Pro Football HOF Enshrinement Trip

larryallen73

Of course I am going to the HOF next week!

Going with a small group of college friends.

Are any of the activities, like the tailgate fan party, worth it?

Are there bars/restaurants nearby?

Are there beer tents?

What's the deal?

We are planning to only go there on Saturday most likely.

Let me know please.

johnny1976

I can't answer any of your questions however, it sounds like an awesome time. Have fun.

jeffcbay

This is my home town, so I could probably help you find some good local flavor. Here is a schedule of local events happening during HOF week.

If you're looking for good bars/resraurants, I would stay out of Downtown Canton. Too much crime, not really safe. All of the good places are in North Canton. Just head up I-77 North a few miles and you'll see the Hall of Fame Bridge. Everything around there is very nice.



Great local steak places:
Mulligan's
356 Fighter Group (by the Canton/Akron Airport, best place to run into sports celebs)
Lucia's

Good bars/night clubs:
Pub/Paninis (probably the hottest nightclub in town, if you're into that sort of thing)
Quaker Steak & Lube (decent chain biker bar/restaurant)
Tilted Kilt (another chain, very nice theme, great beer selection)
Winking Lizard (sports bar, and the best beer selection in town)
Legends Sports Pub & Grille (my favorite watering hole, just north of the CAK airport)

Let me know if you have any other questions about the area, maybe I can help!

burke23

Cleveland isn't a far drive (just did a trip there and visited Canton during it) - hour drive or so. For night-life reasons, might just want to stay there. Probably cheaper hotel options too.

Edit to add - per Jeff's recommendation, can't go wrong at the 'kilt!

jeffcbay

<< <i>Cleveland isn't a far drive (just did a trip there and visited Canton during it) - hour drive or so. For night-life reasons, might just want to stay there. Probably cheaper hotel options too.

Edit to add - per Jeff's recommendation, can't go wrong at the 'kilt! >>



Yeah, if you stay in Cleveland you may or may not end up in a garbage bag. The casino is nice though!

larryallen73

Great info. Thanks guys.

Yes, staying in Cleveland as everything was sold out around Canton.

bigdogparty

Aside from the concession stands (including beer) there is not much to eat there. Also, they don't allow bags into the museum so pack light. Tall of the Ultimate fans have a big tent where you can hang out and meet the best of the best 12 th man ( and women). We did the fan tailgate a couple years ago but it was not worth the price. They tryed enhancing due to the HOF getting cancelled by having HOVer come but it was a shifty set up. If you are only there for one day, soak in the museum since there is plenty to see. Also keep an eye out for a laundry list of retired players and coaches just walking around

alnavman

what Jeff said......I used to do card shows at the Beldon Village Mall, the area around there is not bad and there are plenty places to eat.....if you are going to be at the festivities I would recommend going two days to the Hall of Fame....I live near Cleveland and we usually do day trips when we go, but it's not as busy.

al.

or246

<< <i>

<< <i>Cleveland isn't a far drive (just did a trip there and visited Canton during it) - hour drive or so. For night-life reasons, might just want to stay there. Probably cheaper hotel options too.

Edit to add - per Jeff's recommendation, can't go wrong at the 'kilt! >>



Yeah, if you stay in Cleveland you may or may not end up in a garbage bag. The casino is nice though! >>



I've been to the Cleveland casino twice, there will not be a third time. It seemed like a hole to me. I like Detroit's casinos, Cincinnati's casino, and even Toledo's casino better. One suggestion to eat at is "The Melt". Good eats, but not that good for you.

As for the Canton/Akron area, not much there I would go to, so I am not much help there.

BellagioPokerKing

Hey LarryAllen, A couple of suggestions. If you are coming, the BEST FREE thing to do is the Parade. It goes NORTH, up Cleveland Ave. from W. Tusc. to about 25th. St. Always a good time. Try to sit on the EAST side of Cleveland Ave. so you don't have the Sun in your eyes. I recommend somewhere around 16th St. which is where they have an American Legion Hall. They have MANY CLEAN Port-a-potties, and they have a large grill going where they sell Hamburgers, hot dogs and sausages at very reasonable prices.

Also, there will be a card/autograph show going on all weekend at Belden Village Mall, which is on the S.W. corner of Everhard Rd. and Whipple Ave. Inside the mall starting at about 11:30 AM the following HOFers will be signing autographs, Len Dawson, Jan Stenarud, Paul Warfield, Leroy Kelly, Ted Hendricks, Sam Huff, and Jim Otto. I have heard from one of the promoters, that 2013 Inductee Curley Culp WILL be showing up to sit and sign with, Dawson and Stenarud. I will be set-up as a dealer. I basically only sell NFL HOF autographs and other HOF related items. I will have a Large wire screen behind me with items hanging on it as well. Please stop by and introduce yourself.

Place to eat. The places mentioned are all ok. BUT, if you want THE PLACE TO GO, for GREAT food, that is also a mini shrine to the Hall of Fame, then you MUST go to TD's TAILGATE GRILL. Located AT 2234 West Tusc. about 1 mile directly South of the Hall of Fame. I have personally taken Gale Sayers, Randy Gradishar, Harry Carson, Len Dawson and more to eat there. Len Dawson told me the Pork Chop at TD's was the BEST he has EVER had. FOOD is OUTSTANDING. Also, there are many NFL HOF autographed items hanging on the walls, ALL of which, are for sale. PM me if you have ANY questions.

Rocke Sweaney

fur72

I am glad I was able to visit Cleveland / Canton and the NFL HOF during induction weekend a few years ago. With that said, I don't plan on ever going back. I think my expectations going into the trip were far too high. Make a plan to visit the Rock N Roll HOF as well, plan on spending the day there.

