Six of us are planning on a long weekend in Durham for the VT/Duke game. It'll be my first time there, anyone else with suggestions on a hotel near the stadium with bars/restaurants close by? Or a hotel that offers shuttle to the stadium - we're planning to get our drink on.
I noticed there's a Brookwood Inn about a mile from the stadium.
Forums:
DISCLAIMER: Forum topics may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
Comments
Wings Over Durham has fantastic wings. I lived in Raleigh for a year and went to the 2014 game. There are also a couple of breweries downtown.
I have been to three games there. For two I drove in the morning of the game. The last time, we stayed at the Cambria Suites near the airport. We hit up a Carolina Hurricanes game the night before. We bought a bunch of BBQ (I can't remember where), tailgated, and watched the game. It is a pretty good walk from where I parked to the stadium, but I enjoyed the experience.
Where were your tickets? I'm looking behind the VT bench around the 35-40 yard line, seems like a decent seat.
If I'm not mistaken, you are right in the middle of a bunch of old Duke season ticket holders (at least that's where they used to sit). They hate it when you yell... They hate it when you stand up... They just want you to sit and watch the game with as little emotion as possible.
And they WILL get security to make you sit down. Not joking.
Not if you have an insider on the campus police force...not that it helps most, but my father flashing his badge has even helped out in Lane...
I sat around there two years ago and didnt have a problem.
They were good seats. Its a little bit strange of a stadium, rather than built up, you kind of walk down into it.
The game I went to was probably close to 50-50 Tech fans/Duke fans. Im sure this game will be close to the same.
Heavenly Buffaloes. That's all you need to know.
Heavenly Buffaloes is really all you need to know.
Thanks for the recommendation. My friend and I plan on getting lunch there before the game.
Excellent. Get dinner afterwards at either Bull City Burger or Bull McCabe's!
Except the best wings in Durham are at Mattie B's. I grew up in Western NY, so I know my wings.
Been several times but never stayed overnight because of short driving distance from Danville.
All I know is they had Chicfila inside the stadium. Bomb dot com.
I always stay with friends when I go down for the UNC, NC State, Duke games.
It's pricey, but Washington Duke Inn is a great hotel and walking distance to the stadium.
Nanataco has great Mexican food.
Bull City Brewery has great burgers and they serve their own beer plus having Stewart's soda on tap (y'know, the expensive stuff at the grocery store).
Edit: the wife also notes that they serve wine from a cool chiller/dispenser.
I can vouch for Bull City - amazing farm to table burgers. Beer is pretty good too!
Brightleaf Square has a few selections to choose from. Dame's Chicken and Waffles is a hole in the wall treasure for comfort food.
I was born in Durham, grew up in nearby Apex (parents still live there). Unfortunately, this means I have little in the way of hotel experience to offer, because I obviously had a nearby place to stay. Good BBQ joint to check out would be Bullock's BBQ. The last time I was at a game there was 2007, prior to Cutcliffe becoming coach. The tailgate scene and attendance in general was (pre)dominantly in VTs favor. Side note: my Dad was campus police during those times, so I always had a sweet tailgating spot "reserved" with traffic cones.
Can fully vouch for Bullock's - I've stopped in just to get a couple quarts to take back to VA when passing through Durham before.
Bullock's is top notch, I am partial to Smokey's BBQ Shack in Morrisville right near the airport.
Another +1 for Bullock's
I went to a Tech game there in like 08 or 09 and had Tommy John performed there in 2012...so if you're needing a good surgeon, I got a guy.
I remember that there were no ATMs anywhere in the stadium (I asked) and the concessions didn't take credit cards. This was several years ago though, so hopefully their fancy renovation included an upgrade.
Where's the closest place to park at Wallace Wade? I've never been. I'm trying to read up on parking and I'm confused over it.
The Circuit Lots are probably the closest public lots:
http://maps.duke.edu/map/index.php?id=21&embedMrkId=4672&mapOnly=1#!m/39585
Lots will open at 12:30.
