Wyoming alumnus here

[DCPoke]

A couple of friends and I are driving up from Virginia to see the Cowboys play the Huskies in September. Any advice regarding accommodations, dining, and tailgating?

 

[Exit 4]

Welcome.

1) Keep your lasso at home.
2) No one wants to hear about Josh Allen...besides, we have Darrell Perkins on our staff who played with you back in 1987 & 1998. Darrell Perkins - Football Coach - University of Connecticut Athletics
3) Eat pizza.

Founder of Barstool Sports wants everyone to know: New Haven is the pizza capital of the U.S.

Native Nutmeggers know that New Haven is the pizza capital of the world, and now thanks to a well-known businessman that title is getting some national attention.

www.wtnh.com

I'll let others around here give you more proper advice.

 

[whalerfan]

There's not much to do in Hartford proper but.......
Stay south or west of Hartford (Rocky Hill, Cromwell, Farmington). You'll find many things to do in West Hartford Center. They've really improved the place since I grew up there.

The pizza in New Haven is the best. Modern/Pepe's and there's Archie Moore's for pub food. Be careful where you travel in New Haven though.

 

[History Geek]

If you like craft beer we have many many great breweries.

 

[WestHartHusk]

There's not much to do in Hartford proper but.......
Stay south or west of Hartford (Rocky Hill, Cromwell, Farmington). You'll find many things to do in West Hartford Center. They've really improved the place since I grew up there.

The pizza in New Haven is the best. Modern/Pepe's and there's Archie Moore's for pub food. Be careful where you travel in New Haven though.

Just go to New Haven. I wouldn’t worry all that much about where you go, but common sense prevails.

If you want to stay near the stadium, West Hartford's your best bet.

 

[Platt81]

How long are you planning on coming for, just one night or making a longish weekend out of it? If you’ve never been up this way maybe look into rooms at Mohegan or Foxwoods, there’s plenty to do at and around those areas for a grown up weekend away, it’s about a 45 minute drive between there and Rentschler, but you will not hit traffic at anytime you choose to drive.

Tailgating your options will mainly be the main lot at the Rent which will put you in the Red Lot or across the street from the field is offsite parking that also has decent tailgating. Anywhere you park the majority of fans tailgating will be accommodating and welcoming to you, but there are always a few bad apples like anywhere, but you’ll find most people welcoming and probably offer you some food or a drink.

If you want the casino route and more details just ask and I’m sure everyone will be ready to offer input of the go to’s and the avoid of it all. But most importantly, hope you enjoy your stay!

 

[Bongo Fury]

Used to live in Rawlins. lots of trees and water out here and less wind. Seafood and pizza good. Steak not so much. Good beer too.

 

[Woof 101]

Welcome @DCPoke , take snark lightly it is abundant here.

1) Keep your lasso at home.

As an alumnus you are welcomed with open arms! Follow what is to come here and do some homework. Here is the tailgate rules.

UConn Tailgating Policies

UConn Tailgating Policies Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field

uconnhuskies.com

Only common sense limitations and a very good tailgate situation. Fan Zone outside of the stadium with very good live bands pregame. Parking will depend on the lot and time of arrival. I will not speak for others but my group of four welcomes anyone and even fans of the opponents. Always plenty to eat and beverage with a little planing, usually enough either way.
As the team rebuilds so is the crowd, you will find plenty of space. Accommodations are good as as mentioned above, Glastonbury, East or West Hartford, or Cromwell are all close by.
We may not know it but we will see one another at the game! Good luck Cowboys, go Huskies!

 

[CL82]

@DCPoke - Here is a comprehensive but dated guide by Syracuse fan TexanMark. He does a nice job on them and it will give you a lot of the information I think you were looking for.

if you let us know what you were interested in doing besides the game and we can give you specific suggestions. For example, if you want head down to the beach there are a few state parks close by. Connecticut is on Long Island sound so, though the local beaches are very pretty, you won’t see big waves. If you were interested in that, we can give you names of some places to go in nearby Rhode Island.

Rentschler Field is about two hours from New York city in about an hour and a half from Boston. So those are relatively easy trips if you were interested.

Again, let us know what you want to do and we will give you some choices.

 

[Hoophound]

I'd stay at the Delamar in West Hartford. Walkable restaurants, bars, movies and shopping. It is very nice, safe and convenient. It will take you 20 minutes to get over to the stadium. It is a little pricey, but it is the best place to stay if you want a safe, walkable, fun area to visit.

 

[Waquoit]

I'd stay in downtown Hartford. There will be several choices for live music open by then. The local pro soccer team has a game that night. Cheap Uber to/from stadium.

 

[HCCForever]

Welcome. Fennis Dembo is one of my favorite names ever for a basketball player. I remember him playing for Wyoming.

 

[Milo65]

Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino- You won’t get flavor of CT, but you will have a great guys weekend.

