Planning first road trip to jNW

H

hoopthemottle

Well-Known Member
My daughter and I are heading to Evanston on Saturday for our first trip to Ryan Stadium.

I would appreciate any tips from Iowa fans who have made this trek in the past on A) best place(s) to park, B) what you have paid scalpers in the past for tickets, C) any favorite breakfast or post-game eating joints in the Evanston area.

Thanks in advance!
 
Took my daughter a few years back as well to NW. It was the awful game where we had a two touchdown lead and let them come back and win. The drive is nice and tickets are really cheap online, should try there. I bought tickets through their ticket office. We parked for free with a short walk to the stadium right in a public parking lot. Place is literally like a high school field. Couldn't believe it was a Big Ten Stadium.
 
I enjoy taking the Metra from Kenosha, WI. It stops in Evanston at "Central Station." It is about two blocks from the stadium, and lots of Iowa fans use this transportation option. Its about an hour ride from Kenosha to Evanston. This year, with an 11:00 a.m. start, I will take the 8:30 a.m. train.

After the game, I walk back under the Metra rail and walk about two blocks to the Bluestone sports bar and grill. Lots of Iowa and NW fans gather there after the game and all is well...good beer, good food, TV's with other games, etc.

I will hang out their until the 5:00 p.m. train back to Kenosha. Don't know if this would fit your schedule, but maybe others could give it some thought. I have done this numerous times and really look forward to it each time we play at NW.
 
HuckFinn said:
I enjoy taking the Metra from Kenosha, WI. It stops in Evanston at "Central Station." It is about two blocks from the stadium, and lots of Iowa fans use this transportation option. Its about an hour ride from Kenosha to Evanston. This year, with an 11:00 a.m. start, I will take the 8:30 a.m. train.

After the game, I walk back under the Metra rail and walk about two blocks to the Bluestone sports bar and grill. Lots of Iowa and NW fans gather there after the game and all is well...good beer, good food, TV's with other games, etc.

I will hang out their until the 5:00 p.m. train back to Kenosha. Don't know if this would fit your schedule, but maybe others could give it some thought. I have done this numerous times and really look forward to it each time we play at NW.
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This. The Metra is really the way to go. I lived in that area for over nine years (Beach Park). I took the train from the Great Lakes Navy Training Center station. Driving in and around the stadium sucks.

For a unique football meal beforehand, be sure to go to "Mustard's Last Stand"....may be a line but it's unique.
 
https://metrarail.com/maps-schedules/train-lines/UP-N

This is the line you want. Pretty easy.

And IMO, don't listen to people running down the stadium. I've always liked it there. Have gone to eight games there. It's unique, it's quaint. No, it's not a multi-level 100K monstrosity, rather, it holds 50K with some style and distinctiveness.
 
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There was nobody at mustards in 15. It was great. Had a styrofoam cooler full of beer, sat in the outdoor seating area and hammered beers and dogs all morning
 
hoopthemottle said:
My daughter and I are heading to Evanston on Saturday for our first trip to Ryan Stadium.

I would appreciate any tips from Iowa fans who have made this trek in the past on A) best place(s) to park, B) what you have paid scalpers in the past for tickets, C) any favorite breakfast or post-game eating joints in the Evanston area.

Thanks in advance!
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I have nothing, but enjoy your trip with your daughter.

That's an away game I'd like to go to sometime. Relatively close in a nice cozy stadium. I've heard it is a nice place to actually watch a game.
 
Seth53 said:
This. The Metra is really the way to go. I lived in that area for over nine years (Beach Park). I took the train from the Great Lakes Navy Training Center station. Driving in and around the stadium sucks.

For a unique football meal beforehand, be sure to go to "Mustard's Last Stand"....may be a line but it's unique.
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Mustard's is a must!
 
MelroseHawkins said:
I have nothing, but enjoy your trip with your daughter.

That's an away game I'd like to go to sometime. Relatively close in a nice cozy stadium. I've heard it is a nice place to actually watch a game.
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I grew up in that stadium (when it was called "Dyche Stadium"), parents were NW alums. We used to tailgate behind the field just back of McGaw Hall. My Dad used to take us into McGaw to listen to the band warming up.

Being products of the 1920s, Dad used to make us quasi "dress up" for games until we were about middle school age (overcoat, stupid hat, dress pants/shirt and penny loafers). Once we got to age where we could (effortlessly) toss a football ourselves in the tailgate area, my little brother would, when the cash allowed, hike over to Mustard's for a dog. Parental tailgate food was very late-1960s/early-1970s. Think "deviled ham", "brie and other gross cheeses" and booze. Nothing a kid would want! Of course, it was even better when we would go to Hackney's on Harms and get a block of onion rings.

Once Alex Agase left NW after the 1972 season, NW tanked until Gary Barnett came along. Dennis Green years were as close as they got to any semblance of "competitiveness" before Barnett.
 
hawkeyebob62 said:
I grew up in that stadium (when it was called "Dyche Stadium"), parents were NW alums. We used to tailgate behind the field just back of McGaw Hall. My Dad used to take us into McGaw to listen to the band warming up.

Being products of the 1920s, Dad used to make us quasi "dress up" for games until we were about middle school age (overcoat, stupid hat, dress pants/shirt and penny loafers). Once we got to age where we could (effortlessly) toss a football ourselves in the tailgate area, my little brother would, when the cash allowed, hike over to Mustard's for a dog. Parental tailgate food was very late-1960s/early-1970s. Think "deviled ham", "brie and other gross cheeses" and booze. Nothing a kid would want! Of course, it was even better when we would go to Hackney's on Harms and get a block of onion rings.

Once Alex Agase left NW after the 1972 season, NW tanked until Gary Barnett came along. Dennis Green years were as close as they got to any semblance of "competitiveness" before Barnett.
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Awesome stuff! Yea, I can't image going to a game dressed up. The way it was though.

a-pastime-favorite.jpg
 
hoopthemottle said:
My daughter and I are heading to Evanston on Saturday for our first trip to Ryan Stadium.

I would appreciate any tips from Iowa fans who have made this trek in the past on A) best place(s) to park, B) what you have paid scalpers in the past for tickets, C) any favorite breakfast or post-game eating joints in the Evanston area.

Thanks in advance!
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Interesting user name. I'm guessing it's a word play on Mott the Hoople.
And for the younger crowd who may not know - enjoy:



 
I will also recommend Mustard's. Plan on dining there myself after getting my work done following the game.
 
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