First Notre Dame game ever

[okanst07]

Hello,

I'm going to the Navy game. This is my frist ever ND trip and I am pumped. I've been a fan since 1986, loved Lou! I miss him. I live in Canada and this is my first chance to go. Trying to maximize my time Fri-Sat. Any thoughts on this tentative plan?

Fri
College Hall of Fame morning
Tunnel Walk
Walk/tour Uni as much as I can
Pep Rally 6
Eat? where to eat? what do people recommend?
midnight drum circle

Sat
Morning see the Gug
Tailgate where? I don't know anyone where would I go?
Might try to get to soccer game, 1st half
Player walk, 1:15
Game
After game where should I head

Somewhere need to get time to see the Grotto.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Irish4Life09]

Hello,

I'm going to the Navy game. This is my frist ever ND trip and I am pumped. I've been a fan since 1986, loved Lou! I miss him. I live in Canada and this is my first chance to go. Trying to maximize my time Fri-Sat. Any thoughts on this tentative plan?

Fri
College Hall of Fame morning
Tunnel Walk
Walk/tour Uni as much as I can
Pep Rally 6
Eat? where to eat? what do people recommend?
midnight drum circle

Sat
Morning see the Gug
Tailgate where? I don't know anyone where would I go?
Might try to get to soccer game, 1st half
Player walk, 1:15
Game
After game where should I head

Somewhere need to get time to see the Grotto.

Thanks for the help!

Nice! It's gonna be my first home game too! I have many similar things planned...if you're looking for good food Rocco's has the all-time best pizza in the world,and Wings Etc. has awesome wings. I'm also hoping to go back to Tippecanoe,they had the best Sunday Brunch growing up... Have a great weekend!

 

[okanst07]

Where do you go to tailgate? Dumb question I guess, but do I just show up at the stadium or somewhere else?

On Friday where will you park at the school? Joyce Center?

Anyother advice? hahaha I want to maximize this trip!!!

 

[PLACforever]

The Grotto, Basilica and Admin Building are all right next to each other.
All three get crowded on Game Day.
Campus Map // University of Notre Dame

 

[IrishAlum1997]

Where do you go to tailgate? Dumb question I guess, but do I just show up at the stadium or somewhere else?

On Friday where will you park at the school? Joyce Center?

Anyother advice? hahaha I want to maximize this trip!!!

On Friday, park at Eddy Street Commons. We got there around 4 for the pep rally and it cost $4 for us to park in the parking deck, and we were on campus until 8 oclock or so. Now mind you on gameday it costs $40 to park in that deck. But great deal Friday.

 

[okanst07]

So I got one answer on food, where should I go eat Friday after pep rally and saturday after game? Best atmosphere, Irish talk and highlights, etc. What is legendary on campus?????

 

[arrowryan]

So I got one answer on food, where should I go eat Friday after pep rally and saturday after game? Best atmosphere, Irish talk and highlights, etc. What is legendary on campus?????

Barnaby's Pizza in Mishawaka. Best pizza in the area and its only a 5-10 minute drive from campus.

What is legendary on campus? Oh man where do I start? The grotto, reflecting waters, touchdown jesus, golden dome, the basilica. Everything there is legendary. There is always something there to do

 

[IrishAlum1997]

Barnaby's Pizza is a great local pizza place, has an olde english tavern/60's pub vibe and multiple tvs to see the Friday night games. From campus, take Angela up to Grape Road, it's right on the corner. Great atmosphere.

 

[okanst07]

Thanks amazing! I meant legendary food/bar/hang out after the game.

I'll for sure hi Barnaby's Friday and figure out Saturday.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Nice! It's gonna be my first home game too! I have many similar things planned...if you're looking for good food Rocco's has the all-time best pizza in the world,and Wings Etc. has awesome wings. I'm also hoping to go back to Tippecanoe,they had the best Sunday Brunch growing up... Have a great weekend!

I'm also coming out. You guys want to get a newbie tailgate going? PM me.

 

[meowmix]

Hope your first trip goes well. Rocco's is fantastic food but is always crowded. One restaurant you may want to try is Alexander's Grill. A lot of students go there since it's cheap and has fantastic greek food. Tailgating goes on in the lots south of the stadium - you can't miss it.

Also, I suggest you stay away from the "pep" rally. The students don't go, so it's the team, coaches, leprechaun, cheerleaders, and listless alums. If you want to go, fine, but I guarantee you will be disappointed. And this isn't because the team's not good. It's because those pep rallies on the Irish Green suck. They're overcommercialized and not at all fun. During the time of the pep rally, you can go to the grotto or the bookstore without it being too crowded.

30 minutes after the game, there is mass in many dorms and maybe the Basilica. Otherwise, I don't really know what older people do after the game. I'm usually busy drowning my sorrows at the Backer or Finnie's. I have seen older people at the Backer but it's usually packed with college kids with intentions similar to mine - probably not your scene.

