Parking and traffic for buffalo game

[bigorangefan]

Will be staying in Gatlinburg the week of the buffalo game. What is the best route to the stadium? Where is the best place to park? Looking for an easy exit back to the mountains(don't mind a short walk). How will the traffic be between the stadium and mountains? Any good places to eat between the two?
Thanks in advance.

 

[OsbourneBROS83]

I will not comment on traffic since it has been a couple of years since I have been in Knoxville but there are some really good eats around. There is a thread on this or at least similar called "top ten places to eat". I myself love Louis' on Old Broadway. Get the no. 4. Also there is a great steak house in Gatlinburg called The Peddler, they bring the cuts of meat to your table for you to choose. Pretty awesome. Have a great time in Knoxville there arent too many places like East Tennessee

 

[flyfishinvol]

Highway 66 back to I40 West into Knoxville is your best bet from Gatlinburg to Knoxville. There aren't any other highways to take from Gatlinburg back to exit 407, but there are some backroads. They're the kind of backroads gauranteed to make you feel lost though. If you make it back to the interstate from Gatlinburg and it looks backed up or something, you could keep going straight on 66 past the bass pro shops and smokies stadium until that road runs into Asheville Highway (24/70) and take a left. That would also bring you into Knoxville and you could get on I40 there.

I like to park at the Credit union just off the 17th street exit of I40 West (387). Stay to the right onto Ailor Ave, then take a right onto 17th st at the red light. Go back under the interstate and the credit union is immediately on your left. Take a left at the stoplight by the credit union and you can park in the lot there. Its about a mile walk to the stadium, but after the game, you can take a left out of the parking lot and be on the interstate in five minutes tops. It's also only $7 to park there. At least that's what it has been in years past. Or you can keep going straight on 17th and start turning down roads. They'll all have parking. Once you start going down the hill, turn off quick or you'll run into the stip (Cumberland Ave) and that can be a mess to drive through on gameday.

You could also take the James White Parkway exit (389 when headed west, follow the signs) then follow the signs to Neyland Ave. That will put you on the south side of the stadium (opposite of previous paragraph). I know a lot of the parking pass lots are on this side and right at the stadium. This is also how you would get to Calhouns on the river if you wanted to eat there. If you go this route and don't find a place to park, just keep driving on Neyland Ave and it will run into Kingston Pk shortly at a stop light. Take a right at the light and that will get you back onto Cumberland Ave (the strip). I would then suggest taking a left at any road you choose and find someone holding a sign for parking.


Good luck and have fun.

 

[bigorangefan]

Thanks for the suggestions

 

[Bizazz]

Church Street United Methodist (which is on Cumberland, not Church ) parks cars on game day as a fundraiser for the church. You would need to plan on being there 2-3 hours prior to kickoff. It's much closer than the Credit Union lot off 17th. From 40 West you'd exit on the James White Parkway exit downtown, then exit onto Cumberland Ave. After you cross Henley St. the church will be on your left. After the game, you get onto Cumberland, make an immediate left onto Henley and you'll be routed to I-40 East back to Sevierville.

Another option, if you're early enough is to park either at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse or Calhoun's right on the river. I think Ruth's Chris charges $25, but they give you a $25 voucher you can use for food in the restaurant.

There are also lots of pay lots around the Strip and Fort Sanders. If you're not careful though you can be stuck in traffic awhile.

This game is going to have a light crowd. There will be lots of room in the permit lots but I doubt you'd be able to talk yourself into one of those.

Another travel option is to take US 441 to/from Sevierville. You'll have to follow the Henley bridge detour. If you do that you'll drive right by Ye Olde Steakhouse on your way out of town.

 

[bigorangefan]

Church Street United Methodist (which is on Cumberland, not Church ) parks cars on game day as a fundraiser for the church. You would need to plan on being there 2-3 hours prior to kickoff. It's much closer than the Credit Union lot off 17th. From 40 West you'd exit on the James White Parkway exit downtown, then exit onto Cumberland Ave. After you cross Henley St. the church will be on your left. After the game, you get onto Cumberland, make an immediate left onto Henley and you'll be routed to I-40 East back to Sevierville.

Another option, if you're early enough is to park either at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse or Calhoun's right on the river. I think Ruth's Chris charges $25, but they give you a $25 voucher you can use for food in the restaurant.

There are also lots of pay lots around the Strip and Fort Sanders. If you're not careful though you can be stuck in traffic awhile.

This game is going to have a light crowd. There will be lots of room in the permit lots but I doubt you'd be able to talk yourself into one of those.

Another travel option is to take US 441 to/from Sevierville. You'll have to follow the Henley bridge detour. If you do that you'll drive right by Ye Olde Steakhouse on your way out of town.

441 is the route we've been looking to take. Want to try Ye Olde Steakhouse or Bayou Bay. How will gameday traffic be on 441? Is there any certain place we need to park to get directed back across the river afterwards? Any downtown garages or lots with quick exit across river? Appreciate the help.

 

[flyfishinvol]

441 is the route we've been looking to take. Want to try Ye Olde Steakhouse or Bayou Bay. How will gameday traffic be on 441? Is there any certain place we need to park to get directed back across the river afterwards? Any downtown garages or lots with quick exit across river? Appreciate the help.

Forgot about 441. Headed to the game traffic shouldn't be too bad. A lot of red lights though. With the Henley St bridge down you'll be redirected towards the gay St bridge. That's where traffic could get interesting, especially post game trying to get back to and across gay St. If I were you, I would take 441 until your almost into town and then take a right onto Moody ave. Go a couple miles and follow signs to James white parkway. Then follow signs to neyland drive. After the game, I would do the reverse of that. It will add maybe five miles to your trip but will definitely beat crossing gay st and will still take you past both ye olde and bayou bay. Ye older would be my pick of the two. It'll be on your left headed back from the game.
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[Bizazz]

Forgot about 441. Headed to the game traffic shouldn't be too bad. A lot of red lights though. With the Henley St bridge down you'll be redirected towards the gay St bridge. That's where traffic could get interesting, especially post game trying to get back to and across gay St. If I were you, I would take 441 until your almost into town and then take a right onto Moody ave. Go a couple miles and follow signs to James white parkway. Then follow signs to neyland drive. After the game, I would do the reverse of that. It will add maybe five miles to your trip but will definitely beat crossing gay st and will still take you past both ye olde and bayou bay. Ye older would be my pick of the two. It'll be on your left headed back from the game.
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If you come into town via 441 you'll be directed by the detour signs to South Knoxville Blvd/James White Parkway. I'm not exactly sure how the detour route is leaving town. However, if you go to 1-40 East away from downtown, James White Parkway (and the detour to 441 will be your first exit of 1-40 as you pass downtown).

With the game being so early, maybe there won't be too bad a wait at Ye Olde Steakhouse.

 

[flyfishinvol]

If you come into town via 441 you'll be directed by the detour signs to South Knoxville Blvd/James White Parkway. I'm not exactly sure how the detour route is leaving town. However, if you go to 1-40 East away from downtown, James White Parkway (and the detour to 441 will be your first exit of 1-40 as you pass downtown).

With the game being so early, maybe there won't be too bad a wait at Ye Olde Steakhouse.

Drove to downtown on Chapman highway (441) just yesterday. You get routed to gay st when Chapman ends at the river. To get to James white, you either have to turn on Moody before then or follow the detour past the hospital then bear a right at the stoplight. That road will also take you to James white. If your leaving Knoxville and turn on Henley st downtown towards the river, you'll still be routed towards gay st.
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[bigorangefan]

Thanks for all the help. Greatly appreciated.
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