Traveling to Evanston for the Northwestern Game

Submitted by GoBlueNorth on

I was hoping that some of you might be able to share your experiences/advice for traveling to the Northwestern game.  Looking for seating, parking, tailgating, etc. information.  Thanks a bunch.

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Streetchemist

September 5th, 2014 at 10:03 PM ^

I don't know too much about tailgating or parking because I take the purple line into Evanston, but you don't have to worry about seating. It's usually at worst 50% Michigan fans. The south sections last year were 100% Michigan fans and the east sections were mostly Michigan fans.

Joined: 05/14/2011

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814 East U

September 5th, 2014 at 10:03 PM ^

You do know we play ND in less than 24 hours? Then we play Miami. Then we play Utah. Then Minny. Then Rutgers. Then PSU. Then MSU. Then IU. Then this thread would probably be good.

Joined: 10/24/2012

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Rhino77

September 5th, 2014 at 10:20 PM ^

Hmmmm it's ND week but I'll play along...

As a Michigan fan who has called Chicago home for 11 years I will say this. There is not a bad seat in Ryan Field. I sat in the SW corner last year and my son was able to greet and celebrate after with the team.

Parking? If you are not staying in Chicago then by all means park by the stadium. Get there early and pay your 20-25 bucks. If you are staying in Chi then take the train (purple). If you are staying in Evanston take the shuttle.

Now, calm down, enjoy the season as it comes and when the time comes the NW game details will all fall into place.

Joined: 05/27/2011

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Wendyk5

September 5th, 2014 at 11:47 PM ^

I live in Evanston - it's a fun game experience. There are several hotels in Evanston proper but if you want to experience Chicago as well, take the "L" to Evanston; the purple line drops you a few blocks from the stadium. You may have to take the red line to Howard to pick up the purple - check the CTA Saturday schedules online. Once in Evanston, there are a few good places to eat before a game. Edzo's burgers is excellent, Bat 17 is a good place, too, with a sandwich menu modeled after Zingerman's, and good beers. Near the stadium is Mustard's, a hot dog and hamburger stand that's been around forever. There will be many Michigan fans, and they will be louder than the Northwestern fans, with the exception of some boisterous students. If you want some other restaurant recomendations in the area, let me know. 

Joined: 11/20/2008

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Bando Calrissian

September 6th, 2014 at 4:00 AM ^

For food, Edzo's is indeed great, but I'd skip Bat 17 except for drinking. Dixie Kitchen is my go-to in Evanston. Other than that, honestly, do your eating and drinking in Chicago, take the Red to the Purple (the Purple Line Express doesn't run on weekends, so you have to transfer at Howard) and go to the game. I spend a lot of time in Evanston, and honestly, it's pretty much dead for good restaurants and bars. If you can help it, don't waste your time. The train will get you there, enjoy the city instead.

Joined: 07/02/2008

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Wendyk5

September 6th, 2014 at 9:32 AM ^

You're right about Evanston being dead for food. Union is probably the best actual restaurant and then after that, everything falls off, even the newer, more upscale places like Found Kitchen and Farmhouse. It's a sad state of affairs and why, being a former city person before kids, I can't wait to get back. 

Joined: 11/20/2008

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GoWings2008

September 6th, 2014 at 6:56 AM ^

and had a blast.  I don't hang out in Chicago often, so for this trip I did all the iconic Chicago eateries, for the most part...had Italian beef, had deep dish pizza, and then went to Lucky's downtown for their over-stuffed sammiches, Primanti Brother's style.  Cool bar with great food.  

Indeed, lots of hotels in the area.  I found just a cheap one because I didn't spend a lot of time in the room except to sleep.  Parking around the stadium wasn't too bad, lots of houses to park in front of/on the lawn, a little like Ann Arbor.  Pay the extra money to park near the stadium though, its pretty worth it.

I may go again this year...should be a better game for UM fans to see.

Joined: 01/26/2011

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rkfischer

September 5th, 2014 at 10:50 PM ^

GoBlueNorth:

Northwestern University is just a few miles from where I have lived for the past 20+ years. They are on a quarter system. Their fall quarter starts on Tuesday Sept 23. The game on Saturday is against NIU (Northern Illinois U). Should be a close game. There should be plenty of tickets available since NW students are not on campus yet, their team is very suspect and it stormed big time today around Chicago. 

Rhino77 has the transportation correct. The campus is located on the lake, the NW stadium is located about a mile off campus, Evanston is nice while Chicago is wild, windy and wooly. Weather is expected to be cool (70 F) and decent. Ryan stadium is a small fan friendly stadium. It needs updating which will occur when they raise the money and/or their team performs. 

There are about 2 million Catholics in Chicago area so you will not have any trouble finding ND fans to watch the game with on Saturday night. There was a separate post last week or so about where to watch Michigan games while in Chicago. 

Have fun!

 

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acnumber1

September 5th, 2014 at 10:54 PM ^

Drive to South Bend.

Park in the vacated area that was once Notre Dame Stadium until Team 135 recently dismantled it with a crushing win.

Call a local mgoblogger.

Get an enjoyable ride to Evanston.

Profit.

Joined: 10/19/2009

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You Only Live Twice

September 5th, 2014 at 11:02 PM ^

Considered it... then when listening to WTKA while driving to work this morning, heard ticket prices were starting at 300.... I'll be there in spirit.

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StephenRKass

September 6th, 2014 at 12:33 AM ^

My sisters and dad live in Evanston and Skokie, so I spend a lot of time there, and will be going to the game.

Parking: I typically just do street parking maybe a half mile from the stadium for free. Of course, you can get there early and park next to Ryan field if you want.

Food:  plenty of good choices. Being a Chicagoan, I'm partial to Chicago style hot dogs. Of course, you can get good Polish sausage, brats, etc. Chicago has the largest Polish population outside of Warsaw, so you can do that. Plenty of Korean choices. Some decent kosher deli's and places for bagels in Skokie. Pita Inn in Skokie has great Middle Eastern food, and is always packed. Lots of good Italian food in Chicago area . . . another fast food choice for the area is good Italian beef sandwiches with giardiniera. There are lots of great places in Chicago as well, too many to choose from.

Lodging: Closer to game date, you probably can find some Chicago hotel deals downtown on Groupon.

Music:  would have to know what you're interested in. Green Mill can be good for Jazz. You can check out the House of Blues to see what they have going. Park West is another club in the city with music.

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the Glove

September 6th, 2014 at 10:24 AM ^

Parking is hell, I've been to the vast majority of big 10 schools to see a game and it's by far the worst. You park in basically a suburb on the side of the street. That is if you can find a spot. Finding a seat is not really a problem because Michigan pretty much takes over the stadium. best chances to sit with Michigan fans is to sit in the section opposite side of the press box.

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