$10 to park. Almost exactly a mile walk to the stadium.
Alright, thanks guys. I park at the airport in Blacksburg so that will probably be about the same distance.
You might need a GPS update.
The airport in Blacksburg is a really long walk to Wallace Wade.
Yeah, could've worded that a lot better...
This was such a dad joke that I snort-laughed. Well played Leonard.
Can we tailgate in those lots? Any weird rules to note?
Any other recommendations for tailgating?
Been to every one of these football games at Duke since we joined the ACC. Trust me, they're just happy people are coming to the game. They have no issue if you want to tailgate. Just follow the signs to the lots as you're coming in from the main roads. There aren't any lots that are really that far from the stadium, and they don't care if you show up before the official opening of the lots themselves.
Looking at those lots and the location doesnt look great. Anyone have a parking pass for one of the closer lots for sale?
We've scored parking passes before closer to the stadium, but if you don't have a hard time walking or getting around, the circuit lot really isn't a bad choice. It's usually 90% tech fans. No weird rules.
It's almost exactly a mile from the stadium.
12:30 seems like a really late time to start tailgating.
Just checked the Duke website:
Parking Hours Section
When I went in 2014 I parked on the side of the road in one of the neighborhoods south of the stadium. Looking on Google Maps it was near the corner of Academy and Woodburn. There are several neighborhoods there and everyone was parking on the curb and hanging out.
Free and fun. That's probably where I'm going to head on Saturday, too.
Looking forward to seeing all my Hokie family in Durham Saturday!
FAM!!!!
Duke's leading rusher will be out this weekend.
I live in Durham just south of downtown, grew up in Cary. There are tons of great places to eat in Durham, but hotel-wise, I'd avoid staying downtown if you don't mind driving about 10 minutes to RTP. A lot more options over there and it's a very short drive to the campus and to Downtown... also about 15 minutes from downtown Raleigh as well.
Hotels that are looking pretty cheap for the weekend:
Homewood Suites RTP
Hilton Garden Inn RTP
Great lunch places in Durham:
Heavenly Buffaloes
Bull City Burger
Lily's Pizza
Dain's Place on 9th street
Great places for after the game in Durham:
Ponysaurus Brewery
Fullsteam Brewery
Motorco
The Durham Hotel rooftop bar
This is basically the definitive list
With all the restaurant recommendations floating around, anyone know of a great local sub/sandwich shop in Durham? Have to get a sub before the game (I'm a little stitious)
There's a JJ's on 9th street.
How about recommendations for where to sit? Any sections expected to be more VT filled?
All of it.
Visiting seats are sections 1, 2, 3. MV's will be in section 1.
Honestly, the majority of that side ends up being Tech fans, and sprinkled throughout the rest of the stadium. Never been there when Tech didn't have at least a 40% share of the fans in the stands.
We'll be loud and proud in Section 5
Same here...Section 5. Let's Go!
Just a PSA for anyone coming to the game.... if you're from out of the area, might be a good idea to fuel up the car outside of the Triangle region if you can... People in this area aren't exactly the most even keeled and level headed when it comes to potential issues, and with the pipeline blowing up on Monday, we're already hearing issues with shortages at gas stations in the area. By the time Saturday comes, you might have to take the Fury Road to Gastown to fill up your car down here.
If anyone is driving in Saturday morning on I-40/85 i strongly recommend stopping at NC Jelly Donuts in Mebane.
For those going down to the game, consider bringing some canned goods to support those affected by Hurricane Matthew.
this is great...kinda makes me wish I were attending now...hopefully tons of Hokies show up with canned goods
FYI- No clear bag policy- its NO BAG policy.
Bags or purses of any kind (including but not limited to backpacks, duffel bags, tote bags, fanny packs, drawstring/cinch bags, messenger bags, plastic grocery bags, camera bags, binocular bags, etc.) are not permitted to enter Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium on football game days.
The following will be permitted following screening:
Wristlets/clutches (with or without a strap) that fit in the palm of the hand (no larger 5" x 8" x 1").