GMAC BOWL Game and Travel Info

[ZiggyZoomba]

Keeping this sticky for a one-stop shop for all bowl-game info....

[MobileBama]

Here are some great hotels downtown and some right off the interstate.

Brand new awesome hotel right on the parade route: Book fast!

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/m ... nce-hotel/

Awesome bar at the top and on parade route:

http://www.memberservicecenter.org/irmw ... ng&kn=2305

On parade route:

http://www.radisson.com/mobileal

So-so hotel but in a great location and fun (good for college students)

http://www.ramadamobile.com/

Newly rennovated. Great hotel downtown

http://marriott.brulant.com/Default.asp ... eservation

Smaller downtown hotel.

http://www.malagainn.com/


Good hotels close to the interstate:

http://www.memberservicecenter.org/irmw ... ng&kn=2265

http://www.memberservicecenter.org/irmw ... ng&kn=2283

Brand new Hampton
http://www.memberservicecenter.org/irmw ... ng&kn=2942

Nice hotel near the mall
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/m ... -marriott/

http://www.wingateinns.com/Wingate/control/home

Coming from Florida (5 minutes from downtown- east of Mobile)

http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi ... cn=MOBEHGI

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/e ... tid=146249


If you really want to make a vacation, try these:

http://www.memberservicecenter.org/irmw ... ng&kn=2326

http://www.gulfshores.com/

Also for Greek students:

You can call your chapter for a free place to stay. Most have on campus houses and I'm sure they wouldn't mind. This is a great way to save money and enjoy Mobile with some local students.

http://www.southalabama.edu/campusinvolvement/frat.html

[MobileBama]

Falcon Bar:

Pat's
271 Dauphin St, Mobile - (251) 438-9585

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?se ... L&zipcode=

Will be open Saturday from 2pm-'till so come here and meet up before you walk to the parade then come back after the parade. Acoustic music will be on hand. Bring flags, shakers, any thing orange/brown to decorate the bar. I just spoke with the manager and he's excited. Please tell as many students, families, alums, etc. Maybe some one can send a message on facebook to all the students. I will be there and hope to meet every one.

[bgbill]

this being offered, don't know how many passengers will make it viable:
http://bgsufalcons.cstv.com/genrel/121207aae.html

[MobileBama]

Can't miss restaurants:

Seafood

Felix's Fish Camp- $$$
http://www.felixsfishcamp.com/

Ed's Seafood Shed- $$$ (my favorite)
http://www.edsshed.com/

The Original Oyster House- $$ (great for kids)
http://www.originaloysterhouse.com/

Wintzells Oyster Bar- $$ (great atmosphere)
http://www.wintzellsoysterhouse.com/



BBQ

Brick Pit BBQ- $ (get the PULLED PORK)
http://www.brickpit.com/

Dreamland BBQ- $$ (get the RIBS)
http://www.dreamlandbbq.com/default.aspx?id=45



Fun Food

The Dew Drop Inn- $ (GREAT hot dogs)
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=323

Guido's- $$ (sit in the front part and order off the black board...real cool restaurant)
http://www.domsoto.com/mobile/dine01.htm#Guido

Samurai J- $$ (best Sushi in Mobile)
http://www.samuraij.com/




Fine Dining- MAKE RESERVATIONS


NoJa's (My favorite/ make a reservation)
http://www.nojamobile.com/

Cafe Royal (make reservation)
http://local.yahoo.com/details?id=33312042

The Bakery
1104 Dauphin St, Mobile, AL 36604-2512

True ($$$$- make reservations. Brand new and I heard it's awesome...should be in NY or LA)
http://truedine.com/

The Pillars
http://www.thepillarsmobile.com/justine ... /Index.htm

Ruth Chris Steakhouse (best service in Mobile)
http://www.ruthschris.com/locations/mob ... house.html

Royal Scam (cool restaurant)
http://www.domsoto.com/mobile/dine01.htm#scam

[MobileBama]

Mobile Nightlife

Dauphin Street is the place to be. Friday night can be slow, but Saturday is packed

Younger crowd (21+)

Pat's- BG meeting place

Boo Radleys- standing only bar (best place to see local college students)

