View topic - My first Heinz Field game, need some advice.

[Steel_Buckeye Profile]

Hey guys, My wife took a chance and got online and actualy got AFCCG tickets back before the Titans game. Well, we made it, and I'm going to the game next week!

Need some advice on parking and what to do pre-game. Since it is a late start, we will have all day in the 'Burgh. What are some things we could do or some good tips for games at Heinz?

Thanks guys.

GO STILLERS!

[jstallworth82 Profile]

You could enjoy a Steeler tradition and start tailgating around oh like 0600. Or Check out the city everything is within 2 miles of the stadium, Andy Warhol, Carnegie museums, science center, the incline The Southside, The point, Plenty of good bars and eateries near stadium. I may be there don't know if buddy scored tics yet, he probably will though he always does.

[IhateARIANS Profile]

Go across the Smithfield Bridge and park over in station square then

TAKE THE GATEWAY CLIPPER (BOAT) OVER TO THE GAME....

I always enjoyed doing that unless you want to pay 20 dollars or so to park near the stadium and tailgate.

[Steel_Buckeye Profile]

IHateArians,
That sounds like a great piece of advice, and a good photo opp! I think I will be doing that! Thanks.

[lloydrules Profile]

Go across the Smithfield Bridge and park over in station square then

TAKE THE GATEWAY CLIPPER (BOAT) OVER TO THE GAME....

I always enjoyed doing that unless you want to pay 20 dollars or so to park near the stadium and tailgate.

The only problem with that is you won't be personally tailgating, which is a HUGE part of the Steeler experience. I mean, you could still tailgate by meeting others who park near the stadium, and that can work out just as well, but if not, you will be seriously missing a GIANT part of the experience. You MUST tailgate. Or don't even go. There is nothing like it. Other fans of other teams think they tail gate, and virtually NO fan base does it like Pgh. Only KC is even close. I don't even know if anyone tailgates in Dallas, period. Personally, I ain't down with a 10 hour tail gate like some, but you still got to do it for a few hours at least.

[Nel Profile]

Go across the Smithfield Bridge and park over in station square then

TAKE THE GATEWAY CLIPPER (BOAT) OVER TO THE GAME....

I always enjoyed doing that unless you want to pay 20 dollars or so to park near the stadium and tailgate.

The only problem with that is you won't be personally tailgating, which is a HUGE part of the Steeler experience. I mean, you could still tailgate by meeting others who park near the stadium, and that can work out just as well, but if not, you will be seriously missing a GIANT part of the experience. You MUST tailgate. Or don't even go. There is nothing like it. Other fans of other teams think they tail gate, and virtually NO fan base does it like Pgh. Only KC is even close. I don't even know if anyone tailgates in Dallas, period. Personally, I ain't down with a 10 hour tail gate like some, but you still got to do it for a few hours at least.

It's true, tailgating is a quintessentially American experience, and doing it at Heinz Field for an AFCCG is the at top o' the heap, lads and lasses!

[thesteelhammer Profile]

I love to tailgate, but got to say that the best call for this game might be to hit the local bars beforehand.
You'll be warmer that way.

[StainlessStill Profile]

Go across the Smithfield Bridge and park over in station square then

TAKE THE GATEWAY CLIPPER (BOAT) OVER TO THE GAME....

I always enjoyed doing that unless you want to pay 20 dollars or so to park near the stadium and tailgate.

The only problem with that is you won't be personally tailgating, which is a HUGE part of the Steeler experience. I mean, you could still tailgate by meeting others who park near the stadium, and that can work out just as well, but if not, you will be seriously missing a GIANT part of the experience. You MUST tailgate. Or don't even go. There is nothing like it. Other fans of other teams think they tail gate, and virtually NO fan base does it like Pgh. Only KC is even close. I don't even know if anyone tailgates in Dallas, period. Personally, I ain't down with a 10 hour tail gate like some, but you still got to do it for a few hours at least.

+1. Tailgating before the game is a tradition that is needed to actually enjoy the game in Pittsburgh. There really is no question about it. If you don't tailgate than you will violate the Steelers code in Pittsburgh, and you could possibly go to jail, that's how serious people take it, plus, it's a great time. Tailgating at Stiller games is up there with what presents are to Christmas, or what Turkey is to Thanksgiving.

..on a side not.. wait until the players are announced. Talk about a frenzied, electric atmosphere? I suggest you make it in the stadium early, because if you miss them get announced, then that will be sin. That is right up there with the best part of any Stiller game. If I miss it, I'd be angry with rage and I will be pissed the whole game. So make sure you make that part! You'll know what I'm talking about.

[lloydrules Profile]

I love to tailgate, but got to say that the best call for this game might be to hit the local bars beforehand.
You'll be warmer that way.

