Ames tips

[mdmist]

Traveling to Ames this weekend for the first time. Any tips from previous travelers on where to park and where to grabs some cold ones before the game?

[jonnyhuska]

I second this topic.. We're driving over in an RV and we are looking for a hookup site for Friday night that is close to the stadium and their downtown scene. Or does anyone know if your allowed to camp at the stadium parking overnight.

[samms007]

I always park in the north lots by the basketball arena. Went to the Utah game was pretty packed but had no trouble at all for parking. I would show up 3 hours ahead or earlier.

[husker B-rent]

lived in ames for 5 years and attended all kinds of games at jack trice. they have by far the best tailgating in the big 12 and its not close. just look around and you will find parking i guarantee that.

 

as for cold ones i would say to stay close to campustown which if you drive west on lincoln way you wont miss it just take a left at copyworks and i personally enjoy Welch Ave Station. or if you are into brewerys the head to Olde Main on main street. to get there head east on lincoln way until you see a Mr. Money payday loans and pawn and take a left and go two blocks to Main st. and take a right. most of your bars including old maine are right there.

 

also i would recommend WestCyde Wings which is west of the stadium a couple miles sitting on the east side of Hyvee. I was a partial owner of it until a couple years ago and i can tell you that we set things up right and they have some damn good wings, i would try the inferno sauce it is made from my own personal recipe and they are crazy hot (once had a person yell at me saying that they have had hot sauce from all over the world and never had anything that hot, then said that it is not for humans and refused to eat anymore. there is also an inferno challenge.) they also have a good selection of brews, anything from domestic to foreign. the new owner is a really cool guy but a bit of a clone homer, if you stop in tell them that Brent told ya about it (most of them will remember me as the husker fan.)

[Jim Hammer]

Great Plains Sauce and Dough Company downtown for some of the best pizza you may ever eat.

[C N Red]

Dont drink the water.

[GMoose]

Me and the crew are planning on parking in lot Lot G2, any ideas how early we'd need to get there?

[husker B-rent]

Great Plains Sauce and Dough Company downtown for some of the best pizza you may ever eat.

 

that is probably the worst pizza i have ever had. Black Market Pizza is much better and actually tastes good!!

[Blaze1up]

The Deans list. Nickel shots.

[HUSKER FREAK]

Great Plains Sauce and Dough Company downtown for some of the best pizza you may ever eat.

 

that is probably the worst pizza i have ever had. Black Market Pizza is much better and actually tastes good!!

 

I agree absolutely horrible. We were there with some ISU Alumns, I Like Pizza A lot, They were saying how good it was. What a let Down. The tailgateing is top notch though.

[cornhuskers4ever]

If you happen to head out to Ames the night before, or are looking for some BBQ after the game, be sure to check out Buford's Steak House.

http://www.akama.com/company/Bufords_Steak_House_Bbq_ad62a1134009.html (directions and a phone number).

They have some wickedly awesome melt in your mouth BBQ, and the sauces are great. It's connected to a Quality Inn and Suites.

[dutch91701]

if you drive west on lincoln way...

 

They have a street called Lincoln Way? They know who their pimp is.

[bearfunfacts]

Although I just graduated from Iowa State in May, I grew up in Omaha, so I am, and always will be, a Husker fan. I had season tickets at Iowa State for all four years and have witnessed a lot of football in the only D-1 stadium named after an African-American player, Jack Trice Stadium. That being said, here's some things to keep in mind while in Ames and on campus:

 

Food/Drinks:

 

Hickory Park for BBQ (Cheap and big portions. Get the garbage burger or the ribs.)

 

Fuji Steak House for sea food or sushi (almost everything is good)

 

Jeff's Pizza for Pizza (A college favorite and they put sugar in the pizza sauce, nuff said)

 

Headliners or Welch Avenue Station for post-game celebrations (Although people will not like that you are wearing Husker red, State fans have been though enough bad football not to care)

 

If you want more of a "club" environment, head to Club Element. (It's a jersey thing)

 

Campustown, located to the west of the stadium on Lincoln Way, is where all of the college bars and restaurants are located. Go here and get a SuperDog from the street vendors. (Toasted Hot dog+pineapple+bacon+swiss cheese+sweet sauce=a good reason to attend Iowa State for four years)

 

Also in Campustown is Fighting Burrito. Imagine Quodoba but with more options and hipsters serving the food. It's good and an Ames classic.

 

Parking:

 

Most of the lots on ISU's campus do not ticket during games or are open to visitors on the weekends. Almost all available parking on campus is within a half mile of Jack Trice Stadium. Key: DO NOT PAY FOR PARKING.

 

Jack Trice Stadium:

 

Iowa State football fans, although loyal, do not have a lot of tradition. In fact, last year when I graduated, Paul Rhodes first year, Iowa State basically copied the Tunnel Walk, same music and everything. Maybe that has changed but be prepared to be mad. One thing you will be surprised with is that our marching band gets a lot of love. It's really the only constant good thing we have had over the years.

 

DO NOT BUY FOOD IN THE STADIUM. Unlike Memorial Stadium, Jack Trice doesn't have anything special. There are no Runza's or Valentino's pizzas to eat, only hot dogs, peanuts, Pizza Hut, and Coke products. You figure they would serve some of that choice, Iowa pork but that must have slipped the minds of the suppliers.

 

Also, Jack Trice NEVER sells out. It doesn't have the capability to sell out. Jack Trice has four "hillside" sections that have, basically, unlimited tickets available. Do not buy tickets from a scalper before the game begins. Go to the north end of the stadium and pay a visit to the ticket office. Or, wait until about half way through the first quarter and pay nearly nothing from a scalper. I'm serious. I once bought a ticket to the Iowa State v. Iowa game, the State of Iowa's superbowl, from a scalper for $10 right as the second quarter began.

 

Finally, Jack Trice is a very college student oriented environment. Drinking, cursing, and damning Iowa State after they give up 21 points in the first quarter, ...again, is not only allowed but a social norm.

 

Cops:

 

Iowa State is a college town first and foremost. Iowa State Police won't screw with you if you are having "fun" and not bothering anyone else. Ames Police, however, are real cops and hate working on Saturday's so college kids can drink while a football game is happening.

 

 

That's Iowa State. I will be there and will be sitting in the Visitor section for the first time ever. My diploma says "Iowa State" but my heart says "Nebraska."

 

Go Big Red

[billdozer15]

In regards to parking you can usually park in the residential area west of the stadium. There are no parking signs for half the streets but a ticket is only $10. I usually just park really close to the stadium and pay the $10 fine.

[husker_hurdler]

Read my lips.......HICKORY PARK! Always a crowd pleaser