Yes, I'm an Aggie :>) Go easy on me!

Good Ag · Feb 12, 2014

Hey Bama Fan,

question for you. football related because, well - it's about football.

I'm thinking about bringing my family to the A&M/Alabama game later this year. a question or two.

(a) how do I get there? (yeah, I recognize if I were on the A&M boards - this is where the flames would start. we call it the "zoo" - so I don't mind). I don't see that you can actually fly in to Tuscaloosa. is it best to fly in to Birmingham, or possibly Atlanta?? my plan would be to fly in on Friday and return Sunday. googling around it sounds like driving Birmingham / Tuscaloosa can be quite the traffic jam before and after games.

(b) which leads me to my next question. where should I stay. frankly, I'm thinking Tuscaloosa. enjoy your fine city for the weekend and drive to the airport Sunday following. thoughts?? good hotels or B&B's??

(c) how about good places to eat?

(d) any kid friendly stuff to do pending game time?

Lay it on me Tide. I welcome what I'd expect from the "zoo"; but feel pretty comfortable that you folks will offer me some good feedback.

Grats on arguably the #1 recruiting class, again.......... Look forward to seeing you guys in the trenches (with hopefully a better defensive effort and some semblance of a replacement for JFF!)

Gig 'Em

Good Ag

PS - not sure what this says about the IQ of a Good Ag vs Tide ;>) I live in Houston. sorry about that. should have included in original.

Bama Whiz · Feb 12, 2014

Welcome aboard. Where do you reside?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good Ag · Feb 12, 2014

Houston

jthomas666 · Feb 12, 2014

"Go easy on me!"

Isn't that what the sheep said?

Good Ag · Feb 12, 2014

Ok, I'll play....

Personally, I wouldn't know - but thank you for sharing that info ;>)

dWarriors88 · Feb 12, 2014

Whatever you do, go see the Bryant Museum.

4Q Basket Case · Feb 12, 2014

Fly into Birmingham.

Where to stay is an issue. If you throw enough money at it, you can accomplish anything, including a hotel room in Tuscaloosa on an SEC game day weekend. But it'll cost you. Plus, unless you're in the Capstone Sheraton, you won't be close to much of anything game-related. Good luck on the Capstone Sheraton. You'll have to luck into a cancellation.

All things considered, for a once-every-other-year trip, I'd suggest staying in Birmingham. Several good lodging options there, and a bunch of really good three-figure restaurants (google Frank Stitt, Chris Hastings, or Cliff Holt). Probably a dozen at the next level down.

Depending on the exact game time, leave Bham about 4-5 hours before game time. The Quad has lots of options for kids, and the tailgating is something to see. The Bryant Museum is a must if you're a college football fan, let alone an Alabama fan, and there are several watering holes for adults nearby.

Between drive time and seeing the sights in Tuscaloosa, you won't have a ton of time before kickoff.

Traffic out is an issue. In case it's a night game, don't plan a flight out too early Sunday.

PM me if you'd like details on any of that.

BigBama76 · Feb 12, 2014

I'd say your best bet would be to fly into Birmingham if theirs a direct flight. As for where to stay hopefully someone with more knowledge of the area hotels can help there.

I will say the times I'm able to make a game I drive in from Atlanta game day morning and have no problem with traffic. Of course driving around Atlanta kind of jades you when it comes to what's significant traffic but Houston traffic ought to prepare you for Birmingham/Tuscaloosa traffic.

I'd study a map of Tuscaloosa and the campus vicinity because there are several ways to get to the stadium parking areas that have better traffic flows than the main drags.

RTR91 · Feb 12, 2014

Eating wise: Big Bad Wolves Bar-BQ sets up on the outside of The Houndstooth on Friday of game week and shut down when they run out of meat. Really good sandwiches and nachos.

capnfrog · Feb 12, 2014

Congrats on arguably the #1 recruiting class? Do you have someone else in mind that might be #1? I know A&M had a real good class and it all boils down to who can coach em up the best. Hopefully you will have an enjoyable time in 'T' Town, Birmingham is an hour drive under normal circumstances, I would leave B'ham about 6 hours before game time and not be in a hurry to leave after the game so the traffic will calm down some what.
Enjoy,
Frog

TexasBama · Feb 12, 2014

Southwest flies from Hobby to Birmingham. Probably can get United from IAH too.

The Tutwiler in Downtown Birmingham is where I've stayed. It's a Wydham Hotel. It's handier staying in Birmingham for getting to/from airport.

Boo Radley · Feb 12, 2014

TexasBama said:
Southwest flies from Hobby to Birmingham. Probably can get United from IAH too.

The Tutwiler in Downtown Birmingham is where I've stayed. It's a Wydham Hotel. It's handier staying in Birmingham for getting to/from airport.

