Gameday/Notre Dame for Visitors, and First Timers

[condoms SUCk]

I live in Valpo and have an open guest BR, I was thinking about Airbnb-ing it out for the ND/UM game.
It's about an hr or so drive so not sure folks would want to drive that far.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I've also stayed in Benton Harbor, MI before, only about 45 minutes north of campus. They have some cheaper hotel options, although for MI (also Labor Day) I've noticed they are about double.

Still cheaper than anything you'll find in the South Bend/Mishawaka area.

 

[adsnorri]

Plenty of airbnb or vrbo rentals available at this point.

 

[pumpdog20]

I always stay in Merrillville.

 

[Senoj13]

I stayed at the Wyndham right off of I-80 in Elkhart. Very nice and reasonably priced.

 

[texbender]

Check the Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City. Straight shot into SB.

 

[P_Rose]

Just ordered tickets to the Vandy game. This will be my first time attending a game and visiting the campus.

 

[texbender]

Just ordered tickets to the Vandy game. This will be my first time attending a game and visiting the campus.

I suggest getting to campus on Friday by late morning. Gives you time to walk around, poke your head into the stadium at the tunnel, visit the church (like one from Europe), Dome, Grotto, bookstore, etc. Leaves gameday less hectic. Follow the band from the Dome to the stadium just before the game, it's pretty cool.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I suggest getting to campus on Friday by late morning. Gives you time to walk around, poke your head into the stadium at the tunnel, visit the church (like one from Europe), Dome, Grotto, bookstore, etc. Leaves gameday less hectic. Follow the band from the Dome to the stadium just before the game, it's pretty cool.

Agreed, especially with the 2:30 ET kickoff, you won't have much time Saturday morning to see much of campus, especially if you're looking to tailgate. Not sure if you bought a parking pass or were planning on tailgating, but I have some good pointers if you're interested that will keep costs down (it can be sneaky expensive).

There are some good lots pretty close to campus that won't cost you an arm and a leg too. They are tucked into the residential area just Northeast of the Bulla/Twyckenham Dr Intersection. Usually about 15-20 bucks, and only 15 minutes walk to the stadium.
Anything south of there on Twyckenham will cost you 40-60ish.

 

[Irish#1]

Agreed, especially with the 2:30 ET kickoff, you won't have much time Saturday morning to see much of campus, especially if you're looking to tailgate. Not sure if you bought a parking pass or were planning on tailgating, but I have some good pointers if you're interested that will keep costs down (it can be sneaky expensive).

There are some good lots pretty close to campus that won't cost you an arm and a leg too. They are tucked into the residential area just Northwest of the Bulla/Twyckenham Dr Intersection. Usually about 15-20 bucks, and only 15 minutes walk to the stadium.
Anything south of there on Twyckenham will cost you 40-60ish.

I've been parking S and SE of the stadium for years. I usually pay $15 - $30. The closer the more it is obviously.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I've been parking S and SE of the stadium for years. I usually pay $15 - $30. The closer the more it is obviously.

Yeah, I really don't mind the trek to the stadium being a little longer to save money. I've seen campus so many times that it doesn't bother me. When have a first timer with me, I do what you stated above and either get them on campus Friday, or we carve a little time out before we set up the tailgate and give them the tour.

I much prefer to setup, eat and get the spirits rolling as early as possible, though.

 

[calvegas04]

I suggest getting to campus on Friday by late morning. Gives you time to walk around, poke your head into the stadium at the tunnel, visit the church (like one from Europe), Dome, Grotto, bookstore, etc. Leaves gameday less hectic. Follow the b7and from the Dome to the stadium just before the game, it's pretty cool.

correct get to ND friday there is so much to see. Saturday's are pretty crazy on the campus. But if you only have Saturday at ND then I would skip tailgating and explore the campus but get there early

 

[P_Rose]

I suggest getting to campus on Friday by late morning. Gives you time to walk around, poke your head into the stadium at the tunnel, visit the church (like one from Europe), Dome, Grotto, bookstore, etc. Leaves gameday less hectic. Follow the band from the Dome to the stadium just before the game, it's pretty cool.

We have the Holiday Inn Express off North Dixie booked for Friday evening and Saturday evening, Thinking of changing that to have Thursday also since I am driving from Kansas. My dad is coming up from Southern Indiana.

 

[Luckylucci]

Just booked my first ND game. Sept. 29th for ND vs. Stanford. Super pumped, can't wait.

As the game gets closer, I'm sure I'll be asking a lot of questions.

 

[arndtjc]

Just booked my first ND game. Sept. 29th for ND vs. Stanford. Super pumped, can't wait.



As the game gets closer, I'm sure I'll be asking a lot of questions.

I’ll have a beer waiting for ya!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Irish YJ]

Just booked my first ND game. Sept. 29th for ND vs. Stanford. Super pumped, can't wait.

