Manhattan KS recommendations

We are going as well. First time there. Anyone know what the tailgate situation is like, what public parking/tailgating is like? Trying to decide whether to go early and tailgate or just eat before and go closer to game time and skip the tailgate.

Being a night game we are just heading down in the morning on Saturday and coming back Sunday.
 
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We are going as well. First time there. Anyone know what the tailgate situation is like, what public parking/tailgating is like? Trying to decide whether to go early and tailgate or just eat before and go closer to game time and skip the tailgate.

Being a night game we are just heading down in the morning on Saturday and coming back Sunday.
We parked to the east of the stadium on the grassy area. It’s like their animal husbandry/rodeo areas. Not sure if on purpose or coincidence but there were several of us ISU people all out together in one group.
 
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Okay, I'll give you my recommendations. First, Friday night in Aggieville is a must. Catch your bar food and a brew at So Long Saloon, Mexican at Taco Lucha or at my favorite Coco Bolos, or for a little upscale Nico's Little Italy.


Saturday morning breakfast at The Chef downtown can't be beaten but be ready for a long wait. Consistently rated Kansas's #1 breakfast stop. The second option is Early Edition with stores downtown and west of the stadium.


Now for gameday parking. I believe the best place for visitors is along College Avenue, west of the stadium, south of Via Christi Hospital, across from the baseball stadium. There are several private parties, churches, and such that will sell you space for $25. And it's an easy walk to the stadium before and after. Arrive a minimum of two hours before kickoff to ensure you get a space.

Happy to answer any other questions here or in private messages.

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Haven't been there since 1973. All I remember is everything was purple.
I AGREE the last time I was there was 1990 and we went to the Mall to kill some time and they had a Rally inside the Mall and LITERALLY BEGGED PEOPLE TO GO TO THE GAME....Final Score Jim Walden 14 & Bill Snyder 28.....
 
K State is really similar to going to a game at ISU.

We have a little better tailgate, they have a little better bar district, but these communities and fanbases are basically identical
Bleachers/seating is different material. Or at least it was several years ago when we were there for the ISU game.
And Ames needs something like an Aggieville. Which is not what the new "district" will be.
 
Bleachers/seating is different material. Or at least it was several years ago when we were there for the ISU game.
And Ames needs something like an Aggieville. Which is not what the new "district" will be.

Campustown + downtown probably have more overall options, but Aggieville wins with its efficient set up, better parking/accessibility, and being cleaner/more welcoming to the post college crowd. Conceptually its the same idea as Campustown but much more cohesive.

If you could get Cornbred, Whiskey River and London Underground to Campustown, Campustown would win.

For now, I’d give Aggieville the nod.
 
I can vouch for the Little Apple brewery. Can't remember what I had there but it was good.

For those who are opting not to get to Mahattan particularly early, I'd recommend stopping at Danny Edwards BLVD BBQ. They are only open 11-3 but it's my favorite spot in town. Get the burnt end plate with fries and you won't go away disappointed.
 
Campustown + downtown probably have more overall options, but Aggieville wins with its efficient set up, better parking/accessibility, and being cleaner/more welcoming to the post college crowd. Conceptually its the same idea as Campustown but much more cohesive.

If you could get Cornbred, Whiskey River and London Underground to Campustown, Campustown would win.

For now, I’d give Aggieville the nod.

This is spot on.
 
The big tailgating is in the donor lots right outside the stadium but that's for KSU fans mostly. We usually pick one of the outlying pay lots and set up our own tailgate. Two years ago we were at the VetMed building and several Cyclones showed up in the same area. We usually just grab some food at a restaurant and pack a few beverages and show up early.
 
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Campustown + downtown probably have more overall options, but Aggieville wins with its efficient set up, better parking/accessibility, and being cleaner/more welcoming to the post college crowd. Conceptually its the same idea as Campustown but much more cohesive.

If you could get Cornbred, Whiskey River and London Underground to Campustown, Campustown would win.

For now, I’d give Aggieville the nod.
Agree. Aggieville also has retail stores and various KSU parades.
 
I can vouch for the Little Apple brewery. Can't remember what I had there but it was good.

For those who are opting not to get to Mahattan particularly early, I'd recommend stopping at Danny Edwards BLVD BBQ. They are only open 11-3 but it's my favorite spot in town. Get the burnt end plate with fries and you won't go away disappointed.
That's in Kansas City metro.
 
That's in Kansas City metro.

Yes, it is. I was referencing the earlier post that said the best eating option is to eat BBQ in KC BEFORE getting to Manhattan (to which I'd agree).