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Question for those who have hit every SEC stadium
Posted on 11/16/21 at 8:42 am
Posted on 11/16/21 at 8:42 am
Every year we try to hit a non-LSU SEC road game and this year we picked Georgia (this weekend for the Charleston Southern game). Just curious for you experienced SEC stadium travelers, what has been you're favorite stadium/trip to a college football game?
9
Posted on 11/16/21 at 8:52 am to AFinePilsnerBeer
quote:
this year we picked Georgia (this weekend for the Charleston Southern game).
I apologize in advance for the underwhelming experience you're about to have. Noon game, freezing cold, crap opponent all adds up to a snoozer with zero intensity.
Posted on 11/16/21 at 9:05 am to WG_Dawg
I've been to Oxford cool little town
I've been to Athens, cool environment
I've been to Gainesville, was in and out for game only as the trip was more about Disney
Been to Auburn, ok nothing special, not very tailgate friendly from opposing fan base
Been to Knoxville, was ok, the seating in that stadium is awful
All were typical sec towns and experiences
I've been to Athens, cool environment
I've been to Gainesville, was in and out for game only as the trip was more about Disney
Been to Auburn, ok nothing special, not very tailgate friendly from opposing fan base
Been to Knoxville, was ok, the seating in that stadium is awful
All were typical sec towns and experiences
Posted on 11/16/21 at 9:32 am to AFinePilsnerBeer
I haven't hit every stadium, but your question reminds me of a couple I met when I was at UGA.
They were in town for a UGA/Troy game. They told me that they had been Auburn fans but that they could never contribute enough money to get into the pool for road game tickets; so, they switched to Troy because it allowed them to visit so many more places.
They were in town for a UGA/Troy game. They told me that they had been Auburn fans but that they could never contribute enough money to get into the pool for road game tickets; so, they switched to Troy because it allowed them to visit so many more places.
Posted on 11/16/21 at 10:00 am to AFinePilsnerBeer
Pre-game: Oxford
Game: Athens
Drive from BR: Knoxville
Absolute misery: Auburn
Not bad: South Bend
Game: Athens
Drive from BR: Knoxville
Absolute misery: Auburn
Not bad: South Bend
Posted on 11/16/21 at 11:01 am to AFinePilsnerBeer
Tennessee. Lots to do in the surrounding smokies. I prefer to take these trips when my team is playing them though.
Posted on 11/16/21 at 11:20 am to AFinePilsnerBeer
I’ve hit every SEC stadium except Mizzou, and if you’re choosing just one you can rule out a few (Miss St, Vandy, etc). One important note for all of these is get there by Thursday night to truly enjoy the weekend fan experience. My most memorable trips are those we spend a proper amount of time in that town, not just game day.
Georgia: Congrats! You’ve chosen what I think is the most well-rounded experience (tailgating, bar/restaurant scene, town size, fan experience)...hope y’all have a great time.
Ole Miss: The trip I’ve made the most...hard to beat a Thursday night & Friday morning/afternoon eating/drinking in the square. The grove scene is a bit overrated to me but I always have a good time in Oxford.
Tennessee: A fall weekend in Knoxville actually feels like fall (usually at least) and we had a good time tailgating on the river...good downtown scene as well.
Alabama: While this might be my favorite trip due to the outcome of the game (we took an RV up Thursday morning back in 2007), I can't say I'd choose Tuscaloosa over another SEC trip. The stadium experience is fine and the team is on a legendary run, but I'd choose elsewhere at this point.
Auburn: Not much to the town, but I do have to say the stadium is underrated when it comes to noise, at least on the two trips I've made there.
Florida: I won't be going back...worst fans, lame downtown/nightlife, stadium is cool I suppose
South Carolina: We had a good time in Columbia, but the stadium is too far from downtown and it was a pain getting around. I'd skip it.
Texas A&M: You either like College Station, or like most you don't. I didn't mind the Dixie Chicken or the nightlife, but I made this trip to cross this off the SEC list.
Arkansas: We did this trip when the game was in Little Rock, so I can't judge Fayetteville at this point.
Kentucky: Alright, hear me out but this is an underrated trip! The Bourbon Trail and an afternoon of horse racing at Keeneland are two spectacular perks to a game in Lexington. The stadium experience is okay, but this is the reason I tell people to get to town a few days before the game.
