Advice for my kids first Neyland experience!?

#27
#27
Enjoy the experience. Go down and hang with the Vol Navy. Really cool to see.
Enjoy some smokey dogs at the stadium.
If your kids aren't used to hearing some colorful language you might prepare them for that.
 
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#28
#28
superdave1984 said:
Enjoy the experience. Go down and hang with the Vol Navy. Really cool to see.
Enjoy some smokey dogs at the stadium.
If your kids aren't used to hearing some colorful language you might prepare them for that.
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Thanks man! I have, for better or worse, prepared them for the scene. The wife and I have been to a couple games together but kids first time.
 
#32
#32
In Turkey Creek (about 20 minutes west of the stadium) there is a Smokey Mountain Brewery and across the street is UT Alumni Hall. 2 stops my family and I have always made coming in from the west side of the state.
get the double order of boneless thunder road wings, then go across the street and get your kids some attire (plan to drop $$$) and head to stadium fully charged to take on the day.

that has been our routine since 2013 kids were 9 & 7, however that has changed recently since the 9 year old is now a senior and the 7 year old is a freshman at UT and their gameday plans no longer involve us, lol.
 
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#36
#36
There are loads of great restaurants and bars on Market Square and Gay St. The Strip kinda sucks now. It’s near impossible to get food around the stadium on Gameday, so I’d plan accordingly ahead of time. Vol Village is perfect for kids. I’d mostly recommend making friends in with a tailgate party and joining them. Circle Park is fun if you don’t mind giant crowds. It also takes about 45-60 minutes to get through the gates to get into the game, so plan to try to get there early.
 
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#39
#39
Go to the Vol Walk and Vol Village before the game. Get into the stadium early enough to watch the band do the pregame ritual and watch the team run through the T. It’s awesome every time.

If it’s sunny, remember sunscreen! I’ve been burnt badly even in November in Neyland.
 
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#40
#40
For a first timer or even a 100th timer, experience the Pride of the Southland marching down Volunteer playing Rock Top is a special, unique tradition and one of a few major differences that separates college football from not only the NFL but just about any other sport.
 
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#41
#41
GV64, where do you live? My wife's fam is in Portland and we're still debating traveling there the weekend of Ok game. Long shot, but would be fun to meet up and have mini-watch party if it worked out. Our kids are 13 & 15 (older girl, younger boy). We live in Philly now and the kids have only been to 1 game each in Neyland, been to Knoxville a few times separately. We're trying take them to the homecoming game this year. All the other suggestions are great, but since we have kids with similar ages, here are the things mine like and most of these are pile-ons from others.

- Thursday afternoon or esp Friday by midday, Market Square is fun. Typically some decent buzz by Friday as out of towners are showing up for football game weekend. Lots of shops and restaurants. Lots of orange crap to buy.
-- There's a store called "nothing too fancy" that has some great UT, Knoxville, Smoky Mountains, etc. swag. Hats, shirts, etc. and they're all kind of unique, funny, cool, etc. Not officially sanctioned nike stuff at all. For example, you won't find any player jerseys here, but you might find a shirt that has a Tennessee pun on it or some dolly parton t-shirts. We always end up spending a lot of money here. :)
-- Nothing super special but Cruze Farm ice cream shop is an easy walk from Market square. My kids (well my wife and I too!) all love it. It's a local dairy farm ice cream shop. You can blend flavors like a frozen yogurt shop, but it's not self-serve and it's infinitely better than frozen yogurt. You can still sample stuff though despite it not being self serve. Always a line at night and when it gets busy, which tells you it's good. The owners are married couple and wife is a UT alum. Don't fact check me. :)

- Calhouns on the river gets a bad rap from locals. It's kind of overblown, food isn't anything amazing, I completely agree. But for an out of towner on a football game weekend, I think it's almost a must. Don't go before midday on Friday or you wont get the buzz. After noonish and beyond on Friday, you'll start seeing the Vol Navy traffic pick up. Especially if it's a nice sunny day like it's supposed to be, go there and only sit outside on the patio, deck. If you're not hungry bc of the awkard time you're there (after lunch but before dinner), we've had a drink date with our kids. Mom and Dad had a beer (or 3!) and kids got sodas. They loved watching the boats and most of the time some of the boaters will be up on the deck eating or drinking and usually are happy to talk to the kids about where they rode the boat in from, etc.

