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A visiting Badger fan

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BAMEXP

Oct 5, 2016
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Hi,

My dad and I are heading to our first game at Kinnick Stadium on Oct 22! I just had a couple of questions for Hawkeye fans.

-Where is a good place to park and possibly tailgate?
-Any recommendations on places to eat/drink before and after the game? (People have mentioned The Sanctuary but I haven't heard much else)
-Is there any bad seats in Kinnick Stadium that I should avoid? I've heard that there is no such thing as a bad seat in Kinnick!
-Any recommendations on a good place to stay if we come into town the night before?

Any advice would be appreciated. I'm looking forward to an awesome game and to seeing Kinnick!
 
The Hancher Audiorium lot is free parking and has a bus to drop you off close to the stadium. lots of porto potties. no bad seats in kinnick , but I am not a fan of sitting in the endzones. I like the WIG & PEN in corallville to eat. Enjoy your trip - sure you will...........
 
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Myrtle lot for tailgating, or anywhere near Olive Court.

You won't find a hotel, try Air BnB, we stayed in a room in someone's house the night of the Iowa state game for $100.
 
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The Sanctuary is good, but only if you're looking for a low-key atmosphere. They have an impresive beer list, good food, and no TVs. If you're into a relaxing place to go after the game (or if you decide to come in Friday night), Sanctuary is a good spot.

For more of a football crowd (and a place you'd actually want to take your dad to) hit up Shorts, Quinton's, or even Airliner. Joes is great, but they don't serve food.
 
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I second the Wig N' Pen. They have awesome pizza (Flying Tomato or thin crust are my favorites). Next door to the Wig is The Vine. Big bar with many, many TV's for football viewing. Food is more or less bar food but good.
 
Depends on what your looking for.

Parking: Anywhere on gamed is fine. There are some lots west on Melrose. Finkbine commuter lot or finkbine golf course. If you want to experience something different, take the train in from Coralville. Something different.

Lodging: Hotels in Iowa City are insane the weekend of home games. basically every hotel jacks their rates up to 250-300 a night (even the travelodge is 190 a night). So I would suggest staying in a surround area (Cedar Rapids, Along I-80, or Quad Cities). Those areas you will find reasonable lodging and your only about 40-50min from stadium.

Places to go: Tailgate and soak it in. I would head to the Vine for some wings if your really looking for something fun.

Kinnick: There is no bad seat. Its a great stadium with a good view. The closer to the field, be ready to stand the entire game. Have fun and hopefully the badgers don't beat us by 50.
 
Carlton said:
Then he and his Dad (unless they are looking for trouble) will have a great experience at Kinnick , win or lose.
Click to expand...

Definitely just looking for an awesome experience at Kinnick, win or lose. Looking forward to a great day of football! I'll be coming in from Columbia, MO so I'm definitely hoping for a 2:30 start!
 
BAMEXP said:
Hi,

My dad and I are heading to our first game at Kinnick Stadium on Oct 22! I just had a couple of questions for Hawkeye fans.

-Where is a good place to park and possibly tailgate?
-Any recommendations on places to eat/drink before and after the game? (People have mentioned The Sanctuary but I haven't heard much else)
-Is there any bad seats in Kinnick Stadium that I should avoid? I've heard that there is no such thing as a bad seat in Kinnick!
-Any recommendations on a good place to stay if we come into town the night before?

Any advice would be appreciated. I'm looking forward to an awesome game and to seeing Kinnick!
Click to expand...

Another option is to go to an area just south of the Mall in Coralville and take the train into the game. You can tailgate there and it drops you off just outside the stadium. If you want to experience and old school diner type of restaurant try the Hamburg Inn #2 which is on the east side of the River.
 
Unfortunately for OP this won't be an exciting game. They'll likely end up leaving at halftime as the game will be over by then.
 
I'll add to the idea of Wig and Pen....excellent deep dish, cheese laden pizza and they have decent beer on tap. Speaking of Beer, 30 Hop has about 70 different beers on tap...great place for some interesting brews.

Finding a place to stay at this point in things may get iffy. Game weekends typically book a year in advance.
 
Cedar Rapids will have rooms available...about a 20 minute trip

$130-180 a night
 
KFC or Taco bell are about the best food in Iowa City. I'd stick to brand name gas stations, too unless your vehicle was built before 1986.
 
Suburbian Hawk said:
Unfortunately for OP this won't be an exciting game. They'll likely end up leaving at halftime as the game will be over by then.
Click to expand...
This game is going to be ugly regardless of the score. They win by 50, or even if they win by 14, they'll still rack up like 800 rushing yards on the Iowa defense. We've become Nebraska this year.
 
not sure how long you'll be in town, but a great local pizza joint is Pagliais. It's a bit away from the stadium but certainly worth the time. Otherwise I would echo what folks above have said....
 
