<p>Bumping up this thread and directing y’all to Post 15.</p>
<p>I printed this up to use on my visit this weekend and it was great!</p>
<p>We had a rental car from the Birmingham Airport with the NeverLost system.</p>
<p>As we were hungry after the flight, we searched for Arby’s on the GPS.</p>
<p>We exited Mom’s suggestion, Exit 73, I believe, and went down McFarland and found the Arby’s with a tree inside it, where son really wanted to eat. We had actually keyed in the one on University, but when we say the Tree Arby’s on the way, we pulled in there.</p>
<p>Anyway, we followed Post 15’s directions, found the parking garage, it was a Saturday, and parked. It was after two, so food court at Ferg wasn’t open, although Starbuck’s was closing soon. Got to walk around the Ferg and surrounding area. Walked over to the Rogers Library. Walked through the Shelby complex, buildings closed, but got to see the beautiful quads and look in through windows. Walked over to Riverside and saw the pool, grounds, front desk girl brought us through the amenities, like the kitchen, laundry room, media room, game room. Son liked the proximity of Riverside to the classroom, so now may select a room there. </p>
<p>Retrieved car and drove over to the Rec Center and walked through quickly, as they were closing. Nice indoor pool, nice track, lots of workout equipment and studios. As it was dark, headed to Hotel Capstone to check in. Hotel Capstone is right across from the Coleman Coliseum. Used this location later for my GPS. Couldn’t find Hotel Capstone on GPS, so wanted to pass on this tip. Found the University Arby’s, which is very nearby. Went out to Publix later for muffins for breakfast. The Strip and Publix were very active with students. The quad and open area in Riverside and other open areas on campus very active with students. Beautiful weather this weekend.</p>
<p>Thanks so much to mom for Post 15, as we got to enter campus and maneuver around it much easier than we did for Capstone Day.</p>
<p>Anyone planning a visit, even for a weekend drive through, I highly recommend using Post 15 as a guide. </p>
<p>By the way, we did pay the three bucks to park in the visitor garage, although we supposedly could have parked anywhere on campus. Was worth three bucks to not have to worry and know exactly where I left my car, the parking garage by the Ferg, so I felt free to walk anywhere on campus and knew I could find my way back. </p>
<p>In adding to this, I took the Monday bus tour and attended the information session afterwards, where I learned even more. Everyone on the tour was OOS: Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Texas.</p>
<p>Was able to get a flyer about transportation to Tuscaloosa from the information session person, which had names and numbers of shuttle services. Great for OOS who plan to fly in and out of Birmingham, which is a great, small airport, with places to eat after you go through security.</p>
<p>After my tour and info session, spent my free two hours walking through Gorgas, Smith Hall, Natural History museum, lunch at Bene’s at the Ferg, and a quick pop in to Hardaway Hall on the way to lunch. </p>
<p>Had left my car at the Ferg parking garage. I had paid the three bucks, but the tour people did give me a pass when I checked in, but ever cautious, wanted to know where my car was and that it was safe, so I could get back to it quickly as I headed to the airport. </p>
<p>Great day on campus, students very helpful, tour very well done. So glad I spent my morning doing this while my son had his CBH interview.</p>
<p>All registered for Bama Bound, so we’re good to go!</p>
<p>Wanted to add, too, as I exited campus toward the airport Monday, went out along Jack Warner toward Highway 82, I think. Could see the park and the lake on the left, and the cut out hills by the dorms on the right. Beautiful. There is also a very nice park across from the Tree Arby’s, too, it seemed. Also saw where Midtown Village and University Mall were on our way to Tree Arby’s, too, so this is a good way to enter, too, if you’re looking for those areas as well.</p>