
Day One
Start your weekend right with cold ones at Cubby’s Sports Bar & Grill. Never miss a game with more than 55 flat screen TVs, and numerous brews on tap, and a robust menu. During halftime, enjoy a friendly game of billiards or darts. After filling up on brews and burgers, make your way to Larson Ice Center for a Brookings Blizzard hockey game. These guys play hard and fast, with the intention of being recruited by professional scouts. Pro tip: bring a koozie. Brews are served ice cold.
Day Two
Fall mornings in Brookings quickly start with coffee. Pick up something hot or cold, flavored or strong at Kool Beans Coffee and Roasterie in Downtown Brookings. The industrial vibe and overall ambiance will have you feeling right at home, just don’t come in your PJs. And while you’re downtown, grab a hearty breakfast at Cook’s Kitchen, you’ll need a solid home cooked meal before tailgating.
During SDSU football season, the day begins as early as you make it. Tailgaters load up with coolers, crock-pots, portable stoves and all the munchies money can buy. Don’t forget to bring a few chairs and a shade tent to pull the whole look together. If you forgot a crucial piece of tailgating gear, run by Dunham’s, it’s just a hop, skip and a jump from the SDSU campus. But first, a quick piece of advice. The weather in Brookings can change with the wind so stop by the Jackrabbit Bookstore (either on campus or at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium) to stock up on mittens, sweatshirts, or even T-shirts before hitting the stands. After the game, enjoy the quick walk to Buffalo Wild Wings to catch up on scores and refuel on baskets of wings.
Once evening hits, grab the guys and try out a mini brewery tour. Your first stop is Wooden Legs Brewing Company where the story of Wilmot Wood Brookings comes to life, or at least the “inspired by” version. Then, on your way to Eponymous Brewing Company, feel free to make a pit stop at Nick’s Hamburger Shop for a few mini burgers if you need to feed your appetite. If you need to feed your thirst, you’ll find plenty of places to pull up a bar stool in Downtown Brookings.
Day Three
Finally, if the weather’s right, bring your bike (or rent one from Spoke-n-Sport or Bluestem Bicycles in downtown Brookings) and cruise the Allyn Frerichs Trail System weaving through and around the Brookings community. It’s a great way to stretch your legs before heading off on your next road trip. But, before hitting the road take the boys through Scooter’s Coffee drive through for caffeine and a breakfast sandwich. A quick, hot meal on a cool fall day is just what you need. For other things to do, check out more from sports and recreation.