As the game gets closer, I'm sure I'll be asking a lot of questions.

I would have never guessed you hadn't been before.
That should be a good one too

 

[Irish2155]

I’ll have a beer waiting for ya!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That is awesome, hope you have a great time!! It is a truly awesome experience.

I've learned personally, going to the game is not for me. Been to probably 6 or 7 and always find myself leaving at halftime to watch it on a TV...usually somewhere in the parking lot or a close bar. I can see it a lot better that way and can drink beer too.

The tailgate is amazing, especially if you've never been. There is just so much to see!!

I'm thinking the BSU game might be right for me. Pressure is off to win and can enjoy. Then again, I thought the same in my first ND game vs. San Diego St...Floyd, as a Frosh, caught his first TD pass and thank God because we barely won and played like shit.

Edit: Meant to quote Lucky

 

[texbender]

Just booked my first ND game. Sept. 29th for ND vs. Stanford. Super pumped, can't wait.

As the game gets closer, I'm sure I'll be asking a lot of questions.

Wow, would have thought you were a veteran gamer...but, not worries. It is a great experience. Being a night game, you need to pace yourself.
For me, the worst thing about going to game is the length of game, which for a nigh game stretched deep into the night. Having grown up in SB, I obviously had lots of advantages, including a ton of games where we snuck in. Great time to be had!

 

[Irish YJ]

Wow, would have thought you were a veteran gamer...but, not worries. It is a great experience. Being a night game, you need to pace yourself.
For me, the worst thing about going to game is the length of game, which for a nigh game stretched deep into the night. Having grown up in SB, I obviously had lots of advantages, including a ton of games where we snuck in. Great time to be had!

A morning dose of a Bloody Mary (or five), a few pitchers of beer at lunch/tailgate, a few shots before dinner tailgate, a couple travelers for the walk to the stadium, and a nice size flask of bourbon to keep you warm during the game. That's a great pace for a first game... lol...

Seriously though, night games do require a sustained effort to pace properly. Maybe not so much for a first visit if the visitor is taking in all the sites and events around campus. It's a challenge if all you're doing is tailgating all day, and the cooler continuously whispers, "open me".... Lots of food, and lots of water helps. My cousin's family always bring their bikes so they're active all day and not just concentrating on 12 ounce curls.

 

[Luckylucci]

I would have never guessed you hadn't been before.
That should be a good one too

People out here, that know me well, are always amazed at that fact.

 

[Irish YJ]

People out here, that know me well, are always amazed at that fact.

Enjoy it. Take in as many pre-game rituals, sites, and festivities as you can. I started going to games as a young child. I didn't appreciate a lot of things until I got older.

 

[calvegas04]

Believe there are a few long time posters here that haven't been to a game

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Believe there are a few long time posters here that haven't been to a game

Hell, Ive been to too many games in that stadium.

 

[Irish#1]

Hell, Ive been to too many games in that stadium.

You can never have been to "too many games in that stadium".

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Wow, would have thought you were a veteran gamer...but, not worries. It is a great experience. Being a night game, you need to pace yourself.
For me, the worst thing about going to game is the length of game, which for a nigh game stretched deep into the night. Having grown up in SB, I obviously had lots of advantages, including a ton of games where we snuck in. Great time to be had!

worst advice ever. GO FOR IT

 

[dublinirish]

Believe there are a few long time posters here that haven't been to a game

lesser ND fans

 

[SouthSideChiDomer]

worst advice ever. GO FOR IT

The last time I went for it for a night game I ended up taking a nice little nap on the bookstore grass before the game.

 

[condoms SUCk]

Believe there are a few long time posters here that haven't been to a game

Yup, I'll be there and will try really really really hard not to be blacked out by kickoff, no guarantees though.

 

[koonja]

Yup, I'll be there and will try really really really hard not to be blacked out by kickoff, no guarantees though.

I've partied with Joe a few times. He blacks out be he keeps standing. He's the ultimate fan and what we should all strive for. The embodiment for "party like a champion".

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

The last time I went for it for a night game I ended up taking a nice little nap on the bookstore grass before the game.

Lol, too funny. I usually drink beer steadily, might mix in a shot or three throughout the day, or homemade apple pie moonshine if it's a fall game. You're right, the trick is to pace yourself, and sneak in a couple of waters throughout the day.

The thing I hate the most about the night games, though, is after a steady pace of booze for about 7 or 8 hours of tailgating, give or take, is that during that 3 hour game, a hangover starts sneaking in.

Now, I smuggle in a shooter of jack or two, and pour it in a coke. Keep it even keeled.

Promise I'm not an alcoholic; only on Saturday's in the fall.

Cue 3rd and 4th quarter intermission announcement: "May I have your attention, please." Wishing Tim McCarthy a happy retirement, I miss him dearly.