[This message has been edited by wilhunting (edited 8/12/2014 5:28p).]

Do you know if there are shuttles to Brice Stadium running near the Embassy Suites located at 200 Stoneridge before and after the game? If not, where would be the best and safest place to park near the stadium? Thanks for all of your valuable information!

ijoan:
The only shuttles that USC has for the games run from the Colonial Life Arena(USC's basketball facility) to Williams-Brice. You park there and it is a few bucks to ride to the stadium and a few bucks to ride back. Contact the USC athletic department for the details as I have never taken it(803) 777-4202 . As to safe places to park anywhere along Bluff rd from Rosewood Dr to about 1 mile past the stadium as well as the fairgrounds and the Seawell's restaurant lot on Rosewood Dr.

Just got my season tickets and it included the info on the shuttles:
Pregame shuttles pick up at Colonial Life Arena and the Capitol City Baseball stadium parking lot on Assembly street starting 3hrs before kickoff and drop off at the main gate to the SC State Fairgrounds( fairgrounds are next to the stadium) these two are about a mile apart.If you plan to use the shuttle, I would park at Colonial Life Arena as it will be easier to get out of.
Pickup after the game is at the same location. Cost is $3.50 per person round trip. Service runs 1.5hrs after the game ends.

Any day above ground is a good one!

[This message has been edited by gamecockhub (edited 8/13/2014 4:43p).]

Just got a spot in the Key Road lot through ParkWhiz. Looks very close to stadium and easy access back to 77 and Charleston!

gamecockhub, best tailgate area and any chance us Texagers can meet up with you and grab some drinks? Happy to buy a drink as a thanks for all the great info.

Visor Guy
Most of the good tailgate spots are along Bluff rd. From the stadium back towards I-77 or Rosewood Dr and the fairgrounds. As to a cold adult beverage sure. Can show up at the vista for one. You can email me at dlhpgamecocks at mindspring dot com
Hope all those making the trip have a safe one and enjoy the time in Columbia( except not too much at the game, being a fan of the home team and all) Hope the info I have posted has been helpful.

I went to grad school at USC and planned on writing a detailed post but the gamecock has covered most everything. The only thing I can add is the best steak in town is at the Ruth's Chris in the Vista.

Rockaway has the best burger in town - the pimento cheese burger.

For beer, I suggest the hunter gatherer which is just west of the horse shoe.

I also suggest the Whig as the best hole in the wall bar in town. It's just north of the Capitol building.

Village idiot in five points for pizza and cheap beer.

As a 33 year old man I would probably now spend most of my time at the Liberty tap room if I were headed back to Columbia.

Regarding the game, I hope no one tried to get seats in the student sections. I saw several tech like experiences when visiting fans would try to sit in the student section. Also, don't expect a clemson like reception. I'm not saying everyone will be rude, but they definitely won't provide the same level of hospitality.

Went to Columbia this Spring for work (same weekend as the FSU/ Auburn national championship)

Pawleys is awesome. Highly recommend it for burgers.

The rest of the couple days is a blur as I drank waaaay too much. Talked to more than a few friendly "cock fans" who we chatted up about the SEC.

Really cool town. As has been mentioned, the stadium is pretty far away from the main part of town though, so plan accordingly.

gamecockhub -

Is parking at Colonial Life free? I saw you pay $3.50 for the shuttle, but does it cost to park as well?

By the way, thanks for all the info. My biggest concern was where to park since there aren't any restaurants close to the stadium!

farmersfightatm

The guide that came with my season tickets does not mention a parking fee, I will call the AD office tomorrow and post when I find out for sure.

farmersfightatm:
Spoke to the Athletic Dept. this morning and there is NO charge to park at Colonial Life Arena, just a fee to ride the shuttle.

Many thanks, gamecock!

gamecock,

thank you for the great info. If we want to take the shuttle from Colonial life Arena can we buy shuttle passes there or in advance?

Thanks

bluecatag
They can be bought there at the Arena the day of the game.

