November

Go Hog wild

By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Posted: October 6, 2009 at 2:28 p.m.

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Naturally, the perfect weekend in Northwest Arkansas in November has to include an Arkansas Razorbacks football game.

The Hogs will be in the thick of their conference schedule, so much will be riding on every play, which keeps the crowd excited and the atmosphere charged.

With that in mind though, it's all the "other" things one can get into that will make the weekend memorable.

Get the weekend started Friday night with a visit to one of Fayetteville's more famous eateries.

Classic destinations include Herman's Ribhouse at 2901 N. College Ave. and Catfish Hole at 4127 W. Wedington Drive, both in Fayetteville. Both have established reputations for good food and great service and are considered "can't miss."

Saturday morning is when the struggle comes. While some may want to sleep in and conserve energy for the game, there are several options for early risers.

If a short trip is not an issue, a 10-minute drive from near Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium to Susan's Restaurant at 1440 W. Sunset Ave. in Springdale is worth the effort. This is "greasy spoon" dining at its best, where they find a way to put gravy on just about everything.

Closer to the stadium is The Common Grounds at 412 Dickson St., and Uncle Gaylord's at 315 W. Mountain, both of which provide a more upscale feel with the traditional breakfast menu.

At 1131 S. School Ave., Rick's Iron Skillet's breakfast is so good they serve it all day - which is most appreciated by those who move at a slower pace in the mornings.

Of course, all real fans have to tailgate before kickoff. Pep rallies two hours before kickoff get the adrenaline going. The Arkansas Alumni Association, the Trough on the lawn of the Poultry and Science center, and the Gardens all put on pep rallies prior to the game.

Win or lose, the final stop is Dickson Street. Just a few blocks east of the stadium is Northwest Arkansas' version of Memphis' Beale Street. With pubs lining both sides of the street, live music and wide sidewalks, the atmosphere can keep spirits high after a victory or serve as a pick-me-up after a loss.

Insider Tips

1. Come prepared to do a lot of walking, or plan to catch a shuttle. Shuttle service begins as early as four hours before games.
2. Prohibited items at Razorback Stadium: Alcohol, baby seats and strollers, backpacks (or any large bags), signs, beach balls, folding seats, food and beverages from outside the stadium, laser pointers, noisemakers of any type, stadium seats with armrests and/or more than 16 inches wide, umbrellas and video cameras.
3. As always in Arkansas, November weather can be unpredictable. Mild conditions are most likely, but nippy temperatures are possible by nightfall.
4. No ticket? No worries. There rarely fails to be ticket holders willing to part with a few outside the stadium. If you have nerves of steel, hold out until just before kickoff, when people become a little more generous and occasionally have been known to give away tickets.
5. Speaking of tickets, there is not a bad seat in the house, so don't fret about the location. Also, the scoreboard was installed 2001 with the then-largest Smartvision LED screen (nicknamed the PigScreen). With this monstrous visual aid, you won't miss a play or a call if you feel the need to help the officials make the right one.

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