 

[DoctorWho85]

If you're interested, you and your friends can join a couple of my friends and I can show you guys, IMO, the best pizza place in the state. It's Mango's in Mystic Village.

 

[Adios]

Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino- You won’t get flavor of CT, but you will have a great guys weekend.

You'll get the flavor of a couple of the oldest "reservations" in the US. Other "reservations" in CT were bought out or taken over. Mountain Grove cemetery in Bridgeport used to be a village and then a reservation. Now, it's a cemetery with ancient burials.

 

[Waquoit]

To specifically address the tailgating: You can drive yourself in and set-up at your car. I think parking will be $20. this year. If you are feeling adventurous, you can come back here a week or so before the game and say you are looking for a tailgate to join for the day and I'm sure you will get several offers.

 

[DCPoke]

How long are you planning on coming for, just one night or making a longish weekend out of it? If you’ve never been up this way maybe look into rooms at Mohegan or Foxwoods, there’s plenty to do at and around those areas for a grown up weekend away, it’s about a 45 minute drive between there and Rentschler, but you will not hit traffic at anytime you choose to drive.

Tailgating your options will mainly be the main lot at the Rent which will put you in the Red Lot or across the street from the field is offsite parking that also has decent tailgating. Anywhere you park the majority of fans tailgating will be accommodating and welcoming to you, but there are always a few bad apples like anywhere, but you’ll find most people welcoming and probably offer you some food or a drink.

If you want the casino route and more details just ask and I’m sure everyone will be ready to offer input of the go to’s and the avoid of it all. But most importantly, hope you enjoy your stay!

Thanks! My friends and I are going to make a week of it after the game and hit RI, MA, ME, NH, and VT before we drive back to Virginia. Hopefully the Fall colors will be starting to peak then.

 

[DCPoke]

If you're interested, you and your friends can join a couple of my friends and I can show you guys, IMO, the best pizza place in the state. It's Mango's in Mystic Village.

Cool. PM me your email address.

 

[DCPoke]

Used to live in Rawlins. lots of trees and water out here and less wind. Seafood and pizza good. Steak not so much. Good beer too.

There's a universe of difference between Rawlins and New England!

 

[Bongo Fury]

Worked for BLM and got to explore the Great Divide Basin. Wamsutter. Left a positive lasting impression on me. Then became a Greenie.

 

[DoctorWho85]

Cool. PM me your email address.

I'm trying but it won't let me send you a PM. I'll keep at it.

 

[BlueMAB]

Thanks! My friends and I are going to make a week of it after the game and hit RI, MA, ME, NH, and VT before we drive back to Virginia. Hopefully the Fall colors will be starting to peak then.

You'll have better luck further north, down here they usually don't peak until mid October. Northern New England may be in peak by that time.

Accommodations: If you're looking to walk for meals/entertainment, then Delamar in WH is very nice, and within walking distance of everything you'd need. If you're driving everywhere and just looking for cheapish accommodations there are plenty of places to pick from in East Hartford, Glastonbury, Windsor, Windsor Locks that are convenient. Where you stay really depends on how you're travelling, and what you'd like to do while here. Traffic here is nothing like DC, so I wouldn't be concerned with staying as close to the stadium as possible.

LOTS of food options:
Mexican/Spanish - bartaco, Barcelona
Seafood - Max's Oyster
Burgers - Max's Burger
Mediterranean - Zahara
Steakhouse - Fleming's
Italian - Treva, Bricco
Thai - Blue Elephant

Bars/Drinks:
Vinted (if you're into wine tasting)
The Place 2 Be
World of Beer
Elbow Room

Tailgating:
Highly recommend the parking lot on Silver Lane across from the stadium (Pratt & Whitney owned softball fields), the rules are more lax with respect to tailgating, and the walk is much shorter than the red lot (gameday/non season-pass parking). Address: 544 Silver Ln #568, East Hartford. Also try googling "tailgating at softball fields east hartford ct"

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

A couple of friends and I are driving up from Virginia to see the Cowboys play the Huskies in September. Any advice regarding accommodations, dining, and tailgating?

What are the targeted interests of @DCPoke and friends? Your responses may prompt additional helpful responses. On the way to/fro CT, you may want to visit New Haven for the nation's best apizza.

Down the road, I hope a return game in Laramie is scheduled to further encourage visiting Wyoming. One of 4 states remaining to visit.

 

[WestHartHusk]

Thanks! My friends and I are going to make a week of it after the game and hit RI, MA, ME, NH, and VT before we drive back to Virginia. Hopefully the Fall colors will be starting to peak then.

That is A LOT to try to pack into a week, and I don't really think you'll get any sense for any of those places. I'd just pick 1 and commit...cant really go wrong with any IMO.

 

[Pinnacle]

Definitely Delamar in West Hartford!