. Thanks in advance!
September 16th, 2013 at 1:45 PM ^
At the Maryland game Saturday night there was ample on site parking for $15. I assume the same will be true for this game. One thing about parking pay close attention to land marks around your car. The lots are poorly marked and not at all in some places. I saw many people, young and old, looking aimlessly for their cars. On my way to my car one young man was entering his vehicle and said to me, I FOUND MY CAR, he still had the look of a lost pupppy on his face.
September 16th, 2013 at 2:23 PM ^
That is too late for me. Want to be tailgating early hours of the afternoon. Suggestions for private lots that can accomodate early arrivals for our group?
September 16th, 2013 at 2:23 PM ^
Or there abouts. EHHS grad anyway. I'll be going. I haven't been to a UConn game in 3 years, but there's a few good tailgate spots. First off, there's in the stadium. There are different lots, and one extends down what used to be an air strip. That's where a lot of the students end up. There's also a big field across the street that was 15 or 20 bucks last time I was there. Past that, there are a few different places that are small and are hit or miss. I really like this dental clinic but it only has like 20 spots. Usually meet cool people there.
One more thing about tickets. Uconn athletic dep. put out single game Michigan tickets last week. I have no idea if there are any left, but it was SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than stubhub. If anyone is still on the fence, might look there first.
For things to do in the area, West Hartford has been mentioned. I'll also second the basketball hall of fame. Great time. Go blue! Beat UConn. Don't throw pick sixes.
September 16th, 2013 at 5:44 PM ^
September 16th, 2013 at 2:24 PM ^
Liquor store close at 9 pm now. I've never seen someone get denied at a respectable establishment for having an out of state ID.
Someone said it above but I also agree that you shouldn't go to New Haven, it's closer to 40 mins away and you can either head to West Hartford Center or you can stay in Hartford on Allyn and Ann St near the XL Center.
Also, remember to read up on the greats from UConn teams past http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/uconn-in-cfl.html.
September 16th, 2013 at 2:25 PM ^
I could be wrong, but didn't Michigan request 5,000 tickets for this game, thus prompting the installation of temporary seating?
September 16th, 2013 at 2:43 PM ^
That would explain why most seating charts and pictures of the stadium don't have Sections 1-8 which is where I'm sitting. I believe they are 2nd level in the endzone on either side of the scoreboard.
September 17th, 2013 at 6:22 AM ^
Check where you are sitting though. Seats in the higher rows in section 4 closer to seat 13 and section 5 closer to seat 1 will have the field partially blocked by the scoreboard. That is where I am at. I am exchanging my tickets.
September 16th, 2013 at 3:48 PM ^
September 16th, 2013 at 4:25 PM ^
Road tripping down to CT form smAlbany. Friend lives nearby, will be golfing in the AM and heading to the game around 5-6. PUMPED
September 16th, 2013 at 7:09 PM ^
September 17th, 2013 at 12:48 AM ^