Thinking about heading to the Iowa-Illinois game on Oct 8th. I’ve never been there. Any recommendactions on where to stay, tailgating, restaurants, etc etc would be greatly appreciated.
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That's gonna be a solid 11 am/Noon start on one of the side channels (BTN/FS1).......unless B10 games can still get picked up by an ESPN network.Not answering your question, but I have wondered about the kickoff time for that game. Since we don't know now, is twelve days before the game the earliest that we will know?
Tailgating is mostly around the stadium / basketball arena parking from what I recall. The last couple times have been there the stadium was pretty empty. We drove out and back same day as pretty easy drive on 4 lane highway all the way.Thinking about heading to the Iowa-Illinois game on Oct 8th. I’ve never been there. Any recommendactions on where to stay, tailgating, restaurants, etc etc would be greatly appreciated.
I have never gone to that stadium.....but have always thought it was a great looking place. I STILL can't figure out why the Illini are never any good?Thinking about heading to the Iowa-Illinois game on Oct 8th. I’ve never been there. Any recommendactions on where to stay, tailgating, restaurants, etc etc would be greatly appreciated.
That's gonna be a solid 11 am/Noon start on one of the side channels (BTN/FS1).......unless B10 games can still get picked up by an ESPN network.
Then I could see it being on say ESPN2.
I have never gone to that stadium.....but have always thought it was a great looking place. I STILL can't figure out why the Illini are never any good?
I’ve not been there since Bielema got there. Prior to him, tailgating was atrocious outside the stadium because nobody was there.Thinking about heading to the Iowa-Illinois game on Oct 8th. I’ve never been there. Any recommendactions on where to stay, tailgating, restaurants, etc etc would be greatly appreciated.
Yeah, Champaign and West Lafayette are always competing for 14th place (now 16th place) among B1G college towns, although Champaign usually gets the nod due to the crime.Champaign is the worst "college town" I have ever visited. Not sure how they recruit kids to go there; must a hostage style situation once they get them on campus.
Thinking about heading to the Iowa-Illinois game on Oct 8th. I’ve never been there. Any recommendactions on where to stay, tailgating, restaurants, etc etc would be greatly appreciated.
The days of all the subpar games being at 11am are long over. They are spread out throughout the day now, maybe even more so with B1G teams playing in the 11am FOX game often.Yeah, unless Illinois does better than expected, this one seems firmly in the 11 am zone. They’re not getting better time slots unless more fans start showing.
I am planning to stay in Bloomington on Friday night. I want to check out Destihl Brewing. Then an easy drive to set up tailgate.As for where to stay, any number of the big chain hotels. Living in iowa city, coming from the north, I even stayed one time in Bloomington the night before the game. Right in the way and probably less than an hour from Champaign.
I'll add that to my list of favorite places to leave.Well, I passed through there once and the best part about Champaign is leaving.
And some people’s favorite announcer- BethThat's gonna be a solid 11 am/Noon start on one of the side channels (BTN/FS1).......unless B10 games can still get picked up by an ESPN network.
Then I could see it being on say ESPN2.
That's nice and all.....just never forget:Wow, lol, these comments ... anyway, here are some thoughts from an Illini fan to you, as I am sure you will go in with an open mind and ready to have a great time as a first-timer:
1) It's such an Iowa fan cliché to hate on Champaign, and it really fascinates me. I don't usually hear it from other fan bases, and Champaign regularly finishes highly on top college town lists. Not sure if it's saltiness, some weird/subconscious association of it with Ames, if fans have not visited recently (Champaign is one of the few places in IL that has grown incredibly fast in the last decade, especially downtown) or what, but ZERO Iowa fans that I know personally and bring to Champaign from Chicago do not have an awesome time. Some of you geezers are way off.
2) The tailgating atmosphere is NIGHT AND DAY depending on the time of year, and most Iowa games lately have been at the absolute worst time - the Saturday before Thanksgiving, with the students gone, crappy weather and at the point where Illinois' season is over. This year will be at a much better time, and the tailgating will actually be fun. I highly recommend Grange Grove, a public tailgating spot on the west side of the stadium (press box side):
3) Unlike Iowa City, Champaign is split between Downtown and Campustown. Campustown is a stereotypical college-like feel, and I would suggest spending any non-football time in Downtown. Downtown Champaign has better restaurants and some cool breweries and stuff.
