Old Dominion Tailgating; What are peoples plans? Where do we Park? Where are the Parties?
What Restaurants are good to have a drink and/or eat? etc!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe register on their board and ask.

ASU-FTW wrote:Maybe register on their board and ask.

Thanks, Richard

IGgreer wrote:

ASU-FTW wrote:Maybe register on their board and ask.

Thanks, Richard

Sure, Jane.

But seriously, just seemed like a good question to ask of those who are familiar with the area. Much like what some opposing fans have done here.

I did just that and all of the folks that replied were very nice and informative.

wilsonappman wrote:I did just that and all of the folks that replied were very nice and informative.

What were the recommendations?

I've spent quite a bit of time in Norfolk and around ODU. While I've attended basketball games, I've never been to a football game and With as much of a pain basketball parking was I can't imagine what type of nightmare a football game must be. Between the rivers, tunnels, and Naval Station, there isn't really a good way into or out of the campus area. Give your self plenty of time.

The area immediately south of campus is rather run down while the area north of campus is nice but is very quiet and residential. I'd stay away from both. What ever you do stick to a campus parking lot.

Further south is Ghent which claims to be a hip neighborhood but I've never been that impressed. Downtown Norfolk along the waterfront is rather nice if you have some time before the game.

If spending the night I'd recommend Virginia Beach or even Williamsburg; outside of downtown, Norfolk is pretty dumpy.

wilsonappman wrote:I did just that and all of the folks that replied were very nice and informative.

Which site?

AppfaninCAALand wrote:I've spent quite a bit of time in Norfolk and around ODU. While I've attended basketball games, I've never been to a football game and With as much of a pain basketball parking was I can't imagine what type of nightmare a football game must be. Between the rivers, tunnels, and Naval Station, there isn't really a good way into or out of the campus area. Give your self plenty of time.

The area immediately south of campus is rather run down while the area north of campus is nice but is very quiet and residential. I'd stay away from both. What ever you do stick to a campus parking lot.

Further south is Ghent which claims to be a hip neighborhood but I've never been that impressed. Downtown Norfolk along the waterfront is rather nice if you have some time before the game.

If spending the night I'd recommend Virginia Beach or even Williamsburg; outside of downtown, Norfolk is pretty dumpy.

We are staying at the Renaissance Waterfront. Any suggestions on bars, dining, etc? And what sort of travel time should we expect in getting to ODU? We have made prior arrangements to park on campus.

Thanks.

App74 wrote:

wilsonappman wrote:I did just that and all of the folks that replied were very nice and informative.

What were the recommendations?

Sorry guys, just got back on here. I believe the following link is to the actual thread. Hope it works for everyone. They provided some great recommendations!! Hope to see a lot of you this weekend!! Go Apps!!

http://csnbbs.com/thread-743759.html

App74 wrote:

AppfaninCAALand wrote:I've spent quite a bit of time in Norfolk and around ODU. While I've attended basketball games, I've never been to a football game and With as much of a pain basketball parking was I can't imagine what type of nightmare a football game must be. Between the rivers, tunnels, and Naval Station, there isn't really a good way into or out of the campus area. Give your self plenty of time.

The area immediately south of campus is rather run down while the area north of campus is nice but is very quiet and residential. I'd stay away from both. What ever you do stick to a campus parking lot.

Further south is Ghent which claims to be a hip neighborhood but I've never been that impressed. Downtown Norfolk along the waterfront is rather nice if you have some time before the game.

If spending the night I'd recommend Virginia Beach or even Williamsburg; outside of downtown, Norfolk is pretty dumpy.

We are staying at the Renaissance Waterfront. Any suggestions on bars, dining, etc? And what sort of travel time should we expect in getting to ODU? We have made prior arrangements to park on campus.

Thanks.

I know of absolutely nothing in downtown Portsmouth where the Renaissance is, but across the river in downtown Norfolk there are many good places though I haven't been there in about 5 years so I can't vouch for any place. There was a sports bar across from MacArthur Square that was good at one time, and a few nicer places around there as well. Granby St was the hip place when I used to spend time in Tidewater. Chesapeake Bay crabs are good in most places.

I'd give yourself an hour to get to campus, you shouldn't need it but you have to cross either the Midtown or Downtown Tunnel from the hotel, and either can back up significantly. The Midtown gets you closer to campus but is much further from your hotel and I think has added a toll since last time I've passed through, while the Downtown is free and close to your hotel, you will have a some what confusing route to get through downtown Norfolk to campus. I've always though ODU was hard to get to. You might be able to by-pass game day traffic by taking Tidewater Dr and cutting over to the stadium on the northside rather than taking Hampton Blvd which goes straight from downtown to ODU.

Remember, the big football stadium downtown by the highway is Norfolk State's field, while ODU plays on Hampton Blvd on the northside of town by the Naval Station in a residential neighborhood.

Tailgating at ODU is a little different, as I know of no for-pay lots in the area close to the stadium. Visitors can park for free at one ofthe two BB arena garages (one behind the Springhill Suites, the other two blocks away on the other side of the arena 43rd street). You can tailgate on Kaufman Mall, which has huge amounts of open grassy space, but I would not trust to leave a setup during gametime. Donor lots are all over the place, with the BLUE lot (across Hampton Blvd at 49th st) very active. We are very welcoming to traveling fans, and you should be treated very well should you choose to walk through and enjoy the atmosphere. Right next to the stadium are the bigger donors and fancier tailgates....all very nice. Look for "Charles the Monarch" (Has been on the TODAY show), a labradoodle that is shaved and colored to look eerily similar to a lion. Police have been called as he has been often mistaken as an escaped lion from the zoo.

