road trip

[Guest Raiderman]

Hello Everyone. I am from Tennessee and seriously thinking about making the road trip to Akron to watch my school (MTSU) play the Zips. I was kind of wanting to get a little heads up with visitor information. Anything from good restaraunts to go to before the game to how well the visiting fans are treated. I would expect to be treated decent from Zips fans because you look like a class act. Some places I visit I seriously wish we lose because I know if we were to win I wouldn't get out of that town alive. Well thanks in advance for the info and I look forward to visiting the Akron campus.

[Z-P]

Hi Pardner...........

I'll pick up this grenade because I owned a home in Franklin TN and worked in Ohio for 18 months, commuting back and forth about once a month (whew, glad that's over) .

I'd pull out Friday and come as far as Canton, OH. Bunk in one of the hotels in the "Belden Village" area of Canton. Exit 109 on I-77.

Depending on where you hang your Nascar hat , it'll take 7 to 9 hours to make that drive. 24 to Louisville...71 north thru Cincy and Columbus heading toward Cleveland. Exit on US 30 at mile 176 and head east toward Canton. Come into Canton and take 77 north a few miles to exit 109...then you'll be at "Belden Village".

There's a Holiday Inn I like right at the Shopping Center. Also, Comfort Inn, Hampton, Residence and Fairfield...........so take your pick.

Saturday, run over and see the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton (5 minutes from Belden). Come back to Belden and have a late lunch at one of the 1000 restaurants in the area, suit up and get ready for the fun. The game's at 6. The Rubber Bowl, where it will be played, is just 15-20 minutes up 77 and east on 224. Cap'n K will fill you in, but you'll want to stop by Zippy On the Stick and have one of his choice home brews in the tailgate before you head into the game.

Don't worry about seats. Just get them there (someone might even hand you a few), and you'll be able to find your own preferred view due to our weak attendance and big house.

Go back and crash at Belden, and hook em south the next morning.

That's what I'd do if it were my first visit to the area..............

Enjoy.............we're all pretty laid back so no chance of anything but "Welcomes" from us.

[Big Zip]

If you're looking for Akron flavor -- I would recommend staying downtown at the Crowne Plaza at Quaker Square in Akron. You can still make the easy 20 minute trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the morning and you can request a room facing the University. Staying in Akron there is a pizza place less than a mile from the hotel -- Luigis an Akron landmark. Equally close if you're looking for a great steak is the Diamond Grille -- the downtown bars are walkable from Crowne Plaza. There's a Daiquiri Bar -- Sports Bar Jillians -- sit down and drink 69 Taps or even a trendy martinin bar Fuel among many others to choose from. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is only an hour north if you are interested in getting in a day earlier. Don't waste your time at the Inventor's Hall of Fame in Akron. Before leaving on Sunday don't forget to visit Wally Waffle -- some of the best waffles you'll ever have -- it's less than a mile from the hotel too. If you're a church going person there are plenty of churches to choose from as well.

Hope you make the trip and stop by to tailgate with all of us.