Traveling to UConn

Submitted by MAgoBLUE on

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":

http://westport.patch.com/groups/mersene-norboms-blog/p/bp--the-backyard-family-tailgater-throw-a-true-southed4696cc38c

 

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!

MGoBoard
Football

MGoStrength

September 16th, 2013 at 8:36 PM ^

I got a suite with 10 guys, so it should be pretty sweet...see what I did there.  Right now forecast is predicting rain so I'm happy we got a suite.  Parking opens at 4pm so I'll be there pre-gaming rain or shine.  I'm staying at the Hampton Inn in E. Hartford.  If anyone is staying there let me know or if anyone wants to meet up and tailgate.  

Joined: 07/29/2010

MGoPoints: 20002

CTAlum

September 16th, 2013 at 10:11 PM ^

I also live in CT and went to the UConn game this weekend.  While not well organized (stadium built on old airplane runway), there should be parking for $15 at the stadium.  No good landmarks, so pay close attention to where park.

The UM Spirit Club of Hartford will be having a tailgate in a parking lot nearby, but not at the stadium.  The info is on the Alumni Association site.  Also, for those coming in Friday, the club is having a pregame Friday night at Wood n Tap in Hartford. 

On places to go I second the recommendations.  Union Street in Hartford is essentially the bar district in Hartford, and good restaurants nearby.  West Hartford Center has some of the best restaurants in the area; usually win the best of awards. To me, not worth trip to New Haven.

Look forward to ask the maize and blue coming.  Hope to see a lot in the stadium.  I don't care it is a late game; my kids can sleep in the next day.  This will be their first Michigan game. Easier to get to game in CT where I live instead of A2.  I have to get them there someday, but this will do for now.

Joined: 04/22/2012

MGoPoints: 65

Sons of Louis Elbel

September 16th, 2013 at 10:33 PM ^

So, any of you with local knowledge: any thoughts on street parking w/in a mile or so of Rentschler? I'll likely be taking 384 west to Spencer St., which becomes Silver Lane in EH. Any idea whether you can park on those side streets you pass on Silver as you approach Rentschler? Would much rather park and walk a bit than get stuck in horrible traffic getting out of stadium parking. Thanks.

Joined: 11/21/2011

MGoPoints: 1370

zls44

September 16th, 2013 at 10:55 PM ^

First of all, it's an incredible honor to have you here. I know its a smaller stadium, worse team, but I hope you all have a good time.

If you are coming to UConn, I'm going to let you in on a little secret...it's called the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Club. It's closer than the general parking, there are flush toilets, you can throw around a football (THE GENERAL LOTS BAN THIS BECAUSE WE ARE CURMUDGENLY NEW ENGLANDERS), they let you use charcoal (can't do it at the stadium lot due to it being located on a protected wetland, yes, even an airport is a protected wetland), and it costs just as much.

Google Maps link (its all the softball fields North of the stadium): https://local.google.com/?ll=41.761917,-72.62023&spn=0.015654,0.014956&…

Here is a UConn tailgating Q&A put together by a Syracuse fan: http://texanmarktailgate.blogspot.com/2011/06/connecticut-tailgate-and-visitors-guide.html

If you have any other questions, feel free to reply and I'll respond as best I can.

 

Also, please help us fire our coach.

Joined: 09/16/2013

MGoPoints: 11

tommya14

September 17th, 2013 at 6:43 AM ^

your stadium looks very nice and I look forward to seeing it Saturday.  My group would like to be tailgating early afternoon.  Stadium lots open 4 hours before the game time is my understanding.  Is the Aircraft Club or any other lot open any earlier?

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 860