About this Location

Facility Overview

The Hooper Lot is a dedicated open-air surface parking facility strategically situated at 2 Myrtle Street on the western threshold of Downtown Hartford and the historic Asylum Hill district. Featuring an unobstructed open-sky footprint, this lot avoids the vertical height limits commonly encountered in multi-story parking garages, making it exceptionally accommodating for full-size pickup trucks, large SUVs, conversion vans, and commercial vehicles equipped with roof racks or cargo carriers. Its intuitive perimeter design and paved layout ensure streamlined self-parking and effortless maneuvering for standard passenger cars and oversized vehicles alike.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned just blocks from both municipal destinations and corporate centers, the Hooper Lot serves as a practical, affordable base for exploring Hartford:

Hartford Union Station (7–10 minute walk, ~0.4 miles): Convenient multimodal access to Amtrak Northeast Regional lines, the CTrail Hartford Line, and regional commuter coaches.
Bushnell Park & The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch (8–12 minute walk): America\'s oldest publicly funded park, hosting outdoor festivals, live performances, and community celebrations throughout the year.
XL Center (10–14 minute walk, ~0.6 miles): Hartford\'s premier indoor sports arena and concert venue, home to professional ice hockey, UConn basketball, and major touring entertainment acts.
Asylum Hill Corporate Hub: Within quick walking distance to major institutional offices, including The Hartford corporate headquarters and nearby state judicial and administrative facilities.
The Bushnell Performing Arts Center (approx. 15-minute walk or quick ride): Hartford’s historic theater showcasing Broadway tours, symphony concerts, and premier cultural events.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Access to the Hooper Lot is fast and straightforward via Myrtle Street, positioned between Garden Street and Spring Street, just north of Asylum Avenue. Its strategic placement outside the dense core of central downtown provides drivers with a decisive advantage during peak commute hours and major arena events, allowing for rapid exits without being trapped in post-event gridlock. Drivers benefit from quick connectivity to Interstate 84 (Exits 48A/48B) and Route 44 (Albany Avenue), providing seamless routes east toward Manchester and west toward Farmington. Additionally, several CTtransit local bus routes run along Asylum Avenue and Garden Street, offering convenient onward transit throughout the capital region.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Unrestricted overhead clearance ideal for oversized vehicles, high-roof delivery vans, and roof-racked SUVs.
Clear Striping & Wide Bays: Generously spaced stalls designed for smooth turning maneuvers and convenient vehicle loading/unloading.
Digital Payment Convenience: Quick digital checkout and mobile pay solutions typically enabled for contactless parking management.
Strategic Peripheral Location: Avoids immediate downtown traffic snarls while remaining well within direct walking reach of core destinations.
Pedestrian Connectivity: Well-paved sidewalk networks connecting directly to Asylum Avenue, Garden Street, and Union Station.

Ideal For

Daily Commuters: Professionals working in the Asylum Hill corporate district or nearby downtown Hartford state and municipal offices.
Intercity Rail & Bus Travelers: Passengers departing from Hartford Union Station who require accessible parking nearby.
XL Center & Bushnell Event Attendees: Drivers seeking budget-friendly event parking without the stress of navigating crowded central parking garages.
Service Contractors & Fleet Drivers: Tradespeople and commercial technicians needing generous vertical clearance close to central business addresses.

Visitor & Driver Tips

When heading to events at the XL Center or Bushnell Park, plan to arrive 30 to 45 minutes ahead of scheduled start times to secure a space and enjoy an easy stroll downtown. Keep your license plate information accessible on your mobile phone to facilitate rapid payment via posted signs or on-site pay stations. If approaching from Interstate 84, use the Asylum Street exits for the most direct, low-stress route to Myrtle Street.