Gameday/Notre Dame for Visitors, and First Timers

[GoshenGipper]

In South Bend:

· College Football Hall of Fame
· Studebaker Museum (Rockne Exhibit)
· Riverside Park
· Corby's Irish Pub (Rudy filmed there)
· Linebacker Lounge
· Rocco’s
· Visit Knute Rockne's gravesite



On Campus:

· Grotto
· Bookstore
· LaFortune Student Center
· Sacred Heart Basillica
· Walk around the lakes
· Admin Building (The Dome)
· War Memorial (By LaFortune)
· South Dining Hall
· Art Museum (Just outside the NW corner of the Stadium)
· Joyce ACC
· Notre Dame Stadium
· Pipe & Drum parade through campus (Celtic drum line and bagpipes)
· The team walk from Mass to the Stadium (2 ½ hours before kickoff)
· "Concert on the Steps" (Bond Hall)
· ND Experience in the JACC (North Dome) on gameday morning/early afternoon

If you plan on coming into town on Thursday or Friday I would suggest asking for a guided tour of campus. The walking tours are a little over one hour and begin at the Eck Visitor's Center next to the bookstore.

If you are in town on Friday night and you’re a night owl, try to check out the Drum Circle on the steps of the Admin. Building (Golden Dome) at midnight. I would also suggest that you visit the bookstore on Friday rather than Saturday because it’ll be packed on game day.

Look for Gridiron Grafitti (printout of the weekend's events). It's always available in the bookstore and used to be in LaFortune too. Might also be able to get it in the Eck Center across from the bookstore too.

Here's some more great game day visitors info:

NDUtah's Gameday for Visitors

South Bend/Mishawaka Visitors Bureau

Notre Dame Stadium Seating Chart (You can click on your section number and see what kind of view you'll have)

 

[Jason Pham]

Good stuff, Goshen.

I highly recommend drummer's circle.

 

[gallup21]

just wondering is the Volcano still there? its a restaurant near the airport hotel

 

[goirish#1]

I have to say I've done most of the things on the list and I still love doing them every time. They tradition that surrounds South Bend on a game weekend is great. If you come early in the season I would recomend watching a practice of a team. We watched the men's basketball and the women's softball team practice it was neat to see how much work they put in. It is also not uncommon to see some other celebrities at the festivities. We saw Digger and Dickie V when we went down. It is a great expierence for anyone and everyone should expierence it at least once, even if they don't like football that much.

 

[Subway Alum - MA]

Thanks GoshenGipper:

I've taken the liberty of printing your thread to serve as a guide in planning our first-time visit to South Bend As a long-time Notre Dame fan, this will be my initial visit to the campus for this year's Blue & Gold game on April 21st. Will the same game day traditions be followed for this game?

Subway Alum - MA
ND Fan Since 1952

 

[GoshenGipper]

I would think everything will be availible for sure exept for...

· Pipe & Drum parade through campus (Celtic drum line and bagpipes)
· The team walk from Mass to the Stadium (2 ½ hours before kickoff)
· "Concert on the Steps" (Bond Hall)
and the Drummers Circle

I usually don't get there that early for the Blue and Gold games so I'm not sure if those activities are done for the Spring game or not

Here's a pic I took with my phone from the top of the northwest corner of the stadium of the Pipe and Drum Parade the day of the Stanford game.

 

[GoshenGipper]

Here's some more pictures I took with my phone that day (The 2nd Stadiaum pic was taken by one of my friends:

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Good stuff! What about Pat's Colonial Pub? I had a blast there. The Linebacker is a must.

 

[Junkhead]

Good stuff! What about Pat's Colonial Pub? I had a blast there. The Linebacker is a must.

Ugh. Corbys is ok if you can fight your way to the bar and actually get a drink. I never could stand the Linebacker. Watery drinks.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Thanks GoshenGipper:

I've taken the liberty of printing your thread to serve as a guide in planning our first-time visit to South Bend As a long-time Notre Dame fan, this will be my initial visit to the campus for this year's Blue & Gold game on April 21st. Will the same game day traditions be followed for this game?

Subway Alum - MA
ND Fan Since 1952

Dittos! I hope one day to see a ND game, and this was very helpful. You 'da man!

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Ugh. Corbys is ok if you can fight your way to the bar and actually get a drink. I never could stand the Linebacker. Watery drinks.

You may be right, as a beer drinker I wouldn't know about their mixed drinks. Also as a fan who's only been to SouthBend 3 times, I thought the Linebacker was more of a 'tourist' trap but still wanted to check it out b/c of the atmosphere & proximity to stadium. Thanks.

 

[WalshND]

Good stuff! What about Pat's Colonial Pub? I had a blast there. The Linebacker is a must.

The backer is fun but PACKED!!! I'm more of a Corby's guy myself.

 

[NDgettysburg]

I would add to the list:

- Look for Gridiron Grafitti (printout of the weekend's events). It's always available in the bookstore and used to be in LaFortune too. Might also be able to get it in the Eck Center across from the bookstore too.

- Checkout the ND Experience in the JACC (north dome) on gameday morning/early afternoon, especially if you have kids. They usually have a few free games for kids and also former players signing autographs for free.

