Question for a colgate fan.

[Catsfan90]

My wife and I are very interested in traveling to Colgate for the game against UNH on Sept. 12. When I punched Hamilton into expedia I'm having trouble finding any hotels in the area, they all seem to be in Norwich, NY. I wanted to ask a Colgate fan if that is correct? or if Expedia is just playing the whole you pay us and we sponsor you on our site kind of game.

[Go...gate]

Expedia is correct. The Colgate Inn is usually booked by the Colgate Society of Families. There is a motel (it was a Super 8 about 15 years ago) just outside of Hamilton which was still open back in 2012, but I do not know of anything else save Bed & Breakfasts. Syracuse might be a better choice if you are looking for lodging. My fellow alumni may have better ideas, though.

[Ivytalk]

The Colgate Inn is nice if you can get into it. My son and I stayed there years ago, before a Harvard game, but I recall we needed to have a Colgate alum's help to get a reservation. And Hamilton seemed to have just one of everything else: one pizza place, one drugstore...

[van]

The Colgate Inn is nice if you can get into it. My son and I stayed there years ago, before a Harvard game, but I recall we needed to have a Colgate alum's help to get a reservation. And Hamilton seemed to have just one of everything else: one pizza place, one drugstore...

one of everything? not true, they have many snow plows

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

A few years ago I went to a UNH at Colgate basketball game and stayed in Utica. I've done a little preliminary research for this year's football game and my memory says Norwich, Utica, Oneonta, etc. for hotels. Most of the hotels were along the I-88 or I-90 corridors.

[Gate83]

Try the Wendt Inn, a basic hotel on the edge of town. http://www.wendtinn.com/

One of Hamilton's issues is there's no guest space for big weekends. Unfortunately there's not enough of them to justify a business all year long, so football weekends/graduation/etc. is a tough get. If the Wendt doesn't work, here's Colgate's list of B&B's: http://www.colgate.edu/about/maps-travel-options/hotels-and-accommodations

Good luck. Hope to see you there, I'll be the red haired guy in the parking lot right behind the stadium!

[Catsfan90]

Try the Wendt Inn, a basic hotel on the edge of town. http://www.wendtinn.com/

One of Hamilton's issues is there's no guest space for big weekends. Unfortunately there's not enough of them to justify a business all year long, so football weekends/graduation/etc. is a tough get. If the Wendt doesn't work, here's Colgate's list of B&B's: http://www.colgate.edu/about/maps-travel-options/hotels-and-accommodations

Good luck. Hope to see you there, I'll be the red haired guy in the parking lot right behind the stadium!
I'm sure I'll stop in and say hi! We are hoping to bring all of our tailgating best as well. Do you suggest any particular bnb on that list? They are generally a hit ir miss! And thank you everyone for all the feedback. We appreciate it.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

I've been lucky enough to attend several important games in Hamilton. Colgate is always one of my favorite road trips due to its remote location. I'd definitely encourage anyone to get there for a game. If you're a golfer Seven Oaks is one of the top collegiate courses in the country.

[Go...gate]

Try the Wendt Inn, a basic hotel on the edge of town. http://www.wendtinn.com/

One of Hamilton's issues is there's no guest space for big weekends. Unfortunately there's not enough of them to justify a business all year long, so football weekends/graduation/etc. is a tough get. If the Wendt doesn't work, here's Colgate's list of B&B's: http://www.colgate.edu/about/maps-travel-options/hotels-and-accommodations

Good luck. Hope to see you there, I'll be the red haired guy in the parking lot right behind the stadium!

Is the Wendt the old Super 8?

[Gate83]

The Wendt is new-ish construction put up about 10 years ago... maybe 1/2 mile from downtown east on 12B. Quality wise it might approximate a Super 8 or Days Inn... clean and functional, no frills. Usually sells out for football weekends.

Cats, I don't have experience with any of the B&B's specifically. Generally I'd look for one that's walkable to downtown as given Hamilton's vigilant police force you'd rather be walking than driving to the bars & restaurants.

[Ivytalk]

My experience was the '95 Colgate-Harvard game. It was Parents' Weekend up there. Easily 10,000 tailgating. Maybe 3000 found their way into the stadium. The PA announcer was a talkative old curmudgeon.

[WWII]

I've been lucky enough to attend several important games in Hamilton. Colgate is always one of my favorite road trips due to its remote location. I'd definitely encourage anyone to get there for a game. If you're a golfer Seven Oaks is one of the top collegiate courses in the country.

As a visitor, I've found it difficult to get a tee time early in the fall on football game days. Friday or Sunday might be easier, but I traveled on game day. It is a very good course.

[Kramden]

Howard Johnsons in Norwich is about 25 minutes away.

[Catsfan90]

Just purchased my hotel. Staying in the Vernon Downs casino, is it any good? figured I could have a little fun post game!

also, what are the tailgating rules at Colgate like?

[Pard4Life]

I've been lucky enough to attend several important games in Hamilton. Colgate is always one of my favorite road trips due to its remote location. I'd definitely encourage anyone to get there for a game. If you're a golfer Seven Oaks is one of the top collegiate courses in the country.

I'd like to make a trip to Colgate but we always play them in November or the last week of October... too late in the year... don't want to get snowed-in and end up like this:

http://www.screeninsults.com/images/the-shining-frozen.JPG

[WWII]

I've been lucky enough to attend several important games in Hamilton. Colgate is always one of my favorite road trips due to its remote location. I'd definitely encourage anyone to get there for a game. If you're a golfer Seven Oaks is one of the top collegiate courses in the country.

I've also found it hard to get a tee time for early game day.

[Gate83]

Just purchased my hotel. Staying in the Vernon Downs casino, is it any good? figured I could have a little fun post game!

also, what are the tailgating rules at Colgate like?

Can't speak to the casino as I've never been in. The golf courses at the casino are very nice, though given the 6 PM kickoff you can probably find a reasonable tee time at 7 Oaks as well. Drive over from Vernon Downs is very easy, maybe 25 minutes.

Tailgate lots open 3 hours before the game. You will want to park in the College Street lot (right at the traffic light where 12B meets College St) which backs right up to the stadium. Generally security doesn't hassle grownups, only the students... you can bring a grill, I'd recommend plastic cups for anything other than canned beer.

As for the Lafayette fans feeling a little chilly in November... Man up!

[Catsfan90]

Can't speak to the casino as I've never been in. The golf courses at the casino are very nice, though given the 6 PM kickoff you can probably find a reasonable tee time at 7 Oaks as well. Drive over from Vernon Downs is very easy, maybe 25 minutes.

Tailgate lots open 3 hours before the game. You will want to park in the College Street lot (right at the traffic light where 12B meets College St) which backs right up to the stadium. Generally security doesn't hassle grownups, only the students... you can bring a grill, I'd recommend plastic cups for anything other than canned beer.

As for the Lafayette fans feeling a little chilly in November... Man up!

I was reading the tailgating rules on line and they didn't seem any worse than other places have. Do I need to pre-purchase a tailgating pass?

[Gate83]

I was reading the tailgating rules on line and they didn't seem any worse than other places have. Do I need to pre-purchase a tailgating pass?

Nope. You will be charged a parking fee at the gate ($5, I think?), drive in & commence activities.

[Catsfan90]

Made it back last night and I must say I had a blast. Although it rained most of the time, that is noones fault. Tailgating was very enjoyable and extremely cheap compared to alot of other venues. The stadium and concessions were above par, and the Colgate fans were very respectfully and classy. For anyone who ever has the honour to see a game here you will not be disappointed!