I have decided not to get the tailgating passes on you guys recommendations. I appreciate the help. Also I would like to have some help with what are the things me and my wife must see. I like planning ahead. We will be there all day friday and saturday. ALso do you have to have aticket for the pep rally and how do you get them. Any places you recommend we eat. Sorry frist time and want to make the most of it. Also spending sunday in chicago if any sugggestins there on things to do.

I have decided not to get the tailgating passes on you guys recommendations. I appreciate the help. Also I would like to have some help with what are the things me and my wife must see. I like planning ahead. We will be there all day friday and saturday. ALso do you have to have aticket for the pep rally and how do you get them. Any places you recommend we eat. Sorry frist time and want to make the most of it. Also spending sunday in chicago if any sugggestins there on things to do.

 

You could spend a month in Chicago and not see it all. You'd have to narrow it down in what your preferences are. There are great museums, aquariums, planetariums. Shopping on Michigan Ave and State St. Great restaurants. Navy Pier. Millennium Park. Architectural tours. Historic Sites. Theater district. The lakefront.

 

If you could give an idea of what you and your wife enjoy, it would be easier to give a few suggestions.

I have heard navy pier is really awesome though about checking that out. ALso promised my wife we would go get a deep dish pizza (hey we are from texas never had it) someone told us ginos east is the place to do that. i think that will take up a lot of our day but might still have 3-4 hours to kill. We will be there from about 9;30- 6;30 . thanks fo rthe help

ALso promised my wife we would go get a deep dish pizza (hey we are from texas never had it) someone told us ginos east is the place to do that.

 

Don't bother it's hiiiiighly over rated. And over priced. Three of us went there, we had two beers and a Coke, one appetizer and two pizzas (a four slice and a six slice).

 

Final bill with tax and tip was over a hundred bucks.

If not there where rocket. i have no idea about the places at all.

If not there where rocket. i have no idea about the places at all.

 

Dunno...I hear the mom and pop sandwich places in Chicago are far better food...

I have heard navy pier is really awesome though about checking that out. ALso promised my wife we would go get a deep dish pizza (hey we are from texas never had it) someone told us ginos east is the place to do that. i think that will take up a lot of our day but might still have 3-4 hours to kill. We will be there from about 9;30- 6;30 . thanks fo rthe help

 

Gino's East is good, but I prefer Giordano's, but you can't go wrong either way.

 

However, what I've done with my wife is this. There is a Giordano's on the NE corner of Rush St. and Superior. This is just a block west of Michigan Ave. After lunch, walk North a block or two and find the Ghiradelli's Ice Cream Chocolate shop. They'll make you a sundae you won't forget (though it will be expensive). From there you can head a block east to Michigan Ave, hit up the shops along there, Water Tower Place (which is basically a mall), then go to the Hancock building. I'd take the trip to the observatory and take in the sites. I can't remember the exact cost, maybe 10-12 a person?

 

Then you can either walk (maybe 20-25 minutes) or cab it to Navy Pier. Walk around there for a bit (though there really isn't THAT much to see there), maybe take a ride around the Ferris Wheel.

 

After that if your stomach can still take it, there are about a dozen good steakhouses within shouting distance of the Pier, either by cab or walking.

 

If Navy Pier doesn't do it for you, going South on Michigan Ave will get you towards the Art Institute (which could easily kill a few hours)/Millennium Park (which has the Bean, some gardens, sculptures etc.), more shopping, the Lakefront etc.

 

You can hit most of this by walking if you are up for it, though that would take up some time. Cabs would be faster, but add to the bill and your stress level depending on the cabbie you get!

 

I'm sure others could add more, it really just depends on what you want to do, there is more than enough for the time frame you are looking at.

 

EDIT: After reading Rocket's post, he is right, there isn't much you are going to do in downtown Chicago on the cheap. If cost is a concern, the sidewalk vendors and such are a better bet, but you aren't going to find a ton of those right downtown. But there are plenty of bars and such where you can get a "cheaper" meal, though even saying that it isn't going to be cheap.

 

Heck you can even find the "Billy Goat Tavern" famous from SNL " Cheez-borger,Cheez-borger, Cheez-borger" skit if you want.

Edited October 15, 201212 yr by corysold

I forgot Lincoln Park Zoo is also very nice to walk around. Good variety of animals, nice landscaping.

 

It's also free to get into which is nice, though you do have to pay to park, but a cab would alleviate that, as would walking, though it is probaby on the edge of walking distance from "downtown", but not too bad.

We were in Chicago last week for a wedding and ate at Giordanos, my first time there. To me way better than Gino's. And they are all over the place. Had the deep dish, thin and chicken sandwich and all were delicious. It was a pre-wedding buffet. If its a clear sunny day a trip up either the Sears Tower or Hancock can be awesome.

Thanks for the help and keep it rolling. Anyhting and everything is appreciated and stuff to do friday and saturday at south bend too.

Thanks for the help and keep it rolling. Anyhting and everything is appreciated and stuff to do friday and saturday at south bend too.

 

Just come drink with me

They are trying to line up a domer domain tailgate for the BYU game.

in terms of things to do at ND

Friday - Pep rally at 6pm (free), Knights of Columbus smoker -8pm, Midnight Drummer's circle.

Sat - 11:30 bagpipes, 12:30 player walk out of Basilica, 2pm Band concert, 2:30 trumpets under the dome, mass in the basilica after the game.

Thanks a couple of questions. What is the Smoker. And do the players attend the mass after the game. I am not catholic. Or is it jsut a must to go to mass.

ND Friday - Walk down the tunnel, It should be on the

schedule of events that you will find on campus or in the

bookstore. Also the pep rally, great fun, I do not believe you

need tickets for it. I would also do a campus tour on Friday.

 

ND Saturday - The grotto, The Gug and the pavillion are all very

cool. We were in the Basilica during player Mass and then

watched as they loaded the bus headed over to the

Gug. Also highly recommend the player walk and

trumpets in the dome.

 

ND does a great job with gameday schedule, we used it and saw alot. I have been there before so we didn't take the campus tour on Saturday.

 

Chicago - I highly recommed the architectural boat tour that runs

through town on the Chicago river. We bought tickets at Navy Pier

and did the night cruise with fireworks after. Lots of good food

everywhere. Billy Goat's on Navy Pier, Gino's for Chicago Pizza.

I also liked Ed Debevic's, great chili on a cool day. (They are

known for a rude wait staff, part of the gimmick) Michigan Ave is

also a must see along with Lakeshore Dr.

You can get good pizza in South Bend. Hell, Bruno's in South Bend has good deep dish! If your going to spend $70-$80 on a meal, go to Shaw's Crab House! Wonderful crab legs!!! Best in Chicago!

 

http://www.shawscrabhouse.com/

 

Navy Pier if you just want to walk around looking and shopping.

 

Shed Aquarium and the Museum of Science and Industry are close to each other but I'd want a whole day for them.

 

Good luck whatever you choose to do!