- Bookstore is also a must. Overwhelming amount of merch. Warning: whatever you think something might cost, multiply it by 1.75 and now you're probably close to the actual price. Expensive. Even if you don't buy a ton though, it's fun to walk around and see all the stuff. You can spend hours in the on campus bookstore. Plus it's fun to people watch. Lots of football fans from out of town like yall will be there, and then you'll see random students walking around there in their PJs and messy hair even though it's 3pm in the afternoon.

- Gameday: Get there early enough to see what you want to see, but pace yourself. It's not the most massive of games, so you can prob sleep in a bit if you can. Campus will still be buzzing early, but with the 415 start, the game likely won't be over until after 8, so esp with kids I personally wouldn't aim for an arrival much before 11/12 unless everyone is cool with a hot sunny exhausting, but fun day. Your kids are older but it's like spending all day at Disney...if you can keep up and make an 18 hour day enjoyable, go for it, but if everyone (including the parents) are going to meltdown by the evening, then it's worth it to me to slow roll the mornin . Also depends on where you're staying, parking, etc. Can take hours to exit the campus if you park in a garage, depending on where it is.

-- Volwalk. My son is into it. Daughter isn't. I know the players get hyped seeing kids there, and for many it's a must see. Can get crowded so have to get there a bit early, but even at your kids' ages, folks are generally reasonably accommodating at letting kids sneak through towards the front as long as they don't look like adults yet.
-- Watching the pride march in. I think it's a must see. Route changed recently so make sure you have the gouge on the new route.
-- Fan fest/Vol Village. My kids always love this. Tons of stuff to do, games to play, lots of free swag vendors give out, contests, etc. Usually there is live music and they'll be broadcasting other games on a giant screen somewhere. When it's just my wife and I we often skip this, but if you have a half-hour to hour you need to kill anytime before walking in the stadium, this is always a great place to go. Right at the humanities bldg. Basically between the library and circle park, you'll hear it before you can see it.
-- I'd def start heading to your gate ~ 1 hr prior to kickoff. Inside of that, it's hit or miss on the waits and can be a total zoo chaotic disaster getting in. The earlier you get in, the more likely you can head down the first rows and watch the players stretch and warm up, etc. Can get some great pics. But then you miss out on lots of the fun stuff outside the stadium. The longer you hang out outside, more fun you have out there but then the busier and more stressful getting into the gates will get. So pick your poison. Honestly if you're in your seats 10-15 mins prior to kickoff, you'll still get to see most of the band do it's thing, etc. but we've learned better to be early heading to the gates than late.

Pro-tip: Hodges library has the best public bathrooms close to the action on gameday if you're near it!

Obviously this is all just my own opinion. All the other food and activity recs that others have posted are spot on too...Have a blast!

Edited to add, I remember now my son has been to 2 games, daughter only once in Neyland, but i think they've been to the stadium on gameday maybe 3 times each now? A few massive games where they hung on campus for the buzz, then went back to a friend's house while mom and dad went in to the game bc tix were too much $$! Thus the things my kids have liked/disliked despite not actually attending a ton of games. Yet!
 
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#44
#44
GoVols64 said:
I posted in visitors forum too but responses look pretty light to most threads:

My wife and I are finally getting our two boys to Knoxville for a game. Living in the PNW it’s been a wait as my now 16 and 13 year olds are ready to experience football time in Tennessee.

It’s been over a decade and hoping we can get some advice on where to eat and what to do/see game day.

We are staying downtown and know Market Square, Litton’s but not up on other family friendly spots for lunch/dinner.

Get in Thursday afternoon, perhaps a fun spot downtown?

Friday we doing a campus and school of engineering tour at 11:00a and 3:00p respectively. (So lunch on/around campus).

Saturday morning is an open book. What time ahead of VolWalk to see the players? Friendly tailgates? Eating or talking in the game day experience for the boys?

