Monday, June 28, 2010

Memphis Tailgate and Visitors Guide '10

This is one of a series of tailgating guides for C-USA football schools written by Syracuse fan and tailgate aficionado TexanMark. If you have any feedback or additional information you think belongs in this guide, please drop an email message to Mark by clicking here.



World Famous Beale Street click to enlarge
Photo Source: Memphis Wallpaper

First Things first: GETTING THERE

Memphis is near the geographical center of Conference USA. UAB, USM, Tulsa, Tulane and SMU are all within 6-7 hours of Memphis and afford a fairly easy drive for a weekend visit. Memphis International is a major hub for Delta Airlines. Airtran airline offers some affordability to select cities. Another option is to travel through Little Rock Airport(LIT) about two hours away. Southwest serves the Arkansas capital. Amtrak offers New Orleans to Chicago area fans a nice alternative on the City of New Orleans train route. Greyhound is another option. Memphis is one America's great destinations. There is so much to do. The City of Memphis and the State of Tennessee both offer travel websites. Just a sampler of things to do in Memphis: Elvis and Graceland, Memphis Botanic Garden, Memphis Zoo, Mud Island River Park, Pink Palace Family of Museums, Memphis Queen Riverboat, Stax and Sun Studio Tours, Memphis Rock n Soul Museum, and lastly, World Famous Beale Street.

Those who like to gamble and have the time should drive about 20 miles south of downtown to the Casinos of Tunica, MS. The Tunica River Park is worthy of the drive to Tunica even if you don't gamble. If so inclined you can make this your base of operations for your stay as it is an easy drive to the Liberty Bowl.

Due to popular demand some Memphis fans gave me a few more places to visit during your stay (many of these are kid friendly): Chucalissa Museum and Archaeological site, Fire Museum of Memphis, Metal Museum, National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis Redbirds Baseball, Peabody Place--shopping and entertainment district, Childrens Museum of Memphis (steps away from the Liberty Bowl), and finally a link for more Parent/Child Activities.

The University of Memphis is actually about two miles east of the 62,000 seat Liberty Bowl (Memphis' Stadium). The Liberty Bowl is located on the Mid-South Fairgrounds about five miles southeast of downtown. So for the ones paying attention in class that means the University of Memphis Campus is about seven miles east of downtown. NOTE: The Mid-South Fair permanently relocated to northern Mississippi in 2009.


The Liberty Bowl Seating Chart Click to enlarge

Directionsfrom the old Mid-South Fairgrounds website
In Memphis:
The Mid-South Fair was conveniently located in the center of Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Fairgrounds up till this year, 940 Early Maxwell Blvd., bound by Central Avenue on the North, Southern Avenue on the South, Hollywood on the East and East Parkway on the West. The Fairgrounds complex also is the site of the Mid-South Coliseum and Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, which made the fairgrounds the entertainment hub of the Mid-South.

From Tennessee on I-40:
Stay on I-40, it will turn into Sam Cooper Blvd. Take Sam Cooper Blvd. until it dead ends at East Parkway. Take a left on East Parkway. Continue on East Parkway through three traffic lights. The third light will be Central Avenue. After crossing Central, the Mid-South Fair will be directly on your left about a block.

From Mississippi on I-55:
After entering Memphis, follow the signs to Nashville which will put you on I-240. The second exit is Airways Blvd. (North/South) Take Airways Blvd. North. After 2 or 3 miles the street will have a grass median with trees and you should be able to see the Mid-South Fair on the right. The entrances are located on the street surrounding the Fairgrounds.

From Arkansas on I-40:
After driving through West Memphis, AR, take East 40 Memphis/Nashville and drive over the new bridge. After passing the Danny Thomas exit, take 240 South to Jackson, MS, then immediately take Madison Avenue exit. Go East on Madison Avenue for several miles until you get to East Parkway. Take a right on East Parkway. After a few blocks you will see signs for the Mid-South Fair.


Tailgating and Parking:

Memphis fans love tailgating and it shows in the parking lots surrounding the Liberty Bowl. The normal southern traditions of RVs and BBQ is all around. A new addition to 2010 (Tiger Lane) should be a huge hit and help the game day ambiance.

Tiger Lane

A $15M project to install grass, trees, and electrical outlets to enhance tailgating is being installed during the summer on 2010. You have to be a member of the Highland Hundred to buy a parking spot on Tiger Lane. If you don't have a spot you can still walk down and enjoy the scene.

Note: Some of the parking information is still being finalized so the information below concerning Liberty Bowl below parking might be in slight error. It will be updated soon.


Tiger Lane--Artist Rendition

All the parking information is from Trips Tigers and fellow Memphis Fans at the NCAABBS Memphis Internet Forum--Thanks. Both websites are awesome with information about the Tigers. With the Liberty Bowl's location near the fairgrounds it offers a lot of parking choices. Visiting fans should be able to find a lot which allows them a great chance to tailgate in close proximity to their other visiting fans if you plan ahead. I suggest either the mid-south coliseum or the old fairgrounds parking areas or some of the lots north of the stadium (i.e. Board of Education, Tobey Park, etc...) Like anything: the earlier you arrive the better the choices you have. If you arrive 3-4 hours before kickoff you should have many lots available and less traffic.



Parking Lots with RVs Click to enlarge

Parking Lots Near the Stadium click to enlarge

Best parking for Memphis fans who want to be close and expect to attend most/all games is to join the Highland Hundred. Your membership allows parking/tailgating along Liberty Lane or the Blue 15 lot. Tailgating is fabulous here--so if you are a Memphis Fan or a lucky guest, this is the best Memphis has to offer. As of summer 2010 the RV plan hasn't been finalized due to the Liberty Lane addition. However, expect to see RVs coming in the night before. For Visiting Fans of the Opponent: The gates are open for almost all lots and if you arrive in an RV the day before I suggest you park near the Mid-South Coliseum or the Fairgrounds Area. If you are unsure of things--walk over to the Highland Hundred Area (liberty Lane/Blue Lot 15) and the Fans will tell you the "scoop". There are supposed to be RV hookups near Libertyland (Brown 15 and 19 areas) but generally not recommended due to the distance to the stadium and the distance you'll be away from others.


Liberty Bowl Parking Map Easy to read



Liberty Bowl Parking Map--North Direction Facing Up

Lots For Visiting Fans:
The following lots offer you the best chance for tailgating together as a group:

MidSouth Coliseum: Parking ranges from $5 to $10 depending on how close you are to the stadium. If there is no one taking money and the lot (applies to all lots) is open you can drive in and park anyway. Someone may come around and take your money later. MidSouth Coliseum is a traditional parking lot with lots of porta potties.

Fairgrounds offers alot of parking and is just a short walk east to the stadium. Hint: Every third weekend in the month they have a well attended flea market there. The main lot entrance is off Early-Maxwell Blvd just south of the Blue Lot (permit only). You can drive down and park I the vicinity of the flea market buildings (Youth Bldg, Bldg 196 and the Pipken Bldg, Bldg 158) Stadium is only about 200 yards east. The area can get congested an hour or two before kickoff. Hint: It is best to approach the fairgrounds for public parking from Parkway Ave (west side of fairgrounds) or from Southern Ave (south side of fairgrounds) and avoid the Central Ave/Early-Maxwell Blvd intersection during peak times.

Christian Brothers University located about 1/3 mile north of the stadium across Central Avenue. COST $ 5 a game (season pass available) This lot is good for a quick exit (onto Central then to Parkway Ave). Some limited grassy spots available for tailgating...some bathrooms and a snackbar on campus.

Frank Tobey Park 1/3 mile north of stadium across from Central Ave. Cost is free--don't park on the grass. Bathrooms might be open (great if your tailgating with a bunch of guys but possibly no bathrooms could be an issue--check with the females in your party first LOL). HINTs: During heavy traffic best to enter from the east off of some side streets. Memphis students love to tailgate in Tobey Park.

