Tuscaloosa is a special place to be on game days during the fall. The atmosphere around town matches that of any sporting event around the world.
Even if you don't have a ticket to the game, for the big games, you still want to make the trip just to be in town. A few of the things on this list occur in the stadium, but most are all things you can do without a ticket.
I hope you enjoy your game days in Tuscaloosa this fall and if you have a favorite tradition that didn't make my top ten, leave it in a comment below.
10
Sing along with an Alabama Tune
There are certain things that just go along with being at Alabama and a few of them are adding in lyrics to certain songs. The two most famous being "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Dixieland Delight" (we also have our own version of Rocky Top when the boys from east Tennessee visit)
If you don't know the lyrics, learn them and sing along next time. You'll be glad you did!
Dixieland Delight
Spent my dollar, ON BEER
parked in a holler 'neath the mountain moonlight,ROLL TIDE!
hold her Uptight,AGAINST THE WALL
make a little lovin',ALL NIGHT
a little turtle dovin' on a Mason Dixon night.____ AUBURN
Fits my life, AND LSU
oh, so right: My Dixieland Delight.Sweet Home Alabama
ROLL TIDE ROLL9
Grab Breakfast or a Burger at Rama Jama's
(Noah Lueker, Townsquare Media)
If you have never been to Rama Jama's you are missing out. It is one of the best places to grab breakfast and lunch in Tuscaloosa and as you can tell, being located right beside Bryant-Denny Stadium, it is a great place to stop on GameDay (if you don't mind waiting in line).
And don't be alarmed, that isn't Nick Saban behind the counter, it is Rama Jama's owner Gary Lewis who serves up some of the best burgers in the state. I recommend the National Champions Burger (15 ounces of meat).
8
Take in the Walk of Champions
(Noah Lueker | Tuscaloosa Thread)
Ok, so we might have ripped this tradition from Ole Miss even going as far as using the same name, but we have more championships so that makes it ok, right?
The Walk of Champions is special. The team is bussed in from Hotel Capstone (where they stay prior to home games) and then make the walk from University Boulevard to the Bama locker room surround by about a thousand Tide fans.
7
Visit the Bryant Museum
I had to post the commercial, because I always get a kick out of it. The Bryant Museum is a great place to visit any day when you're traveling to Tuscaloosa, but there is just something even more special about being there on game day.
Even if you have been before, you'll want to include this in your visit on game day this year as the museum has added a lot of new exhibits celebrating what would have been Coach Bryant's 100th birthday.
6
Watch the Alabama Intro
Be in your seat to catch this!The hair on the back of my neck still stands up sometimes when I see those three big flags with the script A rise up and hear "Yea, Alabama!" Even though there are minor changes each year, there is something special about the way Alabama runs out on to the field.
Try to be in your seat to catch the intro video and team run out. Also the Tradition video is awesome to watch in the stadium during warmups. It usually plays about half an hour before kickoff.
5
Go to the Elephant Stomp
I have been all around the SEC and to a number of schools outside the conference and I have to say that no one does a pregame show outside the stadium quite like the Million Dollar Band. We don't have many pep rallies at UA, but this serves as a good substitute to get you ready for the game and get down your Alabama cheers.
The Elephant Stomp is on the steps of Gorgas Library on the Quad and usually starts about an hour prior to kickoff.
4
Pregame with a Yellowhammer at Gallettes
Photo courtesy of Gallettes Facebook Page
No, I'm not talking about the state bird. The yellowhammer is the famous co*cktail at one of Tuscaloosa's most traditional watering holes, Gallettes, just a hop and a skip away from Bryant-Denny on the Strip.
It is a great beverage to enjoy at anytime, even if Alabama is playing an early game. This will give you a little jolt to start your day off!
Gallettes is located between Alabama Book Store and Alabama Express in the first block of The Strip closest to the stadium.
3
Celebrate at The Houndstooth
(Noah Lueker | Tuscaloosa Thread)
Warning: The Houndstooth will have a few more people in it on game day! Actually, it will be packed, but its a good packed.
If by chance you don't have a ticket, this is the best place to watch the game in town. The Houndstooth has 36 large HDTVs, with four of them on a huge patio and a 120" projection screen that always has the Bama game on.
The atmosphere and service is great. You'll also get another chance to singRammer Jammer, Sweet Home Alabama and Dixieland Delight.
The Houndstooth is located at the heart of the Strip, just west of Publix and The Locker Room.
2
Tailgate on the Quad
Crimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics
Some people come and tailgate on the Quad without even having a ticket to the game and when you go to a good tailgate, you'll understand why.
The Quad at UA is one of the best tailgating scenes in the nation. The food, atmosphere and watching football on a flat screen is all great.
If you can't afford Alabama Football season tickets, this is a great alternative.
1
Sing Rammer Jammer
What did you think would be in this spot?! There is nothing better than winning on game day and that is almost always capped off withRammer Jammer, Alabama's victory chant.
It is worth sticking around to sing, or even if you are not a Bama fan and are visiting for the first time, make sure you stay to watch it.
And yes, I picked one from the Iron Bowl on purpose!
