Going to the game in Starkville. What are must see places or things to do in the area? Also good restaurants or bars?

Is going to Biloxi on Sat after the game worth it?

I went to MSU and am originally from Biloxi. While in Starkville, you have to check out tailgating in the Junction. MSU fans are really friendly, so don't be surprised if they invite you into their tents for a chat and a snack. Stop by the Fountain for some MSU ice cream, and snag some MSU cheese, too, if you can. A fun place in town to eat is Bulldog Deli; this is sort of where McCallister's originated from. Little Dooey's is great for BBQ. Starkville is a small town, so be prepared for HUGE crowds if you try to eat at a restaurant. I would recommend parking on campus and just staying there. There isn't an equivalent of Northgate, and there are very few restaurants off campus that you could walk to (Bulldog Deli is an exception; you could walk there from campus). There are plenty of options to eat on campus.

I never liked the true bars in town, but I haven't been back since 08, so maybe there are new places that aren't dumps. Old Venice Pizza Co has great pizza, pasta, and calzones, and also used to have a pretty nice bar to hang out and have a few drinks. I'd go there, especially if you are over 21. Most of the bars just tend to attract underage drinkers anyway. The Grill (in the Cotton District) and the Veranda are also restaurants where you can just hang out and have a few drinks.

Biloxi is a 4-4.5 hour drive away, depending on where you are going in town. ProbabIy significantly longer with game day traffic. I hated that drive every single time I made it while I was in school and can't imagine trying to do it after a football game.

[This message has been edited by TXTransplant (edited 10/22/2012 9:11p).]

Where will Yell Practice be?

The Mrs and I are going to the game and staying friday night in Jackson. We are hoping for an afternoon kickoff so we can do some Starkville in the morning then get outta town and drive back to Louisiana while listening to bama vs LSU on the radio

[This message has been edited by Vegasaggie (edited 10/22/2012 9:55p).]

Not really a lot to do here other than tailgate. Some good resteraunts, but seeing as this town is not built for crowds of any size it will be a long wait.
Yell practice is in Jackson which is a 2 hour drive away.
Dawg fans are pretty nice, but they are winning and the turds are floating to the top.

McAlister's started in Oxford...

Yes, I know, which is why I said "sort of" in my first post. The story goes that Bulldog Deli and McCallisters were once affiliated (co-founders), but there was a split back before McCallisters became the big chain that it is today. McCallsters was spun off into a chain, but Bulldog Deli stayed independent for a while. That's why Bulldog Deli is so similar to McCallisters in menu and service but has the local name. I actually just read, though, that Bulldog Deli is now known as Sweet Peppers Deli, which is the chain that was created in 1997 to compete with McCallisters. Kind of sad to see the name change...Bulldog Deli was a special place for most MSU students.

Anyway, it's only interesting if you are at all interested in the rivalry between MSU and Ole Miss. I'd say the hatred rivals TAMU/UT.

Thanks for the responses. Would Vicksburg be a better choice for Sat night instead of possibly Biloxi? Looks like it might only be a 3 HR drive from Starkville. We currently have reservations in Columbus for Fri/Sat night but thinking of switching it to Ridgeland/Vicksburg to break up the drive from Houston a little more. Especially if there's not much to do/see in Starkville.

Vicksburg is pretty nice. There are some casinos, if that is your thing. There is also a really nice Civil War park that you can drive through (there are lots of monuments and attractions to stop and look at). You could easily spend all day there and not see it all, but if you want to spend a few hours, it's a nice diversion. I'm not sure how far out of the way it is...I think if you come back via Shreveport, it's not too bad.

Best route from Jackson/Ridgeland to Starkville? Google maps is saying take MS 25 - is that a 2 lane road? Bad traffic on gameday? Would I-55 to US82 be better even though longer?

MS 25 should now be 4 lane divided the whole way to Starkville.

Traffic from Jackson to Starkville on Hwy. 25 is not too bad on gameday. It should take you about 1 hour and 50 minutes. Once in Starkville traffic can be bad ESPECIALLY if it's an 11:00 game.

I like to park at the Vet school grass lot. Most of the good parking on campus is reserved for Bulldog Club members.

http://www.fanguide.msstate.edu/parking/map.php

If your into Civil War history at all I think Vicksburg would be a great place to visit. I live in the Gulfport/Biloxi area and it's a pretty good drive from Starkville. We have lots of Casinos on the coast if your into that and a lot of good seafood restaurants.

Try to stay off of 12 near campus on game day. I know there is parking and shuttles from downtown. If you are lucky enough to find anything in the Cotton District, the walk is not bad and that is where the bars are.

Is that big lot south of Simrall Electrical Engineering, between Hardy Rd and Eckie's pond still open/as big as it used to be? If so, I would park there (that is actually where I parked when I was last there for a game in '08). It is paved and a lot closer than the lot at the vet school.

Also, if you park in this area, you can stay north on 25 until it intersects Hwy 182. Take 182 east to either Perry St (south) to Lee Blvd (east) or 182 east directly to Lee (south). Lee intersects Hardy, which is where this lot I'm referring to is. If you take 25 to 182, you will avoid a lot of the in-town traffic. Hwy 25 to Hwy 12, although 12 will take you directly into campus, will be nothing but traffic lights and gridlock.