Shelby County Board of Education 1/2 mile north of stadium across Central Avenue. Gameday Parking $5 Restrooms may be (same issue as the park)available at Tobey Park located just to the southeast. Parking Location: 160 S Hollywood St.

Lastly, Lots just SE and SW of the Central/Hollywood Intersection. Some private lots south of the old Walgreens. Porta potties are reported to be available. Expect to pay about $10. The Children's Museum is across the street at the SW corner of the Central/Hollywood Intersection also offers parking.

NOTE: During peak times it is best to avoid S. Hollywood Ave (turns into a one way street on gameday) between Central and Southern Avenues.

NOTE: I have populated a map found at MapGameDay with most of the places talked about here (be patient it might take 20 seconds to load). This wonderful website has informational maps on most major colleges. When the map opens up click on "Show All Places" Look for the upsidedown "White Teardrops" under the title "tailgate" for parking info supplied to me by Trip's Tigers. NOTE: the maps can take 20 seconds to laod. HINT: The website allows you to register and create your own private maps for your tailgate party to use.


NOTE: Parking for the Liberty Bowl Game in Late December is here. Looks like RV parking is in the old "LibertyLand" Amusement Park complex.


ELVIS LOVES TAILGATES AND THE TIGERS--click to enlarge (Thanks MissJ)

TAILGATE SUPPLIES:



Get Memphis Gear like this at College Flags and Banners



New to 2010 are great tailgate products offered to my readers...BTW, you get a 10% discount.

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If you are looking for more than just college try their sister company.

Other Sports Flags:
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Did you forget something? You dummy, however there are a few places within a mile or two to help you out. Bottomline: Central Avenue will be busy, so it is best to avoid it. Check out the Google map here to give you some ideas. There isn't a WalMart nearby but a Kroger is located about 2 miles northeast of the Liberty Bowl near the University.

Ticket Scalping and You:

I am not a legal expert and I recommend you check with local authorities before buying or reselling on the street. Memphis fans told me it is illegal to buy/sell on the Stadium Grounds but okay off the premises. Best place to buy: parking lots and sidewalks, another area is along Central Avenue and South Hollywood.

Hint: For Tiger Fans Only--hangout in your Tiger Gear near Gate 1--for the lesser games you can usually get a ticket from a fan for free who has extras.

A few tried and true techniques to get the best price buying: 1. Know what a legit ticket looks like 2. Buy from your own fan base first 3. The smaller the group the smaller the price--single tickets are cheapest 4. Prices usually peak 1-2 hours before kickoff--inside an hour the closer to game time the cheaper the ticket, right after kickoff they plummet to near nothing 5. A fan walking to the stadium in with a group of friends and still holding extra tickets to sell will usually dump them for a cheap price (they do not want to miss the game and often they are doing a favor for a buddy to sell them) usually you'll spot them holding a finger or two out to their side or over their head or saying selling one, etc... 6. If you have to deal with a professional scalper--NEVER give him what he asks, have a seating chart with you, check to make sure all tickets are really together and for that game, offer him lower and be prepared to walk away, after you turn and walk away more than half the time in my experience they'll give in and take your offer, if you can afford to wait...wait inside 20 minutes to kickoff as see the prices drop (assess the situation for the number of tickets available, how many you need before employing that strategy) 7. Don't be embarrassed to go back to a scalper to buy ticket(s) 10 minutes after you said no to his previous offer 8. Don't fall for their tactics to make you feel like you're ripping them off by "only offering $20 a ticket", etc...they love to play games with your self-image and ego.

TAILGATEWIKI--Total Tailgating Resource


Tailgatewiki.com is designed loosely on the wikipedia concept that anyone with internet access is considered an expert in the field and can contribute their personal knowledge in an online arena. Wikipedia covers all areas whereas Tailgate Wiki focuses on tailgating and improving the game day atmosphere. Because many fans
follow their team when they play on the road, Tailgate Wiki will serve as a resource for those fans to understand what to expect when they get there. Kind of like having a friend in every city, at every stadium, giving you the inside scoop on the best places to park, tailgating policies and much more. This is all user generated content and the goal is to benefit the entire tailgating community.

LODGING:

Memphis being a geographic crossroads, regional/national business center and toursit town offers a large amount of lodging options. The bad news is there are no lodging options real close to the Liberty Bowl.

CLOSEST: A motel fairly close is the newly branded, Country Hearth Inn (nee: Artisan Motel). The old hotel had mixed reviews but I'm sure improvements have been made with the affiliation to a regional chain. The next closest motel, the Holiday Inn is next to the University. It has great reviews.

DOWNTOWN/BEALE ST:

If you decide to stay near Beale Street these hotels come recommended: The new Westin is very convenient to the FedEX Forum and Beale Street, The Peabody is famous for the ducks, the Hampton Inn and Suites and the Holiday Inn Select all are close to the action. A new recommendation near Beale for the Budget Minded Traveler, the newly renovated Vista Inn Motel. The motel has generally recieve good reviews.

Peabody Ducks

If you want to stay Downtown (a few blocks north of the Beale Street Area Hotels) try these places: The Madison is a classic historic Hotel, Springhill Suites by Marriott, and the Residence Inn. I personally stayed at the Comfort Inn Downtown and had an excellent room and they had a very good breakfast. Finally, an overview map showing downtown lodging. Finally, if you are on a budget you can try looking in the outlying suburbs. West Memphis, Arkansas has a ton of motels for the budget traveler. The eastern suburbs also offer alot of options. Finally this guide offers you many different small "Mom and Pop" type motels. I can't vouch for any of them but they'll give you some options.


Memphis Trolley


The Memphis Trolley offers you a convenient run between Beale St/FedEX/Baseball Stadium area and the hotels downtown. You can stay downtown and run down to Beale Street area and not not worry about parking. Multi-Day, All passes, etc... can be bought at the North End Terminal Center. A single passenger ride is $1.

MEMPHIS AIRPORT AREA

The airport is only about four miles south of the Liberty Bowl. There are alot of motel options there. It is possible for those flying in for a quick trip to stay near the airport and get a cab to the game.

DINING/SPORTS BARS:

Memphis with its location as a geographic and cultural crossroads offers an outstanding array of food choices. A nice compilation of the best of Memphis is here and it is also here.

Gus's Fried Chicken has a reputation nationally for some of the best chicken you can eat--period! It is located a few blocks west of FedEX Forum. Try Frank Grisanti for upscale Italian downtown at the Embassy Suites Hotel or Ronnie Grisanti and Sons. The restaurant specializes in Tuscan Italian fare. It is at 2855 Poplar Ave about a mile NE of the stadium. Italian Food at a more moderate price try Pete and Sam's Restaurant on Park Ave near the Memphis Campus. Another lower priced choice is Brooklyn Bridge out in the eastern suburb of Germantown. How about a great brew pub with a nice food menu? Try Boscos and see why natives rave about it. Another place with an outstanding collection of beer is the Flying Saucer downtown. Looking for a good Pizza? Try Exlines, located all over Memphis. For a New York Style Pizza try Little Italy in mid-town. Craving a good burger try Huey's or Tops (located all over Memphis--see BBQ section). If you are downtown and really hungry for a burger, try Kooky Canuck aka Big Foot Lodge. If you can finish the 4 lb burger in 60 minutes it is free! Another excellent restaurant downtown is the Mesquite Chop House. They are know for good steaks and a fantastic Sunday Brunch. The South is known for Catfish--if you want this try Flying Fish downtown or the Soul Fish located about a mile of the stadium. For steak try Buckley's (one close by on Popular Ave--good value) or the more upscale Jim's Place, Jim's Place Grille, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar or , or Folk's Folly on the east side of town.
Jim's Place Grille Home of Fine Food and Drinks

Not a lot of fast food near Beale Street but South Philly Cheese steak is nice change from the typical burgers. It offers a couple TVs and a great place to relax. In Peabody Place you can find a full service sports bar in Primetime (used to be Jillian's). Also in Peabody Place is a meat lovers paradise, Texas de Brazil. A Brazilian (churrascaria) Steakhouse. Along with Food and drinks they also offer billiards and video games. Finally, Blues City Cafe and Rum Boogie come recommended by the locals as the two Beale Street places they like.