Campustown
Downtown
4) With that said ... regardless of what anyone says about the city of Champaign, informed or not, the campus itself is objectively nice. If you're already in Campustown and it's a nice day, I would walk off your beers in the Quad and the engineering campus across the street:
5) Assuming you take my initial advice and hang around Downtown, though, I highly recommend the Italian restaurant Nando Milano for dinner ... it's as good as anything I have had in Chicago, and I believe there is actually still a sister restaurant of theirs in Wicker Park. Hamilton Walker's is a cool steakhouse across the street, but I actually have never eaten there ... so I cannot vouge for that one! Around the corner, there is a section of the old pedestrian mall that was never reconverted into streets, and there are a few bars on this stretch of pedestrian area. If it's nice enough out, just around the corner is one of my favorite beer gardens at the Blind Pig Brewery, and Cowboy Monkey (across from the beer garden below on this same mini-ped mall area) usually has some decent live music. Barrelhouse 34 is right by all of this, too, and it has a cool rooftop bar area.
Nando Milano (Cowboy Monkey to the left, Blind Pig across and to the left)
Blind Pig Brewery
Barrelhouse 34
6) If you do prefer to hang in Campustown (which is a walkable distance from the stadium), I would suggest Legends for a generic lunch place or Joe's for more of a party atmosphere beforehand (they also actually have a decent burger). I have not been to the new Kam's since they tore down the original and legendary dump, so I can't comment on what it's like ... but it looks pretty nice. I have never been to the new Illin Inn, but it looks cool and it's on your way to the stadium if you prefer a "halfway there beer" like my friends and I do.
Legends
Joe's
Kam's
Illini Inn
7) If you are a fan of deep dish pizza ... WOOF, Papa Dels is honestly as good as (almost) anything I have had here in Chicago, as well! It is a cool spot and within walking distance from the stadium, but unfortunately I have heard they are having trouble getting help, and it is a total shit show ... so be prepared to wait.
Papa Dels
Hope you have a great time!
Lol, certainly in my lifetime, jeez ... I would love for this to be the year to break the losing streak, but I am not seeing it.That's nice and all.....just never forget:
Iowa > Illinois
LOL all you want, but the Univ of Illinois campus and Champaign have a strongly-earned and well-deserved reputation. Don't take our word for it, though. You'll find the same comments everywhere.Wow, lol, these comments ...
Says the 50-year old Iowa fan who has confirmed it with his poker buddies! Lol. Considering how well it ranks on lists made by non-Iowa fans, perhaps it is you who needs a healthy dose of exposure? If you don’t like it, fine … not everyone likes every town…? But your claim that it takes “orange and blue glasses” to not share your particular view of Champaign, much less the campus, REALLY lacks evidence.LOL all you want, but the Univ of Illinois campus and Champaign have a strongly-earned and well-deserved reputation. Don't take our word for it, though. You'll find the same comments everywhere.
I appreciate that you're sticking up for your school, but try to get out more and/or take off the orange and blue glasses. And remember - there's always Purdue...
Wow, lol, these comments ... anyway, here are some thoughts from an Illini fan to you, as I am sure you will go in with an open mind and ready to have a great time as a first-timer:
1) It's such an Iowa fan cliché to hate on Champaign, and it really fascinates me. I don't usually hear it from other fan bases, and Champaign regularly finishes highly on top college town lists. Not sure if it's saltiness, some weird/subconscious association of it with Ames, if fans have not visited recently (Champaign is one of the few places in IL that has grown incredibly fast in the last decade, especially downtown) or what, but ZERO Iowa fans that I know personally and bring to Champaign from Chicago do not have an awesome time. Some of you geezers are way off.
2) The tailgating atmosphere is NIGHT AND DAY depending on the time of year, and most Iowa games lately have been at the absolute worst time - the Saturday before Thanksgiving, with the students gone, crappy weather and at the point where Illinois' season is over. This year will be at a much better time, and the tailgating will actually be fun. I highly recommend Grange Grove, a public tailgating spot on the west side of the stadium (press box side):
3) Unlike Iowa City, Champaign is split between Downtown and Campustown. Campustown is a stereotypical college-like feel, and I would suggest spending any non-football time in Downtown. Downtown Champaign has better restaurants and some cool breweries and stuff.