Any day above ground is a good one!

My wife and I are making a vacation out if these...no kids is the best part! We'll be driving in from Charleston Thurs and staying at the Town Place Marriott. We are meeting a couple friends of ours driving in from Virginia Beach. We plan to check into hotel around noon.

What should we do pre-game? I was hoping for some bars or restaurants near the stadium, but see that's not an option. We can tailgate, but not sure where? Should we go to the lot a half mile from the stadium mentioned in a couple posts earlier?

Quito
That lot is not a bad choice but really any of the places along Bluff between the stadium and Bernie's(a fried chicken/burger joint but no alcohol) are good to park and tailgate. Only bar in the area unless some have opened in the last few months is Jaco's and it is a little hole in the wall on corner of Bluff and Rosewood and has been there since 1901. Now for those who are going to park at Colonial Life Arena and take a shuttle there is Thirsty Fellow at 621 Gadsden St.

Midnight yell is at the sc state house. Any bars close by to hang out prior to yell on weds night?

nYRabAg
Several on main st. Bourbon is one( It is about a 1/2 a block down main from the capitol) also a bar at the top of the Sheraton. There is also The Whig( never been there so don't know what it is like)

Any day above ground is a good one!

[This message has been edited by gamecockhub (edited 8/19/2014 9:36a).]

The Whig has been suggested to me by a friend. It is across the street (north) of the Capitol. Good location pre-yell.

Thank you for this! We are staying at the Sheraton downtown. It looks like we should be able to walk to the game--is it close enough to walk?

Does anyone have an extra room downtown they are looking to unload?

LegettLady96
No the Sheraton Downtown to the Stadium is about 3 miles. You may want to drive to Colonial life arena and take the shuttle.

A little update. There is a new BBQ restaurant on Bluff rd. near the stadium. It is called Cockpit Barbeque. Only thing I have been able to findout about it is that it uses a vinegar based sauce but also advertises "Texas style " brisket that uses a different sauce. But that is a restaurant near the stadium. Only others are Bojangles, Bernies(fried chicken and burgers) and a Waffle House.These are just fast food so that is why I did not list them when people asked for restaurants near the stadium. Also there is River Rat brewery which has a tap room open Thursdays from 4-9PM and longer on Friday/Saturday on 1200 block of shop rd. Just found out about this and wanted to pass it on.

[This message has been edited by gamecockhub (edited 8/19/2014 6:03p).]

I tailgates at the lot behind Jaco's the first few games while I was there. IIRC, it got pretty rowdy.

Got a group of 6 of us flying in this Saturday, we rented a beach house in IOP right next to Windjammer till the following Saturday. We are planning on golfing one day and obviously driving up for the game but do you have suggestions for anything else?

Thinking we will be heading to Charleston for at least 2 of the days just not sure what we are going to do there yet.

FYI, we are all under 30.

Thanks again for all the info!

Thanks for all of the info.

quote:

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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.

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Any live music hangouts in that area for peeps over 30?

Good info gamecockhub! Thanks for posting.

SugarLandAg09
Lots to do in Charleston. Most night life is on Kings street and that is also close to the College of Charleston with lots of coeds.Tons of great places to eat.Just walk around the Battery area and soak up the city. Also Poe's tavern is 5 miles away on Sullivan's Island from IOP.

PJYoung
Live music sites:
In the vista is The Tin Roof, Jillian's and The Art Bar. There are others and sometimes they have groups playing outside. Never been to The Art Bar so can't say much.
Five Points:
Salty Nut Cafe and others have live music
Rosewood:
Rolling Stone Cafe and Utopia food and spirits offer live music.
You can check each place's website to see which on is playing the genre you like while you are here.
Also a bit more info here:
http://www.columbiascnightout.com/

For Charleston:
http://www.charlestoncocktail.com/charleston.html


Any day above ground is a good one!

[This message has been edited by gamecockhub (edited 8/20/2014 10:11a).]

Is the area near the zoo ok or is it shady? Or near 20 and Bush River Rd?