BARBEQUE:

Memphis is world famous for Barbeque. One can argue which Barbeque is better: Memphis, Texas, Carolinas, Kansas City, etc...One fact stands clear: Memphis Barbeque shouldn't be missed!

Downtown/Beale Street Area:
Neely's has great food in the "Historical District" of Memphis, between the Medical Center and downtown, Charles Vergo's Rendezvous (for Ribs), Leonard's Barbeque Downtown (A very good BBQ Buffet). I visited Memphis in December 08. A few other local restaurants on Beale Street that come recommend:

Near Downtown/Midtown:
Jim Neely's Interstate BBQ has some great ribs and sandwiches and his some say his secret sauce is the difference, Payne's Barbecue is located in an old store front...don't fear...your taste buds won't mind! Memphis fan TigerKeep raves:
There is a little joint that is special to Memphis called Payne's. It is at mcclean and lamar in an old service station that has been converted to bbq joint (all the best are like this). The pork is sliced or chopped, not pulled as most great bbq. However, the sliced pork sandwich with a combination hot and mild (sweet) sauce is a little bit of heaven. There are fried pies and deep fried smoked sausage sandwiches with slaw. If you want a unique Memphis experience definitely try Payne's.
The Cozy Corner has alot of fans...try the cornish game hen. The Bar-B-Q Shop is considered by many locals to have the best BBQ (pulled pork sandwiches are especially good) around. The Shop is also noted for a great selection of BBQ stuff to purchase under the Dancing Pigs label.

University/Liberty Bowl Area:
Top's Barbeque has great BBQ Sandwiches and has locations all over Memphis. Memphis fans prefer the restaurant just south of campus. Top's is very appropriate for a quick BBQ sandwich meal and most Memphis folk have a soft spot for the chain. Central Barbeque is a relatively new place but has a bunch of fans. It is conveniently located near the Liberty Bowl.

East Side:
Corky's has gone into franchising throughout the southeast. It has its fans for its excellent BBQ. If you are out in the eastern suburbs try the Commissary Barbeque in Germantown.


HUNGRY, YET? (Commissary BBQ)

SPORTS BARS: On game day if you have some time to kill--try Newby's near the Campus. It is a great live music venue but it converts into a sports bar during Saturday afternoons. At night is is a great night club with regional/national acts. There is a Buffalo Wild Wings east of the Liberty Bowl (Popular Ave) close to the campus. If you have never been to one they offer Chicken Wings as well as burgers, salads, etc...The good news is they have ESPN Gameplan, CBS College Sports, Versus and numerous TVs so you should be able to watch as much college football as you can handle. Lastly, the Bobcat on Popular near the campus offers TVs on game day although the website says it opens at 4pm. If you are hanging out downtown before or after the game--Peabody Place has Primetime. Primetime is an upscale Billiard Hall, Video Game Emporium, Restaurant, Sports Bar and meeting place. About 7 blocks south of Beale St. is Calhoun's Sports Bar and is a favorite among the locals. It's a friendly hole-in-the wall with the best bartenders in town and a great host, Max. Rabid Tiger fans gather there for all the games. TJ Mulligan's has several locations around town and carry football games on Saturday and Sunday. About two miles east of the University is a neat locally owned sport bar called the Brookhaven Pub. They offer all the college TV (like Gameplan)packages...it looks great. Hungry for Wings with your sports? Try Ching's Wings near the University. Finally, a decent sports bar website for places around the US.

SHOPPING (for the non football watching spouse)

There are several antique shops in the city. Chickasaw Oak's Plaza and LaurelWood Shopping Center have enough to keep her busy for several hours and are close to the stadium. If she is looking for a large Mall try WolfChase Galleria in Bartlett/Cordova Area and Oak Court Mall. Oak Court Mall is an upscale, two-level center featuring Italian marble, skylighting, and original bronze sculptures. Our most unique architectural feature is the famous rolling marble ball that is powered exclusively by water at the 4400 block of Popular. If your spouse is staying downtown for the game Peabody Place will offer some shopping but it is having occupancy issues and won't have too much. Finally, a very unique store in the Beale Street area. It is a place guys will enjoy as much as the ladies. A. Schwab Dry Goods Store is a local institution.

This should almost be listed as a tourist designation but a Bass Pro Store and entertainment center will be set up in the old Pyramid downtown. Opening is set for late 20011.


GOLF

Memphis offers a wide range of golfing options and due to its southern location you should have golf weather through the end of the season.

Local Munis for the quick round--hackers welcomed
The Links at Audubon is a very popular course in the city. It is located next to the campus and only about two miles from the Liberty Bowl. The website said,
Playing at over 6,400 yards and featuring small greens averaging less than 3,000 square feet, come prepared with your "A" iron game if you want to challenge par.
Check out the reviews. The Links at Galloway is another muni very close to the University and is a good value.

Another interesting course Glen Eagles Golf Course is actually at the old local Naval Air Station (NAS Memphis) in the northern suburb of Millington. The course is well maintained and isn't usually crowded. Another gem in Millington is Orgill Park Golf Course. It is definitely worth checking out.

Orgill Park Golf Course


Cherokee Valley Golf Course

Nice Public Courses for the Better Golfer
Three in the southern suburb of Olive Branch, MS standout (just over the stateline). The Plantation and Cherokee Valley Golf Courses afford a round and cart for under $50. The Cherokee website says:
Nestled among gently rolling hills, Cherokee Valley Golf Club extends a challenging game to golfers of all skill levels. Eleven lakes and 78 bunkers may seem to intimidate, but wide fairways and clean roughs are very forgiving. The 18 hole par 72 course ranges from 6751 yards at the rear tees to 4422 at the forward tees.
The Wedgewood Golfers Club offers several layouts for golfers of all skill levels and is a nice value. The serious golfer should consider Olive Branch for your golf fix.

The Wedgewood's Clubhouse

Quail Ridge offers some hills uncommon to Memphis in the northest suburb of Bartlett. It is a great value and offers some specials. It was voted the best public course in Memphis by the readers of the local newspaper.

Mirimichi Golf Course is opening July 2009. It promises to be a great challenge. It is about 15 mins north of Downtown.

Finally, the Tournament Players Course at Southwind offers the total experience for the well connected golfer as it is private. It is located in the southeastern suburb of Germantown. If you get the chance to play (by invitation) it should be a great experience. One other Private course worthy of mention is the Colonial Country Club located in the northeastern suburb of Cordova. Like the TPC you shouldn't turn down a chance to play.

The opinions expressed in this guide are those of TexanMark. While every effort has been made to ensure all the information presented is accurate and current, it would be wise to verify things when possible. Please note that this guide is not endorsed by Scout.com, Rivals.com or its site publishers, administrators and/or moderators.


Return to TexanMark's Tailgate Guides Main Page







...........................................

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Louisville Tailgate and Visitors Guide '10


Louisville Skyline Click to enlarge

This is one of a series of tailgating guides for Big East football schools written by Syracuse fan and tailgate aficionado TexanMark. If you have any feedback or additional information you think belongs in this guide, please add a comment below or drop an email message to Mark by clicking here.

First Things First: GETTING THERE
Louisville is the most western city in the Big East (among Football schools). Airline travel though is fairly easy. The airport is very close to the stadium. In fact some of the motels you might stay at also serve the airport. Check Southwest Airlines first. A few more discount airlines have recently been added.
Driving to Louisville is a bit more problematic. Realistically only Cincinnati (1 3/4 hrs), Pittsburgh and West Virginia (both about 6-7 hours) are drivable over most weekends. All the other schools are at least 12 hours but are doable especially if you have three or four full days for a mini-vacation. Note: Amtrak doesn't run through Louisville.
It looks like a fun place to visit with Churchill Downs horse racing (live racing in November), a Six Flags amusement park (NOTE for 2010: the park is closed..Louisville fans say it looks good for a new owner in 2011.), the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center (KFEC) and an entertainment district nearby called 4th Street Live. Of course, you can also take tours of many local distilleries. Baseball fans might want to check out the Louisville Slugger Museum. Boxing fans should check out the Muhammed Ali Center. Military Buffs and Gold Lovers should set aside time to see Ft. Knox about 45 mins south. History and Theater Lovers should check out Frazier Arms History Museum and Actors Theatre.


Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day

The stadium is located a short walk south of the main campus. The main campus (Belknap) can be viewed via interactive link. Another nice link for an overview of a lot of info important to visitors. Finally, the athletics website has their own take on a visitors guide.



Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in 2005



Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in 2010--artist rendition

Driving to the stadium is fairly easy. It is located just west of I-65 a few miles south of downtown. All sorts of great info about the stadium and various policies is here.

Parking/Game Day Tailgating/Ticket Buying

The official website gives you basic driving instructions from coming from all Cardinal Directions (pun intended). Like most stadiums the closest in spots are reserved for season pass holders and “high rollers”. The stadium’s official website says: “On most game days, one of the best options is to park at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center (KFEC). To avoid traffic to the prepaid lots, those parking at the KFEC should access Gate 1 of the fairgrounds off the Watterson Expressway (I-264). Follow Ring Road (Champion's Way) to the right and park in the lots north of old Cardinal Stadium, then walk across Crittenden Drive Drive at the traffic light and down Central Avenue to Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Please avoid jaywalking across Crittenden Drive. Parking at the KFEC is $8. There is also substantial surface parking west of the stadium across the railroad tracks between Churchill Downs and PJCS.” Tailgating is allowed in all parking lots except parking garages. Most lots open five hours before kickoff but locals have told me KEFC opens up at 6 AM. KFEC is huge and allows you to really spread out as there are no assigned spots. Also another option to beat the traffic into KFEC is to enter through Gate 6 off the Preston Highway. The best spot for RV’ers is to park at the (KFEC) Fairgrounds. Current cost was stated at $50 with full hook ups ($30 for primitive-no hook up) at the link. This looks like the best RV situation for any place in the Big East. If you want to park on the main Belknap Campus forget about it unless you have a permit (car or RV). Another place to park is Churchill Downs when the horses aren't racing.
Another few places you can try is the Holy Name Catholic Church for tailgating. They apparently let you park and tailgate. It might be worth checking out if you want to avoid a lot of the traffic around the stadium. The website hosted by the 502 crew states:
There are also parking spaces available for $10 in the Boy Scout lots on Central Ave between Floyd and Crittenden Dr. You MUST approach these lots from Crittenden Dr. Boy Scout lots are open to the west of the stadium, at the corner of 4th and Central Ave. You MUST Approach these lots from the west side of the stadium (4th St / Taylor Blvd). Farther west (and off the map below) are neighborhood parking and the Churchill Downs parking lots. Prices vary.

The Boy Scout lots usually open 8 hours before kickoff (or so we've been told).

New for 2010 more tailgate lots!: Churchill Park (not to be confused with Churchill Downs Parking). It is located at the end of Byrne Ave (2 blocks east of Floyd St. Trees line the park and lots of grassy fields. It costs $10 to park there and looks like a great spot to tailgate and is only about a 5 minute walk to the stadium. This could be a great area for visitors who arrive early. I have been told if the gate is locked...just drive around it and set up. A person will come by later and collect your money. Obviously you should have a group who can get along with Cardinal fans. Another parking option closeby is Churchill Park School located off Boxley Ave near Crittenden Drive. The cost is $10 but raucous tailgating is not encouraged here (you need to be more discreet with your adult beverages)...it is more laid back but offers a very short walk to the game. The school does bring in Porta-Potties and the money goes to the school. Finally the parking lot behind the Coit Cleaners at 2730 Crittenden Drive (across the street from the Cracker Barrel and just north of the Cardinal Hall of Fame Restaurant) is offered at $10 a car. The nice thing here is they have indoor bathrooms and if you bring a dish you can share food with others. They welcome decently behaved Visiting fans.


KEFC and Boy Scout Parking Lots (Good Bet For Visitors)--click to enlarge
Thanks to the 502 Crew for the map

Stadium Expansion Set to open for the 2010 season is an expansion to over 56,000 seats. It comes off the end of the Coach Kragthorpe era...most agreed after 2009 a change was needed. Charlie Strong was hired and Cardinal Nation is excited again.


Seating Map for 2010

The official university website has a Loge section seating viewer for you...click on the loge section you have tickets and you'll get a detailed seating chart.

Ticket Buying
Tickets are very hard to come by for Louisville Football about 3-7 years ago. The stadium was sold out with a waiting list. Capacity was about 42,000. Now with expansion to 56,000 it would've been a bad scene looking at 30,000 in a 56,000 seat stadium but Coach K was fired. You could get tickets for below face value in 2009. If the stadium isn't sold-out for 2010 you should still expect to find some bargains. A strong start will help re-energize the fan base.

Much more info on the stadium is provided by the school...Best news for beer drinkers: the stadium sells beer and even mixed drinks until the middle of the 3rd quarter.

Where to find tickets? Scalping is best done in the tailgate lots. The best spot is recommended by Louisville fan "snickerling".
The "tunnel" is the overpass of Central Avenue. Central Avenue serves as a natural divider between the Bronze Lot (big money donors) and the Green Lot (Most season ticket holders). The tunnel is due south of the stadium. It's about a 350 foot walk from the mouth of the tunnel to the nearest gate (Gate 1). Incidentally, that gate is the WORST for getting in. The crush of people trying to get in that gate is the largest... and the wait to enter is the longest. I'd recommend trying other gates for entry... even if they are farther from your actual seat.

I've never seen anyone hassled by law enforcement for attempting to sell tickets prior to the game. And yes... most persons looking to unload their tickets know to congregate at the "tunnel." An added advantage of having the bulk of "ticket scalpers" grouped together... competition drives the price down. If you don't like the price someone is selling theirs for, you can walk another two feet and find another person willing to sell their tickets. Granted, the growing success of the team is mirrored in the shrinking number of scalpers present each game.


Now a little disclaimer from the official stadium website:
Unauthorized Ticket Sales--Resale of tickets to a sporting event for more than the face value of the ticket is prohibited by law, as is the resale of any tickets to any event on PJCS property. The University of Louisville does not authorize selling individual or season tickets for more than face value. The U of L Athletic Department reserves the right to revoke the ticket privileges, including season ticket renewals, of an customer who scalps tickets. Please no reselling of tickets on PJCS grounds.


A few tried and true techniques to get the best price buying: 1. Know what a legit ticket looks like 2. Buy from your own fan base first 3. The smaller the group the smaller the price--single tickets are cheapest 4. Prices usually peak 1-2 hours before kickoff--inside an hour the closer to game time the cheaper the ticket, right after kickoff they plummet to near nothing 5. A fan walking to the stadium in with a group of friends and still holding extra tickets to sell will usually dump them for a cheap price (they do not want to miss the game and often they are doing a favor for a buddy to sell them) usually you'll spot them holding a finger or two out to their side or over their head or saying selling one, etc... 6. If you have to deal with a professional scalper--NEVER give him what he asks, have a seating chart with you, check to make sure all tickets are really together and for that game, offer him lower and be prepared to walk away, after you turn and walk away more than half the time in my experience they'll give in and take your offer, if you can afford to wait...wait inside 20 minutes to kickoff as see the prices drop (assess the situation for the number of tickets available, how many you need before employing that strategy) 7. Don't be embarrassed to go back to a scalper to buy ticket(s) 10 minutes after you said no to his previous offer 8. Don't fall for their tactics to make you feel like you're ripping them off by "only offering $20 a ticket", etc...they love to play games with your self-image and ego.



