First visit advice?

#1
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VolunteerRoadTrip

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#1
I'm an Ohio University graduate and lifelong Miami Hurricanes fan (Screw Florida. Lets both beat their tails off this year.) who has a high functioning autistic teenager who is lifelong Tennessee football fan. He first started watching football when Justin Worley was the UT quarterback. Remember the Georgia game in 2016? He went from pumped to distraught to running around the neighborhood in his orange shirt, orange pants and orange hat as excited as I've ever seen a person. His favorite NFL player who isn't on the Giants is Alvin Kamara and he hates Butch Jones for not taking full advantage of Kamara.

He has been asking us to go to a Tennessee game for years. At the season opener, we're making it happen. This isn't going to be an annual trip, so his mom and I want to make it an experience of a lifetime. So, any suggestions you all might have would be very appreciated.

We've made our reservations (Holiday Inn downtown) and our seats are settled. I'm hoping you good folks can help me with the experience. What should he not miss? What's the best place to get Vols swag that won't cost a mortgage check? Food places in downtown Knoxville that we should hit? Anything you can think of would help.
 
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#2
#2
Knoxville has over 75 restaurants in one square mile...many within walking distance to the Holiday Inn. There could possibly be long waits on game day, so maybe carry a snack or two to tide you over. You should definitely go hit some tailgate areas so he can meet other hardcore fanatics. AND most definitely get to the stadium in time to see the Vol Walk. That is magical.
If you are staying for a couple of days...and he likes Smokey the mascot...its fun to go around camps and take photos with the ten Smokey statues that were unveiled during the Orange & White game this spring. Each one represents one of the ten Smokeys UT has had since 1953 (I may have the year wrong.)
 
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#3
#3
Go to Market Square and eat before the game, or the night before the game.

Definetly walk along the Tennessee River and look at the Vol Navy before the game. Definetly head up to the Hill and get a good spot for the Vol Walk closer to game time.

Both are free and your son will have a blast.
 
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#4
#4
JoyrideGina said:
Knoxville has over 75 restaurants in one square mile...many within walking distance to the Holiday Inn. There could possibly be long waits on game day, so maybe carry a snack or two to tide you over. You should definitely go hit some tailgate areas so he can meet other hardcore fanatics. AND most definitely get to the stadium in time to see the Vol Walk. That is magical.
If you are staying for a couple of days...and he likes Smokey the mascot...its fun to go around camps and take photos with the ten Smokey statues that were unveiled during the Orange & White game this spring. Each one represents one of the ten Smokeys UT has had since 1953 (I may have the year wrong.)
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@VolunteerRoadTrip I would add that Volunteer Village is fun (before the Vol Walk), and the official team store in the Union is also a great place to get some gameday gear.

Here's the Union, it's to the West of the stadium. The team store is where the arrow is pointing.
1564756218575.png
 
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#6
#6
I will always recommend SWEET Ps bbq downtown dive, it is fantastic. Calhounss is a great night before dinner and atmosphere but food isn't as good. For the kid, absolutely take in Vol-Walk and Pride of Southland Salute to the Hill starting 2.5 hours before kick, get there early he will absolutely love this as he can high five coaches and players on their walk to Neyland. Alumni Hall and Hounddogs are awesome UT fan shops you should visit, or UT bookstore day of the game. If you need any help, I'd be happy to assist you.
 
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#8
#8
I personally love Calhouns On The River right down the road from Neyland to eat a pregame meal. After that I go to the Vol Walk and get there early to get to get front row. I enjoy watching the team warm up too so I get to the gates as soon as they open......When I go with my dad though, he would rather drink some beer before the game so I let him have some fun lmao. Other than that, there are lots of tailgaters that tend to be nice and invite you in if you strike up conversation and watch football games that are already playing on their TVs.
 
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#9
#9
Rastaurants-
Sweet Pea's, hands down better BBQ than Calhoun's.
Stock&Barrel for a great burger
Tomatoe Head if you want over-priced but delicious ittalian esque fare.
French Market Crepery, can't talk that place up enough, fantastic crepes.

Take him up in the sunSphere on the walk over to the Vol Walk, and after the game walk over to Barley's for sole post-win pizza (beers go you and the wife), partial to the Georgia Dry Rub pizza myself.
 
#10
#10
Having highly functional autistic son myself I know how much this trip will mean to him. You just have to play to his strengths during the trip. For example my son is short on patience and we always has to plan any excursion around the crowds traffic and wait times not being overwhelming for him

Hope you your son has a fantastic journey and visit.
 
