Hey Guys - My friends and I (8 of us) are from the northeast and since our college football situation is generally miserable, we plan a trip every fall to go to a different campus for a game. This year we are going to be in Baton Rouge for the Auburn game. We are flying in and out of New Orleans (Arrive Thurs afternoon, leaving Mon afternoon) and are also thinking about going to the Saints game that Sunday, if the NFL is playing by then. If anyone can give recommendations on where to stay, what to do, and the best way to set ourselves up for a great tailgate, it would be really helpful. We always like to hit as many great bars and restaurants as possible and usually a casino or two as well. Right now we are planning on heading up from NO to Baton Rouge on Saturday morning, but can be persuaded otherwise. Thanks in advance for all the help.
We love to welcome new visitors. The veterans around here can set you straight for logistics, tailgating, bars, etc. We have riverboat casinos in downtown Baton Rouge that aren't very far from the LSU campus. Be warned that the traffic around campus will be a nightmare, particularly leaving after the game. And if you've never been this far down south before, it can still be hot and humid even in late October, so plan accordingly.
Check out these threads from other visitors coming in this year, you will find a lot of your questions answered. http://forums.tigerfan.com/tigers-den/105433-visting-across-pond.html http://forums.tigerfan.com/tigers-den/105568-lsu-vs-florida-tailgate.html
Thanks Red - I hadn't seen those threads before. We are all pumped for the tailgate. What is our best bet ticket-wise? Stubhub looks pricey right now. Should we look for deals online as the game gets closer or is scalping the way to go? We don't mind splitting up to get a good price on the tix.
There are always tickets available outside the stadium, but they can get pricy for big games. Book your rooms now, if you haven't already. Most of the close hotels are booked already. GAME DAY INFO: If you come four or five hours early you can find free parking on the streets near campus, but central campus is mostly parking-pass only. The north side LSU lots are small and fill up quickly. Avoid parking in the high-crime neighborhood to the north of campus, the better parking is on the south side anyway. If you run late, the big free grass lots off the river road aren't that far from the stadium. Try these links for maps and info: Getting to the Game: Traffic, Parking, and Tailgating LSU Football Fan Guide 2010 Tiger Stadium Interactive Stadium Map: See Your view of the Field Tiger Stadium Quotes We eat good in Baton Rouge. There is some damn good food in this town, especially seafood. Mike Andersons, Parrains, Drusilla Seafood, and Ralph & Kacoos are the most popular. All will be crowded on game weekends but you can get in with a reasonable wait, they are used to it. There are lots of ethnic food restaurants in town as well. TJ Ribs is especially good at moving a crowd through on game day and serves fine BBQ. Juban's is kind of upscale but has the finest Creole cuisine in town. Boutin's for Cajun cuisine and music. Good off-campus Bar & Grills abound. The Chimes, Walk-on's, The Pastime, Chelsea's, Georges, Ivars, Sammy's, Fred's, and Brewbachers are all great LSU bars with good food. And don't forget 24-hour breakfast at Louie's Cafe, a classic just-off-campus diner with the best omelettes and burgers in town. Live music close to campus can be found at the Varsity Theatre or Chelsea's. Don't forget the two riverboat casino's downtown for more fun and entertainment. And New Orleans is only an hour away. Game-Day traditions: Go see Mike the Tiger's new habitat, our live Bengal Tiger Mascot. There is usually a Jambalaya stand nearby, try it! The LSU Tiger Band marches down the hill to Tiger Stadium an hour before the kickoff and it is something to see and hear. It will be crowded, but the crowd response is part of the show. Tailgaiting is legendary around campus before the game. Nobody, I mean nobody, cooks more or better food than LSU tailgaters. Traffic sucks. Get used to it. Come early. Don't get in a hurry.
i booked in early june and the hotels i usually stay at were already booked for the season, so i am having to stay a bit further out. not far, but there have been times in past years i waited until august and was a lot further out.
Glad you're coming. We love to have guests and show off what we feel is the best college football experience in the world. It makes us feel bad if you leave without drinking a ton of booze and a stuffed belly. It's a big trip to make without the security of knowing you already have tickets. Auburn is a huge game and usually plays a role in determining the SEC West in some way. Tickets are usually available but there won't be a lot I can assure you. Hope you have a blast and leave an LSU fan.
As an out-of towner, if I were looking for a real-deal tailgate to be a part of, perhaps to buy tickets to, could you make any recommendations?
Riverboat Casinos Is there any chance you guys could make casino recommendations? That is something I definitely need to try during my stay in Baton Rouge. This seems like a one of a kind experience, and these boards only add to the excitement.
