GatorTailgating.com is doing a series of articles on where and how to tailgate at all of the Gator Football away games. This is the first article for 2010, with tips on how to do it up right in Tuscaloosa for the UF/Alabama match-up!  

1. Where are the good and bad areas of town for motels to stay in the night before/after the big game?
At this point, any place that is actually in Tuscaloosa city limits should be considered excellent accommodations. This is one of the biggest games of the year- most fans have booked months in advance! Contact the Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1.800.538.8696 or www.VisitTuscaloosa.com for info on accommodations that may still have availability; otherwise, plan on making the trek down to Tuscaloosa from Birmingham, 45 minutes northeast on I-59.  

2. What are some attractions in Tuscaloosa that a visitor shouldn't miss? (i.e. nightclubs, bars, theme parks, tourist attractions, etc.)
A visit to Tuscaloosa isn’t complete without a stroll through the Paul W. Bryant Museum on UA campus. Learn about the history of college football’s “winningest” coach, check out gameday traditions, and buy into the houndstooth fashion he started with your very own hat in the gift shop! Hours are 9am-4pm daily, $2 admission for adults.

Other must-visit areas? University Blvd, or “the Strip,” hosts a myriad of favored bars and clubs, from The Houndstooth, Rounders, Innisfree Pub, and more- it’s where all the nightlife’s at, especially during game weekends!

3. Where should a visiting fan go to eat while in Tuscaloosa?
I have two words for you: Dreamland Bar-B-Que Tuscaloosa is home to their original location, close to I-59 and UA campus.  There really …..."Ain't nothing like 'em .. nowhere". 5535 15th Avenue, (205) 758-8135.

If you need to nurse your Friday night hangover before heading out to tailgate, The Waysider’s biscuits are faves among the Crimson Tide.   Their menu is Southern-style breakfast-only on weekends. Come for the ho-made biscuits topped with redeye gravy…. Yummers.  1512 Greensboro Avenue,  (205) 345-8239.

4. Is there an area or a part of Tuscaloosa that the visiting fans usually congregate/tailgate/park? If so, any address or directions on how to get there would be a big help. If visiting fans usually spread out all around the stadium, help us by telling us where the best area to tailgate is with the most room.
THE place to tailgate for UA and visiting fans alike is the Quad. Plenty of visiting fans will set up on The Quad, and they are welcomed by Bama fans, so feel free to jump right in - the water's warm. According to www.uagameday.com, to accommodate the Crimson Ride transit system and routes, an unloading zone will be open along 9th Avenue on the west side of The Quad during the following times:

• • Friday 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 
  • Gameday 6:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. for morning games
  • Gameday 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. for afternoon games
  • Gameday 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. for evening games and Homecoming (the 2010 Alabama game is at 7PM CDT)
  • Post game –  when pedestrian and Gameday traffic clears (approximately two hours after the end of the game or sooner if determined by law enforcement officials)

Actually, there’s so much info on setup, parking, gameday traffic flow and such on UA Gameday http://uagameday.com/football that will be the best resource when planning your set-up. Also, check out http://uagameday.com/football/parking-info.php for information on parking.

5. Are there any special rules we should know about tailgating on or off campus, open-container policies we should be forewarned about, or anything of the sort?
No worries about drinking restrictions- but please be respectful of The Quad, and the rules listed on www.uagameday.com regarding generators, grills, dumping of cooking oils and charcoal (all prohibited) and more regulations that are in place to maintain The Quad (check out http://www.uagameday.com/football/the-quad.php ). Just think of how you’d want UF campus treated!

6. Any gameday traditions we should not miss while in Tuscaloosa?
The Walk of Champions takes place a few hours before the game and the football coaches and players exit the bus and enter the stadium at the North end zone, facing University Boulevard. Also located there are statues of all the of the Alabama coaches that have won a national championship.

Special thanks to our friends over at www.tidefans.com for helping provide info for this article!