Hey gang, I'm thinking about flying down to Texas for a bit of a sports trip in November. My plan is to fly down to either Austin or Houston and rent a car on Nov. 6th, then drive to College Station for Texas A&M vs. Auburn on the 7th, and then up to Dallas (Arlington) for Cowboys vs. Eagles on the 8th. There's a good chance I'm going to be travelling solo, so I'll probably look at couchsurfing to keep costs down, but I was just wondering if anyone had any tips or recommendations for me in any of these spots (i.e. places to stay, good nightlife, good food, places to avoid, etc.).
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I have no advice but a buddy and I are contemplating pretty much the exact same trip
Yeah, there's also a UT vs. Kansas game in Austin on the same day as the Aggies/Auburn game. Obviously I'd prefer to see an SEC game over a Big 12 game but sticking around Austin instead of going to College Station seems like kind of a no-brainer. If you guys do end up going down, let me know. Could work out that we could split the rental car or something.
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Skip Galveston. The beach is poor and the drive from Houston can be a headache with all of the traffic.
Lots of BBQ places to consider eating at, if you are so inclined. Everyone seems to have their own favorite, so it might be best to ask around upon arrival.
Read up on the "traditions" of A&M, if you go to a home game. They don't take kindly to people who don't know what they are doing at a game. If you are a fan of Bush the elder, his presidential museum is on the A&M campus (or at least very near to it). Might be worth a few hours of your time.
Expect traffic around Dallas to be bad, even on a weekend. It isn't near Jerryworld, but Kinkaids in Fort Worth (and in Southlake) has good burgers and onion rings. The Amon Carter museum in Fort Worth has great western art, if you've got some extra time to fill.
Louie Mueller BBQ in Taylor has by far the best brisket I've ever had, though people claim Franklin Barbecue in Austin is even better if you're willing to wait in line all day. Either way, my only real advice is to eat lots of brisket.
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I went to a Cowboys game last year. I'd recommend going early enough to soak everything in. The tailgating alone is the best I've seen. The stadium is amazing and there is lots to check out in there so I'd recommend getting in as soon as they open the doors. Great food and shopping. Plus you could just sit and marvel at that massive jumbotron for an hour or so.
Also, Cowboys fans are some of the friendliest NFL fans I've encountered. You'll have no problem wearing an Eagles jersey I wouldn't think.
I love Americans, but a college football game is both an awesome and bewildering experience. Add Texas into the mix, and you feel like you're an anthropologist visiting a strange new land where they worship 19 year olds, senior citizens high five teenagers, everyone is gaga for a class ring, people camp out for a week in million dollar motorhomes in a dirty parking lot with 80 inch satellite tvs, 300lb strangers hug and sway with you while you watch male cheerleaders lead a stadium full of 100,000 people in goofy songs
They serve no beer in the stadium. Buy a seat cushion if you can because your butt and back will be sore after 3 hours.
If you're not staying in College Station overnight, be prepared for a long drive home as traffic is a biyotch.
Personally I'd skip College Station. Didn't think it was worth the drive.
I'd also skip Houston if you want to see a game in Austin and then in Dallas.
If staying in Austin, about 40 mins south is a place called New Braunfals (I think). Great river floating there.
Yeah, the more I'm thinking about it, the more I'm thinking I'd rather just do Austin and Dallas. Can't believe it's such a pain in the ass to get to Dallas from Victoria, but to Austin it's no problem.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyler
Went to my first A&M game last year.
I love Americans, but a college football game is both an awesome and bewildering experience. Add Texas into the mix, and you feel like you're an anthropologist visiting a strange new land where they worship 19 year olds, senior citizens high five teenagers, everyone is gaga for a class ring, people camp out for a week in million dollar motorhomes in a dirty parking lot with 80 inch satellite tvs, 300lb strangers hug and sway with you while you watch male cheerleaders lead a stadium full of 100,000 people in goofy songs
They serve no beer in the stadium. Buy a seat cushion if you can because your butt and back will be sore after 3 hours.
If you're not staying in College Station overnight, be prepared for a long drive home as traffic is a biyotch.
Yeah, I went to a Tennessee/Georgia game in Knoxville a few years back and you're right. It's completely different than any other sporting event I've ever attended. My favourite part was everyone dashing out of the stadium at half-time so they could reload on liquor in the parking lot.
And Johnson Space Center in Houston is fun if your a space head.
I'll second this.
I think I enjoyed the JSC as much as any museum I've ever been to. It's where Mission Control is, there's a grimy with finger oils piece of the moon in a glass case that you can touch, and they have a Saturn V rocket on the lawn.
Texas? (Travel Advice)