 

[meowmix]

I forgot to mention the Knights of Columbus steak sandwiches on south quad on gameday. They're quite good.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

I would suggest trumpets under the dome on Friday.

Also on Saturday, park in the Burke lot. Assuming you will be coming to campus from I-90, you are going to be making a right off the exit onto 933 to head towards campus. You will pass the golf course on your left side after the TV station building. The first light after the golf course is Angela Dr. Make a left, head down about 100 yards and the entrance to the golf course parking lot is on the left. It's $40 to park on gameday, a short walk to the bookstore and is usually home to some pretty decent tailgating. Get there pretty early though as they typically only let maybe 400-500 cars or so in.

Also on Friday, if you get over to the Guglielmi sports complex about 2-230 you can often catch players heading in to do whatever it is they do before the pep rally. It is a nice opportunity to meet them, get autographs, take pictures etc as there are usually only a few people hanging around.

On Friday we usually do the tunnel walk around 1, then check out the players heading into the gug, then a little before 4 head over to the main building for trumpets, then circle around to the Grotto before making our way to the pep rally on Friday. Its a nice route that has always worked well for us.

You should also make time to visit the GUG to see the Heisman trophies and some other stuff, and check out the second floor of the Joyce Center to see the past championship trophies, game worn jerseys and a ton of good memorabilia. I actually prefer those two places to the Hall of Fame for just everything ND.

Do not forget to check out the bookstore

 

[goldenisthytate1]

For legendary food/atmosphere I have no idea why people are saying Barnaby's. It's like a family centered pizza place that makes good pizza but has nothing to do with Notre Dame. You have to stay on campus and go the The Huddle in the LaFortune Student Center. Parking is hell but it's by far the best atmosphere, plus you might even see some players. It's practically a food court; it has a BK (Burger King not Brian Kelly), Subway, Starbucks, Sbarro (Italian), and a little Ice Cream gig. If your looking for a more formal restaurant type spiel then I'd say Legends of Notre Dame Restaurant/Pub. There open until 2:00 AM on Fridays so you can eat anytime before the drum circle (which is incredible btw) and it is definitively a great atmosphere being no more then 100 yards from the stadium. It is just west of the Parking Lot south of the stadium where most of the tailgating is done and southeast of the Mendoza College of Business if you want to check it out. You'll have a great time no regardless of where you eat. Have Fun and Go Irish!

 

[Kak7304]

I would suggest trumpets under the dome on Friday.

Also on Saturday, park in the Burke lot. Assuming you will be coming to campus from I-90, you are going to be making a right off the exit onto 933 to head towards campus. You will pass the golf course on your left side after the TV station building. The first light after the golf course is Angela Dr. Make a left, head down about 100 yards and the entrance to the golf course parking lot is on the left. It's $40 to park on gameday, a short walk to the bookstore and is usually home to some pretty decent tailgating. Get there pretty early though as they typically only let maybe 400-500 cars or so in.

Also on Friday, if you get over to the Guglielmi sports complex about 2-230 you can often catch players heading in to do whatever it is they do before the pep rally. It is a nice opportunity to meet them, get autographs, take pictures etc as there are usually only a few people hanging around.

On Friday we usually do the tunnel walk around 1, then check out the players heading into the gug, then a little before 4 head over to the main building for trumpets, then circle around to the Grotto before making our way to the pep rally on Friday. Its a nice route that has always worked well for us.

You should also make time to visit the GUG to see the Heisman trophies and some other stuff, and check out the second floor of the Joyce Center to see the past championship trophies, game worn jerseys and a ton of good memorabilia. I actually prefer those two places to the Hall of Fame for just everything ND.

Do not forget to check out the bookstore

If you park in the parking lot next to Carroll Hall and the WNDU station (right off 933), you can get in and park free. You just have to get there and park before the officers get out to check passes for people entering. You just have to get there before 8 to be safe.

 

[Kak7304]

Between the Buns is a good sports bar right next to campus and has a ton of ND stuff. Great food too.

 

[Kak7304]

CJ's Pub, Home of the Super Pub Burger and the BEST party in town - South Bend, Indiana

Some of the best burgers you will ever taste and a great ND atmosphere. Make sure you get there early though, because once night comes around and it transitions into a bar, you'll have to wait in line for 30+ min for a drink unless you are a prominent ND athlete. If you're into stalking players, half the team will be there Saturday night along with some gorgeous jersey chasers.

 

[PJWhitfield]

If you like Italian food, Sunny Italy has been around since 1926. Still family owned I believe.

 

[Mr. McGibblets]

My first home game ever was when Notre Dame lost to Navy for the first time in 60 years or whatever it was.

I also went and saw Navy beat them at the Meadowlands last year.

Ill probably never attend another Navy Game--well, until Ireland next year. 3 times a charm I guess.

 

[HawaiianIrish]

Enjoy your first of many home games. It will be something u will never ever forget!!!

Go Irish!!!!!!