<p>Sandy forced a change of plans for us this weekend, so my daughter and I are able to visit some colleges. After having some trouble locating a hotel room, I discovered that there was a home football game that day! I can either stay at the hampton inn for more than I wanted to pay (this means I could probably walk to campus) or I can stay further out and park in one of the garages. But will there be any room during a home football game to park??
Advice anyone??</p>
<p>I think the easiest option would be to look at the Charlottesville Transportation system’s website for city buses and the free trolley. You can park a couple miles away from the University for free on a city street and then take the bus or trolley to the University. That option will also allow you to drive into Cville via a route that is not near the stadium and thereby avoid the traffic. Stay away from Route 29. </p>
<p>I was in Harrisonburg at the same time as a home football game (which I didn’t know about in advance) and had to walk about 2 miles to find a parking spot, so I feel your pain.</p>
<p>You are correct to assume parking is going to be a mess. It is the last home Saturday game, the weather is supposed to be perfect (66 & sunny), they actually broke a 5 game losing streak last weekend so season ticket holders are more likely to turn out, and it’s a noon game which means snagging something early in the day will even be hard. There are several parking garages that open 2-5 hours prior to game time listed below:</p>
<p><a href=“http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/va/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/football-parking.pdf[/url]”>http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/va/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/football-parking.pdf</a></p>
<p>Personally, if I had the option to get a hotel within walking distance that’s what I’d do. Charlie’s suggestion is also a good one. There’s a nice parking garage in the downtown walking mall area and the trolly’s run from there to the university. You’ll want to check with both for game day availability/scheduling.</p>
<p>[Charlottesville</a> Parking Center Locations, Rates and Hours | Downtown Charlottesville, Virginia](<a href=“http://www.charlottesvilleparking.com/index.php/locations]Charlottesville”>http://www.charlottesvilleparking.com/index.php/locations)</p>
<p>[Charlottesville</a> : Routes & Schedules](<a href=“Charlottesville, VA | Official Website”>Charlottesville, VA | Official Website)</p>
<p>Enjoy your visit to UVa. It is going to be a beautiful day! :)</p>
<p>Edit to add: If you decide to try one of the parking garages listed on the pdf above, the Central Grounds Garage is actually under the bookstore and is almost impossible to get into (although we’ve been lucky on game day a couple of times). The Emmet/Ivy Garage is very nice and a good location, especially given the nice weather. Also, if you have a smartphone there is an app for android/iphone that is very helpful when navigating grounds. It will ping your location and tell you where you are and what the buildings are around you. Search “The University of Virginia” by Willow Tree Apps. There are some other fun features on there as well, but the map is especially useful.</p>
<p>Even I have to be creative if I’m giving the session on a day when there’s a noon kick off. :)</p>
<p>The last home game of the year can be a little crazy on Grounds. It will be high school band day (so neat…high school students get to be in the half time show) and Military Appreciation Day. So, there will be lots of extra people at the game on top of the usual crowd.</p>
<p>If you are willing to come in super early, you might get a spot in the Central Grounds Garage, but it costs $10 to enter that garage on game day (usually they have timed tickets that my office can validate). Your tour is going to end after kick off, so leaving won’t be a problem.</p>
<p>Have you checked the inns? Dinsmore House, South Street Inn, and the Inn at Court Square are some options. Dinsmore is within walking distance. The others are just off the Downtown Mall.</p>
<p>Also check out staycharlottesville.com. They list private homes/condos for rent. You might be able to find a nice condo on the Downtown Mall through that site.</p>
<p>Another option is the public parking garage at 14th and Wertland. If you are fairly early (1 to 1.5 hours before the game) you should be able to get a spot there for $15. Then you could check out The Corner area, a hub of of “grounds” (UVa-speak for campus) student life. Don’t miss Mincers, a corner institution for everything UVa. It is a fairly easy walk to the Stadium cutting diagonally through grounds, across the Lawn, and up to McCormick. Just follow the crowds and you should be fine.</p>
<p>If you are doing the Saturday AM info session, you would probably be to grounds early enough to snag parking in the Central Grounds garage, but be forewarned, exiting from there on to Emmet/29 will be a hassle after the game. </p>
<p>But to echo blueiguana, I would look for something walking distance and would seek to avoid Rt. 29 on game days, if at all possible.</p>
<p>cross posted with Dean J – defer to her regarding timing of info session.</p>
<p>^ We LOVE the Dinsmore House! They do book up and may show no availability on their website, but it’s worth giving them a call personally to see if they’ve had any cancellations. It’s a wonderful location. Their breakfast in the morning is always delicious!</p>
<p>You will need to get to Central Grounds by 8:30 or no later than 9 am for a spot. That is where we usually park for game day but if your not there at least 3 hours before kick off you probably won’t get in. Parking at UHall/JPJA is free and there should be plenty of spots at that location. It’s a bit of a walk to the stadium from there but not too bad for getting to grounds. Dean J, we still have one more home game vs. UNC next Thursday night!</p>
<p>I think the Fourth Year 5K is on Saturday, which is kind of what I was referencing with the “last game” thing. I forgot about the night game. :)</p>
<p>Just a quick update in case anyone checks in…
Shockingly little traffic on 29/Emmet St at 8am. No problem getting parking at Central Grounds Garage. It’s still only 40, so a bit nippy, but nothing but sunshine and forecast for 66. It’s going to be a beautiful day!!</p>
<p>I hope everyone visiting grounds today, for the game, or to see UVA as a prospective student, has a wonderful day! Wahoowa!! :)</p>
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<p>Maybe this comes from experience of traveling to a particular college town frequently over the last several years (Athens, OH), I always check beforehand to see if there is a home football game on the weekend I’m visiting.</p>
<p>And always plan way in advance. Good luck on your trip, hope everything works out.</p>
<p>Yes, Golffather, when I used to go to UVa Homecomings, as soon as I came home, I made hotel reservations for the next year. </p>
<p>If anyone has trouble finding a hotel in Cville, the next best choice is often Waynesboro, which is a quick drive to the west on I-64.</p>
<p>What an exciting game today! Another place to stay outside of Charlottesville is Gordonsville, especially if you are heading east after a game. There is a nice Best Western there.</p>
<p>I sure hope you got to see the game yesterday!</p>
<p>Thank you all for replying! My daughter and I didn’t arrive until after the game was over. I decided to spring for the higher priced hotel, and we didn’t have any problems parking the next morning.</p>
<p>My daughter loved it and will definitely be applying.</p>