Columbia, S.C

Would stay downtown if you are able. Bunch of good hiltons and Marriott’s. There isn’t a selection near the stadium. If Price is no object stay at the graduate on campus. It’s awesome.

There aren’t any hotels near the stadium.

The previous posters gave good advice.

I like the Hilton Columbus downtown

Last 2 trips to Columbia I stayed at the Hotel Trundle downtown. Cool place. There’s a tap at the check in desk. You get a free pint (or glass of wine) when you arrive.

LINK /

Willy B is about 2 miles from downtown. You can drive and find pay parking or take a shuttle bus from the Colonial Life Arena (I would drive).

For the game, try to get in your seat at least 20 minutes before kickoff. The pregame -- especially at night -- is pretty spectacular.

If you are early enough, you should be able to find pay parking in the Fairgrounds (google it first to make sure). Most of these spaces are assigned to boosters, but there is usually a good sized section for walkups. The Fairgrounds are on your right as you drive in on Assembly Street. Enter at gate 6. Otherwise, there is parking sold by the businesses around the stadium. You may also find that an LSU group has bought out a parking lot somewhere.

If you are not joining an LSU tailgate, there will be plenty of people who will welcome you to theirs. The food might not be as good as you are used to; on the other hand, no little kids are going to "Tiger Bait" you. Or bark at you (looking at you Georgia fans).

Make sure you go by the Cockabooses on the south side of the stadium. And if you stop by Cockaboose #13, ask for me. We have food and drink. And a bathroom. And three TV's. And AC (Columbia is brutally hot in September). We are there at least 3 hours before kickoff.

As to where to stay, the area to be is the Vista. This encompasses Main Street, Gervais Street and Lady Street. It is very walkable with plenty of bars and restaurants. Book a reservation at Halls for Friday night. Reservations open 30 days ahead on Resy.

On Saturday mornings, most of Main Street is taken up by the Soda City street fair. Lots of vendors with crafts, food, fresh vegetables and that sort of thing which is a nice way to kick off your morning before it gets too hot.

Good options are the Sheraton on Main. A really fun choice is the Hotel Trundle just off Main street. They are building a new Moxie on the corner of Main and Gervais which should be open by football season. There is an Aloft, a Hampton Inn and several other chains on and around Lady and Gervais.

Other things to do are touring the campus and the statehouse. The statehouse is on Gervais at the end of Main Street.