OT (sort of): Help in planning a UConn visit

[LGITB]

I have a work trip to the USA in January and last night my wife looks at me and says: "You're going all the way to the US East coast, and you're not going to plan a 2 day visit to watch the Huskies playing?"
So, with her blessing I'm looking into possibly adding a couple of days to my trip to I could attend the UConn Butler game on Feb 2 at the XL center.

Any tips you can share with me to plan this? Not sure where's the best place to stay - as close as possible? use public transportation and stay elsewhere?

The last time I was able to watch the team in person was back in 2001, so if this works out it'll be super, super cool.

Thank you

 

[Skeets]

There's a Hilton right across the street from the XL Center. I believe there's a connecting walkway so you don't even need to go outside (this could be important in February). Visiting teams usually stay there. I'm not sure if UConn stays there or if they bus in from Storrs.

Hilton is not cheap, but then, nothing is cheap anymore.

 

[JonathanXIV]

Hartford public transportation? That’s adorable.

 

[ThisJustIn]

Will you have a car? You can find some reasonable parking through various parking apps.
I've found some reasonable airbnb's in the area.
Get your ticket soon! If you can't make it, I'm sure you'll be able to off load it on the Ticket Exchange board.

 

[Huskee11]

The Delamar in West Hartford is worth looking into - probably pricey though - and there are many nice restaurants in West Hartford center. It is a short drive into Hartford.

Uber is prevalent in the area so that is also a transportation option.

 

[LGITB]

Will you have a car? You can find some reasonable parking through various parking apps.
I've found some reasonable airbnb's in the area.
Get your ticket soon! If you can't make it, I'm sure you'll be able to off load it on the Ticket Exchange board.

Got my ticket! Actually, once again my wife made the decision for me and presented me with an early birthday present in the form of a ticket just a couple of rows behind the UConn bench. Obviously I made the right decision when I proposed ;-)
Now just need to figure out the rest of it -- super excited TBH!

 

[Bald Husky]

Got my ticket! Actually, once again my wife made the decision for me and presented me with an early birthday present in the form of a ticket just a couple of rows behind the UConn bench. Obviously I made the right decision when I proposed ;-)
Now just need to figure out the rest of it -- super excited TBH!

Great wife, obviously knows what is important in life. LOL. Welcome to Husky nation, will be there too. Enjoy.

 

[Millenial23]

there are a decent amount of hotels and restaurants within walking distance of the XL center. you should be able to do that. there's also the wadsworth atheneum if you are looking for something else to do- an art museum. anywhere outside of downtown, i agree - try uber if you don't have a rental. there are bus routes, but they are mostly for commuters to work and back.

 

[FormerCTrez]

Got my ticket! Actually, once again my wife made the decision for me and presented me with an early birthday present in the form of a ticket just a couple of rows behind the UConn bench. Obviously I made the right decision when I proposed ;-)
Now just need to figure out the rest of it -- super excited TBH!

I’m sure your wife has done a million special things throughout your marriage. So I’m giving her the title “Queen” because of this extra special gift to you.
Enjoy the game when you get there!!

 

[HuskyFanBlue]

There's a Hilton right across the street from the XL Center. I believe there's a connecting walkway so you don't even need to go outside (this could be important in February). Visiting teams usually stay there. I'm not sure if UConn stays there or if they bus in from Storrs.

Hilton is not cheap, but then, nothing is cheap anymore.

I think that hotel rebranded as a Doubletree.

 

[Skeets]

I think that hotel rebranded as a Doubletree.

I think we're both right. If you google it, it comes up "Doubletree by Hilton".

 

[UcMiami]

Cool plan, great wife!
I think early Feb, the best option is being in downtown Hartford because you never know what the weather will be like - these days it could be sunny and 70, or spitting snow and sub-zero.

Not sure where you business is taking place, but a combination of Amtrak, CTrail, and MetroNorth gives you good options for travel from NYC and further south, again taking weather out of the equation.

 

[Huskee11]

Snow hasn't been a big deal in Hartford in recent years, for the most part at least. When there is snow, walking around downtown Hartford is no fun, especially at or near various corners when crossing a street. The Hartford public works department has decided to leave us all on our own for that.

The worst is when a cold wind is blowing hard from the north and it comes screaming through the buildings down Trumbull Street. Walking into that wind, which for me is going to the game, can be brutal.

Someone mentioned the Wadsworth Atheneum, and I agree that is a great museum well worth seeing although check the hours, they are surprisingly restrictive.