Georgia has only played Arkansas in Fayetteville three times in 11 games* so there's obviously a large chunk of UGA fans who've never made the trip for this one. (image: Arkansas-Cafe)
We face the Razorbacks in Week 3 of the 2009 season, and I personally think it's one of the more underrated venues in the SEC. Since its massive $110 million renovation in 2001, Donald W. Reynolds Stadium is one of the best looking facilities in the SEC.
I'm especially partial to the hospitality of their fans who went out of their way not to beat my ass when I drunkenly and relentlessly informed them of our overwhelming awesomeness following the 38-7 game in 2000. God Bless Doe's. But I digress.
Fayetteville is truly the far end of the realm. Chicago is only two miles further from Athens than Fayetteville, and Minneapolis is closer to Fayetteville than Athens. In other words, don't drive.
Preface: If you need tickets to the UGA at Arkansas game, you can pick them up here on Stubhub.
Airports to Consider:
Arkansas Northwest Regional (XNA) -- Located about 45 minutes northwest of Fayetteville. Delta flies direct here from Atlanta. The fares are usually not cheap, and the planes are small. This place is basically Air Walmart. There are business traveler type hotels available in Springdale and Bentonville. Hotels for the game in Fayetteville are harder to find. I'm going this route.
Fort Smith, AR (FSM) -- Located about 1 hour south of Fayetteville. I think that Delta (via partners) has one direct flight in and out of Atlanta per day. They have one stop flights throughout the day. Again, the planes are pretty small, and the flights aren't cheap. Both FSM and XNA are generally good options for redeeming Sky Miles.
Tulsa, OK (TUL) -- Tulsa's airport is about 2 hours from Fayetteville. If memory serves, the flights are cheaper than the above options. I flew into Tulsa for the 2004 game. The drive is boring, but it's painless.
Branson, MO (SGF) -- The Springfield-Branson Airport is a little under 2.5 hours from Fayetteville. If you're staying in Springdale or Bentonville, it's not that bad. The only appeal for flying into SGF is that it's the closest airport serviced by AirTran. If you're looking to use AirTran Rewards, this is your best option.
Little Rock (LIT) -- Little Rock is about 3 hours from Fayetteville. If I recall correctly, the drive up I-540 through the Ozarks was really scenic, but it's still 3 hours.
Memphis (MEM) -- Memphis is roughly 4.5 long hours from Fayetteville. However, it's consistently one of the cheapest towns to fly from Atlanta. I want to emphasize that there is nothing visually stimulating about the drive from Memphis to Little Rock. It's hideous. Dallas is further than Memphis if you were wondering.
Fort Smith, AR (FSM) -- Located about 1 hour south of Fayetteville. I think that Delta (via partners) has one direct flight in and out of Atlanta per day. They have one stop flights throughout the day. Again, the planes are pretty small, and the flights aren't cheap. Both FSM and XNA are generally good options for redeeming Sky Miles.
Tulsa, OK (TUL) -- Tulsa's airport is about 2 hours from Fayetteville. If memory serves, the flights are cheaper than the above options. I flew into Tulsa for the 2004 game. The drive is boring, but it's painless.
Branson, MO (SGF) -- The Springfield-Branson Airport is a little under 2.5 hours from Fayetteville. If you're staying in Springdale or Bentonville, it's not that bad. The only appeal for flying into SGF is that it's the closest airport serviced by AirTran. If you're looking to use AirTran Rewards, this is your best option.
Little Rock (LIT) -- Little Rock is about 3 hours from Fayetteville. If I recall correctly, the drive up I-540 through the Ozarks was really scenic, but it's still 3 hours.
Memphis (MEM) -- Memphis is roughly 4.5 long hours from Fayetteville. However, it's consistently one of the cheapest towns to fly from Atlanta. I want to emphasize that there is nothing visually stimulating about the drive from Memphis to Little Rock. It's hideous. Dallas is further than Memphis if you were wondering.
Hope that helps. Any of you guys going?
See Also:
-- Tickets: UGA at Arkansas
-- Arkansas fans are nuts in a good way - DeadSpin
PWD
*We've played them in Atlanta, Dallas, New Orleans, Memphis and Shreveport, but not Little Rock.
