Surviving a Franklin Street Final Four

Staff file photo by Jason Arthurs

N&O business reporter Jonathan B. Cox is a Carolina alum twice over and a huge fan. He's planning on braving Franklin Street on Saturday and Monday if the Tar Heels advance. For anyone thinking about headed that way, here's Jonathan's advice on getting there with as little drama as possible. If you've got other tips, places to go, etc., leave them in the comments.

I've watched more big games than I care to count in Chapel Hill, and there's one thing I've learned: Plan ahead. Watching a Final Four or title game there is not as simple as bellying up to your favorite Franklin Street bar a few minutes before tip off. It's a production.

For me, it began earlier this week. Friends are coming in from as far away as New York and New Orleans for the weekend. We called up our favorite game watching spot (Linda's) to ensure we could get in. And we'll be in our seats by mid afternoon for a 9 p.m. tipoff. Here are a few tips:

1. Call ahead. Franklin Street will be crazed. Figure out where you want to watch the game and call to see how they're letting people in -- and if they have any more spots available. Some bars might require tickets. Others will probably have sign up sheets and other ways of regulating crowds.

2. Get there early. Earlier than you think you should. Bars will start filling up in the afternoon and you'll want to get a good seat, not to mention finding decent parking.

3. Don't park on Franklin Street. At least if you like your car. If UNC earns a championship, you can bet the celebration will spill out onto Franklin. Parking options include the garage on Rosemary Street and on-campus lots. Most don't require parking passes on the weekend.

4. Think about the aftermath. If you're going to party in Chapel Hill, figure out in advance how you're getting home or make plans to crash there. Don't drive drunk.

Most of all, have fun. There's nothing quite like being in Chapel Hill after a Tar Heel victory.