BAMEXP said:
Hi,

My dad and I are heading to our first game at Kinnick Stadium on Oct 22! I just had a couple of questions for Hawkeye fans.

-Where is a good place to park and possibly tailgate?
-Any recommendations on places to eat/drink before and after the game? (People have mentioned The Sanctuary but I haven't heard much else)
-Is there any bad seats in Kinnick Stadium that I should avoid? I've heard that there is no such thing as a bad seat in Kinnick!
-Any recommendations on a good place to stay if we come into town the night before?

Any advice would be appreciated. I'm looking forward to an awesome game and to seeing Kinnick!
Click to expand...

Need some specifics to give better advice.

What time are you planning to begin tailgating for an 11 am? For a 2:30? What atmostphere are you looking for? Stay at your own car and grill? Wander and visit? Straight from car to stadium?

No bad seats in Kinnick, but obviously some better than others. Sideline tunnels start around row 40, lower numbers down towards field, higher you go up. I'd say most people think 25-50 is the best range of row height for actually watching the game.

Places to stay is a crapshoot. If you find something - book it.
 
Suburbian Hawk said:
Unfortunately for OP this won't be an exciting game. They'll likely end up leaving at halftime as the game will be over by then.
Click to expand...

I have watched this series- rivalry since the late 50's. Other than during the Fry era, it has been competitive and it will be again this year.
 
theIowaHawk said:
Need some specifics to give better advice.

What time are you planning to begin tailgating for an 11 am? For a 2:30? What atmostphere are you looking for? Stay at your own car and grill? Wander and visit? Straight from car to stadium?

No bad seats in Kinnick, but obviously some better than others. Sideline tunnels start around row 40, lower numbers down towards field, higher you go up. I'd say most people think 25-50 is the best range of row height for actually watching the game.

Places to stay is a crapshoot. If you find something - book it.
Click to expand...

Hoping to get there around 8 or 8:30 to start tailgating if its an 11 or maybe closer to 10 if its a 2:30 game. We will more than likely just grill at the car and set up shop wherever we park! But we may wander closer to game time! Most people have said that the 25-50 range is the best. The tickets I bought were in 109, Row 6, will these provide a good game watching experience? And where are the home and away team tunnels located? Thanks for the help!
 
Carlton said:
I have watched this series- rivalry since the late 50's. Other than during the Fry era, it has been competitive and it will be again this year.
Click to expand...
No, it won't. It will only be competitive in the sense that we'll be competing for worst beat down in the Ferentz era. Then along will come Michigan......

The magic is gone, the ship needs a new Captain, it's just the way it is.
 
BAMEXP said:
Hoping to get there around 8 or 8:30 to start tailgating if its an 11 or maybe closer to 10 if its a 2:30 game. We will more than likely just grill at the car and set up shop wherever we park! But we may wander closer to game time! Most people have said that the 25-50 range is the best. The tickets I bought were in 109, Row 6, will these provide a good game watching experience? And where are the home and away team tunnels located? Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...

Being that low down, it may be difficult to see over the players since the stands are so close to the field in Kinnick. Being that you are towards the endzone might help, though.
 
BAMEXP said:
Hoping to get there around 8 or 8:30 to start tailgating if its an 11 or maybe closer to 10 if its a 2:30 game. We will more than likely just grill at the car and set up shop wherever we park! But we may wander closer to game time! Most people have said that the 25-50 range is the best. The tickets I bought were in 109, Row 6, will these provide a good game watching experience? And where are the home and away team tunnels located? Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...

Row 6 is great if you want to be up close. People who want 25+ are those who want to see everything unfold. To each his own.

The Badgers will come out of the tunnel just to your left, running directly past you. You'll be very close to the players/staff, although they will be at the 50, not 10.

If you are looking to just tailgate with yourselves by your car just find a yard with a sign, or Finkbine golf course on Melrose, or something similar on your way in. You don't have to have all of that pre-planned. Then you will walk past lots of tailgates on your way in. If you are looking for actual parking lots, Hancher as someone mentioned, or the lots by Iowa City West High School have shuttles, would be a longer ways to walk than elsewhere.

If you aren't tailgating by your car, you can park downtown and go to bars before hitting the bus to the game with lots of other fans.
 
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SquatchHawk said:
Being that low down, it may be difficult to see over the players since the stands are so close to the field in Kinnick. Being that you are towards the endzone might help, though.
Click to expand...

