Storrs is the village face of the University of Connecticut, set in the rural town of Mansfield. It is not a classic New England sightseeing town, and it does not pretend to be one. Its reason to visit is the UConn cluster: museums, performance spaces, student energy, and a surprisingly strong puppetry tradition.
The best anchor is the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry, a small but distinctive museum tied to one of the country's serious university puppetry programs. Nearby, the William Benton Museum of Art, Jorgensen Center, and Connecticut Repertory Theatre give the campus more cultural weight than most college towns of this size.
Outside the campus core, Mansfield Hollow State Park adds the spare-day argument: trails, water, and quiet woods a short drive from downtown Storrs. Combine a museum, a campus walk, and the park, or time the trip around a concert or basketball game.
Storrs is a selective stop. It makes sense if you are already in eastern Connecticut, visiting UConn, or looking for a low-key day with one unusual museum and good performing arts. It is too thin to pull most travelers far out of the way.