College football season means tailgating season. Devotees show up early and stay late anywhere near the stadium – in RVs on an ROTC drill field, tents on the Quad, sedans on the sidewalk – and some even pay big money to reserve a space the size of a tool shed in a student parking lot.
College football tailgating is where fan mania reaches its painted-face-wearing-fight-song-singing-air-horn-blowing apex. Georgia has UGA and Tech, of course, but here are some other schools outside the state where tailgating seems to be almost as important as the game itself.
The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)
Oxford, Miss.
The Grove is a 10-acre swath of land shaded by oaks, elms and magnolia located in the middle of the campus at Ole Miss, and this is where the art of tailgating is taken to its most formal and inimitable level. They call it “groving” in Mississippi. Vehicles aren’t allowed, so tailgaters haul their gear in and set up tents. Even when the Rebels don’t win the game, fans on the Grove claim they have never lost a party. Many dress up for the occasion and food may be served on china with silverware inside of tents lit by chandeliers and candelabra.
Stay: Downtown Oxford Inn. Convenient and charming downtown location. Rates start at $95 on weekends. 400 N. Lamar Blvd., Oxford. 662-234-3031, www.downtownoxfordinn.com
Eat: City Grocery. Not a grocery store, but a good place for some award-winning Southern cuisine in a fine dining atmosphere. Entrees $16-$33. 152 Courthouse Square, Oxford. 662-232-8080, www.citygroceryonline.com
Tourist Info: Oxford Convention & Visitors Bureau. 102 Ed Perry Blvd., Oxford. 662-232-2367, www.oxfordcvb.com
Auburn University
Auburn, Ala.
On the rolling plains of southeast Alabama, a quarter mile stretch of road becomes Tiger Walk on game day. That’s where the team walks single file from their dormitory to Jordan-Hare stadium as throngs of fans converge to give high fives and shout the familiar battle cry: “War Eagle!”
The area alongside Tiger Walk on Donahue Drive is some of the more sought after tailgating real estate in the Southeast. And when Auburn wins, head straight to Toomer’s Corner at the corner of College Street and Magnolia Avenue downtown to see one of college football’s great traditions, as reams of toilet paper are hurled into the trees.
Stay: The Hotel at Auburn University. Across the street from campus, in walking distance to stadium. Rates start at $129. 241 S. College St., Auburn. 334-821-8200, www.auhcc.com
Eat: Toomer’s Drugs. Old-school drugstore and soda fountain with affordable lunch and legendary homemade lemonade. Sandwich plates under $7. 100 N. College St., Auburn. 334-887-3488. www.toomersdrugs.com
Tourist Info: Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau 714 East Glenn Ave., Auburn. 334-887-8747, www.aotourism.com
Louisiana State University
Baton Rogue, La.
In the parking lots and lawns surrounding “Death Valley” stadium, LSU tailgaters are fond of dishing out some of the best food on the tailgating circuit, even to strangers. The Tiger fans take their cuisine as seriously as they do their partying and football – this is Louisiana, after all. If you are wearing the wrong colors you may be taunted mercilessly with chants of “tiger bait, tiger bait” as you stroll through campus. Just grin and bear it and you might be offered a cocktail, some top-notch jambalaya or other Cajun specialties.
Stay: The Cook Hotel & Conference Center. Located on campus. Rates start at $135, package deals at $159. 3848 W. Lakeshore Drive, Baton Rouge. 225-383-2665, www.cookconferencecenter.org
Eat: Frostop. Legendary greasy spoon that serves homemade root beer with a frosty, foamy top. Dinners $9.99 and under. 402 Government St., Baton Rouge. 225-344-1179, www.frostop.us
Tourist Info: Baton Rouge Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. 359 Third St., Baton Rouge. 225-383-1825, www.visitbatonrouge.com
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, Tenn.
One of the few stadiums in the United States accessible by boat, Neyland Stadium sits on the banks of the Tennessee River in downtown Knoxville. This makes for an unparalleled tailgating experience at Volunteer Landing, a marina and riverfront park nearby. Tennessee fans who tailgate by boat call themselves members of the “Vol Navy,” but those who don’t have access to a boat can join in the fun by heading to the waterfront on game days.
Stay: Maplehurst Inn. B&B in downtown Knoxville near the stadium. Rates start at $89. 800 W. Hill Ave., Knoxville. 865-755-8889, www.maplehurstinn.com
Eat: Downtown Grill & Brewery. Historic location, craft beer and an eclectic menu featuring steaks, chicken, pasta, seafood and Mexican dishes. Entrees $7.95-$15.95. 424 S. Gay St., Knoxville. 865-633-8111. www.downtownbrewery.com
Tourist Info: Knoxville Tourism. 301 S. Gay St., Knoxville. 800-727-8045, www.knoxville.org.
Clemson University
Clemson, S.C.
Set on the shore of Lake Hartwell with the Appalachian foothills as a backdrop, the campus of Clemson University was named Best Setting in Sports Illustrated’s 2008 Tailgate Awards. Tents and tables are set up throughout the campus on game day. Prime spots even have a view of Death Valley stadium.
Stay: The James F. Martin Inn. Eighty-nine room hotel overlooking Lake Hartwell from the Clemson campus. 240 Madren Center Drive, Clemson. 864-656-7155. Rates start at $99.
Eat: The Esso Club. An old gas station turned sports bar. Entrees start at $9.99, sandwiches $5.29. 129 Old Greenville Hwy., Clemson. 864-654-5120, www.theessoclub.com.
Tourist Info: Clemson Area Chamber of Commerce. 1105 Tiger Blvd., Clemson. 864-654-1200, www.clemsonchamber.org
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