Turkey Legs to Go: Champs Sports Bowl, Florida State vs. Wisconsin

Turkey Legs to Go is FanHouse's complete travel guide for all of the 2008-2009 college bowl games. Here, we cover the Champs Sports Bowl (Orlando, Florida), which pits Florida State against Wisconsin.

Overview/Matchup: Nothing says "December bowl game" quite like two proud programs on the decline temporary skids meeting up to try and muster some offense for those of us watching in Orlando the Friday after Christmas. Florida State, mind you, "won" the ACC Atlantic Division (BC's loss technically slid them behind the 'Noles) ... but with the way that that's like trying to find a silver lining in the Detroit buyouts. Wisconsin brings some defense and P.J. Hill, who will need to run the ball well in order for this to be exciting for anyone.

Hotels: Assuming most football fanatics would rather stay away from the sprawling Disney and Universal theme-parks, we've selected restaurants and hotels with good proximity to the stadium. However, if you decide to double up on your bowl-game weekend and pay a visit to the parks, there are myriad hotels and restaurants in the Lake Buena Vista area. That being said, the Grand Bohemian Orlando is the best bet for luxury accommodation downtown. If you can't afford downtown and you don't want Disney, the next best thing is close to the airport... with that in mind we recommend the Hyatt Regency Orlando Intl Airports. For the best proximity to the stadium (and the cheapest rates) stay at the Vacation Lodge downtown.

Restaurants: Dining in the downtown area is, once again, limited compared to University Blvd, but there are some enticing options just the same. K Restaurant & Wine Bar is a local favorite offering a different menu every night. Reservations are recommended. Manuel's on the 28th is located on the 28th floor of the Bank of America building for stunning city views and a romantic atmosphere. Try the miso-marinated sea bass or one of the nightly specials. Little Saigon is cheap, offers generous helpings and specializes in traditional Vietnamese soups.

Nightlife: As for nightlife, if you want a refined evening consider returning to the K Restaurant & Wine Bar or paying a visit to Eola Wine Company. The latter has a wide selection of merlots and chiantis (among others) and specializes in California's Napa region. For casual atmosphere, try Fiddler's Green, a lively Irish pub a few minutes north of downtown. The pub frequently has live music.

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