Returning to K-Town for the first time in 40 years - hoping for some local knowledge

#51
#51
Thanks to everyone for all the advice and suggestions. We're arriving this morning, and are looking forward to spending most of the day checking out the campus area and downtown. It'll probably come down to a 'game time' decision where we eat, as we usually end up doing things spontaneously, but I have a list of all the suggestions in my phone at the ready. So stoked for the whole experience!
 
#52
#52
sami said:
Thanks to everyone for all the advice and suggestions. We're arriving this morning, and are looking forward to spending most of the day checking out the campus area and downtown. It'll probably come down to a 'game time' decision where we eat, as we usually end up doing things spontaneously, but I have a list of all the suggestions in my phone at the ready. So stoked for the whole experience!
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Please post some pictures to document your trip.
 
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#53
#53
Can’t understand anyone recommending Calhouns for BBQ (or any Mike Chase establishment for that matter). Like recommending Wendy’s for a good burger. To each his own. Only thing going for Calhouns is the proximity to the stadium which of course means you will be waiting rather than eating. That said, Dead End and Sweet Peas are much better choices. My recommendation would be go to Balter over Downtown Grille. You can even park there and walk to Neyland. And if you are staying in Cedar Bluff go to Abridged. A bright spot in that suburban wasteland.
 
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#54
#54
sami said:
I know the place, but can't think of the name. In the early '80's there was a vibrant music scene in Knoxville with a bunch of really good local bands and a few clubs where there were bands most nights. I worked at WUTK, the university radio station, and hung out a lot at a dive club on the strip called Hobo's, where bands like R.E.M., Jason & The Scorchers, Iggy Pop, and the Romantics played when they came through town, among others.
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Was it called The Brewery?
 
#56
#56
Piggybacking on this thread - I am also planning my first trip in 20 some years since I graduated. Any recommendation where I can buy tickets, hotel, etc? Downtown hotels seem super expensive.
 
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#57
#57
MEDVOL said:
I've always enjoyed parking behind the Riviera in the State Street garage. Walk into Market Square and hang out. Saturday farmer's market should still be going. Plenty of shops and restaurants. Walk down to Neyland. Stop at a few tailgates along the way, if you want. See the game. Walk to the Strip (you'll probably be disappointed in what it has become) or back up to Market Square/Gay St for dinner and drinks after the game. Could also mosey down to the Old City as its not too far from State St garage. You'll be blown away to see how far that area has come.

Note: its a lot of walking, with hills. But I've never really minded it and its not bad if you aren't in a hurry.
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The hills aren’t bad if the 3x pedestrian bridges are used. There’s one from the State Street Parking Garage that ends at Gay Street by the Riviera Theater (a block from Market Square), Then from Mkt Square go a block south to Clinch Avenue and head west about 3 blocks (and that bridge gets you safely across a very busy Henley Street). Then walk the Clinch Avenue Viaduct across the World’s Fair site. Go across 11th Street at the traffic light. Go one block to 12th Street and head south 2 or 3 blocks and the pedestrian bridge at the end of 12th will take you over to The Hill below Ayres Hall. Go west and the new student union is a couple hundred yards (a good spot to rest with A/C and seating areas). Almost 2 miles, but it’s a pretty flat hike for the area.
 
#61
#61
Frozevol said:
Can’t understand anyone recommending Calhouns for BBQ (or any Mike Chase establishment for that matter). Like recommending Wendy’s for a good burger. To each his own. Only thing going for Calhouns is the proximity to the stadium which of course means you will be waiting rather than eating. That said, Dead End and Sweet Peas are much better choices. My recommendation would be go to Balter over Downtown Grille. You can even park there and walk to Neyland. And if you are staying in Cedar Bluff go to Abridged. A bright spot in that suburban wasteland.
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We're going to Aubrey's tonight, but Abridged might be a great call after the game, thanks.

A bright spot in that suburban wasteland.
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Nice, that made me laugh out loud.
 
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#62
#62
Frozevol said:
The Place or Bundulees?
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The Place! That is it, probably too obvious a name to remember. Saw a lot of great local bands there, but Hobo's was the spot for national or regional bands. My last year there I lived in a house in Fort Sanders with a bunch of local musicians, some of whom were also UT students, and there were jam sessions in the basement 3-4 days a week.
 
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#63
#63
twigsxx2 said:
Locust Street Garage downtown is perfect for drive in parking without a permit. Get there early before it fills up. 11am for a 330 kick should be good.
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I thought you needed a parking pass for locust st garage? That’s where our pass was last year
 
#64
#64
The hotel where we are staying in Farragut is sold out, not sure about others in this area. Recommend violation ticket site for tickets. Hope you have a great time.
 
