It’s a bucket list destination, so there are plenty of things to see
The college football playoff field is set, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will host the Indiana Hoosiers on Friday, December 20, for a prime time game to start the whole darn thing. So we decided to come up with a little bit of a guide for the best ways to experience a trip to South Bend for an Irish football game.
With the game being scheduled for a Friday night, which has never happened at Notre Dame, your allotted time to enjoy all that’s around the game may be quite different than it would be during the regular season.
What to do
Let’s be perfectly honest here… you likely won’t be looking for a whole bunch of things to do in the city of South Bend — or Mishawaka for that matter. Notre Dame is the Mecca of college football (or Jerusalem if you will). Whether you’re a Notre Dame fan or an Indiana fan, there is plenty of tradition to soak up around campus.
Check out Touchdown Jesus which is also called The Hesburgh Library and The Word of Life mural. Aside from the golden dome atop the Main Building, it’s probably the most iconic landmark on campus, and you’ll surely want a picture of yourself in front of it.
Even if you’re not Catholic, and even if you’re not a Christian, you absolutely must see the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. It is an absolutely beautiful place, and for first-time visitors, it will honestly take your breath away.
Located behind the basilica on the northwest side, people consistently name the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes their favorite place on campus. With all that goes on during game day, there is still a quiet aura that surrounds the place. Just be there for a few minutes and you’ll understand.
If you need some new gear, you can head over to the bookstore. There is an aura here too, but it’s much more like Wall Street. You simply have to go once, just to witness the incredible chaos that develops here on a game day. There are plenty of other places on campus to buy merchandise, but this one comes with a merit badge for surviving.
Don’t forget to check out all of the statues. While these are spread out around campus, you really need to seek them out by keeping an eye out along your way. “We’re #1” Moses, “Fair Catch” Corby, Moose Krause and the Championship Coaches are among the most popular.
Where to eat
There is a long list of good options for those seeking good food (and drink) in South Bend and around Notre Dame.
My personal favorite is Villa Macri in Granger. This Italian restaurant has wide variety of classic Italian dishes, as well as steakhouse quality steaks and seafood. It’s a sprawling complex with a deli and bakery on site, and is a great place to go with a large group without feeling like you’re trapped in a box.
If pizza is more of your thing, Rocco’s is the best there is — THE BEST THERE IS — and has other offerings as well.
There is, of course, many that would like to visit an Irish pub. There is no better option than Fiddler’s Hearth in downtown South Bend. Fiddler’s is well-known for good rustic food, and a cozy ambiance.
Two choices closer to campus and draped in Notre Dame lore are Legend’s and Linebacker Lounge. Both have good enough food to fill your stomach, but it’s the beverages that are a little more popular here. Be prepared to lick the pole at Linebacker’s — which is no big deal after pounding a few Long Island Iced Teas.
Where to stay
There are a number of hotels downtown that fans can stay at, but there are also several options around campus. Across the street from Notre Dame itself is Eddy Street Commons with hotels and rental condos.
Several other options outside of the city is the Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City — or even a hotel in Chicago. The South Shore Line commuter rail makes these options easier to use — although a taxi, shuttle, or Uber will be needed to get to campus.