Insight Bowl Get-Together Plans, Travel Tips, Etc. Thread

by RossWB on Dec 19, 2011 3:33 PM CST

Got an idea for a BHGP get-together in Phoenix for the Insight Bowl?

Have some tips for travelers heading to Phoenix? (Hotel/car rental deals, restaurant/bar suggestions, etc.)

Know some other things to do in Phoenix when you're visiting?

Here's your thread.

Feel free to post any and all information about those topics in this thread. I don't think any of the BHGP editorial staff will be at the game, but if any of you fine commenters want to arrange a get-together, you're more than welcome to do so.

(P.S. Please throw this post a few recs so that it doesn't get lost in the shuffle. Thanks!)

Unless otherwise expressly indicated by BHGP editors, this FanPost is strictly the viewpoint of the author and is not endorsed by BHGP in any way.

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Read More: 2011 insight bowl, Iowa Hawkeyes

Comments

My wedding is two weeks after the Insight Bowl...

…so I’ve been making plans for friends/family. Consider renting a home in the area for a week in Phoenix, Scottdale, Mesa, Tempe, etc. http://www.vrbo.com/

Total Wine has the best booze selection around, but if you can make it to Sportsman’s on Camelback, I like to support the local bottle shop.

"You don't need thumbs...my best friend is my brother's dog and he doesn't have thumbs. He does fine."

by Maizefed on Dec 4, 2011 10:19 PM CST reply actions

I will be tailgating

Nothing major but it would be nice to meet some fellow friends of the pants. I suggest hiking camelback or south mountian. Old town scottsdale or Mill avenue for bars/partying. Sugar bowl for ice cream and sweets. I like Los Taquitos in Ahwatukee for some pretty decent Mexican/fast food type. Gosh let me think more and i’ll post what i can to help out. Is anyone here going? Planning a get together?

You'll figure out what to do, for god's sake your The Boat! - JD Scrubs

by smokinthereiff on Dec 4, 2011 11:41 PM CST reply actions

Last year,

I stayed at the Best Western Inn of Tempe, which is a short walk from Sun Devil Stadium. However, that walk means you have to take a bridge over a creek that smelled rather sulphur-y. There’s a bunch of chain restaurants near there.

Scottsdale was nice. I didn’t explore Phoenix or Mesa or other places too much.

I didn’t really tailgate before last year’s game. There was a police presences, but I’m not sure how much they were harshing the mellow.

If you are driving to the game or tailgating, get your parking arranged ahead of time, and they only open the official lots at 4 pm.

http://www.fiestabowl.org/insight-bowl/insight-bowl-game-day-guide/insight-bowl-parking-information.php

We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.

by WaterlooChazz on Dec 5, 2011 8:49 AM CST reply actions

Here's my plan.

To have absolutely no input or responsibility regarding this trip/game. Good luck, sucker!

Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.

by Kyle McCann't on Dec 5, 2011 11:00 AM CST reply actions

Me neither.

I plan to have several beers available for consumption and a tv that is tuned to the game. Past that. I have no plans.

Twitterz: @EnergizerHawk

by EnergizerHawk on Dec 5, 2011 12:23 PM CST up reply actions

Just got the T-shirt/jersey you sent. Much thanks again for all the efforting.

I’ll have to take your word for it that there’s an XL t-shirt in there because the box is about the size of a coffee mug. Actually, I’m not sure a coffee mug would fit in there.

I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.

by therealCatnuts on Dec 5, 2011 12:33 PM CST up reply actions

PROTIP: Ed Podolak reminds you...

… to look both ways before crossing the street.

//the-more-you-know.gif

by Lukateake on Dec 5, 2011 1:10 PM CST reply actions

Four Seasons Troon is fantastic, but kind of far away from everything.

They’ve had some surprisingly good rates over the years; it sounds expensive (and often is), but sometimes you can get 3rd night free or food / beverage credits that really knock the price down.

by indyhawk on Dec 5, 2011 3:15 PM CST reply actions

Well if some of the pants community are going to the Insight I have a suggestion....

The Copper Door In Glendale would be a great place to meet. Cheap drinks and it is an Iowa bar. Has Herky out front and Iowa plastered all over the interior. Happened to be in Phoenix are the week-end of the Minn. game. ( Don’t want to talk about that game) It was a great place to watch the game. Having to live on the west coast they had tenderloins for 4 bucks and heard they serve maid rites during other Iowa games. If we want to get a bunch of us together it would be a great place. Oh the regulars don’t show up because the Iowa fans take over the bar every Sat. there is a game.

by nwyms Trebek! on Dec 5, 2011 6:18 PM CST reply actions

I'll be there

#DRUNJ

seriously?

by PSD on Dec 6, 2011 6:51 AM CST reply actions

So is anyone into putting a tailgate together?

I’d like to meet up and party with some FOTP

You'll figure out what to do, for god's sake your The Boat! - JD Scrubs

by smokinthereiff on Dec 6, 2011 1:03 PM CST up reply actions

I just don't want to go by myself...

…. I don’t have friends…

and that's another Hawkeye first down... EHAWW!!

Follow @ziggyDG

by HawkPocket on Dec 7, 2011 11:29 AM CST reply actions

Casey Moores

My favorite bar in Tempe. Close to Mill Ave. Has an outdoor patio. One of the only historic looking homes/buildings in Tempe.

I’ll be there pre and post game. Lets get weird.

by cruzhawk on Dec 9, 2011 1:51 AM CST reply actions

I'm late!

I got all the info you need/want. If you need a hotel, the one I work at has an Iowa special and is two miles from Stadium and Mill Ave. Won’t post details cause not supposed to advertise, but get in touch if you need a room (twitter is best way).

I will also have a medium to large size tailgate going before the game. Met a few of you last year in Tucson and the Insight, will have same thing going. All are welcome! We are friendly and inviting!

Will post more as its gets close, but get in touch if you have any questions!

@twsmith23

'They are who we thought they were!'

by twsmith23 on Dec 12, 2011 9:56 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

So ideas and should we all hit this site and postings on the 26th to get plans made? I would love to meet some of the posters here.

by nwyms Trebek! on Dec 14, 2011 10:45 PM CST up reply actions

Here's a link to the PHX I-Club's list of events

Insight Bowl events

seriously?

by PSD on Dec 15, 2011 10:02 AM CST reply actions

Tailgating

I’m not going this year, but from last year, there were a couple gravel/dirt lots very close to the stadium on the south side where we tailgated, and it worked out pretty well. Parking is only like 5 bucks and you can leave it there overnight if you wind up celebrating a bit too much before/during/after the game to drive. If you get there early (like 12:30 PM, which seemed like a late start to us), they won’t let you into the main lots below the stadium to the north. Apparently ASU is lame.

by NorseHawk on Dec 20, 2011 12:12 PM CST reply actions

Tailgate is set!

Just got the parking pass for the RV today. I’ll have a fairly large tailgate going on at my brother’s RV before the game. Unfortunately, parking lots don’t open until 4pm, and they are strict about this (ASU sucks). We sat across the street from the entrance for 3 hours last year waiting to get in. It is parking lot J, on the NE corner of Rio Salado Dr and Packard, on the north side of the stadium.

All BHGPers are welcome to swing by and say hi, grab some food, or have a few beers. Easiest way to get a hold of me on gameday is email or twitter. My twitter is same as my username here, and my email is also the same as my username, at gmail.

I’ll also be at most of the events going on that week, including the Big Bang on Wednesday and the Hawkeye Huddle on Thursday. If anyone wants to get together, let me know. And if you’re still in need of a hotel, I’ll hook you up there as well.