Game Day questions

[dtrainers]

I've never been to a NW game before but my buddies and I are flying out for the PSU game. We've got a couple questions:

1) What's the best way to get to the stadium from downtown Chicago? We're staying on Michigan Ave.

2) I Understand there isn't really tailgating outside the stadium before or after the game, so what is the recommended game day experience?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[NJCat83588]

I've never been to a NW game before but my buddies and I are flying out for the PSU game. We've got a couple questions:

1) What's the best way to get to the stadium from downtown Chicago? We're staying on Michigan Ave.

2) I Understand there isn't really tailgating outside the stadium before or after the game, so what is the recommended game day experience?

Any help would be appreciated.

1) Take the EL, change from the Red line to the Purple at Howard street, get off at Central Ave and walk 2 blocks to the stadium.

2) Get Chicago style hot dogs at Mustard's Last Stand next to the stadium. Stop in downtown Evanston for a meal and some drinks.

 

[dtrainers]

So best bet is to hit downtown Evanston before the game, same for after (to have a few drinks, etc)?

 

[NJCat83588]

So best bet is to hit downtown Evanston before the game, same for after (to have a few drinks, etc)?

Yep. There is a World of Beers for drinks, Nevins Pub is an NU sports bar, plenty of restaurants. Go for some deep dish pizza of course. Get off the EL at Davis Street.

 

[Mr. Stupor]

If there isn't tailgating before or after games, I simply have to wonder what the hell I've been doing the last 35 years.

 

[phatcat]

If there isn't tailgating before or after games, I simply have to wonder what the hell I've been doing the last 35 years.

You've been in a stupor...

 

[purple11]

I've never been to a NW game before but my buddies and I are flying out for the PSU game. We've got a couple questions:

1) What's the best way to get to the stadium from downtown Chicago? We're staying on Michigan Ave.

2) I Understand there isn't really tailgating outside the stadium before or after the game, so what is the recommended game day experience?

Any help would be appreciated.

There is tailgating before the game, in the west lot and the golf course areas among others (Campus ) Try the food trucks in an area called Wildcat Alley, which is near stadium and practice field. . I have not tried that personally, but heard it is good.. There is a 'famous' hot dog stand on the corner of Central and Eastwood ( Mustard's Last Stand ) in the west lot parking/tailgating area. It is a favorite. Blue Stone restaurant is in walking distance of the stadium.

Because our stadium is about a mile from our lake front campus, it is a bit unique. If you choose to drive instead of take the EL people tailgate on campus and take the shuttle bus over to stadium, that is an option if you want to see the beautiful lakefront campus.

Go Cats !

 

[purple11]

I've never been to a NW game before but my buddies and I are flying out for the PSU game. We've got a couple questions:

1) What's the best way to get to the stadium from downtown Chicago? We're staying on Michigan Ave.

2) I Understand there isn't really tailgating outside the stadium before or after the game, so what is the recommended game day experience?

Any help would be appreciated.

There is tailgating before the game, in the west lot and the golf course areas among others (Campus ) Try the food trucks in an area called Wildcat Alley, which is near stadium and practice field. . I have not tried that personally, but heard it is good.. There is a 'famous' hot dog stand on the corner of Central and Eastwood ( Mustard's Last Stand ) in the west lot parking/tailgating area. It is a favorite. Blue Stone restaurant is in walking distance of the stadium.

Because our stadium is about a mile from our lake front campus, it is a bit unique. If you choose to drive instead of take the EL people tailgate on campus and take the shuttle bus over to stadium, that is an option if you want to see the beautiful lakefront campus.

Go Cats !

 

[dtrainers]

Great suggestions, thanks for posting. Sounds like we've got some options, can't wait to make the trip.

 

[dtrainers]

1) Take the EL, change from the Red line to the Purple at Howard street, get off at Central Ave and walk 2 blocks to the stadium.

2) Get Chicago style hot dogs at Mustard's Last Stand next to the stadium. Stop in downtown Evanston for a meal and some drinks.

One more question. How long a ride is it on the train, given the route you mapped out above?

 

[LPk_cat]

One more question. How long a ride is it on the train, given the route you mapped out above?

Check out the Trip Planner feature on the CTA website (transitchicago.com) for travel time. Google map also. It's easy to get around.
If you're on Michigan Avenue, don't miss Millennium Park and the rest the experience of Chicago's Big Ten team.

 

[mybrotha]

hey guys it's been a while but is Howard street still a very dangerous place? I used to train in the martial art of Kali at the Chicago Aikikai center on Howard and I had some very interesting experiences there.

 

[rwhitney014]

One more question. How long a ride is it on the train, given the route you mapped out above?

Estimate about an hour from when you get on the train. The drive on Saturday would be about 30-35 minutes.

 

[Fitz51]

There is plenty of tailgating. Do not rely on downtown Evanston to give you any kind of pre-game experience.

 

[Overly_Invested_Cat]

hey guys it's been a while but is Howard street still a very dangerous place? I used to train in the martial art of Kali at the Chicago Aikikai center on Howard and I had some very interesting experiences there.

Nope. Not dangerous. It's not picturesque, but it is getting better with restaurants like The Peckish Pig and the bar Ward Eight.

