Parking/tailgating at Penn State
For anyone who will be heading to State College this weekend (or has traveled there in the past), where are the best places for the general public to park and tailgate?
I just saw that you can purchase a parking pass for the game ahead of time, but that deadline has already passed. Are there lots that anyone can park in where people can grill, toss around the football and enjoy themselves? Also, what time do lots usually open?
Any insight is greatly appreciated.
October 7th, 2013 at 11:06 AM ^
$10 if you purchased in advanced. $40 day of game.
October 7th, 2013 at 11:14 AM ^
be making the trip on Saturday. I will be there about 2pm so that leaves plenty of time to enjoy a few prior to the game.
What is the typical Michigan turnout for PSU games?
October 7th, 2013 at 11:17 AM ^
I'll be there as well, in a long sleeve maize shirt with blue block lettering spelling out Michigan. Tall, dark hair. I like puppies and walking around beaches at night. I'll be there with, of all things, a MSU fan who I am sure will be repping his team. Feel free to throw me a beer if you see me.
Stupid me, I knew about the parking pass thing, but did not purchase one. Is there any lawn parking for cheaper than $40, like Michigan?
October 7th, 2013 at 12:02 PM ^
Per http://www.gopsusports.com/tickets/m-footbl-parking.html#orderdeadlines, you can still get a parking pass via Express Mail if purchased by noon this Wednesday. I am sure there is an extra charge for Express but should still keep you under the $40, I believe.
October 7th, 2013 at 12:09 PM ^
So... turns out... I was looking for free parking locations for the game. You should all probably go to Google Maps, type in 705 Puddintown Rd, State College, PA and travel NE on street view. Pennsylvania women are weird.
October 7th, 2013 at 12:14 PM ^
Think she keeps/cooks that roadkill?
October 7th, 2013 at 12:21 PM ^
She's most certainly stashing it for a later pickup. Another pressing question - cat, opossum, or other?
October 7th, 2013 at 12:54 PM ^
Hard to tell since it was flattened like a pancake.
October 7th, 2013 at 4:48 PM ^
October 7th, 2013 at 11:28 AM ^
Lots of grass lots around the stadium to park. Downtown College Station is only about 10 blocks from the stadium, so you can park and venture out to find a watering hole for a pre-game libation, or just tailgate outside the stadium.
October 7th, 2013 at 11:32 AM ^
Sounds fun. I assume normal street parking? Is there neighborhoods where you might luck out and get a free spot on the street or a structure charging by the hour or a flat day rate?
October 7th, 2013 at 10:03 PM ^
PSU is TOTALLY unlike Michigan Stadium no street parking and NO neighborhoods anywhere close to the stadium. Every lot within relatively easy walking distance is a pay lot (yep $40 ... if you can get in). There are hills (large ones) that surround the stadium on the side away from campus and you will park on the hills - can be tough setting up the tailgate. Campus itself is relatively flat on the side toward the stadium. You cannot park on campus for free. Downtown runs parallel to the long side of the campus and the stadium is probably 3/4 of a mile away from downtown. Lots of places to eat downtown BUT NO WHERE ELSE near campus.
This will be my 3rd time there and best lot I've found is off Park Avenue (#12 on the map). Take Atherton thru State College and turn left onto Park Avenue. Parking off to the left. ALSO 95% of the parking is in grass areas. Campus and downtown are very easy to get around ... stadium is without any character and very basic.
Go Blue!
October 7th, 2013 at 11:31 AM ^
Yes, any info. would be great. Rolling in about noon. I'll be wearing my Maize Michigan sweatshirt. I'm sure you will see me.
I guess $40 is about par for the course but is there any advice in terms of getting out reasonably fast? Ann Arbor is great for getting people out (if you go south on Main and not on Stadium west/north). Also, I wouldn't mind a more boutique tailgating experience like paying $20-$30 to park in someone's yard or a church or something. I feel like Ann Arbor has a lot of different and unique tailgating options beyond the obvious Pioneer and Golf Course.
Let's play smart and sound football and we should get out of there with a win. Make for a nice drive home.
October 7th, 2013 at 11:33 AM ^
I am in the same boat, I knew about the parking pass in advance for $10 but totally forgot to buy one. Blargh.