Grand Central- live music and fun crowd

Soul Kitchen- Friday night is The Tips Tops. They are the best mo-town band in the southeast. Get there early and have a blast. This is the place to be Friday...TRUST ME!! There should be some older folks there too.
http://www.soulkitchenmobile.com/

Martini's- fun dance club upstairs and a balcony overlooking Dauphin Street
Cell Block- kind of an underground rock/grunge bar

Older crowd (30+) and nicer bars on or near Dauphin. No shorts and t-shirts

Cafe 615- $$
http://www.10best.com/Mobile/Restaurant ... BID_63163/

Royal Scam- $$

Sky View Lounge
http://skyviewlounge.com/

The Battle House Bar- $$
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/m ... nce-hotel/

The Wine Loft- $$ (Very attractive crowd, especially Thursday night)
http://www.thewineloft.net/3.0/

If you want a cool Irish bar, you have to stop by
http://www.callaghansirishsocialclub.com/main.htm

It's in the middle of a neighborhood and has really friendly people there

[MobileBama]

Things to do (off the beaten path)

Fairhope, AL- if you have some time, drive 45 minutes to Fairhope and enjoy the shopping, views and friendly people
http://www.coastalliving.com/coastal/tr ... -2,00.html

Springhill College- great place to take the kids and get some exercise. Beautiful campus with huge oak trees and antebellum buildings
http://www.shc.edu/visit/
http://www.mobilechamber.com/images/springhill2.jpg

Alligator Alley (for that true redneck experience)
http://www.gatoralleyfarm.com/

Historic Mobile
http://www.historicmobile.org/

Robert Trent Jones Golf Course
http://www.rtjgolf.com/courses/magnolia_grove/

Drive down Mobile's "canopy roads" and through the historic neighborhoods
(Government Street, Ashland Place, Monterey Place)

[MobileBama]

Kid's stuff:

The Exploreum (they will LOVE this place)
http://www.exploreum.net/

Alligator Alley (see above)

USA vs. Western Kentucky- basketball (biggest game of the year, awesome crowd!! + The Mitchell Center is one of the best arena's in the south. Oh and they sell beer)
http://www.usajaguars.com/SportSelect.d ... PSID=38470

USS Alabama
http://www.ussalabama.com/

Springhill College - great campus to get out and run around. Huge oak trees to climb

[MobileBama]

GMAC Mardi Gras parade/pep-rally (HIGHLIGHT OF THE BOWL EXPERIENCE)

Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008

GREER'S FOOD TIGER MARDI GRAS PARADE
6:30 P.M. - A Mardi Gras Parade will be held in the streets of downtown Mobile starting at 6:30 P.M. 16 Mardi Gras societies will be represented with floats and throws for the crowd. Several local high school marching bands will join the parade, as well as the bands and cheerleaders from each participating Bowl team. A huge crowd is expected to pack the streets of downtown Mobile for this early rendition of the Mardi Gras season.

SPECTRONICS FIREWORKS DISPLAY AND PEP RALLIES
Immediately following the Mardi Gras parade a fireworks display over Mobile River will highlite the festivities and set the tone for both participating universities official pre-game pep rallies.

Following the fireworks the party will move to Water street and South Plaza for live music from top Country and R&B acts.

[The Niz]

I have been waiting since 2004 to check out Boo Radley's. The FMB has a lock down time which kind of sucks and university stature states that alcohol consumption of any kind is prohibited and considered grounds for expulsion. But it looked like the coolest place in town as a starry eyed 18 year old freshman!

[1987alum]

If you're bringing kids, definitely check out the Exploreum. MobileBama is, as usual, spot on. It's a phenomenal place - lots of interactive exhibits.

The parade is an obvious must-see, but the fireworks were awesome last time and the pep rally was a great time, too. Don't miss 'em!

[BGDrew]

Where's the pep rally going to be at?

[MobileBama]

Pep-Rally Info:

http://www.touralabama.org/things-to-do ... fm?id=7308

Located downtown at The Mobile Convention Center:

http://www.mobileconventions.com/

[The Niz]

From the espn.com article it almost seemed like Mr. Meyer talked as though we don't appreciate the opportunity to play down there. You folks affiliated with the bowl aren't feeling that from us are you?

[MobileBama]

The people of Mobile really enjoy the fans from both schools whether it's 100 or 10,000. We'll still have a good time and watch some great football