Tennessee Game Advice - Tickets, Parking, Things To Do, etc.

[XUOWNSUC]

I'm planning on taking the family to see Xavier play Tennessee at the end of the month. I'm starting to look for tickets. Has anybody been to Thompson-Boling Arena before? Are the upper level seats crap like the uc's shoemaker center (5/3 arena or whatever it is called today)? Is parking easy/difficult? The game is at 6pm - any suggestions for what to do in Knoxville before the game?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Anybody else going?

[flatspat]

There's Cumberland Av aka The Strip. There are many bars/restaurants to choose from.I don't know where the strip is in relation to the arena but it's a short walk to Neyland stadium.

[X-band '01]

I'm planning on taking the family to see Xavier play Tennessee at the end of the month. I'm starting to look for tickets. Has anybody been to Thompson-Boling Arena before? Are the upper level seats crap like the uc's shoemaker center (5/3 arena or whatever it is called today)? Is parking easy/difficult? The game is at 6pm - any suggestions for what to do in Knoxville before the game?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Anybody else going?

Last time they played in K-ville, the crowd was so sparse that they just invited everyone down into the lower bowl for the game. I doubt that would happen again, but I'm not sure what crowds they've averaged since Pearl got canned.

[CinciX12]

Every time I drive through Knoxville on my way to Gatlinburg, I am just overwhelmed with this sense of boredom. Beautiful area, not a ton to do that doesn't involve campus is the impression I get.

Am I wrong those of you who have been?

[X-ROX]

I'm planning on taking the family to see Xavier play Tennessee at the end of the month. I'm starting to look for tickets. Has anybody been to Thompson-Boling Arena before? Are the upper level seats crap like the uc's shoemaker center (5/3 arena or whatever it is called today)? Is parking easy/difficult? The game is at 6pm - any suggestions for what to do in Knoxville before the game?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Anybody else going?

I'm also planning the trip with family. Never been there. Any suggestions on specific places to eat and drink (kid friendly) would be greatly appreciated. I did find a micro brewery close by ,called Downtown grill & brewery, that we'll probably visit before game. $2 drafts for happy hour. Not sure what to do after.

[X-ROX]

Also bought 4 tix on stubhub for $25 total. That's what sold me on doing a road trip

[UCGRAD4X]

Every time I drive through Knoxville on my way to Gatlinburg, I am just overwhelmed with this sense of boredom. Beautiful area, not a ton to do that doesn't involve campus is the impression I get.

Am I wrong those of you who have been?

Visited friends who relocated there from NKY. They have since re-relocated to Dallas and still talk about how unbelievably boring Knoxville was/is.

[XUOWNSUC]

Visited friends who relocated there from NKY. They have since re-relocated to Dallas and still talk about how unbelievably boring Knoxville was/is.

It apparently is very boring considering how many people have replied to this post.

[SlimKibbles]

Last time they played in K-ville, the crowd was so sparse that they just invited everyone down into the lower bowl for the game. I doubt that would happen again, but I'm not sure what crowds they've averaged since Pearl got canned.

I was at that game and my group moved down from the upper level after that announcement. Never been to a sporting event where they made an announcement like that. That game still bugs me. X was in control the entire time until the last couple of minutes. The Vols fans all kept their mouth shut the entire time until they took the lead. That's when they started talking sh*t. Anyway my friends and I drove up and back in one day so we didn't get to experience what sounds to be the boring K-ville night life.

[paulxu]

The biggest drawback to watching a game there is the repetition of the fight song. You will be sick of Rocky Top when you leave.
But on Neyland Dr. (the street that runs along the river) only a few blocks away is Calhouns on the River, which serves passable ribs and stuff.

[boozehound]

Make sure to take in the local culture by doing some butt-chugging at one of the fraternity houses on campus.

[WCWIII]

Went to the World's Fair in 1982 and then spent two summers in the late 80s as an intern at UT. Been back a couple times since, though mostly to get to the Smoky Mtns. So my info is rather dated, but Knoxville is a nice city. Cumberland Ave, as mentioned above, has the student/university bars/restaurants. Heading west from town lead to some suburban areas with good places. I'm not so into country music, but if you want to try two-stepping, I'm sure there are some places. I generally find great hospitality at SEC away games - I'm sure Xavier faithful will find things to do and enjoy.