AFAIK it's $40 everywhere around the stadium area. This is my third time going to PSU and the two previous times I've parked in one of the giant surrounding grassy areas. There is a TON of room so that's at least nice.
It is, however, a pain in the ass to get out. Expect it to take at least 30-45 minutes to get out of the grassy areas, maybe longer because of nightfall. I think in 2010 it took an hour just to get out to the access road. Because the stadium is in the middle of nowhere, there aren't a whole lot of ways to get in and out.
October 7th, 2013 at 12:21 PM ^
I agree on it being a pain in the ass to get out of the grassy areas. I was also there in 2010, and it took almost 2 hours to get out. So if anyone needs to make a quick escape, maybe find a different option.
That being said, the grassy area is a great place to tailgate, and walking distance to bars on campus if you want to break things up a bit.
October 7th, 2013 at 11:36 AM ^
general policy over the years is a 7 AM open for a Noon game, 8 AM for all others (including night games).
Our web-site sucks in that we don't actually post this rather useful information anywhere. Mmmmm.
October 7th, 2013 at 11:55 AM ^
I'm a 2011 Michigan grad and current PSU law student. I'll be drenched in Maize and Blue and can't wait for Saturday.
As far as parking goes, it seems most of the aforementioned posts are accurate in terms of the $40 gameday fee.
The two most popular tailgating areas are (1) on the intramural fields located along Park Avenue (across the street from Beaver Stadium), and (2) in the fields behind Medlar Park (the baseball stadium) located on Porter (near the intersection of Porter and Curtin). I strongly suggest the Park Avenue option. Park Ave. seems to be the preferred option for most Penn Staters and I have found the general energy and vibe to be much better than at option (2).
Parking in downtown State College in the College Ave/Beaver Ave area is a third option, but is fairly removed from the primary tailgating locations (think Maynard Street deck in AA).
Hope this helps. Go Blue!
October 7th, 2013 at 12:23 PM ^
You have learned far more of campus than I ever bothered to learn. Never knew anything other than the two/the buildings I had class in.
October 7th, 2013 at 12:07 PM ^
October 7th, 2013 at 12:09 PM ^
October 7th, 2013 at 1:16 PM ^
Here is the info for remaining bus spots from DC to State College on our coach buses: http://www.sportspowerweekends.com/events/michigan-vs-penn-state-buses-…
October 7th, 2013 at 12:00 PM ^
and make the trip every time the game is in Happy Valley. Great place for tailgating. We generally park in the overnight lot from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning, and it is something like $50 per day(?). Tons of other RVs packed in like sardines. All in all an absolutely wonderful experience.
October 7th, 2013 at 12:39 PM ^
October 7th, 2013 at 12:43 PM ^
we generally have a car or two parked in there with the RV.
October 7th, 2013 at 1:07 PM ^
alright thanks, if its $50 per day does that mean it'd cost $150 from friday night to saturday morning or what?
October 7th, 2013 at 12:04 PM ^
We got 3 parking passes but will only need 2 of them. My buddies want to try to sell it there for like 30.00 but if anyone wants it for 25.00 and is local to Ann Arbor/metro Detroit, they can have it for that. I'd rather save someone on the board some money who missed the deadline. Email at [email protected] if you want it.
October 7th, 2013 at 12:12 PM ^
Taking the alumni bus with some friends from nyc, who wants to invite us to their tailgate? We can bring beer.
October 7th, 2013 at 12:15 PM ^
There are fields all around the stadium that people use to tailgate. You can pay when you drive into them.
October 7th, 2013 at 12:37 PM ^
October 7th, 2013 at 12:43 PM ^
October 7th, 2013 at 4:38 PM ^
I have a parking pass that I'd be willing to sell to someone at my cost ($12), all you'd have to pay is shipping costs to get it to you. Email me at [email protected].
October 10th, 2013 at 2:28 PM ^
4 of us are leaving Michigan Friday and heading to Pittsburgh to see Pearl Jam play that night. Then heading to State College for the game. Still looking for 4 tickets, to the game, and a place to crash on Saturday. Hit me up if you want to party or have a lead on tickets or lodging out there. Thanks GO BLUE!!