No, no, no, no and no. Unless you are in your 70s, you must tail gate. Forget the bar, except for lunch, but get to the stadium area by 4 at least. Or you ain't living, bra

[StainlessStill Profile]

I love to tailgate, but got to say that the best call for this game might be to hit the local bars beforehand.
You'll be warmer that way.

No, no, no, no and no. Unless you are in your 70s, you must tail gate. Forget the bar, except for lunch, but get to the stadium area by 4 at least. Or you ain't living, bra

4 would be WAAAAAAYYYYYY to late, unless you have a parking pass of course. If you don't have a parking pass (which is bigger than the ticket itself) then you would want to arrive around 1:30 - 2:00. You must land a spot early, or you're screwed. Lots open 5 hours before kickoff.

[lloydrules Profile]

I love to tailgate, but got to say that the best call for this game might be to hit the local bars beforehand.
You'll be warmer that way.

No, no, no, no and no. Unless you are in your 70s, you must tail gate. Forget the bar, except for lunch, but get to the stadium area by 4 at least. Or you ain't living, bra

4 would be WAAAAAAYYYYYY to late, unless you have a parking pass of course. If you don't have a parking pass (which is bigger than the ticket itself) then you would want to arrive around 1:30 - 2:00. You must land a spot early, or you're screwed. Lots open 5 hours before kickoff.

I know. I mean, have your body and parking spot all secured and ready to eat and drink by 4, which, in order to pull off, you got to get there much earlier than that. personally, a couple of hours of actual tail gating is good enough for me, so I walk to others spots who have been on a commando raid for 12 hours.

[Slapnuts Profile]

Go across the Smithfield Bridge and park over in station square then

TAKE THE GATEWAY CLIPPER (BOAT) OVER TO THE GAME....

I always enjoyed doing that unless you want to pay 20 dollars or so to park near the stadium and tailgate.

Some info on Station Square for you (this is where I park every home game). Parking is $10 and they usually give you a bag of peanuts ("parking for peanuts"-nice motto). The boat ride will cost you $10 round trip, you buy the tickets on the dock. There are several nice resturants/bars in station square and bars on the boat (as well as warm/clean restrooms). I usually leave on the boat about an hour before the game, this seems to be plenty of time to get in gate A and to seats. When coming back, try if at all possible, to NOT get in line for the biggest boat (Majestic?) 'cause it takes forever to load that fucker!!! The smaller boats can come back 2 times before that thing gets going.....North Shore parking (anywhere near stadium) will usually set you back $40. If you end up in Station Square, look me up, I'll be along the fence/tracks in the first section next to the only tree in the parking lot...gray 4 door jeep. Have fun, go steelers!!!!

[LatrobeNYC Profile]

I gotta agree. While tailgating is obviously just as important as the game itself this time of year, I'd rather be warm until kickoff. The bars can be just as fun...plus you can WATCH THE EARLY GAME.

I love to tailgate, but got to say that the best call for this game might be to hit the local bars beforehand.
You'll be warmer that way.

[catesinator Profile]

My advice is to mail me your tickets.

[lloydrules Profile]

I gotta agree. While tailgating is obviously just as important as the game itself this time of year, I'd rather be warm until kickoff. The bars can be just as fun...plus you can WATCH THE EARLY GAME.

I love to tailgate, but got to say that the best call for this game might be to hit the local bars beforehand.
You'll be warmer that way.

If you don't truly tailgate (one of the unfortunate parts of tailgating is trying to find a place to empty the old bladder), at least take some time to walk thru the crowds on your way to the stadium - as opposed to rushing thru it and not being able to soak it in.) That way, you get a taste of the thing. At least do that much.

[TheOldRanger Profile]

This is all good and useful information, and thanks to all for offering it. As it happens, I shall be putting it to use, because I just got a ticket for the game. For Free. That's right, for free. I know a guy, he has a client with four tickets....alas, client is not going to the game, and the guy has the tickets for free. He called and asked if I want one of the tickets, also for free. Ha. OK, then, I'm going to the game. I'll be driving up on Sunday morning from the Baltimore area, will stay Sunday night with a relative in the Pittsburgh area. Not only is it my first playoff game, it is also MY first-ever visit to Heinz Field. I am tres stoked. How many ways can I say, FUCK YEAH!?

[thesteelhammer Profile]

How many ways can I say, FUCK YEAH!?

Don't say it at all.
Save your voice because we are expecting you to make our stadium ROCK so that rookie QB can't hear a thing.

Congrats on scoring the ticket.

[Steel_Buckeye Profile]

Yeah, thanks guys, I will also be putting this great advice to work. Station Square looks like a great place to eat and I will be soaking in the crowds that are tailgating. Mill will be around, can't miss that opportunity.