Hope this helps with your decision making in the future
Georgia: Congrats! You’ve chosen what I think is the most well-rounded experience (tailgating, bar/restaurant scene, town size, fan experience)...hope y’all have a great time.
Ole Miss: The trip I’ve made the most...hard to beat a Thursday night & Friday morning/afternoon eating/drinking in the square. The grove scene is a bit overrated to me but I always have a good time in Oxford.
Tennessee: A fall weekend in Knoxville actually feels like fall (usually at least) and we had a good time tailgating on the river...good downtown scene as well.
Alabama: While this might be my favorite trip due to the outcome of the game (we took an RV up Thursday morning back in 2007), I can't say I'd choose Tuscaloosa over another SEC trip. The stadium experience is fine and the team is on a legendary run, but I'd choose elsewhere at this point.
Auburn: Not much to the town, but I do have to say the stadium is underrated when it comes to noise, at least on the two trips I've made there.
Florida: I won't be going back...worst fans, lame downtown/nightlife, stadium is cool I suppose
South Carolina: We had a good time in Columbia, but the stadium is too far from downtown and it was a pain getting around. I'd skip it.
Texas A&M: You either like College Station, or like most you don't. I didn't mind the Dixie Chicken or the nightlife, but I made this trip to cross this off the SEC list.
Arkansas: We did this trip when the game was in Little Rock, so I can't judge Fayetteville at this point.
Kentucky: Alright, hear me out but this is an underrated trip! The Bourbon Trail and an afternoon of horse racing at Keeneland are two spectacular perks to a game in Lexington. The stadium experience is okay, but this is the reason I tell people to get to town a few days before the game.
Hope this helps with your decision making in the future
Posted on 11/17/21 at 9:26 am to drockw1
quote:
drockw1
Great observations. I've been to most of these as well. LSU for the Troy game in 2008. Gainesville a couple of times, both were memorable but for different reasons. Vandy is like a home game for Bama fans. Went to several in Mississippi when we used to live over there, but that has been 30 years so I'm sure it has changed a good bit. And obviously I've been to Tuscaloosa and Auburn multiple times living in Birmingham.
One I've always wanted to do, and for the exact reasons you mentioned is Lexington. We went to an SEC Basketball tournament there in the early 90s, the year of the blizzard that hit the southeast. We almost got stranded at the airport, but finally made it to ATL and almost got stranded there as well, but some room opened up on the last flight to our hometown because some that were making connections got stuck where they were coming from. So I'd like to see Kentucky not in blizzard conditions.
quote:
Kentucky: Alright, hear me out but this is an underrated trip! The Bourbon Trail and an afternoon of horse racing at Keeneland are two spectacular perks to a game in Lexington. The stadium experience is okay, but this is the reason I tell people to get to town a few days before the game.
Posted on 11/17/21 at 11:22 am to AFinePilsnerBeer
I've hit every SEC West stadium. LSU definitely has the best tailgate experience, but A&M and Auburn have good stadium experiences. Arkansas has a good after experience with Dickson St. I had fun in the Cotton District at Miss St too
Posted on 11/17/21 at 2:58 pm to drockw1
I've been to all SEC stadiums except gainesville (becuase we play UF in Jacksonville every year, and I've been there 20+ times) and College STation because we've yet to play there in my lifetime. As a bonus I've bene to LR as well as Fayetteville.
Most lists are going to pretty much be the same at the tops and bottoms and you can rearrange the middle however you want. Vanderbilt, MSU, SC are generally gonna be at the bottom. Missouri/UK/Ark are gonna be in the middle but at the bottom of the middle. UGA/Bama/UT/LSU/AU/UF are gonna make up the top half.
Most lists are going to pretty much be the same at the tops and bottoms and you can rearrange the middle however you want. Vanderbilt, MSU, SC are generally gonna be at the bottom. Missouri/UK/Ark are gonna be in the middle but at the bottom of the middle. UGA/Bama/UT/LSU/AU/UF are gonna make up the top half.
Posted on 11/18/21 at 12:51 pm to WG_Dawg
I’ve been to the yankee Columbia, Baton Rouge, Lexington, Nashville, Knoxville, Auburn, Tuscaloosa, Gainesville and Athens.
I gotta disagree with WG_Dawg here. Maybe he hasn’t recovered from his visit in 2012.