All help appreciated!
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Tennessee Basketball Holding Scrimmage Open To Public Ahead Of Arkansas Football Game | Rocky Top Insider

Tennessee basketball is holding an intrasquad scrimmage open to the public Saturday ahead of the Arkansas football game.
www.rockytopinsider.com www.rockytopinsider.com

Tennessee basketball is less than a month away from opening up its 2025-26 season and less than three weeks away from facing Duke in an exhibition game. But Vol fans will get a chance to watch Tennessee this week as they hold an intrasquad scrimmage open to the media Saturday before the football team tangles with Arkansas at Neyland Stadium.

Rick Barnes 11th Tennessee team will tipoff its intrasquad scrimmage at 11:30 a.m. ET before the 4:15 p.m. kickoff inside Neyland Stadium.
 
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#48
#48
afvolunteer said:
GV64, where do you live? My wife's fam is in Portland and we're still debating traveling there the weekend of Ok game. Long shot, but would be fun to meet up and have mini-watch party if it worked out. Our kids are 13 & 15 (older girl, younger boy). We live in Philly now and the kids have only been to 1 game each in Neyland, been to Knoxville a few times separately. We're trying take them to the homecoming game this year. All the other suggestions are great, but since we have kids with similar ages, here are the things mine like and most of these are pile-ons from others.

- Thursday afternoon or esp Friday by midday, Market Square is fun. Typically some decent buzz by Friday as out of towners are showing up for football game weekend. Lots of shops and restaurants. Lots of orange crap to buy.
-- There's a store called "nothing too fancy" that has some great UT, Knoxville, Smoky Mountains, etc. swag. Hats, shirts, etc. and they're all kind of unique, funny, cool, etc. Not officially sanctioned nike stuff at all. For example, you won't find any player jerseys here, but you might find a shirt that has a Tennessee pun on it or some dolly parton t-shirts. We always end up spending a lot of money here. :)
-- Nothing super special but Cruze Farm ice cream shop is an easy walk from Market square. My kids (well my wife and I too!) all love it. It's a local dairy farm ice cream shop. You can blend flavors like a frozen yogurt shop, but it's not self-serve and it's infinitely better than frozen yogurt. You can still sample stuff though despite it not being self serve. Always a line at night and when it gets busy, which tells you it's good. The owners are married couple and wife is a UT alum. Don't fact check me. :)

- Calhouns on the river gets a bad rap from locals. It's kind of overblown, food isn't anything amazing, I completely agree. But for an out of towner on a football game weekend, I think it's almost a must. Don't go before midday on Friday or you wont get the buzz. After noonish and beyond on Friday, you'll start seeing the Vol Navy traffic pick up. Especially if it's a nice sunny day like it's supposed to be, go there and only sit outside on the patio, deck. If you're not hungry bc of the awkard time you're there (after lunch but before dinner), we've had a drink date with our kids. Mom and Dad had a beer (or 3!) and kids got sodas. They loved watching the boats and most of the time some of the boaters will be up on the deck eating or drinking and usually are happy to talk to the kids about where they rode the boat in from, etc.

- Bookstore is also a must. Overwhelming amount of merch. Warning: whatever you think something might cost, multiply it by 1.75 and now you're probably close to the actual price. Expensive. Even if you don't buy a ton though, it's fun to walk around and see all the stuff. You can spend hours in the on campus bookstore. Plus it's fun to people watch. Lots of football fans from out of town like yall will be there, and then you'll see random students walking around there in their PJs and messy hair even though it's 3pm in the afternoon.

- Gameday: Get there early enough to see what you want to see, but pace yourself. It's not the most massive of games, so you can prob sleep in a bit if you can. Campus will still be buzzing early, but with the 415 start, the game likely won't be over until after 8, so esp with kids I personally wouldn't aim for an arrival much before 11/12 unless everyone is cool with a hot sunny exhausting, but fun day. Your kids are older but it's like spending all day at Disney...if you can keep up and make an 18 hour day enjoyable, go for it, but if everyone (including the parents) are going to meltdown by the evening, then it's worth it to me to slow roll the mornin . Also depends on where you're staying, parking, etc. Can take hours to exit the campus if you park in a garage, depending on where it is.

