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Taking my youngest boy for his b-day present this weekend to the ND vs Air Force game. Anyone been to an ND game? Advice on parking, directions, etc.. would be appreciated.

I would advise going to watch a team that is 1-8. Do you want your son to have a bad birthday?

As an ND fan since birth and an attender of over 20 ND home games, I'm fairly qualified to answer this one.

Your best bet for parking, unless you're lucky enough to know someone who lives near the campus as I do, is to drive near the campus on Edison Road approaching from Mishawaka. There will be places you can park for 10 or 15 bucks, I believe, and it's a reasonable walk.

It's pretty easy to find Notre Dame. All the major South Bend roads - Ironwood and Edison and SR 23 - pass by or are very near to ND. Depending on where you're staying I may be able to give you more specific directions.

The band plays a concert on the steps of Bond Hall, near south quad, approx. 1.5 hours before game time. You have to watch it. After that you have to line the sidewalk near the admin. building to watch them march by. Best band in the land.

If you know someone who tailgates outside the stadium, take a lap around the tailgate lots. Even if you don't. It's fun as hell.

Take in the usual campus sights of course - Grotto, TD Jesus, etc.

Most importantly, have a great time. I've been to games involving some bad, bad Notre Dame teams, but I'd still take an afternoon in South Bend over just about anywhere else.

Thanks for the advice nd. I'll put it to use.

How is traffic around there? Game is 2:30 EST, we are leaving Chicago area at about 8:30. Should get us to South bend at about 12:00 EST - is that enough time to park and check on the band etc...? Or do we alot an extra ? minutes for traffic.

jim wrote:Thanks for the advice nd. I'll put it to use.

How is traffic around there? Game is 2:30 EST, we are leaving Chicago area at about 8:30. Should get us to South bend at about 12:00 EST - is that enough time to park and check on the band etc...? Or do we alot an extra ? minutes for traffic.

Should be good. I went up for my Birthday last year Purdue v ND. I think the game was a 3 pm game, and we got in around noon. We had plenty of time to park and hang out. We parked on a grass lot East of the stadium for like 10 books and it was 2 blocks to the stadium parking lot.

Have fun!

I hope I have your location right from memory.

Link

Despite ND's crummy record this year, the atmosphere will be great and you two will have an outstanding time!

As I recall, we lined the sidewalk when the players left the church after mass and headed to their locker room? All the fans lined up and the players would shake their hands or high five....if you are there early enough, I'm sure your son would enjoy that!

How long before kickoff was that simbagal?

jim wrote:How long before kickoff was that simbagal?

Oh boy, now you are testing my memory.....at least a couple of hours. If I get a more definitive answer, I'll let you know. We also hung out at a "bar" right by the stadium to let the traffic clear out. I call it a "bar", it was more like a student center that served food, beverages (including beer) but anybody could get in.

Found it! Check out the ND website, some good game day info:

Between an hour and a half to two hours before kickoff, the Notre Dame football team will complete its traditional pre-game mass in the Sacred Heart Basilica and walk to Notre Dame Stadium. The route is traditionally lined with Irish fans, giving the team some last minute encouragement.