- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Score Board
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- SEC Score Board
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Chicago for Notre Dame Game
Posted on 9/15/25 at 1:30 pm
Posted on 9/15/25 at 1:30 pm
Hey guys, I am holding off on booking some things because I was looking for a little advice, maybe from some Chicago natives.
Short version is, I am going to Chicago for the ND v Army game in early November, and I am looking for suggestions on how to fill our time. Landing around lunchtime Thursday, free all day Friday, then renting a car for the day to get to South Bend and back. Flying out Sunday morning, so only need Thursday and Friday plans. Any suggestions on bars/sites/restaurants/events/hotels welcome.
Short version is, I am going to Chicago for the ND v Army game in early November, and I am looking for suggestions on how to fill our time. Landing around lunchtime Thursday, free all day Friday, then renting a car for the day to get to South Bend and back. Flying out Sunday morning, so only need Thursday and Friday plans. Any suggestions on bars/sites/restaurants/events/hotels welcome.
7
Posted on 9/15/25 at 1:49 pm to dvar1
I just went to Chicago for the Oasis concert.
Stayed at the London House and it was a great hotel in a great location.
Did a food walking tour and the architecture boat tour and enjoyed both of those very much.
Maybe see if the Cubs are in town and go to a cubs game.
Stayed at the London House and it was a great hotel in a great location.
Did a food walking tour and the architecture boat tour and enjoyed both of those very much.
Maybe see if the Cubs are in town and go to a cubs game.
Posted on 9/15/25 at 3:20 pm to Buck Dancer
Cubs in town in November? I don’t think so.
And I think OP means Navy, not Army.
And I think OP means Navy, not Army.
This post was edited on 9/15/25 at 3:22 pm
Posted on 9/15/25 at 3:28 pm to dvar1
When I went to the LSU- ND game some years ago we flew into Chicago and stayed in South Bend.
There is a lot to see on ND’s campus. A lot of football history and a church that resembles a slightly scaled down version of a European cathedral
The restaurants and bars are lively on Friday nights before games.
There is a lot to see on ND’s campus. A lot of football history and a church that resembles a slightly scaled down version of a European cathedral
The restaurants and bars are lively on Friday nights before games.
Posted on 9/15/25 at 9:35 pm to TheWalrus
This is correct. I’m just looking to fill time as a first timer. Was gonna take the train down to South Bend Saturday, but with our flight out being early morning, we’re just renting a car for the day. Saturday is a full day, but just looking for Chicago recs for Thursday and Friday.
Posted on 9/16/25 at 9:06 am to hoopsgalore
Man, that’s great! Anything on there that you would say is “must do” for first timers on limited time? Also, is driving to game dumb or the right call?
Posted on 9/16/25 at 9:35 am to dvar1
I was just there this weekend for our game at Notre Dame. Stay downtown in the loop or River North areas. Tons of bars restaurants. My buddy is one of the owners of Industry Ales brewpub on Wabash. Theory on Hubbard is a great spot to watch any games.
Posted on 9/16/25 at 10:03 am to dvar1
quote:
Also, is driving to game dumb or the right call?
Traffic is going to suck but the tailgating by Soldier Field is fun in the lot by McCormick Center. You could also do what we used to do and either take the CTA or Uber and "Mobile Tailgate"...which is packing a few disposable coolers with beers, mixed drinks, and food and walking the parking lot to find the best spots. Set down and party for a bit wherever and then toss the coolers on the way in
Last time I went to a Packers / Bears game and did that a wonderful Bears fans simply said "I hope you drop that fricking cooler". Sucks to suck.
Posted on 9/16/25 at 10:38 am to Buck Dancer
Which food tour did you do and what food/drinks did yall cover?
Posted on 9/16/25 at 10:56 am to Chucktown_Badger
Driving to South Bend not Soldier Field but I appreciate it lol
Posted on 9/16/25 at 11:14 am to Chucktown_Badger
quote:
Traffic is going to suck but the tailgating by Soldier Field is fun in the lot by McCormick Center. You could also do what we used to do and either take the CTA or Uber and "Mobile Tailgate"...which is packing a few disposable coolers with beers, mixed drinks, and food and walking the parking lot to find the best spots. Set down and party for a bit wherever and then toss the coolers on the way in
Quick heads up - Game is in South Bend.
Posted on 9/16/25 at 11:23 am to dvar1
quote:
Anything on there that you would say is “must do” for first timers on limited time?
Depends, I guess... From your OP, seems like you're looking for a mix of tourist attractions and bars/restaurants.
If you can only pick a couple of tourist attractions in November, I'd probably aim for The Skydeck (Willis Tower), Art Institute, and Adler Planetarium.