-- Volwalk. My son is into it. Daughter isn't. I know the players get hyped seeing kids there, and for many it's a must see. Can get crowded so have to get there a bit early, but even at your kids' ages, folks are generally reasonably accommodating at letting kids sneak through towards the front as long as they don't look like adults yet.
-- Watching the pride march in. I think it's a must see. Route changed recently so make sure you have the gouge on the new route.
-- Fan fest/Vol Village. My kids always love this. Tons of stuff to do, games to play, lots of free swag vendors give out, contests, etc. Usually there is live music and they'll be broadcasting other games on a giant screen somewhere. When it's just my wife and I we often skip this, but if you have a half-hour to hour you need to kill anytime before walking in the stadium, this is always a great place to go. Right at the humanities bldg. Basically between the library and circle park, you'll hear it before you can see it.
-- I'd def start heading to your gate ~ 1 hr prior to kickoff. Inside of that, it's hit or miss on the waits and can be a total zoo chaotic disaster getting in. The earlier you get in, the more likely you can head down the first rows and watch the players stretch and warm up, etc. Can get some great pics. But then you miss out on lots of the fun stuff outside the stadium. The longer you hang out outside, more fun you have out there but then the busier and more stressful getting into the gates will get. So pick your poison. Honestly if you're in your seats 10-15 mins prior to kickoff, you'll still get to see most of the band do it's thing, etc. but we've learned better to be early heading to the gates than late.

Pro-tip: Hodges library has the best public bathrooms close to the action on gameday if you're near it!

Obviously this is all just my own opinion. All the other food and activity recs that others have posted are spot on too...Have a blast!

Edited to add, I remember now my son has been to 2 games, daughter only once in Neyland, but i think they've been to the stadium on gameday maybe 3 times each now? A few massive games where they hung on campus for the buzz, then went back to a friend's house while mom and dad went in to the game bc tix were too much $$! Thus the things my kids have liked/disliked despite not actually attending a ton of games. Yet!
Click to expand...
This is amazing detail, truly appreciate it my man!

We are literally across the river from Portland in a burb called Camas. We are about 25min from downtown so, depending on where your wife's family live, we could be anywhere from 15-45min from them. Would absolutely love to get together if your out this way. DM me when you know and we will try to make it work!

There was a ton of construction in/around the bookstore last time we were there (2015ish?) and assuming its all new at this point.

Fantastic tip on the bathrooms! My son is doing his tour on Friday and assume we will go through there as part of it to scout 'em out. :oops:

Again, sincere thanks for the thought and time you put into this. Why I love my fellow Vols!!!!
 
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#49
#49
KoachKrab127 said:
Go to the Vol Walk and Vol Village before the game. Get into the stadium early enough to watch the band do the pregame ritual and watch the team run through the T. It’s awesome every time.

If it’s sunny, remember sunscreen! I’ve been burnt badly even in November in Neyland.
Click to expand...
Good call. We are all "PNW Pasty" so this is a must!
 
#50
#50
GoVols64 said:
I will report back, TY!
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I'm already in the know. But, here's all you need to know....(short version)

Son got me front row tickets to SoCar for B-day a few years ago. Also his first major college game. Suppose he was around 17ish. So, I thought to myself, he's taking me to the game on my dime, so I'll just throw in his first trip to Gus' and add an extra treat in there. He got the Philly. I got the reuben. First place I ever had one, and still only sandwich I've ever eaten there. (Reccommendng the Philly is purely based on his tastebuds.) After game I asked him if he wanted anything else to eat before we hit the I-40W. He said "Reckon we can go back to that Gus'?"

Sadly line was way too long for that time of night, so on our long 20 minute walk back down 17th Street to our car we discovered 17th Street Market. {Attention: This would be my other reccomendation!!} They got many grills and smokers going in parking lot and you order inside. We got the smoked wings. They were then deep fried and dusted with yellow curry powder. And the angels were singing. Whatever you do, make time to get a late snack of smoked/deep fried wings at 17th Street Market to wash down Gus'. Do not skip this step.

He loved Gus' so much he got me tickets to the GA game two years later so I could take him back to Gus'. That one might have been CJH's 1st or 2nd year. I had to figure out which years those were a few months ago off previous schedules, and already forgot again.
 
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