Eat here, see this, don’t miss
ALABAMA
Allison Lowery & Carol Johnson
Eat here:
Your friend’s tailgate. The best food I’ve had in T-town usually comes from a tailgater next door, no matter my location. There’s an open-door policy at most tailgates, so it’s fun (and delish) to try what others claim as their “signature dish.” I’ve had everything from Gator-Kebabs (courtesy of when the Gators came to town) and tailgate-tinis made with unknown liquors straight up the food ladder to classic dirty martinis and perfectly grilled pork tenderloin.
See this:
The “fashion.” Every year the girls strut their stuff in ever-changing game-day attire. How can you wear houndstooth, crimson, and white in seven different ways (enough ways to cover all the home games)? We find a way! The guys are fun to watch, too. You’ll see grown men wearing red pants with little elephants stitched on them, and I don’t care what people say, the girls in T-town are the prettiest I’ve seen (starting with my 3- and 6-year olds!).
Don’t miss:
Post-game fun. I especially love a game that ends after the sun goes down. The quad is lit with twinkle lights strung from tents, TVs going with another SEC game or a post-show recap of the win (or loss, very few of those thanks to Saint Nick), and an overall air of part fun and part relief. Most of us who go on game day are also die-hard fans. We love to celebrate a win (or discuss the details of a loss) with our fellow Bama friends. The party continues down the strip, and plans are made for the next home game. What will you cook? What will you wear? How bad will we beat them?
Katie Brown
Eat here:
If you’re in Tuscaloosa for game day, you have to stop by Rama Jama’s to get breakfast. The wait is long, but it’s worth it. They have the best biscuits in town, and there’s Alabama memorabilia all over the walls.
See this:
If you’ve never been in Tuscaloosa on game day, you absolutely have to go to the quad to tailgate. Even if you’re not tailgating, just walking around and taking in the atmosphere is a must. The Million Dollar Band performance before the game gets everyone excited.
Don’t miss:
You can’t miss the Walk of Champions. All the players walk into the stadium, and everyone cheers them on. Seeing the massive size of our players is always exciting for us and intimidating for the other team.
AUBURN
Caroline Beauchaine
2012 Oak Mountain graduate
Eat here:
Nothing says Auburn like Toomer’s Corner! And game day wouldn’t be complete without a large glass of freshly squeezed lemonade from Toomer’s Drugs.
See this:
If it is your first experience at an Auburn football game, you cannot miss Tiger Walk. There is no better way to feel the Auburn spirit than by immersing yourself in a sea of orange and blue fans cheering on the Tigers as they make their trek into Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Don’t miss:
My favorite tradition at Auburn is the flight of the eagle around the stadium just before kickoff. When Nova finally lands on the field and the entire stadium erupts in a triumphant “War Eagle!”, the unity of the Auburn family fills the air. It’s an experience you cannot miss.
Chris Woodham
Eat here:
My favorite stop is Niffer’s Place right off of Opelika Highway. They’ve got a wide selection in food and drink items plus plenty of TVs to catch the game. Coming in a close second would be the Turkey Wraps at The Amsterdam Cafe.
See this:
This is what I tell all of my co-workers who might have moved to the state or friends who aren’t aware of Auburn traditions. Without a doubt, the must-see experience is when Nova or Spirit hover over the stadium and then dive down to land near the 50-yard line. There’s nothing like it anywhere in sports.
Don’t miss:
You can’t miss campus on any game day. You can sense the buzz in the air – whether we’re talking Monday afternoon or 30 minutes before kickoff. My can’t-miss spots are Tiger Walk, tailgating on the lawn, and then heading off to celebrate a victory with friends in downtown Auburn. Toomer’s trees may be gone, but the spirit is still there.