 

[GoshenGipper]

For those of you that will be staying in the Goshen or Elkart area this fall, Blue and Gold has opened a shop in the Concord Mall. It's probably not as big as the one in Mishawka next to Burlington, but it'll more than likely be less crouded as well.

 

[ndfantp]

Other Ideas/ Local insight

Other Ideas/ Local insight

The backer isn't so much a tourist trap, but rather a student hang out. I would say 95% of their business is done through students during the school year. So don't be expecting too much if you go in there.

If you arrive early on campus on Friday's, its always a good idea to go check out the marching band practicing in the parking lots on the south side of the stadium. Also if you go to the dome around 4 p.m. the trumpet section plays some tunes inside the rotunda.

 

[Irishtat]

Great stuff!

 

[OCIrish]

Last year was my first gameday at ND. My wife got us tickets for my birthday to the Purdue game. We did check out a good part of the list, but she was sick so we didn't head up early (from Ft. Wayne). Even if you don't get most of those things accomplished, gameday is still very much a magical day. The crowd, the tradition, the Band, it's all electrical. South Bend in late Sep. early Oct. is such a beautiful place to be, I liken it to Tennessee in late Oct. early Nov. The trees are in full color change and there is absolutely no better place on God's green earth than a Sat. on campus. I've been up to the last 5 Blue and Gold games, but it pales in comparison to Gameday. If you haven't been, spend the money if you have too, but it is a must. It, to this point has been the single greatest day of my life. Which will probably change anyday now with my son being due anytime now. I just can't say enough to anyone who hasn't been there for Gameday, just how special and amazing it truly is.


Go Irish!!!!!!!!!

Having said that, Sep. 1st can't get here soon enough!!!!!

 

[GoshenGipper]

Last year was my first gameday at ND. My wife got us tickets for my birthday to the Purdue game. We did check out a good part of the list, but she was sick so we didn't head up early (from Ft. Wayne). Even if you don't get most of those things accomplished, gameday is still very much a magical day. The crowd, the tradition, the Band, it's all electrical. South Bend in late Sep. early Oct. is such a beautiful place to be, I liken it to Tennessee in late Oct. early Nov. The trees are in full color change and there is absolutely no better place on God's green earth than a Sat. on campus. I've been up to the last 5 Blue and Gold games, but it pales in comparison to Gameday. If you haven't been, spend the money if you have too, but it is a must. It, to this point has been the single greatest day of my life. Which will probably change anyday now with my son being due anytime now. I just can't say enough to anyone who hasn't been there for Gameday, just how special and amazing it truly is.


Go Irish!!!!!!!!!

Having said that, Sep. 1st can't get here soon enough!!!!!

Don't tell your wife that. I have a feeling she might think your wedding day should be.

 

[OCIrish]

She was with me, so that made it special as well.

 

[Greenrooney]

OCIrish,

Thank you for the heads up about this site.

 

[johnnd05]

OCIrish,

Thank you for the heads up about this site.

Welcome, Greenrooney! Looking forward to seeing you contribute.

 

[IrishFan4Life]

this is very sweet.

 

[IrishFan4Life]

thank you

 

[IrishCurse84]

Could anyone point me in a direction where I can get cheap Irish tickets for the Duke game? It is the only game I am available to attend this year and I have never seen an Irish game in person. Thanks

 

[GoshenGipper]

Could anyone point me in a direction where I can get cheap Irish tickets for the Duke game? It is the only game I am available to attend this year and I have never seen an Irish game in person. Thanks

Try the Blue and Gold Shop forum, or check places like Stub Hub would be my best guess. You can always just come and probably buy some off a scalper right before the game as well.

 

[SouthIrish04]

Definitely check out the ND Glee Club two hours before kickoff of every home game. They sing in the JACC, near the ND Experience. Phenomenal.

 

[IrishFan4Life]

Definitely check out the ND Glee Club two hours before kickoff of every home game. They sing in the JACC, near the ND Experience. Phenomenal.

I got the chills listening to them a couple years ago.

 

[IrishGirl10]

I really want to visit South Bend.

 

[jakerbluegold]

I get by with a little help from my friends

I get by with a little help from my friends

IrishCurse84, GoshenGipper was right about STUBHUB, I got three tickets there before the season started for MY VERY FIRST GAME!!!!!!!!!!! Me and my best friend,(who converted me to the Blue and Gold) will be attending the Duke game. Despite how the season has went, I'm as excited as I have ever been about anything.
This site has been an invaluable tool in helping me plan our trip, and I appreciate all the help immensely!!!!

I believe we're staying at a complete dive hotel, the Quality Inn @ 515 North Dixieway. Anybody have any info about it?
Supposedly it's relatively close to the stadium,(the chick at the desk said it was about a mile and a half away from the stadium.) Is it tough to get a cab, or any other method of transportation as we will be embibing.

And our tickets are Section 20 Row 52, the big ol' STUB HUB said it was, "where all the fun is had" or some junk like that.

If any of you can give me some insight into wether I was fleeced or got some decent tix, I'd appreciate all the input!

 

[IrishRamMan10]

yep im going to my first game at ND too.... navy game baby