I haven't been that far down in 109, but I have in 102 which is basically the same, in the first rows, and seeing over people wasn't a problem. Maybe closer to the 50 would be with the team right in front of you.
 
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You can be too low in the stands and I'd say row 6 is about as close as I'd want to be. As for tailgating, be careful with crossing streets and wandering from lot to lot with open containers. For anything after the game I'd go to the Ped Mall for tons of food and drink options. Don't look for trouble and you won't find it. On the flip side if jerks from our side try to hassle you and you don't deserve it, plenty of friendly Hawkeyes will get them off your ass and hopefully apologize.
 
Pepperman said:
You can be too low in the stands and I'd say row 6 is about as close as I'd want to be. As for tailgating, be careful with crossing streets and wandering from lot to lot with open containers. For anything after the game I'd go to the Ped Mall for tons of food and drink options. Don't look for trouble and you won't find it. On the flip side if jerks from our side try to hassle you and you don't deserve it, plenty of friendly Hawkeyes will get them off your ass and hopefully apologize.
Click to expand...

Just FYI I haven't seen anybody have issues with open containers in a few years and certainly not this year, even for the night game, but keeping it non-obvious while wandering is always a good idea. Ped Mall = downtown Iowa City = follow thousands of people walking east from the stadium. Although your car has to move from university owned lots a few hours after the game.
 
BAMEXP said:
Hoping to get there around 8 or 8:30 to start tailgating if its an 11 or maybe closer to 10 if its a 2:30 game. We will more than likely just grill at the car and set up shop wherever we park! But we may wander closer to game time! Most people have said that the 25-50 range is the best. The tickets I bought were in 109, Row 6, will these provide a good game watching experience? And where are the home and away team tunnels located? Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...
Plan on standing for the entire game.
 
BAMEXP said:
Hi,

My dad and I are heading to our first game at Kinnick Stadium on Oct 22! I just had a couple of questions for Hawkeye fans.

-Where is a good place to park and possibly tailgate?
-Any recommendations on places to eat/drink before and after the game? (People have mentioned The Sanctuary but I haven't heard much else)
-Is there any bad seats in Kinnick Stadium that I should avoid? I've heard that there is no such thing as a bad seat in Kinnick!
-Any recommendations on a good place to stay if we come into town the night before?

Any advice would be appreciated. I'm looking forward to an awesome game and to seeing Kinnick!
Click to expand...
I am headed to Madison this weekend. I'd like some food and drink tips. Thanks.
 
For $20 you can park on Sunset St and Marietta Ave. Its only a couple blocks from the stadium and it is a apartment complex that lots of people tailgate at fans from both teams will be there and enough room to do what you want. Wig and Pen is good for pizza, 30 Hop and Back pocket Brewery are good as well with lots of beer selection and those 2 are right by each other. I would also recommend Zombie Burger if it were open but still doing construction on it.
 
Distance will play a part in parking. How mobile is your dad? If he ca walk then any place is good. Taking the train means up stairs when arriving. If you take the train you can walk up and down melrose and find plenty to eat. Know two words - BIGASS turkey legs
 
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BAMEXP said:
Hi,

My dad and I are heading to our first game at Kinnick Stadium on Oct 22! I just had a couple of questions for Hawkeye fans.

-Where is a good place to park and possibly tailgate?
-Any recommendations on places to eat/drink before and after the game? (People have mentioned The Sanctuary but I haven't heard much else)
-Is there any bad seats in Kinnick Stadium that I should avoid? I've heard that there is no such thing as a bad seat in Kinnick!
-Any recommendations on a good place to stay if we come into town the night before?

Any advice would be appreciated. I'm looking forward to an awesome game and to seeing Kinnick!
Click to expand...
Do you need tickets? I can't go. My seats are on the west side in section 131, row 62.
Let me know.
 
Don't sit in any of the lower four corners of the original grandstands, you won't be able to see parts of the other end of the field. In other words, you won't be able to see multiple Wisconsin touchdowns that occurred at the other end of the field. You also probably won't see Wisconsin play any defense on Iowa's side of the 50.
 
ScoutRefugee said:
I am headed to Madison this weekend. I'd like some food and drink tips. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Wow, where does one begin? I will start with this caveat. I have lived in the Cedar Valley now for about 40 years and my trips to Madison at this time are fairly narrowly scripted football Saturdays or the occasional basketball game when I’m fortunate enough to be invited. Accordingly, while we eat well, it’s usually not in restaurants or bars. Like Iowa City, folks have their favorite places. Here are a few of mine:

An integral part of a weekend in Madison (or in any city in Wisconsin for that matter) is Friday night and partaking in the traditional fish fry. Everyone has their favorite place so don’t be surprised if you get a lot of different suggestions. In the downtown area, I would suggest Jordan’s Big Ten Pub and Great Danes. My favorite is on the northeast side of Madison, Kavanaugh's Esquire Club on Sherman Avenue. It’s not hip or very fancy and it is old-school but if you’re looking for that family operated supper, club feeling with delicious fish, it’s worth checking out. Wherever you decide to go, get a reservation.

