My 31 Stadium Journey ends in the Big Easy

st thomas · 12-18-2009, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by Questfor31

Hello Saints Fans,
Over the last four years, I’ve been traveling to NFL stadiums across the country in an attempt to see a professional football game in each one, a feat I call the Quest for 31. My goal is to truly understand what it’s like to be a fan of every franchise in the NFL. As part of my immersive study on the home team experience, I show up early on gameday, tailgate with local fans, eat local foods, and wear a home team jersey to rally the home team to victory. After each visit, I summarize my weekend in an online stadium review which I then post on the website, www.nflfootballstadiums.com.

I will complete my four year journey in New Orleans at the Louisiana Superdome on December 27, 2009 when the Tampa Bay Bucs come to town. It will be my 31st and final Stadium on my NFL Journey. I was wondering if you might recommend some superb New Orleans Saints Tailgating outside the Superdome or some gameday traditions I need to make sure I check in on while I’m in town, considering that my aim is to truly appreciate the home team experience. It's been a long road but I look forward to completing the journey this year. Do most Saints fans dress up in costume for the games?

theres the gotsaints club puts on a awesome tailgate every game 10 bucks all you can eat allways kick ass eating look under the ramp at poydras i think

Questfor31 · 12-19-2009, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by st thomas

theres the gotsaints club puts on a awesome tailgate every game 10 bucks all you can eat allways kick ass eating look under the ramp at poydras i think

Very Cool. Thanks for the tip. So do most Saints fans just hit the bar area before the game? What time do they open? With folks dressing up in costume, what kinds of costumes do they wear? Any themes, like the Raider wear lots of skulls, that sort of thing?

SmashMouth · 12-19-2009, 10:20 AM

A little taste of N'Awlins!

YouTube- Kermit Ruffins - Smokin with some Barbecue

You might get sum of dat around da Dome!

Questfor31 · 12-21-2009, 11:22 AM

Good Stuff. I'm really bummin' you guys couldn't pull out the win on on Saturday. Maybe it's for the best, though. With that monkey off your back, the Saints can get to the business of winning a World Championship. Still trying to convince the wife that leaving Detroit on Christmas Day Eve is a "good" idea, but we'll be down there in plenty of time for kickoff.

Questfor31 · 12-21-2009, 12:06 PM

Does anyone have any connections with the Saints themselves. I've been trying to get them to commemorate this occasion for me in some way. It doesn't have to be anything ridiculous, but it would be nice to do something. It is a four year journey, that i've now completed, and one in which I've spent a considerable amount of personal resources on. I've had very little luck getting their attention. Any suggestions? Oh and parking. Any suggestions on parking?

skymike · 12-21-2009, 05:10 PM

Parking will be an adventure. They have some in the Dome, but then you're a hostage for 2 hours after the game. Parking is all over the downtown area (we call it the Central Business District, or "CBD.") and it is pretty much a mixture of exploitation and chaos. Early Sunday Morning, they jack up the prices for "event day," so if you already happen to be parked there saturday night, and your ticket is good for 24 hours, then your space is yours, and there's nothing they can do about it.

You're gonna spend 20 or 30 bucks, and theres almost no way out of it, so just bend over and take it. BUT. Here are some alternatives:

1. Stay parked at your hotel. (ask them, if this exceeds checkout time) N.O. is very walkable. I'm 45 and I have no problem walking from the French Quarter to the Superdome. If your hotel is in the CBD, even better! If your hotel is near the airport, then I would get a cab or a shuttle, and just walk around everywhere.

2. Get in a parking spot Saturday evening, get a 24 hour ticket (which exceeds your estimated leaving time after the game!) and stay parked there. Again, N.O. is very walkable. In fact the walk down Poydras to the Dome, and back to the French Quarter is basically a fun, party-like Parade. I feel sorry for people who dont see what the streets are like on game day.

neugey · 12-21-2009, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by Questfor31

Does anyone have any connections with the Saints themselves. I've been trying to get them to commemorate this occasion for me in some way. It doesn't have to be anything ridiculous, but it would be nice to do something. It is a four year journey, that i've now completed, and one in which I've spent a considerable amount of personal resources on. I've had very little luck getting their attention. Any suggestions? Oh and parking. Any suggestions on parking?

I'm not an expert of any kind about NOLA, but I'd sure think that WWL Saints radio or the New Orleans Times-Picayune might be interested in your story and able to get you some recognition for completing your NFL stadium tour.