15 comments:
I would not recommend driving, it is a full 11 hour drive from Atlanta. I have done it serveal times and I am completly worn out afterwards. Another city to look at is Rogers. Closer then Benntonville, nice new hotels ( W hotel, Embassy Suites), plenty of restaruants (Sandwich places to Ruth Chris) and is only 15 miles from Fayetteville. If anyone has any question feel free to contact me at: jason_zaring@yahoo.com
When you posted your info about Stillwater the other day, I thought, "middle of nowhere, it must be a five minute drive from Fayetteville, because Fayetteville is also in the middle of nowhere."
FWIW, back in the early 90s when the team played in F'ville, we flew to Joppa, Missouri, and then drove to some golf resort at least an hour out of F'ville and then drove from there on gameday. Definitely one of the most inconvenient locations in the SEC.
You forgot about Drake field, just 2 miles from the stadium/downtown. There are a good number of Dawg fans (myself included) that are pilots and fly their own aircraft to the games. Some potential charters might utilize Drake field as well.
I wouldn't say I forgot Drake Field. I just didn't list non-commercial airports.
Just like I didn't list Ponca City (PNC) near Stillwater.
PWD
It's not a bad 2 day drive, with a stopover in Tunica. :)
I found some awesome deals back in 2004, going from GSP to XNA for that game weekend. I don't know if we'll see that now.
So between this and the Okie State game, Dawg fans might see a lot of the Tulsa airport...
Why aren't the Hawgs in the Big XII, again?
Got a big group going, still contemplating piling into an SUV and just rotating drivers. Otherwise, we'll go the SGF route or LIT route.
Andy Williams or the Ozarks? Decisions...
If you do drive, don't ride with a certain Baptist missionary who gets "tunnel vision" on 285 and almost kills you before you leave Atlanta.
I think it's one of the best road trips. Great scenery, good people. I've been the last 3 times.
"In other words, don't drive."
I hear that PWD. I was a senior at UGA in 2004 and we rented an RV and drove from Athens. About 14 hours straight through. Sounds long, but actually not that bad if you're in college and you've got 10 crazed Dawgs barking in the back and raising general hell for 12 of those hours. You just need to have at least 2 guys willing to drive. They have an RV lot right next to the baseball field. We walked to the game and to their bars and back. Nice location.
Frank
Thanks for mentioning Does. I've taken my duck-hunting guests to the original in Greenville many time, and can say they steaks are really that tasty.
Is there not an airport in Fayetteville?
1992, first time to Fayetteville, Arkansas that is, early Saturday AM from ATL to Tulsa, see Dawgs win, Back to Tulsa for a connection thru DAL to ATL. About 20 people on the 737. 1st Class tells flight attendant that we are going to do the "GO DAWGS" cheer on roll down on the runway. She smiles. Later learn the crew was from Utah. Pilot spools up jets, we start the cheer, we are moving at about 100 mph, shout "WOOF WOOF WOOF", pilot kills jets. Aborts takeoff. Pilot explains he thought we were warning him of trouble. Circles around, retakes runway, we restart cheer, we takeoff. Get to Dallas, we are rock stars to the Delta employees. Get to ATL, we are rock stars again. Pilot likely had 20 hours of paperwork to explain abort. GO DAWGS
If at all possible, book your room at the Hilton downtown Fayetteville. The best wake-up call in the SEC.
Upon check-in (in 2000 we started the game at 11:30 CST) you are asked what time you what likes to be awakened. Promptly at 8:45, per our request, the wake up came, not by phone call, but by a gentleman knocking at the door. This gentleman was pushing a cart with plenty of chilled vodka, orange juice and bloodymary mix. Best wake-up "call" ever.
Another added benefit of the Hilton, the refs stay there. There is no evening flight back to Atlanta from Tulsa so you have (or had to in 2000) wait until Sunday morning to depart from Tulsa.
This left the refs in the bar all night regaling everyone buying the drinks with great on-field SEC anecdotes. My brother and I both agree this was one of the best road trips ever. They love their football in Arkansas, and handle getting their asses beat with equal parts dignity and intoxication.
We are making our travel plans now. It is going to be a tough beginning for this team that is searching for their identity. Game one and three are across the country and dirty Steve in the middle. Can't wait! I linked your awesome site on ours http://www.bulldawgillustrated.com
Go Dawgs! Cheri
Post a Comment