Advice for attending the Army game this Saturday?

[neuro]

Hi all, my wife and I will be attending our first-ever game at West Point, and my first Duke Football game since I was an undergrad on campus 20+ years ago. We are renting a car and driving up from NYC.

Does anyone have any suggestions/recommendations for what to do/see before or after the game, on campus or in the area in general?

Also, any suggestions about best/easiest places to park might be helpful (do not have prepaid parking tickets).

Our main focus is to be at the game and to be loud, but also hope to take advantage of what we hope to be a wonderful, beautiful fall day in a very historic campus/setting.

Neuro

[Billy Dat]

First off, you should listen to Billy Joel's "Summer, Highland Falls" which was written in the town where West Point is located and represents some of the finest of his early, less popular work
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygNNpvzuNFA

Next, West Point is an awesome sprawling hilly campus that can occupy you for a few hours if you are inclined to take a nice stroll around. I have been there quite a bit but most of my recent trips have been for brunch at the Hotel Thayer - which is nice if they offer it on Saturday. There are numerous "What to do at West Point" web resources that will do a better job then me.

My larger point is that between the game and the campus, you probably have enough to keep you occupied. The greater Highland Falls area isn't that exciting. Bear Mountain State Park is nice for, again, taking a walk, and I am sure the foliage will be kicking into high gear.
http://nysparks.com/parks/13/details.aspx

If you must venture out, there are probably a lot of really nice drives that someone has described on some web site. "Perkins Drive" is a really scenic road that will provide excellent views of the river and valley, but be wary if you have fear of heights issues.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g47292-d219012-r240166025-Bear_Mountain_State_Park-Bear_Mountain_New_York.html

Elton Brand's hometown of Peekskill is just across the river and on your way back from West Point. There are a ton of good restaurants and such, and the town is pretty lively on Saturday nights.

Zephs - high end and fancy and $
http://www.yelp.com/biz/zephs-peekskill

Taco Dive Bar - new, fun, right near the river
http://www.yelp.com/biz/taco-dive-bar-peekskill

Iron Vine - good tapas
http://www.yelp.com/biz/iron-vine-peekskill

Good places to get a beer include:
Quiet Man public house - http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-quiet-man-public-house-peekskill-2?osq=quiet+man
Birdsall House - http://www.yelp.com/biz/birdsall-house-peekskill

Again - all of these restaurants and bars are in Peekskill.

If you are inclined to shop, Woodbury Commons is a top rate outlet that is within 20 minutes:
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=7

Finally, you will be up in apple picking country - BIG TIME. There are dozens of orchards.

[budwom]

Go really early...and then go earlier than that. Traffic can be slow, and while there is nice guided parking, it can take a looooong time. Shuttle buses run to
the stadium from the lot, OR you can take a nice long scenic walk.......but it takes a lot of time. Last time we went, the buses were SO slow and backed up
we found walking to be quicker...as a result, buses from the parking lots were still disgorging passengers at the stadium at the end of the first quarter.

Unique atmosphere. If you can manage it, don't buy the Duke (i.e. visitor tickets unless you like sitting low in the end zone or corner)...try to find some high up tickets
on the sideline, great view of the Hudson River.

[ChillinDuke]

Go really early...and then go earlier than that. Traffic can be slow, and while there is nice guided parking, it can take a looooong time. Shuttle buses run to
the stadium from the lot, OR you can take a nice long scenic walk.......but it takes a lot of time. Last time we went, the buses were SO slow and backed up
we found walking to be quicker...as a result, buses from the parking lots were still disgorging passengers at the stadium at the end of the first quarter.

Unique atmosphere. If you can manage it, don't buy the Duke (i.e. visitor tickets unless you like sitting low in the end zone or corner)...try to find some high up tickets
on the sideline, great view of the Hudson River.

As someone trying to secure a few tickets at this late hour, I find your advice on the upper sideline view particularly helpful.

Thank you.

- Chillin

[neuro]

Hey Billy DAT, thanks so much for the all the helpful info. I think a dinner across the river would be a great idea.

Budworm, thanks for the advice to go early. The earliest I can manage is a 9am arrival. I hope that's sufficient. It will have to be!

And yes, I was all set to get some tickets down near the field, but then I googled photos of the field and was wowed by what I saw. I had no idea what/where the stadium was. So I got upper deck tickets in order to enjoy the views. And my wife prefers "aerial" views anyway at football games, even if we are further away from the field, so it's a win win.

Chillin- There are a few tix still available (at a premium of course) on stubhub. Some are instantly downloadable, but others are "UPS", and I don't know what shipping times are like.

Getting excited. Go Duke!

[BigWayne]

Did you check out their website? Lots of good info there. http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/goarmywestpoint.com/documents/2015/7/14/Gameday_Guide_2015.pdf?id=5356 or http://armygameday.com

[Billy Dat]

And yes, I was all set to get some tickets down near the field, but then I googled photos of the field and was wowed by what I saw. I had no idea what/where the stadium was.

Seeing at game at Michie Stadium is always on those "Sports Fan Bucket Lists", partially because of the unique nature of the presence of the cadets, their dramatic entrance, the cannon fire and such, but it is mostly because it is one of the most gorgeous settings in sports.

[neuro]

Seeing at game at Michie Stadium is always on those "Sports Fan Bucket Lists", partially because of the unique nature of the presence of the cadets, their dramatic entrance, the cannon fire and such, but it is mostly because it is one of the most gorgeous settings in sports.

Yeah, I've been reading about Michie a lot today. I can't believe I've missed previous opportunities to go. But I'm going to quote you on the Bucket List comment, if my wife finds out what I paid for the tickets and car rental. :)

[ChillinDuke]

Hey, [...]

Chillin- There are a few tix still available (at a premium of course) on stubhub. Some are instantly downloadable, but others are "UPS", and I don't know what shipping times are like.

Getting excited. Go Duke!

See you folks there!

- Chillin

[AceDukie77]

Chillin,

I'm glad you decided to go to the game, sorry my extra tickets were already gone. Last year we got to the main Thayer Gate entrance around 9:30 and there was quite a line to get in. With the game starting at 12 noon here is a list of pregame activities on campus:

3 hours prior to kickoff -"One of the time honored traditions of a West Point gameday is the Cadet Review, a full dress cadet parade which takes place on "The Plain"
weather permitting). You can take shuttle buses there from the Thayer parking lot.
2 hours prior - Mitchie Stadium Gates open
25 minutes - West Point Band takes the field
20 minutes - Cadets March-On
15 minutes - National Anthem
10 minutes - Parachute demonstration and delivery of the Game Ball with the Black Knights parachute team
5 minutes - Army West Point takes the field.

I will be there tailgating with several original "Hanes Honeys" in the Thayer Gate parking lot. We will have a flag of the 173rd Airborne, my son's battalion flying high. Please stop by and say hello!

AceDukie '77 (Bob Schmid)