#65
#65
Anyone got a address for ag campus parking? I'm going as well. Taking my wife and mother. Mom is 73 and raring to go!! I haven't been in 15 years so I'm sure it's lots different
 
#67
#67
Okay, to recap the 'first time in 40 years' thread, I first want to thank everyone for the invaluable advice and info here, as it helped immeasurably in making it a great weekend - which it was. We had a fantastic time, and my wife was screaming when the Vols were on defense like a lifelong fan. Some notes:

* Our stay at the Country Inn & Suites in Cedar Bluff was great - clean room, nice people, and a convenient location (and the best water pressure in a shower I've ever had in a hotel room).
* Walking around campus and downtown on Friday was a lot of fun, but there was zero deja vu, as you guys said - I didn't recognize a thing on campus, and especially on the strip. Oh, except the area on Clinch St. in Fort Sanders near the Worlds Fair where I lived while a student was still as dumpy as ever!
* We ate at Aubrey's on Friday, nice place with good food and service.
* Parking at Locust St. Garage was a piece of cake, we arrived about 10:30 and there was plenty of room. The walk wasn't nearly as bad as advertised, although the hills are something else. Grabbed some breakfast at Just Love Cafe on the Strip, then spent a couple of hour walking around and soaking in the gameday vibe.
* Got good spots for the Vol Walk and the band's entrance, both very cool, and headed into the stadium. There are really no bad seats in that place for a stadium that size, and our location in section BB, at about the 30-yard line, was fantastic. There were too many A&M fans in our section, but they were an incredibly polite bunch. They were easily drowned out when the place was rocking.
* Neyland is as loud as I remember it, right from the kickoff. 3rd and 4th downs on defense the place was deafening.
* The national anthem, the band forming the Power T and the players entering is chill inducing stuff.
* One really bad point - the bleacher seats are bad enough for the prices paid, but there are at least a couple too many people crammed into each row. We stood most of the game because sitting down was such a pain in the ass - pun intended. If (when) we come back, seats with actual 'seats' will be a priority.
* It took a while to get out of downtown after the game. Everywhere there required reservations, so we decided to eat around Cedar Bluff, and went to Finn's, which was a brilliant choice, just a great place with fantastic food and good premium liquor choices. A couple of Eagle Rare's on the rocks and some Fish & Chips capped the trip as well as we could have hoped.
* We're heading out in a few minutes on our way back home. I wasn't sure how much my wife would enjoy the weekend, but aside from the ridiculous bleacher seating, she's ready to do it again at some point. Just a super weekend topped off by a Vol victory.

VuUmHer.jpg

2ZX52aG.jpg
 
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#69
#69
sami said:
Okay, to recap the 'first time in 40 years' thread, I first want to thank everyone for the invaluable advice and info here, as it helped immeasurably in making it a great weekend - which it was. We had a fantastic time, and my wife was screaming when the Vols were on defense like a lifelong fan. Some notes:

* Our stay at the Country Inn & Suites in Cedar Bluff was great - clean room, nice people, and a convenient location (and the best water pressure in a shower I've ever had in a hotel room).
* Walking around campus and downtown on Friday was a lot of fun, but there was zero deja vu, as you guys said - I didn't recognize a thing on campus, and especially on the strip. Oh, except the area on Clinch St. in Fort Sanders near the Worlds Fair where I lived while a student was still as dumpy as ever!
* We ate at Aubrey's on Friday, nice place with good food and service.
* Parking at Locust St. Garage was a piece of cake, we arrived about 10:30 and there was plenty of room. The walk wasn't nearly as bad as advertised, although the hills are something else. Grabbed some breakfast at Just Love Cafe on the Strip, then spent a couple of hour walking around and soaking in the gameday vibe.
* Got good spots for the Vol Walk and the band's entrance, both very cool, and headed into the stadium. There are really no bad seats in that place for a stadium that size, and our location in section BB, at about the 30-yard line, was fantastic. There were too many A&M fans in our section, but they were an incredibly polite bunch. They were easily drowned out when the place was rocking.
* Neyland is as loud as I remember it, right from the kickoff. 3rd and 4th downs on defense the place was deafening.
* The national anthem, the band forming the Power T and the players entering is chill inducing stuff.
* One really bad point - the bleacher seats are bad enough for the prices paid, but there are at least a couple too many people crammed into each row. We stood most of the game because sitting down was such a pain in the ass - pun intended. If (when) we come back, seats with actual 'seats' will be a priority.
* It took a while to get out of downtown after the game. Everywhere there required reservations, so we decided to eat around Cedar Bluff, and went to Finn's, which was a brilliant choice, just a great place with fantastic food and good premium liquor choices. A couple of Eagle Rare's on the rocks and some Fish & Chips capped the trip as well as we could have hoped.
* We're heading out in a few minutes on our way back home. I wasn't sure how much my wife would enjoy the weekend, but aside from the ridiculous bleacher seating, she's ready to do it again at some point. Just a super weekend topped off by a Vol victory.

VuUmHer.jpg

2ZX52aG.jpg
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Good to hear! Glad you had a good time.
 
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