Planning a trip over and need some advice

[bamauk]

Hello all, I am looking at planning a trip over this year but I could really do with some advice. I will be making the trip solo as my wife will be at home with the kids. I'm looking for a 3 night stay but Tuscaloosa hotels look quite expensive on game weekends. Is there any cheaper places to stay that aren't advertised on your big name hotel websites? I was thinking of maybe staying in Birmingham and travelling to the game on the day. Is there any busses or trains that provide a service on a game day? Also how difficult is it to get a single ticket for a game? Sorry for the many questions but any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks. RTR!

 

[bamaraider]

What's your price range? And buy your tickets online and a few weeks before the game. My advice, stay in Tuscaloosa for a hotel and go to a good game. Reason I say this, you're flying across seas to see 'Bama play. Not saying you can't go see a game versus a weaker opponent, but for traveling a great distance, I think I would prefer to see good game that is memorable and worth the long trip. Plus BDS and the campus is just a much better experience when everyone is up for the game.

When I went to the Mississippi State game back in '12, it was for homecoming. I stayed at the Home Town Suites, right at the University Mall and on Veteran Memorial Parkway for 60$ a night. Its nice because McFarland BLVD is right there where everything is and the campus is not that far away. They usually have a gameday bus right at University Mall that'll take you to the stadium and/or University BLVD.

 

[PhillyGirl]

Be sure to go to Dreamland!

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Unfortunately, there are not a lot of great options in and close (within a few miles of) Tuscaloosa if you want a good hotel. Staying up the interstate in B'ham is a cheaper option (maybe exit 108 in Bessemer), but certainly less convenient (no trains or transportation). You'd have to deal with traffic on your on. If you do stay in Tuscaloosa, like raider mentioned, there are buses that run from University Mall (round trip) to the stadium for 10 bucks. Another option, is a hotel in Vance, AL.

As Philly mentioned, If you are here for a couple of days, Dreamland (the original) and Archibald's (again the original) should be on your list. If you are going to eat at either or both though, only do so at the originals, to do otherwise would be a BBQ sin. Also, if you are here on a weekday, schedule a Bryant-Denny stadium tour a few weeks in advance... you'll enjoy it. You can also schedule a tour of the campus, which can be neat. A lot of history there...

As far as tickets, just depends on the game. The higher profile the game, the tougher the ticket, but a single shouldn't be too tough to procure for any week... especially if you aren't too picky on where you will sit.

 

[planomateo]

Thought of Brandon's comments when I saw this tweet.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p>Covered Alabama for all but 14 months since 2009 and just finally made it here. <a href="http://t.co/eA0NYfiJXe">pic.twitter.com/eA0NYfiJXe</a></p>&mdash; Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) <a href="https://twitter.com/ByCasagrande/statuses/435850650300456960">February 18, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Thought of Brandon's comments when I saw this tweet.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p>Covered Alabama for all but 14 months since 2009 and just finally made it here. <a href="http://t.co/eA0NYfiJXe">pic.twitter.com/eA0NYfiJXe</a></p>&mdash; Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) <a href="https://twitter.com/ByCasagrande/statuses/435850650300456960">February 18, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Boom! Coach Bryant's ribs of choice...

 

[bamaledge]

I stayed at the LaQuinta inn in Hoover and booked on Hotels.com. It is a real nice hotel and not very pricey. Good luck.

 

[rammerjammer]

When did Archibalds paint the building red?