Any good "insider" info for a first-time game attendee?

#1
K

KG4ONJ

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Oct 4, 2007
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#1
Hello all..

I just found this forum today and it looks great! I grew up in NE Tennessee as a rabid Vols fan and now live near Athens, GA :no:. I am considering attending my first game in Knoxville this weekend and was wondering if anyone would be willing to divulge some information as far as getting to the stadium from out-of-town, shortcuts, sidestreets, parking, tailgating, getting out after the game and anything else I might need to know before going for the first time.

I am moderately familiar with Knoxville but not enough to be comfortable on a game day which is doubtlessly chaotic at best.

If you would prefer to keep your insider info private, please PM me.

Many thanks!
 
#2
#2
Print this gameday schedule off and keep it handy:

UT Sports Official Site

I've been to 4 games now and I still don't know the "secrets." With the construction I never know what to expect. I have been getting off on the James White Parkway exit and then winding around and coming up Cumberland and parking near a hospital parking garage the past few times. I think the parking admission benefits a children's charity and I don't mind parking there for that and dishing over the $$. It's roughly a 1.5-2 mile walk from there but it's straight down Cumberland and you get to "take it all in" walking that way in my opinion. Try to get there for the Vol Walk and get a place to watch it from. I always stand close to gate 23 where they go in. If you get a good spot to stand 30 minutes before the walk usually you can be right on top of it if you want to.

The traffic getting out can be a bit slow but once you get out it flows pretty good. Just have fun taking it all in and if you go GET LOUD for the Vols this weekend!
 
#3
#3
DownNDirty said:
Print this gameday schedule off and keep it handy:

UT Sports Official Site

I've been to 4 games now and I still don't know the "secrets." With the construction I never know what to expect. I have been getting off on the James White Parkway exit and then winding around and coming up Cumberland and parking near a hospital parking garage the past few times. I think the parking admission benefits a children's charity and I don't mind parking there for that and dishing over the $$. It's roughly a 1.5-2 mile walk from there but it's straight down Cumberland and you get to "take it all in" walking that way in my opinion. Try to get there for the Vol Walk and get a place to watch it from. I always stand close to gate 23 where they go in. If you get a good spot to stand 30 minutes before the walk usually you can be right on top of it if you want to.

The traffic getting out can be a bit slow but once you get out it flows pretty good. Just have fun taking it all in and if you go GET LOUD for the Vols this weekend!
Click to expand...
if you get off on the 17th street exit, there is a church on your left that is very convenient...$15 - $20 but it goes to the church and is easy to get back on the interstate...parked there 5 or 6 times
 
#6
#6
if you've converted to a Bulldog fan since leaving TN, I would just suggest you remember to pack your Kleenex. :)
 
#10
#10
KG4ONJ said:
Hello all..

I just found this forum today and it looks great! I grew up in NE Tennessee as a rabid Vols fan and now live near Athens, GA :no:. I am considering attending my first game in Knoxville this weekend and was wondering if anyone would be willing to divulge some information as far as getting to the stadium from out-of-town, shortcuts, sidestreets, parking, tailgating, getting out after the game and anything else I might need to know before going for the first time.

I am moderately familiar with Knoxville but not enough to be comfortable on a game day which is doubtlessly chaotic at best.

If you would prefer to keep your insider info private, please PM me.

Many thanks!
Click to expand...

Welcome to the board BTW. :hi:
 
#12
#12
wish i could help you getting out, but I've never left and gone south down 75. I typically park on 17th St because I have the easiest time getting out that way, but I probably walk more than most people. Make sure and check out the Vol Walk, before that make your rounds on the Strip and look in the bookstore and other shops at some of the cool UT merchandise. Nothing beats watching the band come into the stadium. You see orange EVERYWHERE. enjoy your visit man.

what part of NE tn did you grow up in?
 
#14
#14
Go up 441 EARLY if you choose that route. Nothing worse than getting caught behind RVs going through the Smokies.

Where near Athens do you live? I'm in Monroe just west of Athens. Odd enough, I see quite a bit more orange in my subdivision than red and black.
 
#16
#16
All Vol! said:
if you've converted to a Bulldog fan since leaving TN, I would just suggest you remember to pack your Kleenex. :)
Click to expand...

First off, thanks for all the info everyone! I hope that it works out that we get to come this weekend.

Hahahaha.. Not hardly. My blood still runs orange! Unfortunately I married a Georgia girl (she graduated from there in 2000) and this week is never a good week in our house hahaha. We go to a lot of UGA games and I always dress in neutral colors. She was in the band and got to go to Neyland a couple of times - sad that I have never been.
 
#17
#17
CSpindizzy said:
Go up 441 EARLY if you choose that route. Nothing worse than getting caught behind RVs going through the Smokies.

Where near Athens do you live? I'm in Monroe just west of Athens. Odd enough, I see quite a bit more orange in my subdivision than red and black.
Click to expand...

I guess I don't really live all that close to Athens, I'm in the Braselton/Hoschton area - takes about 40 minutes. But, it's a lot closer than Marietta where I used to live!
 
#18
#18
Take I-75 from Hot-Lanta to K-town. Exit 129 Alcoa Highway, then first exit to Cumberland Ave/Kingston Pike. There are plenty of pay lots along and just North of Cumberland, as long as you get there early (for this game, I'd say before 11 AM).

Getting out right after the game is not fun. . . .so don't. Stick around and join some tailgating festivities or have dinner and a few beers. By then, traffic will be gone.

Knoxville is nowhere NEAR as complicated as Athens, so enjoy!
 
#19
#19
My Insider Info:

If someone triest o hand you a free "Fort Neyland" poster on the strip (or anywhere else) hit them in the face and tell them "It's Neyland Stadium. It's classic. It needs no nickname. Go away." Then hit them in the face again.
 
#20
#20
kiddiedoc said:
Take I-75 from Hot-Lanta to K-town. Exit 129 Alcoa Highway, then first exit to Cumberland Ave/Kingston Pike. There are plenty of pay lots along and just North of Cumberland, as long as you get there early (for this game, I'd say before 11 AM).

Getting out right after the game is not fun. . . .so don't. Stick around and join some tailgating festivities or have dinner and a few beers. By then, traffic will be gone.

Knoxville is nowhere NEAR as complicated as Athens, so enjoy!
Click to expand...


I believe the exit # off 75 is 386 (not sure). 129 is the Hwy#. - Just for clarification....
 
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