Advice for my kids first Neyland experience!?

#52
#52
Sounds like quite a trip!

I moved away from Knoxville a little over a year ago for work, but when I come back, the one restaurant I have to go to is Yassin's Falafel House. Chicken plate, half veggies. I worked downtown and ate lunch there at least twice a week for years.

You've been given some good dinner suggestions. You might also think about Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria in the Old City. Tons of beers on tap, live music downstairs. Pool tables, foosball, darts upstairs. You can get an enormous pizza there. It's appropriate for teenagers early in the evening. If your kids get bored, there's Top Golf and Main Event out west. But, I think they'll enjoy hanging out downtown. If they're interested at all in history, the East Tennessee History Museum (if it's open) and James White Fort are worth a look. While you're on campus, stop into McClung Museum. Not sure what's on exhibit right now, but it's free.

Be aware that all the downtown and strip restaurants will be packed on Friday night. If it were me, I'd get on Resy and Open Table right now and see if you can score a reservation somewhere. Either that or head west a bit. I lived in Farragut, and my go-to's were Seasons and Connor's.

Hope they have a blast!
 
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#55
#55
GoVols64 said:
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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I know exactly where it is. Her folks are in Beaverton, so that's where we stay when in town. I travel for work and end up in downtown PDX a few times a year otherwise so I'd be super close to yall then. If I'm ever in town during a big game weekend or something, I'll reach out. Don't think you can DM on here, but I'll respond to one of your posts on here if we're up your way in a few weeks. We'd have to skip Halloween at home is the big hold up right now...ya know, priorities.

Have a blast at the game on and the tour!
 
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#58
#58
GoVols64 said:
I've read mixed reviews on here, is it legit good?
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bartended for that comapny for years. Get the Ale Steak. 100% game changer. I'm normally a Ribeye only kinda guy but that one is so good its hard to pass up. The wings with the Thunder Road Sauce or the Soy Ginger and bangers too. IMO it's a Knoxville staple restaurant. By the river after the game is so much fun at Calhouns.
 
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#59
#59
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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Late to the party in answering and lots of great suggestions so this will be repeats likely but summed up from my POV. Hope Thursday night worked well!

Friday lunch since on campus: Gus's for a steamed deli in between your 11 and 3 appts. Check out the signed pictures on the wall.
Or Calhouns but that can be a hike and can go there later.
Friday on way back to downtown: Drive the full campus then Neyland drive down by Calhoun's, park get out and take a look at the Vol Navy parked and boats arriving.

Dinner downtown with multiple options. Downtown Grill and Brewery on Gay for casual with games on or many options on Market Square for night before game crowds. Avoid going out West my POV.
Cruze Farm Ice Cream on Gay St.

Saturday: Vol basketball scrimmage am
Bookstore visit for some new gear. Will be crowded.
Vol Village/Circle Park for tailgates or walk around to different areas in addition to those.
Vol Walk: get there early for 1:55 Vol Walk (lower Peyton Manning Pass)
Band March: 2:35 (Library, Pedestrian Bridge Area)
Hit a few tailgates again before heading to stadium so stay close by.

20 minutes before game time butts in seats. Don't miss pregame national anthem, Band traditional pre-game! Getting into seats and stadium has been slower than usual with gate entry but I'd be walking in the stadium gates by 3:30 so in line before that since it's their big trip. Can watch warmups and get concessions if in early anyways leading up to official pre-game.
 

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#60
#60
terraceparkvol said:
Late to the party in answering and lots of great suggestions so this will be repeats likely but summed up from my POV. Hope Thursday night worked well!

Friday lunch since on campus: Gus's for a steamed deli in between your 11 and 3 appts. Check out the signed pictures on the wall.
Or Calhouns but that can be a hike and can go there later.
Friday on way back to downtown: Drive the full campus then Neyland drive down by Calhoun's, park get out and take a look at the Vol Navy parked and boats arriving.

Dinner downtown with multiple options. Downtown Grill and Brewery on Gay for casual with games on or many options on Market Square for night before game crowds. Avoid going out West my POV.
Cruze Farm Ice Cream on Gay St.

Saturday: Vol basketball scrimmage am
Bookstore visit for some new gear. Will be crowded.
Vol Village/Circle Park for tailgates or walk around to different areas in addition to those.
Vol Walk: get there early for 1:55 Vol Walk (lower Peyton Manning Pass)
Band March: 2:35 (Library, Pedestrian Bridge Area)
Hit a few tailgates again before heading to stadium so stay close by.

20 minutes before game time butts in seats. Don't miss pregame national anthem, Band traditional pre-game! Getting into seats and stadium has been slower than usual with gate entry but I'd be walking in the stadium gates by 3:30 so in line before that since it's their big trip. Can watch warmups and get concessions if in early anyways leading up to official pre-game.
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Amazing advice, thank you!!! We hit Cruze Farm last night after eating at Market Square!

Planning to hit Gus’s per your and many other’s advice. May try to walk back along the river to hotel tonight or tomorrow morning and hit Calhoun’s.

When you say avoid going out West are you meaning past campus on Cumberland or literally West Knoxville?

Thanks again!
 
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#61
#61
GoVols64 said:
Amazing advice, thank you!!! We hit Cruze Farm last night after eating at Market Square!

Planning to hit Gus’s per your and many other’s advice. May try to walk back along the river to hotel tonight or tomorrow morning and hit Calhoun’s.

When you say avoid going out West are you meaning past campus on Cumberland or literally West Knoxville?

Thanks again!
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Yes, I meant I would avoid going out to West Knoxville as places to eat just as crowded. Traffic is tough especially Friday's. With your campus visit Friday and game day plenty to do near campus and downtown Knoxville to get the college and game day experience. Enjoy.
 
#62
#62
GoVols64 said:
Good call. We are all "PNW Pasty" so this is a must!
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Also, make sure your electronic tickets are in your phone’s wallet before you leave the house. On campus, when there’s so many people, cell phone reception is terrible.

I also recommending staying together with your family the whole time. If you need to split up, have a planned meeting spot. It can be next to impossible to communicate through phones because of how bad cell reception is.
 
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#64
#64
Clad in Big Orange said:
A family trip to Neyland is truly a great experience...unless the Vols lose. It turns ugly real fast and the worst of humanity is on display fueled by alcohol.
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Part of life. Not a bad thing for an impressionable kid to see somebody act a fool and not want to ever be that guy. Then as they age they learn more how enjoyable people watching can be. Late games can be tough though. Last time I had all 5 at a game somebody fell down the steps every quarter.
 
#65
#65
I went to my first Tennessee home game as a kid 18 years ago when we played Arkansas at home - sadly the last time we beat them. I remember vividly the vol walk and the atmosphere inside of Neyland and fell in love with it. Your kids will likely do the same.. make sure to get to the vol walk early and then hang around Vol village for food and festivities before the game
 
#67
#67
Hairy Vols said:
bartended for that comapny for years. Get the Ale Steak. 100% game changer. I'm normally a Ribeye only kinda guy but that one is so good its hard to pass up. The wings with the Thunder Road Sauce or the Soy Ginger and bangers too. IMO it's a Knoxville staple restaurant. By the river after the game is so much fun at Calhouns.
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The bacon wrapped burnt ends are pretty good as well.
 
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#69
#69
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!
Click to expand...
there's a brewery on gay, has good food. calhouns in the river. you really have everything you need in market square
 
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