The Tunnel (Thanks to snickerling)

TAILGATE SUPPLIES

If you need game day gear the official athletics website would be happy to sell you some. If you need some last minute tailgate supplies I would try the Kroger Super Market first. It is at 3165 South 2nd Street and their phone number is: (502) 368-6153‎. It is located just SW of the stadium. Another option is to check out one of the numerous Walmarts throughout Louisville.



Get UL Gear Like This at College Flags and Banners


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If you are looking for more than just college try their sister company.

Other Sports Flags:
Sports Flags and Pennants Co. is the premium source for all of your NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and Nascar flags and pennants. Fast, secured shipping to your doorstep and all products are officially licensed. Through our site we are offering a coupon code for 10% off your order. Just enter "MARK10" at checkout.

TAILGATEWIKI--Total Tailgating Resource


Tailgatewiki.com is designed loosely on the wikipedia concept that anyone with internet access is considered an expert in the field and can contribute their personal knowledge in an online arena. Wikipedia covers all areas whereas Tailgate Wiki focuses on tailgating and improving the game day atmosphere. Because many fans
follow their team when they play on the road, Tailgate Wiki will serve as a resource for those fans to understand what to expect when they get there. Kind of like having a friend in every city, at every stadium, giving you the inside scoop on the best places to park, tailgating policies and much more. This is all user generated content and the goal is to benefit the entire tailgating community.

LODGING:
Louisville boasts nearly 17,000 rooms, which are a lot of rooms for a metro area the population of Louisville. It looks like you have two main options (Downtown or the Airport Area):

If you want to stay downtown, there are several downtown hotels to consider:

Hyatt Regency Louisville/320 W. Jefferson Street/Ph # 502-587-3434
Brown Hotel/335 W. Broadway/1-888-888-5252


The Opulent Seelbach Hilton Hotel

Galt House Hotel & Suites/4th Street at the River/Ph # 502-589-5200/Next door to the Kentucky Center for the Arts. Pedway connecting Kentucky International Convention Center and Galt House Hotel & Suites.
Marriott Hotel Downtown/280 West Jefferson Street/Ph # 502-617-5045
Seelbach Hilton/500 S. 4th Street/ Ph # 502-585-3200

Additionally, the Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn and Ramada Inn also offer downtown properties. To find them try using this Louisville website offers a nice search function to find all the hotels in the downtown area or any other area in the metro.

If you want to stay near the Airport or Stadium: the University provides a page with close by accommodations.
Louisville fan “Maize” suggests trying some of these places for lodging; all of these recommendations are close to Freedom Hall/Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.
Remember the Airport is extremely close to Freedom Hall-(0.5 Miles) and just 1.5 to 2.0 Miles from Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. If you are flying in you might just decide to not a get a rental car and rely on courtesy shuttles, cabs or walking.

Here is a google map showing lots of motels along Phillips Ave on the south side of KFEC.
Country Inn and Suites Airport/Kentucky Fair & Expo Center Freedom Hall/2850 Crittenden Drive Ph # 502-753-5555
Courtyard by Marriott Airport/819 Phillips Lane Ph # 502--368-5678
Crown Plaza Hotel (nee: Executive West Hotel)/830 Phillips Lane Ph # 502-367-2251 Across the street from KFEC & Freedom Hall.
Hilton Garden Inn/1530 Crittenden Drive Ph # 502-637-2424
The Super 8 also has a property close to the stadium and one close to the airport. This link offers a neat inactive map centered on the Super 8 nearer to the stadium. You can find the other motels on the map.


SHOPPING:
There are several major malls in Louisville; most of them are located out in the suburbs. However, the Louisville Antique Mall is near Papa John and might keep your non football watching spouse happy for several hours. The Summit lifestyle center is the latest trend in retailing but it is about 35 mins from the stadium. UL fan "mielrisco" recommends
Bardstown Road or Frankfort Avenue in "The Highlands" (see below for more info) as having several unique boutiques and restaurants that would make for a much more entertaining visit. (than the Summit)



DINING:
Close by
If you want the local college scene check out: Granville Inn/1601 S. 3rd Street It is just off campus and the oldest after game U of L Hangout known for great burgers and lots of coeds. The most well known sports bar and restaurant in Louisville is the Cardinal Hall of Fame Cafe. It is located about ¼ mile east of Papa John next to the Fairgrounds. Be sure to click on the link for the video at the official web site. Another close by restaurant is the Cracker Barrel located just north of the Cardinal HOF Cafe. The closest bar to Papa John is Harlow's (nee: Tailgaters) is located across the street on South Floyd. Harlows has no website but they do have a myspace page. Another unique restaurant is Lynn's Paradise Cafe which is about a mile north of the stadium. The place looks neat and should be popular with young and old alike. About 15 mins southwest of Louisville along the Ohio River is Mike Linnig's. They serve up good, cheap eats (specialty is fish/seafood) in a fabulous outdoor setting by the Ohio River. If you want Barbecue check out Bootleg Bar-B-Q. The prices are reasonable and they are noted for their Hot n' Sticky Wings...be advised you need to call three hours ahead. Mark's Feed Store also has a great reputation. Jucy's (pronounced juicy) Smokehouse Bar-B-Q looks interesting and also has a great reputation. For great pizza try Impellizzeri's Pizza, it come highly recommended.


Mike Linnig's From the Street



Awesome restaurant reviews here. A good website for finding a place to eat is here: You should look in the Downtown and Airport sections for places closest to Papa John. Bardstown and Frankforts areas are other great choices.

Downtown areas are best near 4th Street.
Three come recommended for originality: Makers Mark Bourbon House + Lounge , Red Star Tavern and Vincenzo's/150 S. 5th Street/Ph # 502-580-1350/Reservation Required. Of course, there are others like Hard Rock and TGIF.

Louisville fan, "CardinalZen" recommends these establishments:

Central Downtown: Bistro 301, Saffron's (Persian)(recommendcalling first as their main website was down), and Proof on Main.

East Downtown: Stevie Ray's Blues Bar, Primo, and BBC Tap Room

West Downtown: The Jazz Factory

South Downtown: Bluegrass Brewing Company and Cafe Kilimanjaro

The Highlands--Louisville's Cool Spot to Be. It is a three mile stretch along Baxter and Bardstown Road. If you have access to a vehicle: the 900 block of Baxter is a nice place to start.
Suggestions in the 900 block:
Wicks Pizza Parlor & Pub (Baxter) - decent bar - great pizza
O’Shea’s (Baxter) – Irish Pub
Molly Malone’s (Baxter) -Irish Pub pricier- nice outdoor area
Wet Willy (Baxter) nearly 100 beers on draft and a 6 foot long monitor lizard living underneath a reinforced glass floor.Flannigan's Gourmet Pizza + Ale house (Baxter) - smaller place - very very popular - great food and big beer selection

The 502 Crew tailgaters offer up some unique places here. The offer a few suggestions close to the stadium and few downtown.

Louisville fan "L-yes" suggests:
Ramsi's Cafe on the World is one of my favorite places to eat, it's offers a
wide variety of ethnic food. The Bristol Bar and Grill is right up
the street for more traditional american fare and across from Ramsi's is the
Avalon which is upscale contemporary American cuisine. The Avalon
has a great outdoor patio area with live jazz most weekend nights. There
are many locally owned restaurants like the ones I've mentioned up and down
Bardstown/Baxter. For pizza and a beer Wick's Pizza really can't be
beat, Bearno's is also pretty good. All are within walking distance of one
another. Another great area in the city proper is East Market
Street, there is a collection of restaurant/art galleries there with great upscale
food and nice bars like Artemisia Restaurant. If
you're in town on a Friday night and it's the first Friday of the month the
Market Street district is hopping in September and October.