JMDVM

Hey Rocke----how can you leave out Old Carolina BBQ??? LarryAllen, you will find the best BBQ in town at Old Carolina BBQ down the street from Belden Village. They make the best bake beans anywhere, the ribs slide off the bone, the pit BBQ is outstanding. I take 3 coolers full of food back home to Maryland every year.

eagles33

<< <i>I am glad I was able to visit Cleveland / Canton and the NFL HOF during induction weekend a few years ago. With that said, I don't plan on ever going back. I think my expectations going into the trip were far too high. Make a plan to visit the Rock N Roll HOF as well, plan on spending the day there. >>



I agree. Im definitely glad i went but not planning on going back anytime soon. I didn't go during enshrinement week but made the trip to check out the football and rock n roll hof. The football hof was underwhelming. It reminded more of Simone's basement or bar than an HOF. It's clear that its not funded by the nfl. The featured video the weekend we went was a 1994 bills training camp video. It made no sense why that was an exhibit haha.

larryallen73

Thanks guys. Getting pumped up for the trip.

BellagioPokerKing

Hey LarryAllen, As you can tell, Joe is in Love with Old Carolina BBQ. But that is only because he has not, as of yet, had the ribs at TD's. I didn't mention, that if you want something like a front, or 2nd row seat at the parade, plan on marking your spot by 5:00... NO LATER than 5:30. The usual crowd estimate is around 250,000 - 300,000.

Rocke

BellagioPokerKing

Hey LarryAllen, just wondering if you are going to come by the Mall this weekend. Belden Village is about 2-3 miles North on 77 from the Hall of Fame. I know I talked to dealers from at least TEN different states. Try to stop by. I am the dealer with the 28 X 34 photo of the Eleven Living Hall of Famers from the 1963 Class, that is surrounded by Eleven autographed index cards, matted and framed to a final size of 34 X 40. You can't miss it. Stop by.....

Rocke

BellagioPokerKing

Hey LarryAllen. Did you ever make it to Canton?

larryallen73

I was off line this weekend.

Our tour of Ohio was great. Flew in Thursday to Columbus and went by THE Ohio State. Saw the stadium. Found an open door and got inside actually.

Then down to Cinci as our one friend lives there. Went to the Red's game Friday night. Beautiful stadium. Blowout game but weather was perfect so it was a nice time.

On to Canton Saturday....

Our time in Canton was short but awesome. I'll post some pictures later in the week. As you all know I am a big Larry Allen fan. Not too many people from Sonoma State play pro sports so I root for them all. We had a group of my college buddies going. One flaked last minute. I told him, "don't worry we can do this again the next time a Sonoma State player gets into a major sports hall of fame...." Ok, so ended up with 6 of us. Got there about 4:00 and didn't even make it into the HOF. Walked into the HOF area but before getting there joined some house party in the neighborhood near the stadium. A rough crowd but super nice and happy to share some beers. It was really some good local fun. Ok, on to the beer garden at the stadium. Met many nice people. We talked to a couple of Paker fans. My friend, who now lives in Ohio, said, "you'll never meet someone from Wisconsin who isn't friendly." The most represented teams, among the fans, were: Vikings, Ravens, Pakers, Cowboys in that order in my opinion. The ceremony was really fun. Larry, is not the most well spoken man, but well exceeded our expectations. We had the over/under at 5 minutes and half expected him to just say, "thank you."

Now it gets good.... We had been in contact with some people trying to get into Larry's private party that night. Well, it came through right after the ceremony. We got wrist bands to his tent! WOW! What a blast. I can't even tell you all the HOFers that were there. Out of 200-250 people I would say 10-15 HOFers in his tent. Some for a long time. MANY other players came through at different times. Dan Marino (why?), Emmitt, LT (just for a minute), Prime Time, Jackie Slater (I am a Ram's fan first and foremost so that was cool), etc.... Tons of non HOFers hung up. Mark Stepnoski (who has lost about 100 pounds) was there the whole night, Laroi Glover, Calvin Hill, etc.... I'll have to look through my pictures later.

Jerry Jones was there for a while and at one point they roped off a little section so people didn't bother him. LOL!

Then the band came out. I am a big old school fan so was really excited when Zapp took the stage. No Roger since he is dead but really cool. Great dance party. I have a ton of good photos of Larry dancing on stage with the band.

Larry's son (a D1 recruit at De La Salle high school) was very friendly and seemed like a good kid. Several of his De La Salle teammates were there and they were all polite and excited to be there. Was watching watching their eyes light up meeting some of the greats. Was cool that they knew who they were.

Got a hall of fame Panini football card of Larry (not sure what set it's from) and also a crystal football "card" of Larry as party favors.

We finally left about 2 in the morning. GREAT time!

Pictures later. Got to do some work now!

larryallen73

Oh ya, all we could eat (good food) and all we could drink so lots of drunk Facebook posts Saturday night.

jeffcbay

<< <i>Hey Rocke----how can you leave out Old Carolina BBQ??? LarryAllen, you will find the best BBQ in town at Old Carolina BBQ down the street from Belden Village. They make the best bake beans anywhere, the ribs slide off the bone, the pit BBQ is outstanding. I take 3 coolers full of food back home to Maryland every year. >>



Obviously you haven't been to Two Fat Guys BBQ in Canton (Perry Township) on West Tusc. They just won Best Sauce AND Best Ribs at the Stark County Ribs Burn Off. Blows Old Carolina away. Their baked beans and sweet potato casserole will beat anyone's.

But I digress, glad to hear you had a great time! Can't wait to see pics!

JMDVM

I'll check them out.