Most lists do not put us at the bottom. Most so we are surprisingly good considering our team’s historical performance.
The in-stadium atmosphere at Willy-B is among the best in the SEC. I will acknowledge that 10 years ago the exterior of the stadium and grounds were awful. It was surrounded by asphalt parking lots in a warehouse district with the Farmers Market across the street.
Since then, the farmers market has been replaced with a beautifully landscaped tailgating area with real bathrooms. The formerly dirt lot in the fairgrounds has been landscaped with trees and paved roads. The former asphalt lot around the stadium has been completely redone with wrought iron gates, lighting, brickwork and landscaping. The nearby warehouses have been replaced with condos and tailgating facilities.
The only downside is we lost our parking spaces next to the cockaboose.
In contrast to most SEC stadiums, WB is off campus. You can’t bar hop, then walk through campus to get to the stadium as you can in Athens, Gainesville and some other cities. The bars are about 1 1/2 miles away in the Vista area. If you’d rather bar hop before your tailgate, there’s a shuttle. I admit that can be seen as a downside.
To me it’s just different. It’s made up by massive tailgates, cockabooses, and easy access to the stadium from your tailgating spot.
I’m sorry but there is no way our fan experience is bottom tier.
Disclaimer: Muschamp is a program killer. Even though we’ve had tough times in the past (21 game losing streak), we’ve never been as discouraged as we were the last 2-3 years. And it has definitely affected our attendance and enthusiasm.
I gotta disagree with WG_Dawg here. Maybe he hasn’t recovered from his visit in 2012.
Most lists do not put us at the bottom. Most so we are surprisingly good considering our team’s historical performance.
The in-stadium atmosphere at Willy-B is among the best in the SEC. I will acknowledge that 10 years ago the exterior of the stadium and grounds were awful. It was surrounded by asphalt parking lots in a warehouse district with the Farmers Market across the street.
Since then, the farmers market has been replaced with a beautifully landscaped tailgating area with real bathrooms. The formerly dirt lot in the fairgrounds has been landscaped with trees and paved roads. The former asphalt lot around the stadium has been completely redone with wrought iron gates, lighting, brickwork and landscaping. The nearby warehouses have been replaced with condos and tailgating facilities.
The only downside is we lost our parking spaces next to the cockaboose.
In contrast to most SEC stadiums, WB is off campus. You can’t bar hop, then walk through campus to get to the stadium as you can in Athens, Gainesville and some other cities. The bars are about 1 1/2 miles away in the Vista area. If you’d rather bar hop before your tailgate, there’s a shuttle. I admit that can be seen as a downside.
To me it’s just different. It’s made up by massive tailgates, cockabooses, and easy access to the stadium from your tailgating spot.
I’m sorry but there is no way our fan experience is bottom tier.
Disclaimer: Muschamp is a program killer. Even though we’ve had tough times in the past (21 game losing streak), we’ve never been as discouraged as we were the last 2-3 years. And it has definitely affected our attendance and enthusiasm.
Posted on 11/18/21 at 12:55 pm to SpringBokCock
To answer OP’s question, my favorite road trip is Tennessee. We stay in a cabin. Drive into Knoxville and bar hop - obviously basing ourselves at Calhouns.
Tailgating as a visitor is always tough unless you know some locals with a good spot. Maybe that’s why two posters downgraded the experience at USC.
Tailgating as a visitor is always tough unless you know some locals with a good spot. Maybe that’s why two posters downgraded the experience at USC.
Posted on 11/19/21 at 8:03 pm to AFinePilsnerBeer
I've been to all except Missouri. Been to most multiple times. Had good & bad experiences at all.
Favorites are Florida, Auburn, Tennessee & Georgia.
Miss. State at the bottom with South Carolina close behind.
Favorites are Florida, Auburn, Tennessee & Georgia.
Miss. State at the bottom with South Carolina close behind.
Posted on 11/20/21 at 7:35 am to drockw1
quote:
Arkansas: We did this trip when the game was in Little Rock, so I can't judge Fayetteville at this point.
We’ll understand if you judge Little Rock.
Posted on 11/20/21 at 8:51 am to LSU
LSU hasn’t played in Columbia since 2009. When y’all come back, you will have a much better experience.
