Things for Aggie fans to know
Food:
Best Burgers:
Rockaways 2719 Rosewood Drive Columbia, SC 29205
Pawley’s Front Porch 827 Harden Street Columbia, SC 29205
http://www.pawleysfrontporch.com/
BBQ
For close to what you are used to:
Hudson’s 4952 Sunset Blvd. Lexington,SC 29072
http://www.hudsonssmokehouse.com//
For local :
Maurice’s Piggie Park 1600 Charleston Hwy W.Columbia,SC 29169
http://www.mauricesbbq.com/
Palmetto Pig 530 Devine street, Columbia,SC 29201
http://www.palmettopig.com/old%20website/about.html
Local BBQ here has a mustard based sauce not a red sauce as seen in Texas. Hudson's offers red,mustard and a vinegar based sauce(as in NC)

Finer dining
California Dreaming 401 Main street, Columbia,SC 29201
Garabaldi’s 2013 Greene St, Columbia,SC 29205
www.garibaldicolumbia.com/
Motor Supply Company 920 Gervais st, Columbia,SC 29201
www.motorsupplycobistro.com/
Blue Marlin 1200 Lincoln St. Columbia,SC
www.bluemarlincolumbia.com/
Sandwiches
Groucho’s Deli (since 1941) 611 harden St, Columbia,Sc 29205
http://www.grouchos.com/
Andy’s Deli 2005 Greene St, Columbia,SC 29205
www.andysdelisc.com/

For night life if you are under 25 then go to Five Points as this is the area near the University where the students hangout Groucho’s, Andy’s and Garabaldi’s restaurants are all located in this area.
If you are 25 and over then go to The Vista. This is an area along Gervais street between Assembly St. and Huger St. ( some locals pronounce this “Ugee” as it was named for a French General) This is the city’s entertainment district. Lots of restaurants(Motor supply, Blue Marlin are here) and bars here. Flying Saucer has 81 beers on tap and 230+ brands in bottles(even offer Mead). World of Beer has 60 on tap and 540 bottled varieties.
Hotels:
Downtown are the Hampton Inn, Hilton, Sheraton, Inn at USC and others all are nice. Most other areas are good as well but see “Areas to Avoid” below.
Parking for the game:
The stadium is slightly off campus and parking is readily available at the SC State Fairgrounds, along Bluff rd between the Stadium and I-77 Parking runs $10-$40 and the closer to the stadium the more you pay. Be careful about parking on the side of the road as it is now prohibited in many areas.
Traffic on game day is one way towards the stadium on the surrounding streets starting about 4hrs before kickoff. After the game it is reversed and is one way out away from the stadium. The local paper publishes traffic flow patterns for visitors.

Areas to avoid:
Avoid hotels that are on Two Notch rd in Columbia between Beltline Blvd and ½ mile past I-20 sketchy area and working girl central. Also avoid the hotels at Broad river rd and I-20 for the same reason.
If anyone has any questions about Columbia or surrounding area just contact me .




Any day above ground is a good one!

[This message has been edited by gamecockhub (edited 6/18/2014 9:12a).]

[This message has been edited by gamecockhub (edited 6/18/2014 9:13a).]

there are MANY other restaurants but the above are just a few of the better ones.

Any day above ground is a good one!

I approve of this thread. Solid info and recs on all accounts.

We have a hotel reserved in Ft. Jackson off of 77 and 378. How is this area? And will we be able to get to and from the game fairly easily?

Also, are there any parking passes available for close to the stadium? We will be in town the night before, so we can get there plenty early for parking if needed. I'm going to be about 7 months pregnant so I am looking to find an option with as little walking as possible.

Thanks for any help!

AggieAces06

The 378 & I-77 area is an ok area there are not a lot of food choices there but just head into town on 378.378 will take you right into town and the university area . For the game get on I-77 and head towards Charleston. I think your hotel is off exit 9. Go to the Bluff rd. exit, which is exit 5 take this and go right. The stadium is about 3 miles(give or take) up Bluff rd. There is parking near the stadium but most places are either pay by the season or game day payments for one game, not much in the way of reserving a space early but if you get in town early enough you could ride to Bluff and stop in to few businesses and see if they will reserve you a spot(being pregnant they might be more willing to work with you) The closest with public parking are probably S&G Builder Appliances, Carolina Rigging and Southern equipment fabricators. These are one or two blocks from the stadium. Also many people will have golf cars and use them to go around to the various tailgating areas, many of whom often will give people a lift to the stadium.

For ease of getting back to your hotel you will want to park on the same side of Bluff Rd as the stadium as those two lanes will be the ones that will route you back to I-77 to go they way on I-77 you will need to go back to the hotel. If you do park on the other side of Bluff rd you can still get back to your hotel but will need to get over 3 lanes by the time you see the big green I-77 sign on Bluff rd. as they cone off the lanes forcing the far right two lanes to go towards Charleston on I-77 and the left two lanes(the way back to your hotel) to go towards Charlotte.

If you or anyone else has any questions just email me at dlhpgamecocks at mindspring dot com

One more thing there is also the option of parking at USC's basketball arena and taking the shuttle which drops off at the stadium but you miss out on the tailgating and atmosphere.

What can you tell me about coming over in my Motorhome. Plan to come from near Chattanooga on Wednesday night. Probably get in around midnight or so. How quickly does the fairgrounds fill?

Other lots available for visitor RVs?

tia.