Happy to answer any questions about lodging, food, etc. The csn.bbs link is great and good information there, as well. Great restaurants are in the area, but most are a drive away and the closest favorites are on Colley Avenue. Previous posters were correct in discussing that this is an urban campus with urban criminal elements, so be aware, but the immediate campus area is safe and fun.

Looking forward to this game and series. We played Ga Southern twice and made some great connections with their fans and see you guys as "kindred spirits" as we move up and try to establish a FBS presence. Let's hope for a competitive game that is injury free.

What section are the App Fans In?

App91 wrote:What section are the App Fans In?

I can check my tickets when I get home from work. I want to say in the corner of the end zone...Based off what I found on their site. Looks to be similar to the Rock in the aspect that there doesn't appear to be a bad seat (Height wise).

ODU Football Seating Chart

ODUsmitty wrote:Tailgating at ODU is a little different, as I know of no for-pay lots in the area close to the stadium. Visitors can park for free at one ofthe two BB arena garages (one behind the Springhill Suites, the other two blocks away on the other side of the arena 43rd street). You can tailgate on Kaufman Mall, which has huge amounts of open grassy space, but I would not trust to leave a setup during gametime. Donor lots are all over the place, with the BLUE lot (across Hampton Blvd at 49th st) very active. We are very welcoming to traveling fans, and you should be treated very well should you choose to walk through and enjoy the atmosphere. Right next to the stadium are the bigger donors and fancier tailgates....all very nice. Look for "Charles the Monarch" (Has been on the TODAY show), a labradoodle that is shaved and colored to look eerily similar to a lion. Police have been called as he has been often mistaken as an escaped lion from the zoo.

Happy to answer any questions about lodging, food, etc. The csn.bbs link is great and good information there, as well. Great restaurants are in the area, but most are a drive away and the closest favorites are on Colley Avenue. Previous posters were correct in discussing that this is an urban campus with urban criminal elements, so be aware, but the immediate campus area is safe and fun.

Looking forward to this game and series. We played Ga Southern twice and made some great connections with their fans and see you guys as "kindred spirits" as we move up and try to establish a FBS presence. Let's hope for a competitive game that is injury free.

If you made "great connections" with GSU fans, you will fall in love with our fans. Guaranteed.

Game is sold out per ODU ticket site. Checked with our Tix office, they have none left as well.
Secondary market?

App91 wrote:Game is sold out per ODU ticket site. Checked with our Tix office, they have none left as well.
Secondary market?

Looks like there are plenty available on StubHub.

ODUsmitty wrote:Tailgating at ODU is a little different, as I know of no for-pay lots in the area close to the stadium. Visitors can park for free at one ofthe two BB arena garages (one behind the Springhill Suites, the other two blocks away on the other side of the arena 43rd street). You can tailgate on Kaufman Mall, which has huge amounts of open grassy space, but I would not trust to leave a setup during gametime. Donor lots are all over the place, with the BLUE lot (across Hampton Blvd at 49th st) very active. We are very welcoming to traveling fans, and you should be treated very well should you choose to walk through and enjoy the atmosphere. Right next to the stadium are the bigger donors and fancier tailgates....all very nice. Look for "Charles the Monarch" (Has been on the TODAY show), a labradoodle that is shaved and colored to look eerily similar to a lion. Police have been called as he has been often mistaken as an escaped lion from the zoo.

Happy to answer any questions about lodging, food, etc. The csn.bbs link is great and good information there, as well. Great restaurants are in the area, but most are a drive away and the closest favorites are on Colley Avenue. Previous posters were correct in discussing that this is an urban campus with urban criminal elements, so be aware, but the immediate campus area is safe and fun.

Looking forward to this game and series. We played Ga Southern twice and made some great connections with their fans and see you guys as "kindred spirits" as we move up and try to establish a FBS presence. Let's hope for a competitive game that is injury free.

Thanks for the tips. I've seen a couple people mention Kaufman Mall. Is alcohol allowed there on game days?

I'm an App grad ('94) and just opened a new restaurant in Norfolk. We are 3-4 miles from ODU (7550 Granby St., Suite 90) but I'm going to be pre-tailgate partying at the restaurant starting at 11am. We've got 10 taps of local craft beer (O'Connor, Smartmouth, Pineapple Grenade, Terrapin Hopsecutioner, Vienna Lager, etc) and a variety of bottles and cans. Just got in NotYourFathers Rootbeer. Anybody wearing Black and Gold can have anything on tap for $3.14 Saturday. That goes for after the game too when we whip some ODU tail. I've got an outdoor area too that can seat 40ish. The restaurant is called Your Pie. We are a new fast casual style pizza restaurant where you build your own pizza for $7.99...unlimited toppings....and bakes in a brick oven in under 3 minutes.

I'll probably be here until approx 1:00 before I head down to tailgate but you're welcome to stay and drink all you want.