[This message has been edited by TXTransplant (edited 10/23/2012 12:14p).]

Best route from Jackson is MS 25. Multiple ways to get around Jackson - don't go through town (i.e. directly from I-20 to I-55 to MS-25). Use MS-475, the Trace, or MS-16 to get to MS-25 and avoid the traffic in the middle of Jackson.

Per the other posters, activity on game days is focused on tailgating at the Junction. Plenty of good restaurants in town. Bars are in the Cotton District and within a short walk of the stadium. Also some bars downtown as well.

If you're a golfer, there's some decent courses around. I'm not, so I can't speak to availability around game weekends.

You act like traffic in Jackson is bad or something. I-20 to I-55 is just fine. I did it twice a couple weeks ago.

where is the cowbell museum?

Thanks for the tips. I'm headin up to Starkville next Friday for the game. Friends and I were able to rent someone's 4bed/bath apartment for the weekend.

[This message has been edited by txaggie_08 (edited 10/24/2012 2:29p).]

Appears Eli Young Band is headlining Bulldog Bash the weekend we are in town in the District...

http://www.msubulldogbash.org/index.html

Usually, it's around 25K that goes to the concert. Should be a good time. The streets are pack

There is absolutely zero to do in Starkville. Mississippi has a whole has nothing at all to do.

edit: Biloxi isn't bad with the casinos, but that's it.

[This message has been edited by Bayoutigercajun (edited 10/24/2012 2:57p).]

Let me guess. You haven't been since 1992 or you came to Starkville for 11am game and left afterwards?

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You act like traffic in Jackson is bad or something. I-20 to I-55 is just fine. I did it twice a couple weeks ago.

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I've done it a couple of times a week for the last eight years. Lakeland Dr. can be a sh*tshow on Friday afternoons from I55 out to Castlewoods. I'm simply trying to save the folks headed up to Starkville a little frustration. But hey, you've been to Oxford once for a football game, so clearly you've got this.

It's not as bad as sitting on I-10 trying to get to Katy in the afternoons, but it's a pain in the ass to add 45 minutes on your trip when you've been on the road for eight hours.

My experience with Jackson goes far beyond the trip to Oxford, but okay.

I've been on Lakeland on a Friday afternoon before. It's no walk in the park, but it's also nothing like Houston or even Wellborn Road at rush hour, now. Also, who wants to drive 45 mph on The Trace?

Bayoutiger...go 17 your self...you have a reckoning coming on November 10th...get ready coonass

[This isn't a smack forum--Staff]

[This message has been edited by TexAgs staff (edited 10/26/2012 7:31a).]

A few years ago, somebody did a list of the worst major college towns. Starkville was on the list along with Ames, Manhattan, Morgantown & Pullman.

Is the swamp tard constantly drunk and angry?

Look, I lived on Starkvegas for 8 long years (undergrad and grad school). Was it Boring when there wasn't a major sporting event?Yes. Is it in the middle of nowhere? Yes. Would I choose to live there now? No. But, it is a true college town...everything revolves around the university. Everybody, and I do mean everybody, tailgates before the game. And it starts very early in the morning. The atmosphere is electric, and it's tons of fun. If you are only there for the weekend/game, you will have a great time! Those of you who think it's too boring or a "cowtown" or whatever snarky comment you can think of, just stay away. We'll have fun without you! Hail State!

Any inkling from anyone of what game time might be?

I heard either the 11am or 230 pm game, but it won't be decided until Sunday.

The bar scene sucks and yes it is a small school in a rural area. Sports here are fun and the whole town buys into the team. Glad I chose to do grad school here though. I miss Texas and want to come back for my PhD, but it is an awesome place to live with genuine people.

In my opinion, The Veranda is the the best place to eat. I believe Bonnie Bishop is playing there Saturday after the game.

Where are the most single women?

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I've done it a couple of times a week for the last eight years. Lakeland Dr. can be a sh*tshow on Friday afternoons from I55 out to Castlewoods.

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That describes afternoons on eastbound Lakeland every single weekday. And it really doesn't get bad until you get close to Airport Road. I live on Lakeland Drive pretty much right next to Jackson Prep. So if anyone knows about the traffic on that road, it is me.

Also note for people driving east bound on 20 heading to Jackson, The Trace is closed between I-20 and I-55. I would recommend taking I-20 to I-220 to I-55. Take I-55 north to the Trace exit in Ridgeland (Yell Practice will be head about a mile or 2 north of this exit) and take it to Highway 43 which will take you back to Highway 25 and you will miss the Lakeland traffic. The Trace is 55mph that whole portion and I typically go at least 60 there.

Highway 25 is a 4 lane highway all the way to Starkville. I recommend taking Old Highway 12 into town and trying to park for the game at the Vet School grass lot. You can walk to the stadium from there and be able to stop by the tailgate tent that the MSU alumni Association is hosting for all Ags. It will be on the intramural field on the right as you walk to the stadium from the Vet School lot.