UK_WhoDat · 12-21-2009, 07:13 PM

Questfor31

Very impressive indeed.
Enjoy the Dome. You left the best til last.

Questfor31 · 12-23-2009, 09:17 PM

Thanks for the input folks, I'm working on trying to figure out how I'm going to fit in all the sites of NOLA, plus a game on Sunday in the span of a few days. Also working to convince the wife that driving to New Orleans on Christmas Day Eve to see a football game is actually a "good" idea. Oh and I need metallic gold facepaint ... anyone know where I can get some of that?

BOLTS4LIFE · 12-24-2009, 01:03 AM

Originally Posted by Papa Voodoo

Very cool idea. And, boy did you pick the right time to visit the dome. This is going to be the rowdiest party in the dome ever. New England was huge but Monday night. No holds barred on a Saturday in the Dome.

There isn't as much tailgating as you may think since the dome is built kinda funny. San Diego has that nailed pretty well.

I would suggest going to the ACME Oyster House just off Burbon St and Canal. There is a parking lot directly across from ACMe that will cost you 12 bucks all day/night. Order the "10 napkin" debris Po-Boy and make sure to ask for it "dressed." Order some Abita beer or Barq's root beer, a dozen oysters on the half shell and a cup of chicken and andouille sausage Gumbo. Then, just walk about 1/2 mile to the dome and there will be a big concert going on for a couple hours before the game. Of course, you should be holding a large beer in a cup or a Daquiri heading over there )

Mother's is good too, but no parking and the debris isn't as good as ACME. Arguing about who has the best Roast Beef Poboys is New Orleans' favorite past-time next to the Saints. A lot of fans wear jerseys but there are some special characters we all love. I'd say get a Vilma jersey b/c everyone has Brees and McAllister covered. Mike McKenzie would be a good one too. You are really gonna like this.

Is that the place that has ten cent oysters? I spent A LOT of time there!

12-18-2009, 10:15 PM	#21
st thomas Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: lafayette Posts: 7,753	Re: My 31 Stadium Journey ends in the Big Easy Originally Posted by Questfor31 Hello Saints Fans, Over the last four years, I’ve been traveling to NFL stadiums across the country in an attempt to see a professional football game in each one, a feat I call the Quest for 31. My goal is to truly understand what it’s like to be a fan of every franchise in the NFL. As part of my immersive study on the home team experience, I show up early on gameday, tailgate with local fans, eat local foods, and wear a home team jersey to rally the home team to victory. After each visit, I summarize my weekend in an online stadium review which I then post on the website, www.nflfootballstadiums.com. I will complete my four year journey in New Orleans at the Louisiana Superdome on December 27, 2009 when the Tampa Bay Bucs come to town. It will be my 31st and final Stadium on my NFL Journey. I was wondering if you might recommend some superb New Orleans Saints Tailgating outside the Superdome or some gameday traditions I need to make sure I check in on while I’m in town, considering that my aim is to truly appreciate the home team experience. It's been a long road but I look forward to completing the journey this year. Do most Saints fans dress up in costume for the games? theres the gotsaints club puts on a awesome tailgate every game 10 bucks all you can eat allways kick ass eating look under the ramp at poydras i think

12-19-2009, 08:35 AM	#22
Questfor31 Rookie Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 18	Re: My 31 Stadium Journey ends in the Big Easy Originally Posted by st thomas theres the gotsaints club puts on a awesome tailgate every game 10 bucks all you can eat allways kick ass eating look under the ramp at poydras i think Very Cool. Thanks for the tip. So do most Saints fans just hit the bar area before the game? What time do they open? With folks dressing up in costume, what kinds of costumes do they wear? Any themes, like the Raider wear lots of skulls, that sort of thing?
Questfor31 Rookie Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 18

12-21-2009, 11:22 AM	#24
Questfor31 Rookie Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 18	Re: My 31 Stadium Journey ends in the Big Easy Good Stuff. I'm really bummin' you guys couldn't pull out the win on on Saturday. Maybe it's for the best, though. With that monkey off your back, the Saints can get to the business of winning a World Championship. Still trying to convince the wife that leaving Detroit on Christmas Day Eve is a "good" idea, but we'll be down there in plenty of time for kickoff.
Questfor31 Rookie Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 18

12-21-2009, 12:06 PM	#25
Questfor31 Rookie Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 18	Re: My 31 Stadium Journey ends in the Big Easy Does anyone have any connections with the Saints themselves. I've been trying to get them to commemorate this occasion for me in some way. It doesn't have to be anything ridiculous, but it would be nice to do something. It is a four year journey, that i've now completed, and one in which I've spent a considerable amount of personal resources on. I've had very little luck getting their attention. Any suggestions? Oh and parking. Any suggestions on parking?
Questfor31 Rookie Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 18