The Fairgrounds has RV space and they also use a lot across Assembly St. for RVs that is where the Carnies put their RVs during the State fair. Contact the State fair Assoc. at:

PHONE (803) 799-3387 TOLL FREE (888) 444-3247 EMAIL geninfo@scstatefair.org

Thanks for the info. I call the fairgrounds yesterday and left a message for someone who sounded like the right person. I may try an email today too. I never got a call back.

I just hate driving 6+ hours after work and not knowing what my parking/set up status is!

Thanks again.

EMc77

If they don't reply, let me know and i will stop by there the next time I am over that way and find out.

Hey gamecock, I have reservations at a hotel on Stoneridge Dr, north of 126. Is that an ok area or do I need to move them if I can?

Thanks for your recommendations!

PPlayboy87

You should be okay, that area is fine! That is a major hotel and auto dealership area. There is a strip club within 1/2 mile but that area is still fine,

[This message has been edited by gamecockhub (edited 5/9/2014 10:49a).]

Got ahold of the St Fair guy and have the info to reserve a spot. Of course the site is blocked at work. Will make the reservation this weekend!

Cool. Thanks for the info, gamecock!
Can't wait for the game

Have my space reserved. Not exactly sure where it is, but I have it, by golly!

EMc77
If you send me the info I will try and let you know where it is. Glad you got the space.

Here is basically what I got from the receipt-


RV Game Pass
vs Texas A&M - 08/28/2014

The guy said the area was manned from 2:00 of the day before the game to 11:00 the day after.

The website, http://gamecockparking.com/ basically has you register, pick the game(s) you want parking for and then sends a receipt saying you paid.

Thanks,

Ed

Based on the map you are in the RV lot on the corner of Rosewood Dr and Assembly St. This is the one that they use for carnies RVs. The fairgrounds will be between you and the stadium.

Any day above ground is a good one!

If that is where it is, it is closer than most parking we get at games. Like it!

How is taxi service from hotels to stadium and back from bars?

Best place to tailgate?

Taxis to the game are not a problem as all roads are going in to the stadium, Afterwards though all roads are headed away from the stadium so you would need to walk to a pick up point that the cab could get to. Best is Checker-Yellow 803-799-3311 next is Blue Ribbon (803) 754-8163 there are others but these two are the best.

As to tailgating, the fairgrounds is a good place as are most of the spots along Bluff Rd. after you pass the stadium headed away from downtown. Lots of public lots and teaming with fans and tailgating spots.

Thank you. I am looking forward to this road trip.

Any cool traditions or game day activities to check out (for example at A&M we have midnight yell practice, The Corps of Cadets March-in, Spirit Walk, etc)?

What about anything noteworthy to see in the city if we get in a day early or stay a day later?

GatorAg03
Most of our traditions are inside the stadium, such as The 2001 entrance and sandstorm. We do have the Gamecock Walk when the team arrives prior to the game. They walk through the fans in a designated area in the main Gamecock Club tailgating area across Bluff rd from the stadium and on to the stadium.The band, fans and cheerleaders are all involved. Worth a look next to the stadium is the 'Cockabooses" 22 USC decorated cabooses that are individuals tailgating palaces.The vista area of town also has big pregame festivities the night before the game

As for around town we have a very good state museum on Gervais st. There is also the state capitol and Columbia has a top 10 zoo. The USC campus is also worth a visit especially the original part called the Horseshoe.There are also lots of historic homes (check out the Historic Columbia Foundation)

Any day above ground is a good one!

Could you list hotels/motels in/around the La Vista district?

Thanks!

Vista hotels look here:
http://www.vistacolumbia.com/findabusiness.aspx?category=7

Any day above ground is a good one!

The Hilton and the Hampton are right in the heart of the Vista and a block from all the food and nightlife

gamecockhub, we are staying at Marriott Courtyard Columbia NE/I-77. Area looks pretty nice ? Any good restaurants in that area and what do you advise for route to stadium and where to park on game day ? Thanks 1

AginCircleC

For the route to the stadium take I-77 to Bluff Rd. and the same info I posted 5/2/14 for AggieAces06 will apply to you and where you are staying. As to Restaurants, there are quite a few at the Village at SandHills shopping complex also there is a list here:
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/restaurants/caene-courtyard-columbia-northeast-i-77/
Those are mostly chain restaurants that are close by.
But if you can I would recommend going downtown to the vista area (some are listed in my first post) as there are many local restaurants and good nightlife as well. If you give me an idea of what food you like I will try and narrow it down more for you.

[This message has been edited by gamecockhub (edited 5/26/2014 9:38a).]

Thanks !

Any thought on the Inn at Claussen's?

Cool_Hand
It is a nice tucked away Inn in Five Points. It has good reviews and is right next to Andy's Deli and a block from Garabaldi's. It is about 2 miles from the Vista. From there you will head to the stadium by taking Blossom st or Gervais st. and then taking a left along Assembly St. There is parking at the State fair grounds. You also could take Blossom or Gervais to Huger st. turn left and follow it around and take a right onto Bluff Rd. at the Granby Mills Apartments and once you pass Rosewood Dr. there is plenty of parking on the right side of Bluff at various businesses.

[This message has been edited by gamecockhub (edited 6/2/2014 7:25a).]

[This message has been edited by gamecockhub (edited 6/2/2014 7:30a).]

[This message has been edited by gamecockhub (edited 6/2/2014 7:31a).]

[This message has been edited by gamecockhub (edited 6/9/2014 12:35p).]

Thanks Cock!

This dude is money! Lot of great, helpful tips.