From a bars/restaurants perspective, anyone living in Chicago will tell you to get into the neighborhoods for both. The Loop, especially, gets a bit desolate after the 9-5 work day. If your hotel is down in River North or The Loop, though, you have an abundance of CTA access to get to Lake View, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, West Loop, Wicker Park, etc.
Without knowing what you like / budget, Milli by Metric for coffee/pastries, Hop Butcher and Dovetail for breweries, The Meadowlark for a cocktail bar, Bird's Nest for wings and beer, Milly's Pizza In the Pan for deep dish / pan, PIZZ'AMICI for for thin crust, Armitage Alehouse for a proper dinner, and D'Amato's for an Italian sub.
quote:
Also, is driving to game dumb or the right call?
If you were staying overnight, I'd say Amtrak is the way to go. Since you're doing a "day" trip, your hands are a bit tied but keep your mind on the South Shore Line since they should be running extra trains for a ND game. Totally forgot about this.
This post was edited on 10/14/25 at 2:36 pm
Posted on 9/16/25 at 2:16 pm to dvar1
Leaving South bend after a game is awful. We didn't get back to our hotel until 2am.
Also, remember that there's a time zone change in the middle of that drive. Chicago is central, South Bend is eastern.
Also, remember that there's a time zone change in the middle of that drive. Chicago is central, South Bend is eastern.
Posted on 9/16/25 at 3:03 pm to dvar1
quote:
Driving to South Bend not Soldier Field but I appreciate it lol
Well that certainly changes my recommendation
But I guess you could still do the mobile tailgate in South Bend. I heard the city itself sucks but the campus is beautiful. I never made it down for a game when I lived in Chicago.
Posted on 9/16/25 at 3:06 pm to ColoradoAg03
quote:
Also, remember that there's a time zone change in the middle of that drive. Chicago is central, South Bend is eastern.
I wonder how many from the Chicago metro heading to ND for their first game have been late because of that time change
Related to Hoops note about getting into one of the neighborhoods, of those he listed, and if it was me, I'd go west loop. Very easy to get too, tons of options, great vibe, some world class restaurants...all back to back to back on multiple streets. Some of the best BBQ in town can also be had at Green St Meats.
Posted on 9/16/25 at 3:26 pm to dvar1
Fly out as late as you can on Sunday morning. Went to FSU/ND in 2018, same time of year, also a night game. We even left early because it was 20 degrees and we weren't competitive, got back to hotel (Hilton at ORD) around 12:30, this included dropping off rental car before returning to hotel - got basically a quick nap before our 7:45 flight. Can't imagine how we would have made this work staying for the entire game and not staying at a hotel on property at O'Hare.
Posted on 10/14/25 at 1:29 pm to cubbynole
Bumping this thread since we are doing a similar trip for the Notre Dame-USC game this weekend with two kids (8 & 5)...we have friends in nearby Mishawaka who are hosting us.
Flying into ORD Friday morning and taking CTA downtown. Plan to take the South Shore Line 4pm train from Millennium Station to South Bend airport Friday afternoon. Can we buy these tickets now and then validate/activate on Friday before we hop on? Also, will they sell out and how far ahead of time should we get to the station?
Taking SSL train Sunday morning back to Chicago (looks like kids are free on that leg since it's weekend and non-peak hours). Will try to find a lunch spot the kids will enjoy somewhere in River North area. Not flying out til Monday morning.
Any help is appreciated
Flying into ORD Friday morning and taking CTA downtown. Plan to take the South Shore Line 4pm train from Millennium Station to South Bend airport Friday afternoon. Can we buy these tickets now and then validate/activate on Friday before we hop on? Also, will they sell out and how far ahead of time should we get to the station?
Taking SSL train Sunday morning back to Chicago (looks like kids are free on that leg since it's weekend and non-peak hours). Will try to find a lunch spot the kids will enjoy somewhere in River North area. Not flying out til Monday morning.
Any help is appreciated
This post was edited on 10/14/25 at 1:30 pm
Posted on 10/14/25 at 2:24 pm to drockw1
Haven't taken this line all the way to South Bend, but sure you can buy tickets on their app now which is probably fastest and easiest.
Posted on 10/14/25 at 2:33 pm to drockw1
quote:
Flying into ORD Friday morning and taking CTA downtown. Plan to take the South Shore Line 4pm train from Millennium Station to South Bend airport Friday afternoon. Can we buy these tickets now and then validate/activate on Friday before we hop on? Also, will they sell out and how far ahead of time should we get to the station?
Yeah, you can buy tickets now and activate before you board the train. Probably won't sell out because it's a commuter rail and there are no assigned seats. Only real question mark is getting a seat, but you should be fine on Friday. No reason to push yourself to Millennium Station too early since doors open for boarding at a certain time, but give yourself enough time if you aren't familiar with The Loop. It's not overly difficult, though, and it'll be an underground entrance at the intersection of Michigan and Randolph.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News