12-21-2009, 05:10 PM	#26
skymike E. Side Cholo Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Barrio, H-town Posts: 6,089	Re: My 31 Stadium Journey ends in the Big Easy Parking will be an adventure. They have some in the Dome, but then you're a hostage for 2 hours after the game. Parking is all over the downtown area (we call it the Central Business District, or "CBD.") and it is pretty much a mixture of exploitation and chaos. Early Sunday Morning, they jack up the prices for "event day," so if you already happen to be parked there saturday night, and your ticket is good for 24 hours, then your space is yours, and there's nothing they can do about it. You're gonna spend 20 or 30 bucks, and theres almost no way out of it, so just bend over and take it. BUT. Here are some alternatives: 1. Stay parked at your hotel. (ask them, if this exceeds checkout time) N.O. is very walkable. I'm 45 and I have no problem walking from the French Quarter to the Superdome. If your hotel is in the CBD, even better! If your hotel is near the airport, then I would get a cab or a shuttle, and just walk around everywhere. 2. Get in a parking spot Saturday evening, get a 24 hour ticket (which exceeds your estimated leaving time after the game!) and stay parked there. Again, N.O. is very walkable. In fact the walk down Poydras to the Dome, and back to the French Quarter is basically a fun, party-like Parade. I feel sorry for people who dont see what the streets are like on game day.

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12-21-2009, 06:38 PM	#27
neugey Hu Dat! Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6,720 Blog Entries: 13	Re: My 31 Stadium Journey ends in the Big Easy Originally Posted by Questfor31 Does anyone have any connections with the Saints themselves. I've been trying to get them to commemorate this occasion for me in some way. It doesn't have to be anything ridiculous, but it would be nice to do something. It is a four year journey, that i've now completed, and one in which I've spent a considerable amount of personal resources on. I've had very little luck getting their attention. Any suggestions? Oh and parking. Any suggestions on parking? I'm not an expert of any kind about NOLA, but I'd sure think that WWL Saints radio or the New Orleans Times-Picayune might be interested in your story and able to get you some recognition for completing your NFL stadium tour.

12-21-2009, 07:13 PM	#28
UK_WhoDat 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Wherever I lay my hat Posts: 3,984	Re: My 31 Stadium Journey ends in the Big Easy Questfor31 Very impressive indeed. Enjoy the Dome. You left the best til last.

12-23-2009, 09:17 PM	#29
Questfor31 Rookie Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 18	Re: My 31 Stadium Journey ends in the Big Easy Thanks for the input folks, I'm working on trying to figure out how I'm going to fit in all the sites of NOLA, plus a game on Sunday in the span of a few days. Also working to convince the wife that driving to New Orleans on Christmas Day Eve to see a football game is actually a "good" idea. Oh and I need metallic gold facepaint ... anyone know where I can get some of that?
Questfor31 Rookie Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 18

12-24-2009, 01:03 AM	#30
BOLTS4LIFE OUR NEW REGIME! Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 564	Re: My 31 Stadium Journey ends in the Big Easy Originally Posted by Papa Voodoo Very cool idea. And, boy did you pick the right time to visit the dome. This is going to be the rowdiest party in the dome ever. New England was huge but Monday night. No holds barred on a Saturday in the Dome. There isn't as much tailgating as you may think since the dome is built kinda funny. San Diego has that nailed pretty well. I would suggest going to the ACME Oyster House just off Burbon St and Canal. There is a parking lot directly across from ACMe that will cost you 12 bucks all day/night. Order the "10 napkin" debris Po-Boy and make sure to ask for it "dressed." Order some Abita beer or Barq's root beer, a dozen oysters on the half shell and a cup of chicken and andouille sausage Gumbo. Then, just walk about 1/2 mile to the dome and there will be a big concert going on for a couple hours before the game. Of course, you should be holding a large beer in a cup or a Daquiri heading over there ) Mother's is good too, but no parking and the debris isn't as good as ACME. Arguing about who has the best Roast Beef Poboys is New Orleans' favorite past-time next to the Saints. A lot of fans wear jerseys but there are some special characters we all love. I'd say get a Vilma jersey b/c everyone has Brees and McAllister covered. Mike McKenzie would be a good one too. You are really gonna like this. Is that the place that has ten cent oysters? I spent A LOT of time there!