Facility Overview

The 2-70 Ford St Parking facility is a conveniently situated open-air surface parking lot located on the western edge of Downtown Hartford, Connecticut. Positioned directly alongside the historic and picturesque Bushnell Park, this facility provides visitors with rapid, street-level vehicle access right in the urban core. Because the facility operates as an open-air surface lot, it offers completely unobstructed overhead clearance, making it an exceptional parking choice not only for standard sedans and compact cars, but also for full-size SUVs, extended cab pickup trucks, commercial vans, and vehicles outfitted with roof racks or cargo carriers that typically exceed the low vertical clearance limits of downtown parking garages.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Boasting one of the most strategic positions in downtown Hartford, this location puts motorists within effortless walking distance of top cultural, civic, and entertainment destinations:

• Bushnell Park & Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch: Located immediately across the street, offering instant access to green spaces, paved walking paths, the historic carousel, and outdoor community festivals.
• The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts: Situated just a 7 to 9-minute stroll (approx. 0.4 miles) south, making it ideal for broadway shows, symphony performances, and evening galas.
• XL Center: Approximately a 6 to 8-minute walk (approx. 0.3 miles) northeast along Asylum Street, providing prime event parking for Hartford Wolf Pack hockey games, UConn basketball, and major arena concerts.
• Connecticut State Capitol & Legislative Office Building: Accessible within a scenic 5-minute walk through Bushnell Park, perfect for legislative visitors, state employees, and government advocates.
• Hartford Union Station: Located less than a 5-minute walk (0.2 miles) away, connecting travelers directly with Amtrak, CTrail Hartford Line, and regional transit links.
• Pratt Street Historic District & Downtown Dining: A 6 to 8-minute walk to popular local restaurants, craft pubs, and specialty cafes along Pratt, Trumbull, and Asylum streets.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress to the lot are straightforward, with entry points oriented directly along Ford Street. Ford Street serves as an essential downtown north-south arterial connector, bridging Asylum Street to the north with Trinity Street and Elm Street to the south. This layout provides efficient dispersal following major events at the XL Center or Bushnell Park, allowing drivers to circumvent downtown core congestion. The facility offers seamless vehicular connectivity to Interstate 84 (Exits 48A/48B) and Interstate 91, enabling rapid departures across the Greater Hartford region. For commuters utilizing public transit, Hartford Union Station is just two blocks away, providing frequent intercity rail and regional CTtransit express bus connections.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous surface bays with open sky clearance accommodating oversize trucks, work vans, and high-profile SUVs.
• Direct Parkside Pedestrian Access: Immediate access to the paved sidewalks and pedestrian promenades bordering Bushnell Park.
• Convenient Digital & Mobile Payments: Automated pay stations supporting credit cards, debit cards, and contactless mobile pay solutions (via modern parking apps such as ParkMobile or PayByPhone).
• ADA Accessible Spaces: Dedicated accessible parking stalls positioned on level pavement close to sidewalks for visitors with reduced mobility.
• Well-Lit Grounds: Evening security floodlighting providing illumination for nighttime theatre patrons and sports attendees.

Ideal For

• Event & Arena Attendees: Visitors attending concerts, hockey games, and family shows at the XL Center seeking a short walk and an easy post-event exit.
• Arts & Culture Enthusiasts: Patrons heading to performances at The Bushnell or festivals, concerts, and food truck rallies within Bushnell Park.
• Civic & Corporate Commuters: Professionals and government visitors requiring all-day parking near the Connecticut State Capitol, State Office buildings, or financial offices.
• Amtrak & Regional Rail Travelers: Commuters boarding trains or express buses at nearby Hartford Union Station.

Visitor & Driver Tips

During major XL Center games or large-scale summer festivals in Bushnell Park, Ford Street can experience elevated pedestrian and vehicular traffic; arriving 30 to 45 minutes prior to scheduled showtimes is strongly recommended to secure a prime stall. Take note of your stall number or vehicle license plate before stepping away, as automated pay kiosks frequently utilize Pay-by-Plate or Pay-by-Space systems. If navigating via GPS, entering \'Ford Street & Pearl Street, Hartford\' will guide you smoothly toward the lot\'s entry zone.