Final Four Cities vs. Cities
Check out the local scenery and historic sites that capture the beauty of the final four men's college basketball teams left in the NCAA National Championships.
<b>Home of the Connecticut Huskies</b><br>The University of Connecticut men's basketball team is unique in the fact that it plays its home games at 2 different arenas. The XL center in Hartford, and Gampel Pavilion (pictured above), which is located on UConn's campus in Storrs, CT.
Home to over 28,000 students, the university's main campus is located in Storrs, CT. This public research university is located just 28 miles outside of the state's capital, Hartford.
The Mark Twain house, located in Hartford, is one of the more historic landmarks in Connecticut. Now a museum, major works of writing such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Prince and the Pauper and Huckleberry Finn were written while Twain resided in this home.
The Mystic seaport located in nearby Mystic, Ct is home to some of New England's biggest tourist attractions. Filled with ships, shops, aquariums, restaurants, and museums, the mystic seaport provides a great time for the whole family.
Located in Middlebury, CT, Quassy Amusement Park is the perfect place to enjoy a great family outing. The park offers swimming in Lake Quassapaug, picnicking, arcade games and over 20 rides.
<b>Home of the Butler Bulldogs</b><br>Home to the Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team, Hinkle Fieldhouse, which was built in 1928 and renamed in 1966 after Paul D. Hinkle, is one of the oldest college basketball stadiums still in use. The fieldhouse is also a US national historic landmark.
Students walk past Jordan Hall on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, IN.
The skyline of Indiana's state capital, Indianapolis. Also known as America's most walkable city, Indianapolis is the second-most populous state capital in the country.
Hop in a gondola or rent a pedal boat and ride down the canal in White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis.
Seating over 250,000 people, Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the largest spectator sporting facility in the world. The motor speedway covers over 253 acres and is home to one of racing's biggest events, the Indianapolis 500.
<b>Home of the Kentucky Wildcats</b><br>Named after legendary Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp, and home to the University's men's basketball team, Rupp Arena is the largest stadium built specifically for basketball in the United States. Built in the middle of Lexington Center, a convention and shopping facility, Rupp Arena holds more the 24,000 people.
Used for various lectures and performances, Memorial Hall, located in the center of the University of Kentucky's campus, is a memorial to those who died in World War I.
Known as the 'Horse Capital of the World,' Lexington is located right in the heart of Kentucky. Lexington is home to the Kentucky Bluegrass Festival, the oldest bluegrass music festival in Kentucky. Other famous spots in Lexington are the Henry Clay estate and the Mary Todd Lincoln House.
The Woodford reserve is one of many bourbon distilleries located in and around Lexington, KY. According to the Kentucky Distillers Association, 95% of bourbon, America's only native spirit, is produced in Kentucky.
Whether you want to catch an equestrian event, watch a parade showcasing rare breeds of horses, or spend time with some of the world's greatest retired competition horses, The Kentucky Horse Park has it all. Located in Lexington, the park boasts over 1,220 acres of rolling greens and plenty of beautiful horses.
<b>Home of the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Rams</b><br>As members of the Colonial Athletic Association conference, the VCU Rams are coached by Shaka Smart and play their home basketball games at the Verizon Wireless Arena at the Siegel Center. The arena opened in 1999.
Visitors can take a free tour of the historic state capital building, which is just a short distance away from the main campus of Virginia Commonwealth University.
Virginia's premier amusement park, King's Dominion is home to some of the most thrilling rides in the country. The park is located in nearby Doswell, VA.
To commemorate the Confederate States Army general, the J.E.B Stuart Monument sits on the famous Monument Avenue in Richmond.
Named after King James I, the James River that flows through Richmond is over 400 miles long. There are many activities for visitors to the James River Park system include hiking, biking and kayaking.