We're coming from Omaha. So should we come up hwy 17 through Madrid and approach Ames from the west like you suggest, so we can avoid the I-35 traffic?
Gameday tips for newbie with family?
- Thread starter ILikeCy
- Start date
The most important to avoid is the US-30 exit at University. Traffic coming north on University is the heaviest. Exiting at Lincoln Way should be fine. However, I wouldn't take Mortenson to the stadium because it will back up too. Lincoln Way would be better than Mortenson and have lots of gameday vibe. Ontario/13th will probably save more time, but lack ambiance until you get to Stange and the campus feel.
Some of it depends on where you want to park. If you want to park in the grass lots on 16th, then go all the way to Duff and come back toward the stadium. Just know that traffic near the stadium on University will be where it is worst.
The step show is very good if you enjoy listening to the band at all. Saw it before the SDSU game that wasn't a game. They put out a huge sound when they are all in such a tight space. Played the entire halftime show along with various fight songs. Flags and twirlers and pom squad all did short routines. And, of course, the drum line is terrific when you hear them up close like that.
If it's in the budget, I'd get a hotel with a pool Friday night somewhere closer to Ames. I imagine Ames is full by now. Des Moines area should have plenty of choices.
You can always drive by the Memorial Union parking ramp and it will say "Full" or :Open". Otherwise, you can do as my wife did and call the Memorial Union. She didn't have a number but she did a quick Google search and had a great experience talking with a person in "Reservations" who had some good suggestions about the parking ramp.
If you are wanting to park at the MU, I would do exactly that. Come from the West. Taking I-35 and then trying to cross JTS to the MU would take a while.
And if you are trying to watch the band perform at the steps, you may want to aim for 8:45 so you aren’t having to run to make it on time.
Honestly, just drive to DM tonight and get a hotel. Waking the fam up at 5am doesn’t sound like fun. Let me know if there’s any other ways I can help spend your money.
Prioritizing the Alumni Center, the band, and the Homecoming stage near the Alumni Center is a good plan.
I would dig deep and pay the $20 to park in the Hilton/Scheman lots (or on the Scheman grass). Don't start your day with an unnecessarily long walk. Give yourself a short walk to the Alumni Center and one with lots of vibe. Parking near Hilton is always cool. Walking from the Memorial Union is long will be done with a nice flow of students. Walking from Hilton/Scheman is short and really fun because literally everything around you is focused on the game and tailgating. And you can now exit after the game from Hilton/Scheman directly on to Lincoln Way.
I would dig deep and pay the $20 to park in the Hilton/Scheman lots (or on the Scheman grass). Don't start your day with an unnecessarily long walk. Give yourself a short walk to the Alumni Center and one with lots of vibe. Parking near Hilton is always cool. Walking from the Memorial Union is long will be done with a nice flow of students. Walking from Hilton/Scheman is short and really fun because literally everything around you is focused on the game and tailgating. And you can now exit after the game from Hilton/Scheman directly on to Lincoln Way.
If you are wanting to park at the MU, I would do exactly that. Come from the West. Taking I-35 and then trying to cross JTS to the MU would take a while.
And if you are trying to watch the band perform at the steps, you may want to aim for 8:45 so you aren’t having to run to make it on time.
Honestly, just drive to DM tonight and get a hotel. Waking the fam up at 5am doesn’t sound like fun. Let me know if there’s any other ways I can help spend your money.
Come from Omaha tonight on US-30 and stay in Boone. Seriously, they have nice, inexpensive hotels in Boone.
Parking there would be ideal, but I am assuming those fill up pretty quickly.
Are there usually spots still available there at 9am?
I don't recall the lots around Hilton/Scheman closing except for rain, volleyball, All-State Music, or being full for an Iowa game. Weather looks good, volleyball is Friday night, and there are no musicians or Hokeyes in sight. So I would assume they will be open.
Remember though, that the exit on the north side ONLY allows east bound traffic.
If you do get here in time for the step show (named because the band is on the steps of the alumni center) and want to say hi, we're usually close to the A3 sign. Of course you might not be able to get there because of the crowd and the forecast good weather. There's also at least one or two small pop-up shops along that same sidewalk area selling clothes and other ISU items.
The marching band is part of what makes college football great IMHO.
After the game, take a little time and walk around Central Campus, especially if you are planning to park at the MU. Its beautiful this time of year. The younger kids might not get anything out of it, but your wife and 18 year old might, especially if the goal is to get them interested in attending ISU.
Good suggestion...unfortunately my wife has to work until midnight tonight. We'll be running on adrenaline and caffeine tomorrow!Honestly, just drive to DM tonight and get a hotel. Waking the fam up at 5am doesn’t sound like fun. Let me know if there’s any other ways I can help spend your money.
I think it likely will be, but you can always drive in and the parking attendants will tell you for sure. Its $20 to park there. Parking along the streets in the neighborhoods west of campus would be an option too. Parking is legal on one side of the street, but both sides will be filled up. The parking ticket is $15 or something like that.
Seneca Wallace and Ennis Hobbs will also be at a pop-up tent near the Alumni Center. Heard something about it on KXNO this morning, but missed the details.
