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OT - Maryland Game Day Recommendations

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PSU_RVA

Redshirt
Sep 15, 2014
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Thinking about going to a game in College Park this year. Care to share your game day experiences/observations and recommendations on the best areas to stay, parking/tailalgating, favorite bars restaurants etc? Any areas to avoid?

This would be my first trip to College Park.

Thanks.
 
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koleszar

Heisman
Jan 1, 2010
37,562
59,151
113
Buy the crappiest seats and sit where ever you want. Even when they're winning the place is empty. And no I'm not exaggerating as anyone can attest to last years game when they needed a win against us to become bowl eligible.
 
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rutgersal_rivals139582

Heisman
Jun 7, 2001
36,444
43,798
113
I stay at the college park holiday inn. Get your tickets beforehand because it might be difficult to find scalpers, though it is possible that for a game like penn state, they'll be out in force. There is a campus parking lot for visitors which isn't a bad walk to the stadium. Park there rather than parking off campus and taking the long walk. Coming from the north, I do like stopping by the Baltimore inner harbor area and getting crab cakes, on my way home.
 
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RU Golfer

All-Conference
Dec 4, 2009
1,973
1,171
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Last time down we stayed in the inner harbor and then drove to the stadium in the morning. It was about a 45 minute ride and we tailgated in one of the lots on campus.
 
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Shimmy24

Junior
Aug 22, 2013
877
201
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Any interest in doing DC? Your answer would basically determine the best plan of action, though you can go a few days with this.
 
BRKnightsFan

BRKnightsFan

Junior
Sep 6, 2015
289
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No need to pay high prices for good seats. They just don't draw fans, so the stadium is fairly empty and you can pretty much sit where you want. Same thing for parking. We picked up a parking lot pass on StubHub for $20, for a tailgating lot that was the equivalent of the Rutgers Scarlet Lot!
 
BRKnightsFan

BRKnightsFan

Junior
Sep 6, 2015
289
237
43
Had good pizza just off campus at Blaze Pizza (corner of Baltimore Ave. and College Ave.)
 
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fischy5000

Senior
Dec 11, 2008
2,666
932
0
echo others comments...
RU tix in last section of sideline (main visitors area) were $50something through our school but you could get the next section over (arguably better seats) for $6 on Stubhub. If you like the upper level vantage point, you can get tix around the 40-50 yrd line for about the same price.
The first time we played there, we went to tailgate at a somewhat closeby lot (which ended up being a season ticket Parking lot) but got there before any of the guards/pass collectors came so we just parked for free and never were bothered even after the guys started working.
 
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srru86

All-Conference
Jul 25, 2001
17,882
4,202
113
I have never made College Park into a big trip myself but I think those that are suggesting DC or Baltimore as a base are on to something probably.

Each time I've gone I end up staying at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center on campus. Free parking and easy walk to stadium. Nice enough hotel with all the usual amenities including on-site restaurant. But not exactly exciting.

College Park is fine, nothing bad, but nothing special. Plenty of middling sort of eateries and bars. Nothing really strollable - basically suburban highway strip malls. Some of the neighborhoods nearby have a feel of urban displacement. What I mean is it seems relatively low income people have been priced out of the nearer in DC suburbs by gentrification and are living in what had been very sleepy outer ring suburbs.

If you are bringing the Misses and want to show her an upscale dinner in appreciation for making the football trip with you I recommend Mrs K Toll House - very nice place.
 
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fischy5000

Senior
Dec 11, 2008
2,666
932
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you can also consider if you want to do a DC long weekend and then just take the metro train to/from there to College Park for the game.
 
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LadyRU09

Junior
Jul 3, 2007
5,197
302
0
If you don't want to stay in College Park, National Harbor has a growing array of restaurants, hotels, and a new MGM casino.

There are plenty of restaurants and bars in College Park, though.
 
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PSU_RVA

Redshirt
Sep 15, 2014
64
20
0
Thanks for the great ideas. God willing and the creek don't rise see you in Happy Valley. Have a great off-season.
 
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Shimmy24

Junior
Aug 22, 2013
877
201
0
Proud NJ Sports Fan said:
Don't wear RU gear at any of the college bars, not a classy student base in Mary Land
Click to expand...

Oh relax. Like 25% of the students at MD are from NJ anyway, lol. PSU fans will undoubtedly get a bit more, but just don't be a jackass and you'll be fine.

My recommendation is always to stay in DC and take the metro over to College Park on game day. There are infinite shuttles going to campus/parking lots, and you won't have a problem. The bar scene is average at best, but the food is pretty good. Nando's above is a good recommendation, but go to Cornerstone or Bentley's if you want to experience College Park the real way.

Other option would be to stay in Annapolis. Gorgeous place with fantastic restaurants. Difference there is that you're driving in on game day. There are plenty of lots around the stadium to park/tailgate, though I would recommend trying to find a YELLOW pass if possible. Good lot and won't be filled w students.

You could always stay right on Route One in College Park, but it's not something I recommend unless you are literally there to go to the game and leave. If you do choose to do that though, drive to Franklin's Brewery for dinner. Probably 10-15 minutes down the road in Hyattsville (right across from Dematha).
 
BlockR

BlockR

Heisman
Dec 28, 2015
22,384
21,109
113
G- RUnit said:
Go to Annapolis and then ride up to Maryland game day.
Click to expand...
^^^ This..also take a tour of Navy..walk around bar/resturant hop downtown day before ..stayed in Harbour area Baltimore, night before went to Fells point night activity before game.
 
e5fdny

e5fdny

Heisman
Nov 11, 2002
114,808
54,049
102
Proud NJ Sports Fan said:
Don't wear RU gear at any of the college bars, not a classy student base in Mary Land
Click to expand...

Shimmy24 said:
Oh relax. Like 25% of the students at MD are from NJ anyway, lol. PSU fans will undoubtedly get a bit more, but just don't be a jackass and you'll be fine.
Click to expand...
Don't want to speak for @Proud NJ Sports Fan but I bet that's who he is talking about.

We seem to have the same issue on here and at our games with the State Penn people from NJ. Weird.
 
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