Apologies, but more bowl game questions from the rookie.....

[OhioLion]

I see the Official Penn State tailgate is $75 a pop. My son (17 years old) and I are looking for activities from the time we get up in the morning until we go to the stadium at 1:00. Tailgate sounds like a good time, but I can't see myself dropping $150 for wings and munchies. I don't drink my money's worth and would only partake of a couple of beers.

What do the majority of fans do day of game with time on their hands?

My son suggested walking around downtown Phoenix, but I am kinda sort "eh" to that. Drive the outskirts of the city? Head to the Mountain Preserve north of the city? Hang out around the stadium? Find some good Penn State Fans who are tailgating and join them?

Again, this is our maiden voyage to a bowl game. Our normal routine visiting the Happiest of Valleys is CC Peppers, hang out in parking lot for a while and then be in the stadium for team warmups.

Any help is greatly appreciated! TIA (But, really, the $150 is out!!)

OL

 

[Obliviax]

I see the Official Penn State tailgate is $75 a pop. My son (17 years old) and I are looking for activities from the time we get up in the morning until we go to the stadium at 1:00. Tailgate sounds like a good time, but I can't see myself dropping $150 for wings and munchies. I don't drink my money's worth and would only partake of a couple of beers.

What do the majority of fans do day of game with time on their hands?

My son suggested walking around downtown Phoenix, but I am kinda sort "eh" to that. Drive the outskirts of the city? Head to the Mountain Preserve north of the city? Hang out around the stadium? Find some good Penn State Fans who are tailgating and join them?

Again, this is our maiden voyage to a bowl game. Our normal routine visiting the Happiest of Valleys is CC Peppers, hang out in parking lot for a while and then be in the stadium for team warmups.

Any help is greatly appreciated! TIA (But, really, the $150 is out!!)

OL

well, the game is at 2:00 mountain time. Do you golf? Nine holes at 7am sounds awesome right now. I'd hit the stadium around noon and hang. You'll find a lot to do.

 

[MilesBarkley]

I would suggest staying in the Glendale area. Drive to downtown Phoenix will be 30-60 minutes from Glendale.

There are always plenty of free gameday activities to do outside of the stadium. For example, last year at the Rose Bowl there were free areas opened up with games to win prizes, picture opportunities, etc.

Outside of the $75 "tailgate" at the Rose Bowl there was a game to win free tickets in. Ended up winning 4 free tickets. Would it have been worth paying $75? no. There was some free food and more of the same stuff (games, picture ops, etc.) mentioned above that was free. Not saying that the Fiesta will have same setup as Rose, but there was also similar free areas at the TaxSlayer and Pinstripe as well to participate.

Rent a car? Go grab subs, snacks, and beer and have your own tailgate!

 

[marshall23]

If I were not going to a tailgate activity.....I would walk to one of the tavern/restaurants near the stadium, grab a bite to eat and watch an earlier bowl game on the big screens?

 

[LBCnova]

You 2 could hike Camelback mountain. It gives an awesome view of the whole valley. Plenty of time to get to the stadium afterwards.

 

[john4psu]

I make it a point to leisurely walk around the stadium so I try see everything and take it all in.

When my son was into Nascar (I have no explanation why but thankfully it was a short phase), I took him to Dover and said let's walk around the whole thing. He said, "The track oval inside is over a mile!" I replied, "So?" We walked it.

After it was over he said, "Let's walk around it again rather than sit in traffic."

 

[mjh218]

There is not much to see in downtown Phoenix. You could definitely do a hike up Camelback in Scottsdale

 

[Wandering Spectator]

Here are some of my suggestions...

https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2017/12/11/penn-state-to-the-fiesta-bowl/

 

[PSU73]

It's hard to believe that it has been since 1997 that PSU last played in the Fiesta bowl.
I have a suggestion that may sound crazy, but I bet you get lots of help. The Buckeyes have played there the prior two years. Go to their board and ask about things to do. Buckeye fans travel well so I'm sure you'll get some ideas, and maybe some you'll like.

 

[odshowtime]

I was just at the hockey arena by the stadium a few weeks ago. There is a huge upscale entertainment district right next to the stadium. Walking distance. There are many stores and restaurants in there. Dave and Busters might be fun for you. Yard House had great beer and food. You can easily spend a few hours right next to the stadium. Just walking around and people watching would be decent.