Posted on 11/22/21 at 2:03 pm to AFinePilsnerBeer
I did all of these while in college so perspective might be different.
Athens: downtown scene is great. Tailgating was cool and the campus is nice. The game (Mettenberger's 2013 return where we lost 44-41) was great but the stadium atmosphere doesn't top my list. Can't beat the convenience of the downtown scene before and after. Super nice people. For college kids, the fraternities usually have friday night parties that are fun.
College Station: This was A&M's first season in the SEC (Manziel's Heisman year and this worst game of the season.) We partied in our RV parking lot which was 2 miles from the stadium so didn't see much of campus. Walking through it wasn't very exciting, however. The seats in the endzone triple deck might as well have been a mile from the field. Overall, the in game atmosphere was decent and the traditions, while weird, are at least unique. The stadium swaying during the aggie war hymn was one of the coolest experiences I've had in college football. The cops came to our tailgate at 10pm and shut it down after multiple noise complaints so don't expect to have too much fun...
Oxford: The stadium might as well have been a high school stadium. The Grove before is overrated. Cool tradition, but in reality, its hundreds of tents crammed up against each other with cold sandwich and chicken strip trays (they don't allow open flames). As per tradition, the Square had $60+ covers after the game.
Auburn: We went for Brandon Harris's return and got thrashed 41-7. Easily the best/loudest in game atmosphere of any of the ones mentioned above. The student section was still full at the end of the blowout. Tailgating before was fine. There was a rowdy LSU cluster of tents down the hill from the uniform white tent area Auburn has so that was fun. You can always expect a large LSU group at the game. The people were super nice after the game and Skybar (for a college kid) is elite and a must see. Had to stay all the way in Montgomery though so its not the most convenient game.
Athens: downtown scene is great. Tailgating was cool and the campus is nice. The game (Mettenberger's 2013 return where we lost 44-41) was great but the stadium atmosphere doesn't top my list. Can't beat the convenience of the downtown scene before and after. Super nice people. For college kids, the fraternities usually have friday night parties that are fun.
College Station: This was A&M's first season in the SEC (Manziel's Heisman year and this worst game of the season.) We partied in our RV parking lot which was 2 miles from the stadium so didn't see much of campus. Walking through it wasn't very exciting, however. The seats in the endzone triple deck might as well have been a mile from the field. Overall, the in game atmosphere was decent and the traditions, while weird, are at least unique. The stadium swaying during the aggie war hymn was one of the coolest experiences I've had in college football. The cops came to our tailgate at 10pm and shut it down after multiple noise complaints so don't expect to have too much fun...
Oxford: The stadium might as well have been a high school stadium. The Grove before is overrated. Cool tradition, but in reality, its hundreds of tents crammed up against each other with cold sandwich and chicken strip trays (they don't allow open flames). As per tradition, the Square had $60+ covers after the game.
Auburn: We went for Brandon Harris's return and got thrashed 41-7. Easily the best/loudest in game atmosphere of any of the ones mentioned above. The student section was still full at the end of the blowout. Tailgating before was fine. There was a rowdy LSU cluster of tents down the hill from the uniform white tent area Auburn has so that was fun. You can always expect a large LSU group at the game. The people were super nice after the game and Skybar (for a college kid) is elite and a must see. Had to stay all the way in Montgomery though so its not the most convenient game.
Posted on 11/22/21 at 5:04 pm to AFinePilsnerBeer
I've been to most, and it's honestly impossible to fairly rank them because so much of your experience hinges on things beyond our control - weather, importance of the game, etc. I've had a good time at all of them. There are a few I've had a great time one year, and a horrible time another.
If I had to list a favorite though, it'd be Fayetteville.
If I had to list a favorite though, it'd be Fayetteville.
Posted on 11/22/21 at 9:32 pm to Sus-Scrofa
quote:
We’ll understand if you judge Little Rock.
Little Rock is awful
I actually like going to Starkville for a game. I also have lots of friends that tailgate so that probably helps
I have had good experiences in Tuscaloosa, Knoxville and Oxford.
I want to try Knoxville again because the weather was awful that day which limited tailgating
The Grove was cool but the lack of good food in the grove turned us off.
The more I go to other stadiums the more I appreciate the vast amounts space we have at LSU to tailgate and park
This post was edited on 11/22/21 at 9:36 pm
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