Your weather looks good for this weekend and I would suggest taking in the farmer’s market on the Capitol Square in downtown Madison first thing Saturday morning. I think you can find just about anything you want their from fresh fruits and vegetables to processed foods. It’s very impressive.

Once the sun is up for a while, I would head to the UW Memorial Union and enjoy a few beers looking out over Lake Mendota. Sports wise, it looks like a pretty quiet weekend although you could take in a women’s hockey game. This means there will be less activity on State Street where you will find a find a lot of restaurants and bars.

I have always liked the Essen Haus and the other establishments I mentioned above. You should be able to see the Hawks on TV. On a clear day, I have listened to Dolph and Eddie on WMT A.M.

If you have children with you, I would consider having an early dinner at Ella’s Deli and Ice Cream Parlor. The food and service are good and who doesn’t enjoy some great ice cream. The biggest attraction at Ella’s is there a live carousel. My kids have grown up but they have fond memories of their first trip to Ella’s.

I understand there are a number of craft breweries and brewpubs worth visiting but I haven’t had the time to do it. Safe traveling and enjoy the weekend.
 
I live in Iowa City now, but for many years I had to drive in for games. What we usually did was to drive 'downtown' to the Old Capitol Mall parking garage, then take the free bus (Cambus) to and from the stadium. This puts you a half-block walk from our semi-famous 'Ped-Mall,' (Pedestrian Mall) which is loaded with good little eateries, food trucks, bars, unique shops, students and fans. (it's kind of like a mini-State Street experience). You can go to Kinnick as early as you like for the tailgating experience, and you don't have to get in any of the pre or post-game traffic, plus you have a pre and post-game area that is a lot of fun. It's also one block from the beautiful Old Capitol.

And if you are driving from western Wisconsin, I recommend you try to come through Platteville rather than Prairie du Chien (tough to wind your way through from PduCh); Through Platteville, take 151 to Dubuque, then come down Highway 61 (virtually no traffic) from Dubuque* to I-80 West; (The other way to come down from Dubuque is to take 151 to Hwy 1 and then south and west to the city. It's a little shorter, and would let you choose among Anamosa, Mt. Vernon and Solon to stay; or would let you drive on in to the Cedar Rapids area, which is a heavily congested 25 or so miles out before and after the game.)

The other preferred method is to work your way south through Illinois to I-88 West (via I-39, I-43 or State roads) and take that to I-80 West in Iowa at the Mississippi River crossing at the Quad Cities.

Either route (Hwy 61 or I-80 West), I'd suggest just getting a hotel on the way in on I-80 - on the eastern side of IC, there are 16 exits off the Interstate within an hour of the city, and many have a hotel nearby, with a ton in the Quads (which means Davenport, Rock Island, Bettendorf and Moline). Davenport is the most convenient to I-80, and also features the rustic but brilliant Machine Shed Restaurant for a great Iowa breakfast (or late supper).

I have an old buddy coming down from Marinette to use my second ticket for the game. Hope he doesn't do a Stomparound in my house. Go Hawks
 
Last edited:
BAMEXP said:
Hi,

My dad and I are heading to our first game at Kinnick Stadium on Oct 22! I just had a couple of questions for Hawkeye fans.

-Where is a good place to park and possibly tailgate?
-Any recommendations on places to eat/drink before and after the game? (People have mentioned The Sanctuary but I haven't heard much else)
-Is there any bad seats in Kinnick Stadium that I should avoid? I've heard that there is no such thing as a bad seat in Kinnick!
-Any recommendations on a good place to stay if we come into town the night before?

Any advice would be appreciated. I'm looking forward to an awesome game and to seeing Kinnick!
Click to expand...
Park on the border of Wisconsin and Iowa. There is a parking spot on the east side of the river east of Dubuque. Make sure you park on the Wisconsin side or your car will be vandalized. From there it is a short walk to Iowa City and the stadium. Leave plenty of beer in your cooler in your car because you will be thirsty when you walk back and probably wanting to drown your sorrows.
 
IaHawk41 said:
Say that to my face, bitch, and see what happens.
Gotta love little bitches saying shit like this on a posting board when there is no recourse.
Keep thinking you got over on me with your comment, though
Click to expand...

Internet tough guys like yourself are the best!
 
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