My 31 Stadium Journey ends in the Big Easy
 

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?

Re: My 31 Stadium Journey ends in the Big Easy
 

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 :o)

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.

Re: My 31 Stadium Journey ends in the Big Easy
 

any particular reason why we're your last and final stadium to visit? by the way, u gotta try some good boiled crawfish while ur here.

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is there a better way to end that awesome quest than watching the saints beat up on the cowgirls?

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He saved the best for last obviously

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Papa Voodoo and WV, you guys apparently didn't read all of his post. He's going to the Tampa game. Not the Cowgirls.

Re: My 31 Stadium Journey ends in the Big Easy
 

you really did an amazing job travelling around the country






NFL DRAFT

Re: My 31 Stadium Journey ends in the Big Easy
 

I thought about doing that already ... problem is, it's kinda expensive for two (me and the wife). And we wanted a slightly different version, the Saints in every stadium in the NFL. It's also interesting the treatment you get as an visiting opposing fan... Great job, 31, btw... and it's a cool idea to put it all in a website...or even a book, dare I say. And great choice of boards too! You'll love it here at BnG!

They got Mulate's by the convention center, and ACME and Mother's as previously suggested. It's not near the stadium, but for a great Po'boy, try The Parkway by the bayou in MidCity. Take in the sights in the Quarter. Watch out for folks asking and betting you "they know where you got dem shoes?" It'll a good experience for you. It's a shame you didn't pick the Saturday night game this weekend. It's going to be unreal!

Re: My 31 Stadium Journey ends in the Big Easy
 

ha ha ha ha... "Do Saints fans dress up? Man, you saved
the best for last. heh heh heh....

tailgating? The whole city is pretty much a tailgate--- but you'll want to see the French Quarter, Canal St, and then walk--- up Poydras or maybe LaSalle.

If you're um, "suburban" looking, be choosy which areas you walk. Always a good idea to wear Saints stuff. Dont bet with the guy who guesses the origin of your shoes.

The one thing I want you to understand is that we didnt just find our fanhood this year. We acted and dressed like this for 42 years. We
party like this even in the lean years. We love the Saints even when they suck.

So, we're having a little more fun this year. Actually, I dont know whats
going to happen now--- this is new territory.

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Don't be surprised if someone on Bourbon St. bets you they can tell you where you got your shoes...and assume that you will lose if you take the bet.

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and throw a little $ in the can
for those kids that dance in the street.

and dont believe all that Girls Gone Wild business--- keep your clothes on,
at least till midnight.

oh yeah, and tell your wife, just because it tastes like Kool Aid, doesnt mean you can gulp it. no wait--- tell her to gulp it, its candy, little girl.
and then walk around after midnight.

and if you dont suffer a little rectal burning in the morning, you didnt eat
the good stuff.

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HaHaHa... They have NO idea wut there get'n themselves into. LoL, yea, they will have a blast & a wonderful time, but i know he's sit'n there reading all these post about (Bet'n on his shoes)... Lmao, probably got him nervous & a lil worried about coming down here!!! hahaha

I still think it's awesome that he's traveled to every stadium & man, i wish he had decided to come to the $A!NT'z & Cowgal'z game..... I know for a fact he would be in shock at just how crunk that DOME is!!!

Wish'em luck, lol!!!

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he said he was going to end his quest on Dec. 27th when the Bucs come to town

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Never bet he imagined he'd be going to a NFL game with a (potentially) 14-0 home team!

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He's gonna **** his drawers when he hears our crowd.

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It was late. The Bucs game will be big if we beat the Cowboys.

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What an cool thing to accomplish... hopefully I'll have the chance to do something like this one day. Kudos to you.

Re: My 31 Stadium Journey ends in the Big Easy
 

Hey all, thanks for the words of encouragement and all the adviceon what to do. That's always the biggest challenge is trying to figure out what folks do on gameday. I have a Marques Colston Jersey, the wife will be wearing Reggie Bush. There's no particular reason NOLA was last, it just kinda worked out that way. this weekend I'm in Baltimore and Washington for a double-header. I gues I'll be drving into a snow storm tommorow. Really looking forward to getting down to NewOrleans. If you see me o the street pull me aside. I'll be sure to watch out for the shoe guys ... that seems kinda weird and I'll keep oming to your board. You guys have an incredible thing going on down there with the undefeated season. Enjoy it!

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Don't get talked to into buying any of the "ladies" on Bourbon St. any of those $15 champagne cocktails. (Unless you're into that kind of thing.)

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Way cool!!

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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

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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?

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A little taste of N'Awlins!


You might get sum of dat around da Dome!

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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.

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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?

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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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.

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Questfor31 :praise:
Very impressive indeed.
Enjoy the Dome. You left the best til last.

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?

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

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LOL!!! I fell for that. But the but was "I can tell you what you do for a living."
I think it was something like "you work work for a living." But I only bet a dollar, so it was all good.

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Questfor31... want an awesome journey!!!

Any plans to write a book?!!!

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Very cool Quest!!! It looks like the weather is going to be tough for you, but I hope it clears out in time for you. Of course we expect a FULL report after the game. Good luck to you.

Geaux Saints!!!

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I was originally offended by the fact that we were picked to be the last stop...but in the scheme of things it works out to be the "grand finale". I can work with that.

Did you know that there was a time when the NFL considered making the Superdome the official site of the Superbowl. They figured it wouldn't be a problem since the home team would never be the home team. j/k...of course...if there is one thing we should have developed by now is a sense of humor. :)

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I did not know that. cool. another interesting fact from LB, thanks.

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You've got tissue for skin!

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do we have to do this? :poke:

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You're right... Sorry LB.

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Yeah I think a book is definitely in the works. You like the Jersey idea? "QUEST FOR" in the name tag, with the jersey number 31. That's bad ass.

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Well, Happy Holidays folks ... I'll probably check the board again before leaving, but I need to get on the road tommorow night in the Quest Machine in the hopes of speding some quality time in NOLA. I hope to see many of you down there. I'll be in Section 125, so if you see me, pull me aside.