Northwestern: Game Day Itinerary

January 25, 2020

PARENTS WEEKEND, 1:00 PM FOOTBALL GAME

From the perspective of current Northwestern student, Brooke Y '17

Northwestern may not have the best football team in the Big Ten but its membership within the league is a big part of the campus culture. To fully immerse yourself in the NU experience, parents should join the festivities and celebrate the game as if they are students.

Proper Attire: One of the best parts of game day is getting decked out in purple. If your wardrobe does not contain the appropriate gear, then head to the bookstore on Sherman street. If you are really adventurous (and want to blend in) get the purple and white striped overalls.

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Breakfast: Not eating breakfast before game day is a rookie mistake. Luckily, Evanston has many brunch options. Einsteins and Panera offer bagels on the go. But if you have time for a boozy brunch, go to Farmhouse or La Macchina. Scrambled eggs and Bloody Marys are a must.

Tailgate: There are endless options for tailgating. Follow your kids to their favorite locations. The best tailgates have students' BBQs - leave room for some delicious grilled fare. Tip: You will be on your feet all day so wear comfy shoes.

Game On: Head over to Ryan Field at least a half hour before game time. Students get in for free but be sure to book tickets in advance so you can sit with your kids and cheer like a WILDCAT! If you don’t know the Northwestern version to “Hey Baby” - brush up on it beforehand. It’s one of the many game day traditions you will want to partake in.

Recharge: Head back to downtown Evanston for much needed coffee. Unicorn Cafe is an Evanston staple but the Starbucks on Sherman is a good option too as it’s one of the nation’s best!

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Dinner: I know you're exhausted but don't sleep yet! Evanston has great dinner options! Union Pizza is a student favorite. Its thin crust pizza is a draw (very different than the classic Illinois deep dish pizza.) Boltwood is fairly new to the Evanston lineup. It has a changing menu reflecting the seasonal produce. If you are looking for something super casual, try Edzo's. Their burgers are legendary.

Sweet Dreams: Your kids will probably want to go out. Don’t feel bad if you cannot keep up. You're not a college student (even though you pretended to be today.)

Homeward Bound: At the airport, pick up a tin of Garrett Popcorn to take home - the best popcorn in the state (maybe the country!)

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From the perspective of current Michigan student, Sarah Teich '18

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Get up and get dressed: it’s game day! If you’re lacking apparel, make sure you head over to the M Den on state street before Saturday to get in the spirit. Pick out a shirt that is the color maize (a fancy term for the color yellow) because that is what all the Michigan students wear to the games.

Tip: The M Den is always super crowded on game day weekends, especially parents weekend. Avoid some of the crowds by checking out the M Den in the nearby Briarwood mall or online.

Eating breakfast on game day is a MUST. The Midwest is known for having the worst bagels in the country, but stop by Panera or Breugers bagels for a quick breakfast pick me up. If you are a caffeine addict don’t fear, there are two Starbucks and two local coffee shops called Espresso Royale on campus. If you have more time to sit down for breakfast, Angelo’s is the way to go before a big game day. Make sure to carb load with some of their famous home-made toast.

If you don’t already have your necessary tailgating beverages, stop by a liquor store on the way to the tailgates. If you’re walking from the hill area, stop by Strickland’s market where you can get mini Ciroc shooters to stay classy at the tailgates.

Head over to the tailgates! Your kids will pull you towards all sorts of different locations so make sure that you’re wearing shoes that you don’t mind ruining and dress for the weather. If it’s even the slightest bit chilly, layering is key. Get ready to question why you let your kids come to a school where these sort of activities are considered normal, and prep yourself for dancing on an elevated platform.

You’ll be surprised how quickly time flies on game day, but by the afternoon you will definitely be hungry. Depending on what time the game is you’ll need to fuel up accordingly. Any options on South University are quick and easy to grab.

If you’re in the mood for Thai food check out No Thai. If the lines are too long at these popular spots, try Belly Deli which is a casual Asian deli with a great chicken stir-fry salad.

If the game is at 3:30 pm, you’ll want to start heading to the Big House! The best way to get there is to walk because uber charges sky rocket on game days. The walk is 30 minutes, but you’ll be thankful for the exercise after a day of partying and eating like college students. Plus, it always seems shorter because of the excitement for the game.

Once you get to the Big House you’ll enter through a different section then your child, who will enter through the student section. Be sure to take a picture together in front of the trademark M right when you walk into the stadium before you head to your seats. If you really want to feel part of the Michigan community, google the Michigan fight song before the game and join in with the crowd to sing “hail to the victors”!

No game day is complete without a visit to Pizza House and an order of feta bread. Feta bread is a cheesy bread topped with a mixture of feta and mozzarella, and it is must for Michigan students after the game.

If you want more of a meal, get a chipati. A chipati is another favorite of students, especially on game days, and consists of a salad in a warm whole wheat pita with special chipati sauce (Ann Arbor’s twist on thousand island dressing). While Pizza House is a great place to get one, another spot is Pizza Bobs. Pizza Bobs is closer to the stadium, and arguably has the best chipati in Ann Arbor.

After your late afternoon snack, a nap is an important part of game day for kids and parents alike. Once you wake up and take off your letter M face sticker, you may be hungry for a more substantial meal.

If you want something casual head to Zingerman's deli and pray that the line isn’t horrendous. If it is, know that a famous Zingerman’s sandwhich is absolutely worth the wait. If you want something traditional, the Zingerman’s Rueben is the way to go. If you’re not a fan of that, check out their great turkey sandwich with avocado spread.

If you want to have a nicer meal, opt for a later reservation and book it way in advance. Your family will want to eat later anyways because everyone will be tired after game day, and there will be more availability. Some of the best nicer restaurants in Ann Arbor are Aventura, which has Spanish tapas, or Vinology on main street, which lends a gourmet twist on classic American dishes.

Your kids may still want to go out after leaving you at dinner, but trust me you will be ready to fall asleep and dream about your amazing game day experience. Sweet dreams, and go blue.