Campustown
Downtown
4) With that said ... regardless of what anyone says about the city of Champaign, informed or not, the campus itself is objectively nice. If you're already in Campustown and it's a nice day, I would walk off your beers in the Quad and the engineering campus across the street:
5) Assuming you take my initial advice and hang around Downtown, though, I highly recommend the Italian restaurant Nando Milano for dinner ... it's as good as anything I have had in Chicago, and I believe there is actually still a sister restaurant of theirs in Wicker Park. Hamilton Walker's is a cool steakhouse across the street, but I actually have never eaten there ... so I cannot vouge for that one! Around the corner, there is a section of the old pedestrian mall that was never reconverted into streets, and there are a few bars on this stretch of pedestrian area. If it's nice enough out, just around the corner is one of my favorite beer gardens at the Blind Pig Brewery, and Cowboy Monkey (across from the beer garden below on this same mini-ped mall area) usually has some decent live music. Barrelhouse 34 is right by all of this, too, and it has a cool rooftop bar area.
Nando Milano (Cowboy Monkey to the left, Blind Pig across and to the left)
Blind Pig Brewery
Barrelhouse 34
6) If you do prefer to hang in Campustown (which is a walkable distance from the stadium), I would suggest Legends for a generic lunch place or Joe's for more of a party atmosphere beforehand (they also actually have a decent burger). I have not been to the new Kam's since they tore down the original and legendary dump, so I can't comment on what it's like ... but it looks pretty nice. I have never been to the new Illin Inn, but it looks cool and it's on your way to the stadium if you prefer a "halfway there beer" like my friends and I do.
Legends
Joe's
Kam's
Illini Inn
7) If you are a fan of deep dish pizza ... WOOF, Papa Dels is honestly as good as (almost) anything I have had here in Chicago, as well! It is a cool spot and within walking distance from the stadium, but unfortunately I have heard they are having trouble getting help, and it is a total shit show ... so be prepared to wait.
Papa Dels
Hope you have a great time!
Not since about 2008. They renovated the press box side and stopped, which is really frustrating … because the east side and horse shoe need a lot of work. Future plans will make the horse shoe actually look a lot more like Kinnick, which I would absolutely love!Wow! Nice work. Actually a great post.
Have they made any upgrades to the stadium? I haven't been there in 10 years.
Haha, you had to find an artist rendering to get a pic of the place full? 😂😂😂... Nice. I was there around 06, it was the worst big ten game day atmosphere I've experienced, no offenseNot since about 2008. They renovated the press box side and stopped, which is really frustrating … because the east side and horse shoe need a lot of work. Future plans will make the horse shoe actually look a lot more like Kinnick, which I would absolutely love!
It sucks, because our stadium could be really cool, but if just has a few blech parts.
Not sure what you mean, buddy, it’s an artist rendering of a future renovation. 😂 It doesn’t look like that now, obviously. This is what will be done to the horse shoe part below the scoreboard, a true eyesore on the stadium:Haha, you had to find an artist rendering to get a pic of the place full? 😂😂😂... Nice. I was there around 06, it was the worst big ten game day atmosphere I've experienced, no offense
Basically take a trip to your local morgue and bring a 12 pack of Pabst beer 🍺Thinking about heading to the Iowa-Illinois game on Oct 8th. I’ve never been there. Any recommendactions on where to stay, tailgating, restaurants, etc etc would be greatly appreciated.
Wow, lol, these comments ... anyway, here are some thoughts from an Illini fan to you, as I am sure you will go in with an open mind and ready to have a great time as a first-timer:
1) It's such an Iowa fan cliché to hate on Champaign, and it really fascinates me. I don't usually hear it from other fan bases, and Champaign regularly finishes highly on top college town lists. Not sure if it's saltiness, some weird/subconscious association of it with Ames, if fans have not visited recently (Champaign is one of the few places in IL that has grown incredibly fast in the last decade, especially downtown) or what, but ZERO Iowa fans that I know personally and bring to Champaign from Chicago do not have an awesome time. Some of you geezers are way off.
