Seeking tips for trip to Clemson

My college buddies and I make an annual college football trip. This year we're going to Clemson for the Oct. 1 game vs. Louisville.

Thus I'm seeking pro tips on anything from bars to hit, food spots for anything from breakfast through dinner, tailgating tips, must-see sights, etc. FYI we're late-fortysomethings, but enjoy soaking up "campus vibe" for this one weekend a year.

TIA.

 

I'm your guy ... Grew up 15 miles down the road and took all my degrees there. Where are y'all staying?

 

#HumbleBrag

 

We're staying at the Comfort Inn at 1305 Tiger Blvd. Also I'd like to add that as an LSU fan, I won't be referring to the home team as the "Tigers" and I certainly won't be referring to Memorial Stadium as "Death Valley." But in general we're quite polite. We will likely also have a local academic in tow; a college friend teaches at South Carolina-Upstate.

 

The quintessential Clemson football game experiences include:

1) Boozing it up at the Esso Club (if Musberger's doing the game, he'll be in there on Friday afternoon)

2) A meal at Mac's Drive-In in Pendleton (a little town that abuts Clemson)

3) Making sure you're in your seat in time to watch Clemson's pre-game run down the hill. It's corny but quite a fun spectacle.

The two bars I "frequent" when I'm around there are Nick's (a grad student/faculty hangout) and the Sloan Street Tap Room (a dive that's two doors down and is (or at least was) run by Frank Howard's son).

Clemson people take great pride in having a reputation as welcoming of visitors, so just get a good parking pass and let the folks around you know it's your first time there. You'll be taken under somebody's wing in short order, believe me.

If you've got time, get your college friend to take you to downtown Greenville ... That's really become a great area.

 

Musburger.

 

Him, too ...

 

Was going to suggest Greenville. Really fun town. Stayed there whenever I had games to cover at Clemson or Presbyterian.

 

Doc, many thanks, this is extremely helpful. I appreciate it.

 

And he still calls himself a doctor!

 

You can call me "Your Majesty" if that'd be more to your liking ...