Finally, the Frankfort Avenue area (just east of downtown) boasts a huge collection of independently owned restaurants in a vibrant, charming, friendly historic corridor.
Things to Do:

Distillery Tours:
Woodford Reserve (formerly Labrot & Graham Distillery)- 1 hour drive towards Lexington. Located in the beautiful horse country around Versailles! Maker's Mark: 1 1/4 hour drive. Very Good tour
Wild Turkey: Less than an hour southeast, easy to find. If you want to spend a day cruising several check out the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.


Maker's Mark Still House
The Louisville Chamber of Commerce has a nice guide to give you more suggestions in Louisville.



Belle of Louisville Steamboat



CASINOS
There is a Harrah's property across the river to the west of Louisville. If offers all the typical casino amenities.



GOLF:

Louisville Fan and Native Chris Lindy's Suggested Courses:

City of Louisville:

Right in the heart of Louisville, your best courses are Charlie Vettiner, Indian Springs, and Quail Chase. Vettiner is part of LouisvilleCharlie Vettiner’s municipal parks, a challenging layout due to the fact that there are some wild holes on the course and a LOT of elevation changes. The tee shot on #7 is probably the toughest in the city. OB on the right and junk on the left. Trees line both sides of a very narrow fairway for what is an uphill tee shot. Hole #10 may actually be tougher than 9. Another muni in Louisville is Seneca Park. Seneca Golf Course has been rated the sixth toughest course in Kentucky and voted "Best of Louisville" for several years running as well as Golf Digest "08-09 Best Places to Play". It is a steal at around $13-15 a round.

Indian Springs is a controversial choice and one that other Louisville golfers would possibly disagree with me about. It and Quail Chase are not city owned, but people complain about the residential developments overhanging the golf course at Indian Springs. I agree that the houses impede if you are wild off the tee, but really they are nothing more than a bad backdrop for an otherwise GREAT golf course. The par 3's there are among the best collection of any Louisville public (#6 & #11 are the best) and there is plenty to challenge you throughout the round.


Indian Springs Golf Club

Quail Chase is also a public course in town, but not connected with the city parks. There are 3 9-hole courses at the facility, which is well-kept if nothing else. I am not personally a big fan of the place because it is much more expensive than Vettiner and really doesn't offer anything those courses can't. The par-5 8th hole (East course) is a tricky one, where a lake guards the right side for the last half of the hole.

Greater Louisville Metro Area:

Outside of Louisville, I think there are more options and ones that honestly are better if you'd like to avoid the muni scene and get a little more for those extra dollars you will drop on non-city owned courses. Old Capital (Corydon, IN), Covered Bridge (Sellersburg, IN), Chariot Run--see below (Laconia, IN), Nevel Meade (Prospect, KY), My Old Kentucky Home--see below (Bardstown, KY), Weissinger Hills--see below (Shelbyville, KY), the new Champions Pointe--see below (Henryville, IN) and the soon-to-be-opened Heritage Hill (Shepherdsville, KY) are all very good to great tracks with a variety of challenges to them. I have also heard great things about Valley View, where Fuzzy Zoeller honed his game as a youngster growing up in Southern Indiana.


Valley View Golf Club

The most exciting of these is currently Heritage Hill, which was designed by former Nicklaus protégé Doug Beach and is schedule to open in August, 2007. The locals are already raving about this course if they have been fortunate enough to play and eagerly awaiting its public debut if they have not. From the photos on the course’s website, this could quickly become Louisville’s best area course.

If you're a gambler, Chariot Run may be the place for you to get in your 18 holes. It pushes the 45 minutes a little bit in that the course, owned by Caesars Indiana, is WAY past the casino itself. This is another course that I was not a huge fan of when I played it, but mostly because the greens were too hard and didn't receive shots well. It's a great layout, though, and would perhaps be right up there on my list with another chance at better conditions.

My Old Kentucky Home is the best local state parks course, also about a 45-minute drive from Louisville, but actually not even in the Top 5 of all state parks courses. The other great thing about Kentucky golf is what the state does with its parks. Trying to encourage people to get away from the big cities and put money into the smaller KY communities, the government has built and remodeled several parks courses into championship-quality layouts. My Old KY Home is not one of the Signature Series (the REALLY nice ones), but it's still a fun course that is well-kept and reasonably priced. Hole #16 might be the most difficult par 3 in the entire area.

Finally, Weissinger Hills in Shelbyville. This is another course that not many people know about since it is away from the city and not high on the day trip list for most people. Situated on an old horse farm, the course winds through several patches of trees, old fields, and a bit of water during the round. There isn't anything particularly spectacular about the course, but #10 might impress you and the conditions are good. For more information, you can always click the links for the courses that have websites or check out Golf Kentucky Links for their reviews. This is a nice site devoted to looking at ALL the KY courses as well as some of the more recognizable tracks just across the river.

Editor's Note: We thank Chris for his insights regarding golf in the Louisville area. Please note that he has an excellent web site devoted to University of Louisville athletics called Cardinal Empire. Please check it out.
I hope this helps. I'd like to thank Louisville fans Maize, Wilkie and Chris Wiley who helped with this guide. TexanMark

The opinions expressed in this guide are those of TexanMark. While every effort has been made to ensure all the information presented is accurate and current, it would be wise to verify things when possible. Please note that this guide is not endorsed by Scout.com, Rivals.com or its site publishers, administrators and/or moderators.


Return to TexanMark's Tailgate Guides Main Page





......

Saturday, June 19, 2010

ECU Tailgate and Visitors Guide '10

This is one of a series of tailgating guides for C-USA football schools written by Syracuse fan and tailgate aficionado TexanMark. If you have any feedback or additional information you think belongs in this guide, please drop an email message to Mark by clicking here.



The Beautiful ECU Campus Click to enlarge

First Things first: GETTING THERE

Unless you live within 7-8 hours the game at Greenville (ECU) will require you to fly in. The bad news is Greenville, NC is rather small (75,000 city and 150,000 in Pitt County) and airline service is very limited. All I could find was about 5 flights a day to Charlotte via USAirways out of Pitt-Greenville (PGV) Airport. You might get lucky and find a decent airfare so give it a try. For all others I recommend flying into Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) which is about 75 minutes (non rush hour) west of Greenville. The airport in Raleigh is huge and offers many nonstops and does offer some good airfares with Southwest, AirTran and Frontier (nee Midwest Express) all serving the market. Another small regional airport is located about 45 mins away in New Bern. It is worth a look. One other option is to fly into Norfolk International (ORF). I have found many very good airfares in there. It is a very nice airport and easy to get in and out of and is about two hours from ECU and Greenville. For those with some time, you might consider Amtrak. There is service into nearby Rocky Mount or Raleigh. Finally if golf and beach are on your mind you can try Myrtle Beach, SC and Wilmington, NC airports a few hours to the south (they each possess some low cost air carriers).



Greenville is not a tourist destination however, it does offer some museums in town but being a smaller town it doesn't offer as much as compared to many other CUSA locales. The good news is it is within a couple hours of the North Carolina Outer Banks and Beaches. Vacation Idea: Fly into Norfolk or Raleigh and drive to the Outer Banks. The motel/condo/rental homes drop their rates after Labor Day and the Outer Banks can offer beach and swim weather easily until mid/late October. Many of the rental units allow 8-12 people to stay together so you could split the cost among friends and save some money. The Outer Banks need to be explored by car but it does offer you the opportunity to ride a ferry to get a real nautical experience. Obviously golfers will find NC a golfers' paradise. Myrtle Beach, SC is about three hours south and the Pinehurst is not too far away along with many great courses in the North Carolna Coastal Area. More Golf recommendations below.


Enjoy a Pepsi in New Bern

A few other destinations surely to please: New Bern, NC birthplace of Pepsi, Morehead City and Atlantic Beach for those beach, water and boat lovers, Raleigh for those who want to see a bigger city (or maybe stay there and drive over for the game), and finally for you history buffs, historic Williamsburg, VA.

Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium Directions

The ECU campus is smack dab in the middle of Greenville. ECU plays their games in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The stadium is located about 3/4 mile south of the main campus near 14th Street and Charles Blvd. The stadium was built in the early 60s and has gradually expanded throughout the years as ECU's stature grew in college football. It currently seats about 43,000 and offers great sight lines. Formal Stadium policies give you all the info needed to enjoy game day experience. Stadium expansion is close to approval. The east end zone will get 7,000 new seats to bring capacity up to 50,000 by the 2010 season. The stadium has made great strides in the past 10 years. It has made the transistion from a glorified erector set to a BCS quality Football Stadium. Nice job...ECU.


Artist Rendition of New Addition

The following directions are courtesy of the official ECU Pirates website:

From the Tidewater, Va., Area Take US 13 from Suffolk to Ahoskie, N.C. Take bypass around Ahoskie (NC 11). Take NC 11 to Greenville. NC 11 turns into Memorial Drive. Take Fifth Street to Cotanche Street and take a right. Take Cotanche, which turns into Charles Blvd., to Ficklen Drive and take a left. Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium is up the hill on the right.

From the North Take I-95 South to NC 903 exit (Halifax, N.C.). Take left over the overpass. Take NC 903 for eight miles until you reach US 301. Take left onto NC 125/903 and continue for 15 miles until you reach Scotland Neck. Take a right on US 258 when you reach Scotland Neck and go about 1-2 miles through downtown. Then take a left onto NC 125 for about 15 miles to Oak City. Take a right onto NC 11 at Oak City. Continue on NC 11 (25 miles) to Greenville where it turns into Memorial Drive. Take Memorial Drive to Fifth Street and take a left. Take Fifth Street to Cotanche Street and take a right. Take Cotanche, which turns into Charles Blvd., to Ficklen Drive and take a left. Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium is up the hill on the right. Edit: if you want a simpler route with less two lane highways I suggest you come in US 264 off I-95 near Wilson (essentially follow the directions for coming from the south)

From the South Take I-95 North to US 264 exit (Wilson, N.C.). Take a right and continue on US 264 past Wilson and head into Greenville. Take US 264 to Allen Road and turn right. Allen Road turns into Greenville Blvd. Take Greenville Blvd. to Charles Blvd. and take a left (ECU message board on corner). Take Charles Blvd. down hill and turn right on Ficklen Drive. Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium is up the hill on the right.

From Triangle Area Take US 64 from Raleigh and head east. Take US 264 in Zebulon and head east past Wilson and into Greenville. Take US 264 to Allen Road and turn right. Allen Road turns into Greenville Blvd. Take Greenville Blvd. to Charles Blvd. and take a left (ECU message board on corner). Take Charles Blvd. down hill and turn right on Ficklen Drive. Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium is up the hill on the right.

From Wilmington Take Interstate 40 northwest to Wallace. Take right onto NC 41 and head north through Chiquapin and Beulaville (about 20-25 miles). Get on NC 241 in Beulaville and head about 10 miles north to Pink Hill, where you will pick up NC 11. Take NC 11 through downtown Kinston and into Greenville, where it turns into Memorial Drive. Take Memorial Drive (past Carolina East Mall) to Greenville Blvd., where you will take a right. Take Greenville Blvd. to Charles Blvd. and take a left (ECU message board on corner). Take Charles Blvd. down hill and turn right on Ficklen Drive. Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium is up the hill on the right.



Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium Click to enlarge

Parking

Parking is relatively easy here. This PDF Map is for non-gameday parking but does show the lots in good detail. They have identified lots for gameday general admission visitors. ECU just might have the best tailgate scene in CUSA. The scenery is first rate. Tailgating starts six hours before kickoff (but never earlier than 8 AM), more official rules can be seen here.

From the official ECU guide:



ECU Parking Map Click to view--suitable for printing.

Some notes to help you about the lots:

Lot 16: Located at the corner of Greenville and Charles. This has been a student tailgating area (aka Frisbee golf or disc field) and the prime spot for pre-game activities. Any radio stations that are doing pre-game broadcasts usually set up here, and this is where the wildest action occurs. Since the Student Pirate Club has moved to north of the stadium (Lot 8) I am not sure if Lot 16's demographics has changed for 2009.

Lot 13/RV Lot: This area is mainly for RV's and people cooking pigs. Usually for the older crowd (as in 30+ year old).

Overnight parking for RVs is permitted for Friday evenings after 6 p.m. in the designated area. All vehicles must be self-contained; no electrical hook-ups are available. Contact (252) 737-4517 for specific recreational vehicle parking information or email at cherrym@ecu.edu. General RV parking passes will be available at the beginning of August.


Disabled Parking/Tickets: Parking for handicapped persons is available near the stadium on both the East and West sides. This area offers space on a first-come, first-served basis. Patrons must display the required handicapped parking permit to park in this area. If additional information is needed, please call (252) 737-4694. If you fail to arrange something prior it looks like Lot 18 and a shuttle ride is your option.

Lot 10: Areas near Elmhurst School are mostly fraternity or sorority areas, if you are Greek odds are you will be tailgating in this area. Most organized events usually put up tents and have a rather large set-up so you can tell they're in the business of celebration.

The area around C.M Eppes Middle School. This area is filled with mostly students who want more room for their tailgating set-up. This area also boasts less cops (since it is not University property), so blast your music as loud as you wish! NOTE: The lots near Eppes are permit but visitor lots are just north of the school.

Lot 7: Visiting Fans/Non Permit Holders Parking: The best area for visiting fans to park is north of 14th Street in the vicinity of C.M Eppes Middle School and Todd Dining Hall. EDIT: Look for College Hill Drive on the map above (it runs between E 14th St and East 10th St) and the lots are just south of 10th St.

Lot 18: The area listed on the map near the Allied Health center is now general parking and as mentioned above can accommodate the disabled.

If in doubt you can contact ECU Parking Services

Another parking option is curbside parking east of the stadium in the area of West Berkley Road. An ECU fan states:
"curbside parking...a lot of fans park in this residential area and 10 minute walk to the stadium. A lot of tailgaters for the lots around Elmhurst School park here due to limited parking spaces in the actual school lots. Arrive at least 3 hours before game time for parking as space goes fast. Do not block driveways, park or tailgate in someones yard. Police and wreckers will be called."


Tailgate Supplies



Get ECU Gear Like this at College Flags and Banners

New to 2010 are great tailgate products offered to my readers...BTW, you get a 10% discount.

College Flags and Banners Co. is the ultimate source for your tailgate. They offer a huge selection of college flags and banners including: Army, Cincinnati, Connecticut, ECU, Louisville, Memphis, Navy, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, USF, and WVU. Plus everything else you need for game day, from tailgating flagpoles and wheel stands to conference pennant sets. All products are officially licensed and ship within 24 hours. Order today and receive 10% off your order by typing in coupon code "MARK10" at checkout.

If you are looking for more than just college try their sister company.

Other Sports Flags:
Sports Flags and Pennants Co. is the premium source for all of your NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and NASCAR flags and pennants. Fast, secured shipping to your doorstep and all products are officially licensed. Through our site we are offering a coupon code for 10% off your order. Just enter "MARK10" at checkout.

ECU has a Harris Teeter Store located very close to the stadium at the intersection of Charles and 14th. Be advised you should go to customer service and ask for a VIC Card to get the discounted prices on many items. That intersection also has two convenience stores. You can buy beer and wine in grocery/convenience stores in NC. On campus the Galley offers food to go (located in Jones Hall) and Pirate Market is a full sized convenience store also located in Jones Hall on College Hill. You have to buy liquor in ABC Stores. The closest ABC store about a 1/2 mile away SE of the stadium at Greenville 337 Arlington Blvd, Phone: 252-756-2955, Store Hours: M-S 10am-9pm. For you Walmart fans: Greenville has a Supercenter. It is located a few miles away and is usually very busy.

Ticket Scalpers and You:

If available I recommend buying tickets here: If the game isn't sold out you can buy tickets on game day at Minges Coliseum. More info can be found at the official website. The ticket reselling scene at ECU is mostly "laid back" and usually revolves around fellow fans exchanging tickets and money in the tailgate parking lots or along the sidewalks leading to the stadium.