 

[Overly_Invested_Cat]

I've never been to a NW game before but my buddies and I are flying out for the PSU game. We've got a couple questions:

1) What's the best way to get to the stadium from downtown Chicago? We're staying on Michigan Ave.

2) I Understand there isn't really tailgating outside the stadium before or after the game, so what is the recommended game day experience?

Any help would be appreciated.

Another option for commuting from downtown is the Metra train. It leaves out of Olgivie Transportation Center (west of the loop). You take the Union Pacific North Line to Evanston - Central Street. The advantage is that it is much faster than the El, it's much cleaner and more likely to be on time, and you can drink on the train.

It also drops you off three blocks from the stadium (4 minute walk), one block from Bluestone (west on Central), which is filled with TVs and offers decent bar food. You're also one block from Ten Mile House (east on Central toward the stadium), which also has a bar, good BBQ and wood-fired pizza. And, as others have mentioned, you'll pass Mustard's Last Stand if your looking for a Chicago Style Hotdog.

Downside to Metra is that it runs less frequently than the El, but is much, much faster, so you can plan on a 25-35 minute trip time. Not sure when game time is, but you can find the complete UP-North Schedule at http://metrarail.com/content/metra/en/home/maps_schedules/metra_system_map/up-n/schedule/_jcr_content/pdfLink/file.res/UPN Timetable02012015.pdf

Have fun.

 

[wichicat24]

hey guys it's been a while but is Howard street still a very dangerous place? I used to train in the martial art of Kali at the Chicago Aikikai center on Howard and I had some very interesting experiences there.

Back in the day, Howard Street ( particularly Talbot's Bar/ Restaurant) , being the line between very dry Evanston and very wet Chicago, was often frequented by many NU students. I hate to think of it as being dangerous, but considering either false or no IDs, I guess it always was!

 

[Hungry Jack]

Back in the day, Howard Street ( particularly Talbot's Bar/ Restaurant) , being the line between very dry Evanston and very wet Chicago, was often frequented by many NU students. I hate to think of it as being dangerous, but considering either false or no IDs, I guess it always was!

It never was that bad. We used to go to La Choza and drink, then over to Biddy Mulligans and drink some more. Never had a problem.

 

[NJCat83588]

Back in the day, Howard Street ( particularly Talbot's Bar/ Restaurant) , being the line between very dry Evanston and very wet Chicago, was often frequented by many NU students. I hate to think of it as being dangerous, but considering either false or no IDs, I guess it always was!

In MY day, it was Sonny at the PM Club, then over to the Mark IV till it closed. Sometimes a little disco at a place down the street from the PM Club (yes, I'm THAT old).......

 

[NUAlum78]

It never was that bad. We used to go to La Choza and drink, then over to Biddy Mulligans and drink some more. Never had a problem.

Thanks for the memory jog. I was just the other day trying to remember the name of the Mexican restaurant off Howard (La Choza) that started my lifelong love of mole sauce.

 

[ChappyCat]

I reccommend dinner at Uncle Julios off the EL afterward- GREAT fajitas!!

 

[Mr. Stupor]

Another option for commuting from downtown is the Metra train. It leaves out of Olgivie Transportation Center (west of the loop). You take the Union Pacific North Line to Evanston - Central Street. The advantage is that it is much faster than the El, it's much cleaner and more likely to be on time, and you can drink on the train.

It also drops you off three blocks from the stadium (4 minute walk), one block from Bluestone (west on Central), which is filled with TVs and offers decent bar food. You're also one block from Ten Mile House (east on Central toward the stadium), which also has a bar, good BBQ and wood-fired pizza. And, as others have mentioned, you'll pass Mustard's Last Stand if your looking for a Chicago Style Hotdog.

Downside to Metra is that it runs less frequently than the El, but is much, much faster, so you can plan on a 25-35 minute trip time. Not sure when game time is, but you can find the complete UP-North Schedule at http://metrarail.com/content/metra/en/home/maps_schedules/metra_system_map/up-n/schedule/_jcr_content/pdfLink/file.res/UPN Timetable02012015.pdf

Have fun.

"and you can drink on the train."


Are you implying that you can't drink on the Red line or the purple line? I beg to differ... And Tejas will definitely second that!

 

[Overly_Invested_Cat]

"and you can drink on the train."


Are you implying that you can't drink on the Red line or the purple line? I beg to differ... And Tejas will definitely second that!

Drink legally...if you're a stickler for that kind of thing.

 

[wichicat24]

Thanks for the memory jog. I was just the other day trying to remember the name of the Mexican restaurant off Howard (La Choza) that started my lifelong love of mole sauce.

Must mention The Capri, which was great pizza, but now probably long gone as this was in the mid-60s!

 

[HeyWhat?]

In MY day, it was Sonny at the PM Club, then over to the Mark IV till it closed. Sometimes a little disco at a place down the street from the PM Club (yes, I'm THAT old).......

Not sure if kids still do this, but we always went to the Mark II Lounge for late night. Went to their 50th anniversary party a few years ago...that was a sobering experience.

Was the Mark IV part of the same network?

 

[NJCat83588]

Not sure if kids still do this, but we always went to the Mark II Lounge for late night. Went to their 50th anniversary party a few years ago...that was a sobering experience.

Was the Mark IV part of the same network?

Probably the same place. On Western I think. Never sober enough to remember the name! It was always "The Mark"......