[This message has been edited by Mr.niceguy (edited 8/20/2014 1:55p).]

Mr.NiceGuy
The area near the zoo is fine. If you are at the Embassy it is quite nice. That area is mostly hotels and car dealerships. There is a strip club about 1/2 mile away so just be aware of that.

Gracias

GameCock,

My brother, one of his friends and I will be coming into town on Wednesday evening to 'take it all in'.

If you were going to plan our itinerary starting Wednesday evening at 8pm, what would you have us do?

Keep in mind that we need to be at Aggie Yell practice on Wednesday evening and we want to take in as much as there is to offer for a GameCock Gameday experience (Tailgating, predrinking, pregame\Sandstorm\Entrance, postgame festivities[regardless of who wins]).

We are staying at a Days Inn by the Airport. My brother and his friend are about to be seniors at A&M and I wouldn't mind hanging out with the younger crowd and reliving my college years.

If you could help us plan out what we do and when to do it, I'm sure it would make the trip that much better. We don't want to look like a chicken with its head chopped off (wink wink).

-Bryan

quote:

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GameCock,

My brother, one of his friends and I will be coming into town on Wednesday evening to 'take it all in'.

If you were going to plan our itinerary starting Wednesday evening at 8pm, what would you have us do?

Keep in mind that we need to be at Aggie Yell practice on Wednesday evening and we want to take in as much as there is to offer for a GameCock Gameday experience (Tailgating, predrinking, pregame\Sandstorm\Entrance, postgame festivities[regardless of who wins]).

We are staying at a Days Inn by the Airport. My brother and his friend are about to be seniors at A&M and I wouldn't mind hanging out with the younger crowd and reliving my college years.

If you could help us plan out what we do and when to do it, I'm sure it would make the trip that much better. We don't want to look like a chicken with its head chopped off (wink wink).

-Bryan

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Ok I will give this a shot but realize that I graduated from USC in 1985. Still if you want to be around the younger crowd I would go to Five Points lots of college students, bars and restaurants. Depending on what you want to spend for food, for sandwiches go to Groucho's or Andy's. For a sit down meal that is good and not too expensive give Yesterday's a shot. If you want to go high end then Garabaldi's, Harper's or Saluda's. For bars there are many, Delaney's, Speakeasy,Pour House, Bar none,Kildare's Irish pub, Group Therapy(been open since around 1970) are some of the more popular. You are only 1.8 miles from the State House where I understand yell practice will be.
One thing about Five Points is that after 1AM I would recommend you go elsewhere but until 1AM it is fine.
The Vista will be more of a mixed crowd from college students to senior citizens. If you decide to hang out there try Flying Saucer, 81 beers on tap and almost 300 in bottles(the even have mead) or World of Beer, Wild Hare, Kelly's. On Main st. across from the State house is The Whig and Bourbon(has 100+ brands of bourbon as well as other liquors) also a bar on the top of the Sheraton downtown( these three are like a block or less from yell practice). On the other side of the capitol building but on S. Main st is the Hunter Gather brew pub.For dining there is Flying Saucer and Liberty Tap room for the reasonable sit down meal, higher end there is Blue Marlin, Motor Supply. There are over 60 bars and restaurants in a six block area in the vista. Just be mindful of parking, there are metered spaces,lots and garages. If it says no parking..don't park as they will tow.
You could also take a walk around the campus as that would allow you to meet a few coeds maybe before hitting the nightlife.
For game day walk around the stadium and hit some of the different tailgate plazas, meet the fans, check out the "gamecock village" area at the donor parking next to the Bojangles.You will find most people to be welcoming and friendly. Oh and the entrance is to 2001, sandstorm is the psych up to a frenzy tune. After the game then back to the Vista or Five Points but remember I would not hang in Five Points after 1AM.
While not a full point to point itinerary this gives you most of the info you need to accomplish what you all want to do in your visit.

What type of parking is on Bluff road south of the stadium.... Cost, how long of a walk. Thanks for the info