[tsiddons]

So a couple of friends and I are driving up to Hartford this summer to see a show and we bought our tickets today. Since we're coming from NJ, we are planning on staying in a hotel. We were thinking...

A) Super 8- Yes I know it's probably a dump, but it's apparently right down the street from the venue and would make getting to and from the concert very easy(and walkable).

B)Something downtown(Marriot, Crowne Plaza, etc)- These are actually the same price as the Super 8(about 100/night). They are about a mile away from the venue, but in the center of town I'm guessing?

Having never been to Hartford, I'm kind of looking for suggestions. If we stayed at one of those hotels downtown, would we be able to walk to and from the show...or is it kind of a sketchy area to walk through? We could always take a cab, so it wouldn't be a huge deal either way. Also, are there bars and stuff we can hang out at near these hotels? Like I said before, i really know nothing about Hartford, so I don't know if it's one of those cities thats got nothing downtown.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[uconn99]

You could walk from the Marriot or any of the hotels downtown to the Meadows (Dodge Music Center) The venue isn't in the best part of town (it is actually next door to a Mercedes dealship however) but the walk to downtown would be 25-30 minutes. You could always take a cab which shouldn't be much money, you may want to do this at night on the way back to downtown. Walking to the venue in the early evening would be fine.

Downtown is a live place on Friday and Saturday nights. You will find plenty of action at the bars, for this reason I would rather stay downtown than at the Super 8, plus you get a much nicer hotel.

BTW, what concert are you seeing?

[tsiddons]

Hey thanks for the advice. Yeah, we are not averse to cabs so we'd probably rather stay downtown for the convenience of the proximity to the bars afterwards. I also hear lots of people tailgate at that mercedes dealership before the show(as well as a place called "erotic zone.")

So we will probably end up doing the downtown thing, and taking cabs back and forth. Thanks for the help.


And we're seeing O.A.R., if you know who they are. Surprisingly a lot of people don't, but I guess it depends on age and part of the country and all that. On the chance you don't, I'd recommend checking them out.

[JayCT]

definitely stay in one of the hotels downtown. the Super 6 is not great and it is right along the highway so it i noisy. Many hotels have shuttles to the Dodge. Ask about it when you make a reservation.

The Crowne plaza is located just north of I-84 so it is not in the core of downtown but it is close to the Dodge, probably closer than the Super 8. The Marriott is new and located next to the Convention Center. Not a lot goes on near there. You might be better at the Sheraton or the residence Inn which are in the heart of downtown. There is a free shuttle around downtown that would help get you around. Not sure whne it runs but ask at the hotel. Jay.

[uconn99]

I know who O.A.R. is. In fact I am a big fan. I have been to over 30 shows. First saw them in 2001 and have seen them grow from small 300 seat venues to MSG where I saw both of their shows. I will most likely be at this show as well. I live in Arizona but go back to Connecticut many times a year for family and friends.

Jay, you must mean the Hilton as the Sheraton is on the East Hartford side of the river. The Hilton would be a good choice, they recently renovated it. Also the Goodwin hotel is a great independent hotel in a very historic building but usually is a tad on the expensive side. The goodwin and Hilton have the best locations for any hotel downtown, very close to the nightlife.

The Dodge Music Center (known as the Meadows to most from CT) is known to be a great venue with tailgating. However I think they have stopped alowing tailgating inside the venues parking lot because it was too roudy. Dave Matthews always has crazy shows there.

[tsiddons]

Wow, 30 shows. I'm only on number 11...the best probably being Red Rocks last year. Was able to land 4th row center for this show, so it will be my best seats so far.

Thanks for the info, Hilton is looking pretty perfect for what we need...feels nice to have it all figured out so soon. The hard part now is just waiting 4 months.

[andthentherewere3]

Originally Posted by uconn99

Dave Matthews always has crazy shows there.

You should see how crazy the Ozzfest shows can get. We were there a few years ago, and it was wild. It rained, and afterwards the crowds on the lawn (on a big hillside) stripped the grass right off the ground, and there were hundreds involved in mudslinging fights, etc. There was mud all over the stadium, with some people covered in mud from head to toe. Also, be warned, the last couple of times we went to concerts there they stopped serving beer at 8:00 p.m. I'm not sure if that was to control the rowdy crowd, or if it's some kind of rule they have.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by uconn99

Jay, you must mean the Hilton as the Sheraton is on the East Hartford side of the river. The Hilton would be a good choice, they recently renovated it. Also the Goodwin hotel is a great independent hotel in a very historic building but usually is a tad on the expensive side. The goodwin and Hilton have the best locations for any hotel downtown, very close to the nightlife.

Uconn - You are right about it being the Hilton now. I don't know what I was thinking. Lately I have messed up with a couple of things like this. Maybe it is old age or something. Thanks for catching that. Jay

[TiZZ]

y'all aint seen nothing :P

go to a Dave Matthews Band show at the Meadows if you really want to see a spectacle.

[CityOnDown5250]

whoa i just noticed this thread, and i had to make a user name asap. (i did the best i could do.) O.A.R. is the only band i will listen to. last year I saw them at The New England Dodge Music Center on 8/12/07. amazing concert. that venue is sick and they put on a sick show. ive seen them in NY and NJ before but they always put on a great show in CT. i live in New York however. anyway I will be attending their concert this year, August 9th i belive it is, its a saturday i know for a fact. (got my tickets presale the day they came out) im so pumped. i was considering staying in Hartford because I am seeing them at SPAC the night after and i needed a place to go after the Hartford show. im staying in Saratoga over night after the Hartford show. just thought i'd share and say hi. cant belive theres O.A.R. fans on this board. wow