There truly is nothing like SEC football, especially the University of Alabama. As a senior in college, I have had the opportunity to also explore other college towns across the SEC and college football towns. Each encapsulates a different experience and vibe, which I think makes it all the more fun to explore.
One thing I love about Tuscaloosa is how our campus is laid out so conveniently, especially for tailgating purposes. Everything gathers around Bryant-Denny Stadium, which makes it convenient for all the gameday festivities.
Another great part of where the Stadium is located is its relativity to the Strip. This allows for an assortment of dining and tailgate options. Iconic spots like the Houndstooth and Gallettes are where people love to spend Saturdays outside getting ready to cheer on the Tide.
There are small SEC towns like Starkville, with a cute local coffee shop on the train tracks and a quaint downtown area of shops to explore. There are college towns with true stadium electricity like Columbia, South Carolina where they wave rags to cheer on the Gamecocks. There are even college towns like Baton Rouge where the locals bring some of the best food a tailgate can offer. For me, there is something special about Tuscaloosa and the charm and nostalgia it brings me.
When it comes to a Saturday in the fall, there is a lot you can do in Tuscaloosa before kicking off in Bryant-Denny Stadium. I am going to share my ideal gameday in Tuscaloosa with you when we have a night kickoff.
Rise and Shine!
When the sun rises, that means it is time to get up and get ready to cheer on the Crimson Tide. That means starting with some fuel to get you through the day, food that is. Two of my favorite spots to enjoy breakfast are Rama Jama’s or the Waysider Restaurant. They are both charming local spots that have been around for years. When you walk into both places, you are sure to see some Alabama Football memorabilia. Whether it is former Coach Nick Saban or one of the Alabama National Championship teams, there are plenty of things to look at in these restaurants. When you’re ready to order, I love a classic breakfast place which they both offer. At the Waysider, I highly recommend an order of their homemade biscuits. Don’t forget to add some butter and honey!
After enjoying a filling breakfast, I would make my way to Turbo Coffee or Monarch Coffee for some caffeine fuel. At Turbo, I would order an iced blueberry matcha. For Monarch, I’d order a classic iced honey latte. These are both a good walking distance to the Stadium and tailgating spots across campus. The more you can walk on gameday, the better. Traffic usually starts early depending on the matchup.
Getting Here and There
After enjoying breakfast and coffee, I would probably head back to my house to get ready. They are Joy Rides and Cruise golf carts that start riding around early to get you where you need to be. They help me avoid getting in traffic myself and can maneuver around the city pretty well. From there, I generally walk around the rest of gameday, but there is usually a golf cart ride in the mix on a busy gameday!
Let’s Get to Tailgating
The Quad quickly transforms from a ton of students walking to class on Friday to a maze of white tents by Saturday morning. They can be tricky to navigate, but it is a great way to meet up with friends and family. One of my favorite things to do is walk around and see how different tailgates are decorated. People always have creative names to match their tailgate tents as well. I enjoy meeting up with friends at a spot on the Strip or with friends at one of the fraternity houses facing Bryant-Denny. They always have a band or some good tunes to listen to before the game. Once I have seen my friends at the Quad, I love walking to meet up with some friends and listen to music even closer to the Stadium.
Many Alabama fans enjoy going to Houndstooth or Galettes to enjoy an iconic “Yellowhammer.” They usually offer a band or DJ as well. I cannot say I have ever indulged in this classic UA gameday tradition before, but I know it is one many enjoy on Saturday in Tuscaloosa.
A general gameday tip is to make sure you have shoes that can navigate all the steps you will get on a Saturday! I have a pair of sneakers, wedges and boots I usually alternate between. I quickly learned that an Alabama gameday is about finding practical and cute shoes, not just cute. Longevity and comfort are the key coming from someone who has acquired some blisters choosing an impractical pair of fabulous wedges.
Another obvious tip is monitoring the weather. In Alabama, it can be humid and hot or chilly depending on the day. I always try to make sure my outfit is prepared for the temperature and weather conditions of the day. Alabama gamedays could arguably be a fashion show, so an amazing fashionable move is practicality as well.
If you need a last-minute gameday outfit, there is a lot of places to choose from near campus. Down along the Strip is a multitude of local businesses that can cater to all your gameday needs. Whether that is a gameday pin to sport with your jersey or a head-to-toe outfit, there are multiple places ready to help. These places are usually open during the day of games as well.
Tuscaloosa is nothing short of fun on a gameday, and the tailgate usually flies by for me with all the fun we end up having! I love football season for many reasons but getting to spend quality time with friends and family is a huge reason for that.
Countdown to Kickoff
The earlier, the better is a great mentality to have on gameday. For students, I would say getting to the game a hour before kickoff is recommended. It allows you to get a good spot and settle prior to kickoff. A classic Denny Dog and a water to hydrate is my go-to order upon entering the Stadium. It’s almost time for the game!
Let’s Roll (Tide)!
It is time to enjoy the game and all the traditions. From Dixieland Delight to the light show, it is sure to be an entertaining time. For many people, I think night games are obvious favorites. Make sure you have your crimson and white shaker ready to go! Soak it all in and enjoy watching my favorite football team, the Crimson Tide!
Celebrate
This is something I always hope is part of my ideal game itinerary! A win followed by a celebration. As a student experiencing their undergraduate last football season, I think this is something I will always look back on fondly. There is nothing like meeting up with friends and celebrating a big win. My friends and I enjoy meeting up and debriefing the day while listening to some music. Tuscaloosa enjoys celebrating our wins and there are many places to do that, with places along the Strip being a convenient spot for it.
There is something so unifying and captivating about a gameday in Tuscaloosa. As a lifelong Alabama fan, I think it is extra special getting the privilege to be a college student here and enjoy gamedays in a way I never had before. From the student section to being a part of Homecoming week, it is so different from growing up as a young child cheering on the Tide.
As much as I love a home game in Tuscaloosa, I have found something just as exciting about traveling to away games. So far this season, I have gone to Starkville and Knoxville. In the past, I visited Baton Rouge, Athens and Auburn too. This has been another highlight of my college experience. I especially love this because it has been a way to meet some of my college friends’ former classmates and hometown best friends. Getting to experience their traditions and college towns is so eye-opening. It’s intriguing to see how each SEC town does gamedays so differently. Many of us have the classic tailgate set up, but that is probably the only thing we have in common.
I hope this provided you some insight on how I enjoy spending a Tuscaloosa gameday but there is truly no “right” way to do it as long as you are cheering for the Tide!