This ^^^^

And Southwest offers daily flights between HOU and BHM at least one of which is non-stop. Best fares (incl 2 bag check) bar none if you reserve ahead. You can find lodging in Tuscaloosa if you book ASAP and aren't too picky, and I'm not talking a roach motel.

willie52 · Feb 13, 2014

Ever consider driving? Not too bad a trip, if I remember correctly it's about 6 hours from Houston. Like I said, I haven't made that drive in a long time and was coming from San Antonio. At the cost of airfares you might even save a few bucks.

JohnS · Feb 13, 2014

willie52 said:
Ever consider driving? Not too bad a trip, if I remember correctly it's about 6 hours from Houston. Like I said, I haven't made that drive in a long time and was coming from San Antonio. At the cost of airfares you might even save a few bucks.

It's a ten hour drive from Houston to Tuscaloosa with no stops.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Hou...loosa&2s=AL&2z=35401#c6298b59e884b925da7ff8df

Depending on the size of the family driving might still be less expensive. It isn't a bad drive.

TUSKtimes · Feb 13, 2014

Good Ag said:
Lay it on me Tide. I welcome what I'd expect from the "zoo"; but feel pretty comfortable that you folks will offer me some good feedback.

Grats on arguably the #1 recruiting class, again.......... Look forward to seeing you guys in the trenches (with hopefully a better defensive effort and some semblance of a replacement for JFF!)

Gig 'Em

Good Ag

Well, if it's official that you're not bringing Johnny Football with you, welcome to the Capstone!!!!

Crimson57s · Feb 13, 2014

I agree with all those who suggest staying in Birmingham. Go ahead and make those reservations soon - you can cancel later if you need to. I haven't studied the 2014 schedule, but there is a good chance this could be the night game that week, so NOT planning an early flight out the next morning also gets my vote.

I really agree with those who suggest leaving Birmingham 5 or 6 hours before game time. There is so much neat stuff to see and do on game day - the Quad, the tailgating, Bryant Museum, the Walk of Champions, etc. The food vendors at one end of the Quad are decent places for pre-game food, but if you arrive early enough, there are some good restaurants. Alabama BBQ is (primarily) pork, not beef like you are used to in Texas, so be sure and try some.

Go to rolltide.com (the University's official sports web site) for things like the parking map and the gameday schedule.

And above all, follow the happenings here, among your new friends at Tidefans.com! We welcome other teams' fans - as long as they hold themselves to the same standards of behavior we hold ourselves to. I have seen other visiting fans come here with questions, and all have been treated well and given good information.

Welcome.

Good Ag · Feb 13, 2014

Thank you Bama Fans!!

I want to thank everyone that took the time to share some thoughts on a trip from Houston to Tuscaloosa. all of your thoughts were very helpful, and much appreciated.

capnfrog said:
Congrats on arguably the #1 recruiting class? Do you have someone else in mind that might be #1?
Enjoy,
Frog

real quick - perhaps a misunderstanding?? I was congratulating Bama. you guys got #1 ranking from Rivals, SI, ESPN; basically anyone who ranks.

Roll Tide!

Good luck folks.

jabcmb · Feb 13, 2014

Another Birmingham lodging option: look at hotels on Hwy 280 at the I-459 interchange. Good hotels and restaurants along there, moderate to expensive prices. You're about ten miles from airport but it's all interstate.
You guys were good to me before and after the game last year in College Station. You can also PM me for info and I'll be glad to help.
Also look at the uagameday website for parking maps and other info.

irNate · Feb 13, 2014

jabcmb said:
Another Birmingham lodging option: look at hotels on Hwy 280 at the I-459 interchange. Good hotels and restaurants along there, moderate to expensive prices. You're about ten miles from airport but it's all interstate.
You guys were good to me before and after the game last year in College Station. You can also PM me for info and I'll be glad to help.
Also look at the uagameday website for parking maps and other info.

There is a Holiday Inn that we used to stay at a lot, the rooms are nice the staff is nice there is a pool indoors, and its very affordable 5001 Academy Ln, Bessemer, AL 35022

(205) 424-2600

There are several restaurants and a Walmart less than a mile away and after the game you can be back at the hotel probably in 2 hours or so. There is a Hampton Inn thats nice too. you can see the interstate from both hotels, and you are on the West side of Birmingham.

MDB1981 · Feb 13, 2014

irNate said:
There is a Holiday Inn that we used to stay at a lot, the rooms are nice the staff is nice there is a pool indoors, and its very affordable 5001 Academy Ln, Bessemer, AL 35022

(205) 424-2600

There are several restaurants and a Walmart less than a mile away and after the game you can be back at the hotel probably in 2 hours or so. There is a Hampton Inn thats nice too. you can see the interstate from both hotels, and you are on the West side of Birmingham.

^^^^^
This
Your only 40 miles from the University from here

Yes, I'm an Aggie :>) Go easy on me!

New Member

New Member

New Member

Hall of Fame

New Member

All-American

FB|BB Moderator

Suspended

Super Moderator

All-American

TideFans Legend

All-SEC

All-American

BamaNation Citizen

1st Team

1st Team

New Member

All-American

1st Team

BamaNation Citizen

TideFans.shop - NEW Stuff!