I don't know what else is over on that side of town, but you could do what I did and go record shopping. Downtown Phoenix is worthless as far as I gather it would be a waste of time. Botanical Gardens is AMAZING but it is on the other side of town.

Eat as much Mexican food as possible. Barrio Queen, Blanco, Los Olivos... There's all my advice.

 

[PeetzPoolBoy]

I see the Official Penn State tailgate is $75 a pop. My son (17 years old) and I are looking for activities from the time we get up in the morning until we go to the stadium at 1:00. Tailgate sounds like a good time, but I can't see myself dropping $150 for wings and munchies. I don't drink my money's worth and would only partake of a couple of beers.

What do the majority of fans do day of game with time on their hands?

My son suggested walking around downtown Phoenix, but I am kinda sort "eh" to that. Drive the outskirts of the city? Head to the Mountain Preserve north of the city? Hang out around the stadium? Find some good Penn State Fans who are tailgating and join them?

Again, this is our maiden voyage to a bowl game. Our normal routine visiting the Happiest of Valleys is CC Peppers, hang out in parking lot for a while and then be in the stadium for team warmups.

Any help is greatly appreciated! TIA (But, really, the $150 is out!!)

OL

You’re overthinking this thing.

• DO attend the Pep Rally since it will be your first
• Skip the official tailgate. A money-grubbing Rip-off as are most PSU affiliated functions during the bowl.
• DO attend the Parade if it’s convenient for you, but it’s not the Rose Bowl Parade.
• DO some pre-game planning, such as
  • Learn the best place to park that affords tailgating. Be certain to learn the time that the parking lot will open
  • Learn the directions, distance and time from your hotel to the place you want to park
    
  • Google where the closest WalMart is located so that you can go purchase a cheap styrofoam cooler and snacks.
  • Google where to get the best hoagies near your hotel
  • On game day, we like to rise early, hit the store for ice, beverages and snacks. Then visit the hoagie shop and toss it into the cooler. Get to the parking lot to tailgate and meet new people.
• I recall you being on a fairly tight schedule, so I would not recommend attempting something “touristy” that would make you late for thegame itself.

 

[Wandering Spectator]

The timing of the parade is terrible. It starts at 9am and with a 2pm Kick, it doesn’t leave a lot of time in between especially considering traffic and travel to Glendale. Skip it and head out to the stadium. Hit Westgate, then make your way to the Fan Fest. On the way there, pop by some PSU tailgates.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Official PSU pep rally looks worthwhile - and free...

http://news.psu.edu/story/498838/20...i-and-fan-activities-planned-fiesta-bowl-week

 

[PeetzPoolBoy]

I see the Official Penn State tailgate is $75 a pop. My son (17 years old) and I are looking for activities from the time we get up in the morning until we go to the stadium at 1:00. Tailgate sounds like a good time, but I can't see myself dropping $150 for wings and munchies. I don't drink my money's worth and would only partake of a couple of beers.

What do the majority of fans do day of game with time on their hands?

My son suggested walking around downtown Phoenix, but I am kinda sort "eh" to that. Drive the outskirts of the city? Head to the Mountain Preserve north of the city? Hang out around the stadium? Find some good Penn State Fans who are tailgating and join them?

Again, this is our maiden voyage to a bowl game. Our normal routine visiting the Happiest of Valleys is CC Peppers, hang out in parking lot for a while and then be in the stadium for team warmups.

Any help is greatly appreciated! TIA (But, really, the $150 is out!!)

OL

I forgot to mention hitting this place as soon as they open at 6:30 am. You might not need to eat a hoagie pre-game, but it will be tasty post-game.

http://mattsbigbreakfast.com/

Oh, a purchase the cheapest , disposable football you can find at WalMart to toss with your son during your tailgate. If you don’t have room in your luggage to haul it home, just toss it out with the cooler.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

I forgot to mention hitting this place as soon as they open at 6:30 am. You might not need to eat a hoagie pre-game, but it will be tasty post-game.

http://mattsbigbreakfast.com/

Oh, a purchase the cheapest , disposable football you can find at WalMart to toss with your son during your tailgate. If you don’t have room in your luggage to haul it home, just toss it out with the cooler.

If not Matt's, Snooze (several locations) is another good place for breakfast.
Camelback is awesome, but I'd be worried about timing, and I would need to take a shower after the hike. You could do it if you start at 7 or 7:30, or whenever it is light enough to hike. If you do, bring water.