Ticket Scalping is illegal in North Carolina to sell tickets by the original owner for more than face value + $3. There is a movement to liberalize the laws...stay tuned.
Disclaimer: The following info describes where ticket reselling happens. I recommend buying tickets legally. If you aren't sure of current local laws ask someone knowledgeable.
One ECU fan states:
The best way to get tickets is to troll the tailgating lots hours
before the game. They are usually available for face value or lower
for less desirable games. As it gets closer to game time stand near the main entrances to the stadium on the press box (south) side or the scoreboard area (east side) for best results. The upper deck side is more students than anything else.



ECU Seating Chart for 2010

TAILGATEWIKI--Total Tailgating Resource


Tailgatewiki.com is designed loosely on the wikipedia concept that anyone with internet access is considered an expert in the field and can contribute their personal knowledge in an online arena. Wikipedia covers all areas whereas Tailgate Wiki focuses on tailgating and improving the game day atmosphere. Because many fans
follow their team when they play on the road, Tailgate Wiki will serve as a resource for those fans to understand what to expect when they get there. Kind of like having a friend in every city, at every stadium, giving you the inside scoop on the best places to park, tailgating policies and much more. This is all user generated content and the goal is to benefit the entire tailgating community.


LODGING:


City Hotel and Bistro

Greenville offers nearly 2,100 rooms of lodging so if you plan early you shouldn't have a problem getting a room. If you are trying to book a room within a couple months of the more popular games you might find no room at the inn. Here is a nice overview of lodging in Greenville. New motels are being added so it pays to ask a hotel clerk if they know of any new motels if they are soldout at the place you are trying to reserve. Yahoo and Google both give a nice overview of motels in the area. Caution: I saw one case where the attached link was going to book you a room in another town--be careful. Finally, if you are in dire straits try this web site: it gives alot of roadside Mom and Pop Motels.

Greenville Unique: City Hotel and Bistro: Very nice rooms and a nightclub off the lobby. Other popular motels (so book early): Wingate Inn, Courtyard by Marriott, Best Western, Hilton and the Comfort Inn.

DINING


Eastern NC Style Barbeque Pulled Pork--Yum

Eastern North Carolina Barbeque is noted as being distinct from BBQ west of I-95 and South Carolina and Georgia. Several joints distinguish themselves in Greenville: arguably the best joint in town is B's, don't call or look for a website--they don't have a phone or a website but they made USAToday's list of great joints in NC. Another place that has a big base of fans is Uncle Yammy's Rib Shack, in Greenville. Parkers Barbeque has some fans but some detractors, too...they are noted for their corn sticks and offers other courses beside BBQ. The original Parkers is west of Greenville in Wilson. Head south of town to Ayden for another joint mentioned by USAToday. The Skylight Inn is worth the drive. Finally a new entry Pete's Wycked Grill. They feature Texas style brisket, Lexington style pulled pork, Memphis Style ribs, Smoked chicken 1/2's and wings, and other goodies. Tailgate packages are available.

It must be noted that BBQ has two camps in NC as quoted from this USAToday article:

North Carolina's pit masters are, for the most part, a collegial bunch, but they part ranks somewhere around Raleigh. Easterners cook the whole pig and sauce it with a vinegar-based, pepper mix. Western-style (also called Lexington-style) barbecue consists of shoulders or Boston butts (the top half of the shoulder), and the sauce (called "dip") is a tangy vinegar-based mix with tomato paste, spices and brown sugar.

To hear it from both camps, preferences run deep.

Andy Stephenson, owner of Stephenson's Bar-B-Q in Willow Springs, 20 miles south of Raleigh, won't acknowledge ever tasting western-style 'cue. "I've never eaten red barbecue. I've seen it, but that's as far as I care to go," he says.
For those that want to see the difference in recipes between west and east this site has alot of recipes.

Other Foods--Dining

The University Chop House has a great rep for fine steaks and other foods. The other steak places in town are mostly chains. Texas Steakhouse deserves a mention though...they have great steaks as well as delicious ribs. Texas Roadhouse the national chain also has great steaks and considered a great value. If you want Italian try Finelli's, it is relocating to a new location at 511 Red Banks Rd. in the old Staccato's Restaurant. Mexican? Locals swear by Chico's downtown and also south of town towards Winterville. Pizza, try Boli's 5th Ave Pizzeria. Boli's is located near the campus in downtown (also referred to as "Uptown"). Boli's on the Boulevard is out by the Mall and also offers Pizza. Winslow's Deli has a varied menu sure to please everyone. If you want to get away from campus for something different try CPW's . Looking for a good burger or cheese-steak downtown? Try Cubbie's or Andy's (look under Grills). You want upscale eclectic downtown? Try LA Lounge and Spa. The Starlight Cafe offers an eclectic upscale menu and is located near Campus. Seafood: Wimpies is great and with a Cajun Flair and Dixie Queen is also a very good seafood restaurant with 3 locations in the Greenville area. HINT: Uptown/Downtown Greenville caters to a young crowd on the weekend nights.

Cubbie's For Great Burgers

SPORTS BAR Alert: If you wanna watch some games and chow down on Wings then Buffalo Wild Wings is for you. It is located close by to the stadium. They offer ESPN Gameplan, CBS College Sports and Versus along with all the other sports channels. Ham's Restaurant and Brewhouse offers American Food and brew...also, TVs for games with ESPN Gameplan and is located near campus.

Another sports bar very popular with the locals is Professor O'Cools. They offer Good food, 30 TVs, ESPN Gameplan and is owned by a Pittsburgh Steeler Fan. If you are staying over for Sunday this is a great place to watch NFL games. It is located in the Big Lot's Shopping Center behind Logan's Roadhouse (kinda like a Texas Roadhouse). If you are looking for more night clubs look here or here.

College and 20 Something Crowd: These bars all come recommended: Club 519 (21+ ginormiously popular), Levels (21+ and eclectic), Pantana Bob's or PB's (Where the Greeks are), and Christy's Euro Pub...all these are located downtown and "gvegasmagazine gives you all the info.

A nice website that offers coupons for various restaurants in Greenville.


FREEBOOT FRIDAY's: Uptown Greenville the place to go on Friday for Bands, food and Drink. Lot's of ECU Fans always attend.


SHOPPING For the nonFootball Watching Spouse:

If you have a spouse who could careless about football but came along here are some ideas: Antique Shops are numerous in Greenville, Lynncroft a strip center on Evans Road, and the Greenville Mall.

GOLF

Golf in North Carolina is truly an awesome experience. With Greenville usually having decent weather for golf throughout the football season a trip to the links is a must for all golfers.

Bradford Creek Golf Course


The local municipal is also home for the ECU golf team. It is a well maintained muni designed in an open links style. It is reasonable, close and offers a lighted driving range. I read a collared shirt is required despite being a muni.

Ironwood Golf and Country Club

A semi-private country club built around a residential community. They allow nonsponsored play with a 48 hours advance notice. Voted by Golf Digest as the best course to play in the Greenville Area.

Fabulous Ironwood Golf and Country Club

Ayden Golf and Country Club

Ayden Golf and Country Club located a short drive south of Greenville that comes with great reviews.

If you have time to drive several hours away then Myrtle Beach, SC is a must do and is about three hours south. The Pinehurst Golf Resort is about 2 1/2 hours away (west of Fayetteville).


Pinehurst Golf Resort One of the World's Great Golf Destinations

Finally, I'd like to thank all the posters at Boneyard Banter who helped me with getting the most correct info and the awesome recommendations--thanks

The best ECU internet forum is here: Boneyard Banter


The opinions expressed in this guide are those of TexanMark. While every effort has been made to ensure all the information presented is accurate and current, it would be wise to verify things when possible. Please note that this guide is not endorsed by Scout.com, Rivals.com or its site publishers, administrators and/or moderators.






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