2) The tailgating atmosphere is NIGHT AND DAY depending on the time of year, and most Iowa games lately have been at the absolute worst time - the Saturday before Thanksgiving, with the students gone, crappy weather and at the point where Illinois' season is over. This year will be at a much better time, and the tailgating will actually be fun. I highly recommend Grange Grove, a public tailgating spot on the west side of the stadium (press box side):
3) Unlike Iowa City, Champaign is split between Downtown and Campustown. Campustown is a stereotypical college-like feel, and I would suggest spending any non-football time in Downtown. Downtown Champaign has better restaurants and some cool breweries and stuff.
Campustown
Downtown
4) With that said ... regardless of what anyone says about the city of Champaign, informed or not, the campus itself is objectively nice. If you're already in Campustown and it's a nice day, I would walk off your beers in the Quad and the engineering campus across the street:
5) Assuming you take my initial advice and hang around Downtown, though, I highly recommend the Italian restaurant Nando Milano for dinner ... it's as good as anything I have had in Chicago, and I believe there is actually still a sister restaurant of theirs in Wicker Park. Hamilton Walker's is a cool steakhouse across the street, but I actually have never eaten there ... so I cannot vouge for that one! Around the corner, there is a section of the old pedestrian mall that was never reconverted into streets, and there are a few bars on this stretch of pedestrian area. If it's nice enough out, just around the corner is one of my favorite beer gardens at the Blind Pig Brewery, and Cowboy Monkey (across from the beer garden below on this same mini-ped mall area) usually has some decent live music. Barrelhouse 34 is right by all of this, too, and it has a cool rooftop bar area.
Nando Milano (Cowboy Monkey to the left, Blind Pig across and to the left)
Blind Pig Brewery
Barrelhouse 34
6) If you do prefer to hang in Campustown (which is a walkable distance from the stadium), I would suggest Legends for a generic lunch place or Joe's for more of a party atmosphere beforehand (they also actually have a decent burger). I have not been to the new Kam's since they tore down the original and legendary dump, so I can't comment on what it's like ... but it looks pretty nice. I have never been to the new Illin Inn, but it looks cool and it's on your way to the stadium if you prefer a "halfway there beer" like my friends and I do.
Legends
Joe's
Kam's
Illini Inn
7) If you are a fan of deep dish pizza ... WOOF, Papa Dels is honestly as good as (almost) anything I have had here in Chicago, as well! It is a cool spot and within walking distance from the stadium, but unfortunately I have heard they are having trouble getting help, and it is a total shit show ... so be prepared to wait.
Papa Dels
Hope you have a great time!
The university itself is pretty good ... I did some postdoctoral research there eons ago. Their STEM fields are top-notch. I loved their old library ... kinda felt like reading my math books in a crypt ... just kinda felt "right."Yeah, Champaign and West Lafayette are always competing for 14th place (now 16th place) among B1G college towns, although Champaign usually gets the nod due to the crime.
I don't know what the f* they do with the huge amount of sales and state income tax in Illinois, because they sure as heck don't seem to be supporting their land grant college (in state tuition >$15k and terrible campus). Pennsylvania seems to be worse, though (PSU, Pitt and Temple are all $19-20k in-state tuition, JFC).
It had been half empty a lot since 2008.Not since about 2008. They renovated the press box side and stopped, which is really frustrating … because the east side and horse shoe need a lot of work. Future plans will make the horse shoe actually look a lot more like Kinnick, which I would absolutely love!
It sucks, because our stadium could be really cool, but if just has a few blech parts.
Yeah, I know…? I didn’t come to talk smack, but if that’s all you have to offer … tip of the hat, I guess.It had been half empty a lot since 2008.
Eh, I love the architecture outside and the history of the place. However, it has a few huge, glaring errors - namely the horse shoe. If they fixed that up as the rendering proposes, it would be a perfectly fine stadium. As another poster said, people’s opinions of stadiums have a lot to do with the crowd, and bad teams don’t have good crowds. If Purdue were awful at basketball, no one would have a single good thing to say about Mackey Arena, lol.I have no problem with the town but I don't like Memorial Stadium.
Eh, I love the architecture outside and the history of the place. However, it has a few huge, glaring errors - namely the horse shoe. If they fixed that up as the rendering proposes, it would be a perfectly fine stadium. As another poster said, people’s opinions of stadiums have a lot to do with the crowd, and bad teams don’t have good crowds. If Purdue were awful at basketball, no one would have a single good thing to say about Mackey Arena, lol.
Looks like Bert is losing weight with all that dancing🙂Bert is bringin sexy back...........................