Attending first game since 2000

stjoehawki

stjoehawki

Member
My wife and I are coming in to town for our first game in since 2000.
A lot has changed since then and I was hoping for some feedback on where to park.
We won’t have a parking pass but don’t mind paying for parking.
We’re coming in for the Maryland game so it’s an 11:00 kickoff
We need recommendations for preferred parking area and best time to arrive.
Thanks in advance.
Go Hawks!
 
If you want easy and don't mind walking a bit, I'd recommend parking at the golf course. It's easy to get into, easy to get out of, and easy to find.
 
stjoehawki said:
My wife and I are coming in to town for our first game in since 2000.
A lot has changed since then and I was hoping for some feedback on where to park.
We won’t have a parking pass but don’t mind paying for parking.
We’re coming in for the Maryland game so it’s an 11:00 kickoff
We need recommendations for preferred parking area and best time to arrive.
Thanks in advance.
Go Hawks!
Click to expand...

Agree with this comment. There's always plenty of parking available at the Finkbine golf course and it's usually $20. Or if you get to the general vicinity early enough, there usually pay to park options a little closer. A lot of times I park over behind the old Olive Court lot in University Heights neighborhood in someones yard. It's usually $30 and a little closer. For the Maryland game, if you get there by 9 or so, there should still be plenty of options. Have fun!
 
The upside with parking at Finkbine is you don't have to drive through University Heights to get onto 218. The downside is you have to walk through University Heights on your way to and fro the ball game and I wouldn't be surprised if they have a city ordinance there that bans walking while impaired (with a 0.02 threshold) so be careful.
 
cockyhawkfan said:
Agree with this comment. There's always plenty of parking available at the Finkbine golf course and it's usually $20. Or if you get to the general vicinity early enough, there usually pay to park options a little closer. A lot of times I park over behind the old Olive Court lot in University Heights neighborhood in someones yard. It's usually $30 and a little closer. For the Maryland game, if you get there by 9 or so, there should still be plenty of options. Have fun!
Click to expand...

Thanks! Doesn’t sound like a lot of the old parking options have changed.
Our “go-to” spot used to be 609 Melrose, behind someone’s house.
I still remember the sights, sounds and smells on the south side of Kinnick.
 
stjoehawki said:
My wife and I are coming in to town for our first game in since 2000.
A lot has changed since then and I was hoping for some feedback on where to park.
We won’t have a parking pass but don’t mind paying for parking.
We’re coming in for the Maryland game so it’s an 11:00 kickoff
We need recommendations for preferred parking area and best time to arrive.
Thanks in advance.
Go Hawks!
Click to expand...

Also they added the choo choo since you were here last. Picks up just south of Coral Ridge mall (which was new since 2000) and drops off right by Kinnick. You can park at the mall or in the lots right there along the train tracks and short walk to where train picks up. If you don't want to walk this is a good deal. This is a good deal too if weather is so wet they limit grass parking (like at Finkbine). Only downside is you have to wait for train.
 
westender said:
Also they added the choo choo since you were here last. Picks up just south of Coral Ridge mall (which was new since 2000) and drops off right by Kinnick. You can park at the mall or in the lots right there along the train tracks and short walk to where train picks up. If you don't want to walk this is a good deal. This is a good deal too if weather is so wet they limit grass parking (like at Finkbine). Only downside is you have to wait for train.
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Look, I love all my Hawk brothers like family, but there is another downside which is you have to get packed onto the train with a bunch of proles.
 
I like to park by the Pedestrian Mall on game day, 4.00 parking for the whole day. Then wander around Melrose and the campus to soak up the atmosphere. About a 6 block walk, and you get out on Highway 1 quickly. Be ready for inflation shock where you used to park. My old spot went from 10 dollars to 30 after the flood.
 
okeefe4prez said:
Look, I love all my Hawk brothers like family, but there is another downside which is you have to get packed onto the train with a bunch of proles.
Click to expand...
You're typically not packed-in on the way *to* Kinnick. People stagger (figuratively) their arrivals.
$12/each for round trip. You can take your liquor on the train. 10 minute ride. Train begins 3 hours prior to kick off.

However, the ride *back* is jammed and you wait in line for 30-60+ minutes to board. FYI.
 
Another option is to park @ Hancher and get jammed into a free Cambus. Starts two hours prior to kick off and runs 90 minutes after.
 
My son and I take the train. It’s suoer relaxed going to the stadium, a little crowded going back to Coralville.

You park for free at the Coral Ridge mall, and if you haven’t been here in 18 years you might like to stop by the Black and Gold shop which is on the way to IHOP (where you board the train).

Here’s what we do...

Park at the mall, walk to the Black and Gold shop to get our train tickets, then walk to IHOP to eat breakfast. Hang out there until it’s time to get on the train and head out. You can’t miss the “train station” once you get to IHOP, it’s like 30 feet from the door to the restaurant. It won’t be crowded at all if you get on the first couple trains. When you get to the stadium there are some pretty steep stairs to go up in case that’s a deal breaker.

On the way back just make sure you don’t diddle daddle and you shouldn’t have to wait too long. We’ve done it many many times and I’ve never had to wait an hour. Sometimes you luck out and get on right away, most times it’s 20 minutes or so. What we like about parking at the mall is if you’re heading out of town after the game (we live 5 1/2 hours away) there’s almost no traffic and getting on I80/380 is a breeze.
 
A lot of great posts/ideas here from years of experience. Thanks! I can’t wait.
I imagine if we had a thread just for game-day traditions there would be some great posts as I know there are some very seasoned Hawk fans here that have probably been tailgating since at least the early 80’s.
 
Fryowa said:
My son and I take the train. It’s suoer relaxed going to the stadium, a little crowded going back to Coralville.

You park for free at the Coral Ridge mall, and if you haven’t been here in 18 years you might like to stop by the Black and Gold shop which is on the way to IHOP (where you board the train).

Here’s what we do...

Park at the mall, walk to the Black and Gold shop to get our train tickets, then walk to IHOP to eat breakfast. Hang out there until it’s time to get on the train and head out. You can’t miss the “train station” once you get to IHOP, it’s like 30 feet from the door to the restaurant. It won’t be crowded at all if you get on the first couple trains. When you get to the stadium there are some pretty steep stairs to go up in case that’s a deal breaker.

On the way back just make sure you don’t diddle daddle and you shouldn’t have to wait too long. We’ve done it many many times and I’ve never had to wait an hour. Sometimes you luck out and get on right away, most times it’s 20 minutes or so. What we like about parking at the mall is if you’re heading out of town after the game (we live 5 1/2 hours away) there’s almost no traffic and getting on I80/380 is a breeze.
Click to expand...

We do the same when taking the youngest with us. And for any wait after the game we hang out on the south side by Melrose and get something to eat and drink if weather is good and just watch the crowd clear out. Train keeps running for like an 1 1/2 hours after game is over. We typically are never in a rush to leave.
 
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