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#11
#11
Definitely get him to the Vol Walk, and id try to see the Vol Navy for sure. Most restaurants will have wait times if it’s a problem, maybe opt for fast food, still a wait but I usually can get out of those places quicker on game days. Vol Village is fun. I hope he had an amazing time!
 
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#12
#12
JohnD13 said:
Having highly functional autistic son myself I know how much this trip will mean to him. You just have to play to his strengths during the trip. For example my son is short on patience and we always has to plan any excursion around the crowds traffic and wait times not being overwhelming for him

Hope you your son has a fantastic journey and visit.
Click to expand...

Mine's the same way. By the time we leave, he will have every stop, meal, movement planned.
 
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#13
#13
If you go you will be saying...
source.gif
 
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#14
#14
VolunteerRoadTrip said:
I'm an Ohio University graduate and lifelong Miami Hurricanes fan (Screw Florida. Lets both beat their tails off this year.) who has a high functioning autistic teenager who is lifelong Tennessee football fan. He first started watching football when Justin Worley was the UT quarterback. Remember the Georgia game in 2016? He went from pumped to distraught to running around the neighborhood in his orange shirt, orange pants and orange hat as excited as I've ever seen a person. His favorite NFL player who isn't on the Giants is Alvin Kamara and he hates Butch Jones for not taking full advantage of Kamara.

He has been asking us to go to a Tennessee game for years. At the season opener, we're making it happen. This isn't going to be an annual trip, so his mom and I want to make it an experience of a lifetime. So, any suggestions you all might have would be very appreciated.

We've made our reservations (Holiday Inn downtown) and our seats are settled. I'm hoping you good folks can help me with the experience. What should he not miss? What's the best place to get Vols swag that won't cost a mortgage check? Food places in downtown Knoxville that we should hit? Anything you can think of would help.
Click to expand...



I've got a bunch of magazines (Athlon's, Lindy's, Football Time in Tennessee) that I just don't have room for but can't stand to throw away. I will give them to you if you'd pay for shipping. Unfortunately, I'm in the Houston, TX area. If so, send me note or reply and we can get in touch. Probably have 30-40 of them and they are thick so it would cost a few dollars.

Same goes to anyone else who reads this although our new, autistic friend gets first shot at 'em.
 
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#15
#15
Last year the head youth pastor from our church and I (associate youth pastor here) took two of our high school boys to the ETSU game. First time for both of the boys. They haven’t picked their jaws up off the ground since. That game will always be one of my favorite memories at Neyland. Your son will probably be the same way. Don’t forget to take it in.
 
#17
#17
All of the suggestions above are great.
VOL walk especially.
Pride of the Southland Marching marching down Volunteer to the Staduim playing Rocky top.
Statue of General Neyland at the Stadium.
Sandwich of Knoxville is the steamed deli.
Nothing better than hole in the wall Gus's on 17th by the campus. My favorite roast beef , smoked cheddar on dark bread with mustard and mayo. Pick on side.

Make sure to get to stadium before kick off so you can see the band form the T and the cheerleaders, players and coaches run thru.

My blood is boiling right now thinking about the sounds , crowds and anticipation of "Its Foolball Time in Tennessee "

Have a great time. Go VOLS
 
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#18
#18
Do you want free food, free booze, and to see young scantily clad co-Ed’s?
If so, this never fails.
Go to the dock at the river where the boats are ....yell out that you are visiting and want to learn the words to Rocky Top....I guarantee you will invited aboard. Enjoy!
 
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#20
#20
Vfl2407 said:
Do you want free food, free booze, and to see young scantily clad co-Ed’s?
If so, this never fails.
Go to the dock at the river where the boats are ....yell out that you are visiting and want to learn the words to Rocky Top....I guarantee you will invited aboard. Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Really? Pretty inappropriate.
 
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#21
#21
JohnD13 said:
Really? Pretty inappropriate.
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Well, to put it in perspective. I’m 52 and that would be an inappropriate thing for me. But if you’re young and single, enjoy life, have as much fun and explore the limits of life. Just keep your wits about you. Life was meant to be enjoyed and we learn as we go.
 
#22
#22
VolsnRavens said:
Well, to put it in perspective. I’m 52 and that would be an inappropriate thing for me. But if you’re young and single, enjoy life, have as much fun and explore the limits of life. Just keep your wits about you. Life was meant to be enjoyed and we learn as we go.
Click to expand...

Oh, and as an old guy who grew up young and wild, never, and I mean never, put that ish on social media. I’m sure I’m not the only one who is grateful that stuff didn’t exist back in the day.
 
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