Northwestern

[Dauminator]

I have some and memories of game outcomes in that place. I still remember Greenway celebrating too early...

Thought that was Shada. Or were they both involved?

 

[DodgerHawki]

I went in 2010. The game sucked. The stadium was old and a bit dilapidated but it was also intimate. Also, Iowa fans absolutely owned the whole town.

Other than the outcome of the game, we enjoyed it.

One other thing...not sure if they still do it, but goose island had a free beer tailgate (you could get two free beers) right by the stadium.

It's a good spot to go to if you want to have a seat that's more near the action than other B1G stadiums. The atmosphere will be nothing like Wisconsin, Nebraska or the big stadiums in the East. It's in Chicago, you'll be surrounded by tons of Hawkeye fans at the game, so those are all wins.

 

[wneff]

Thought that was Shada. Or were they both involved?

Greenway was definitely dancing on the sideline. Didn't really have anything to do with us losing, though.

 

[ThorneStockton]

If you're flying in and aren't bringing tailgating supplies or just don't feel like paying for a parking spot and the hassle of setting up a tailgate a couple of Iowa Chicago bars are running tailgates with included beer and food as well as transport from the city.

I went to the Four Shadows one two years ago, probably had 6 or so buses and went through 20 odd kegs.

Clover/Merkels:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/clovers-famous-iowa-vs-northwestern-tailgate-tickets-37766241846

Four Shadows:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/iowa-t...eshare&utm-source=strongmail&utm-term=listing

 

[4409]

I just saw that this game (Iowa at NW) was finally announced as an 11:00AM kickoff....boooo!!

 

[mpfeiler]

I am a Hawkeye living in Evanston. My wife is Northwestern alum and my daughter attends NU. We have had season tickets at NU for years. The stadium is very simple without a lot of extras. There is only one video score board in (NE) corner. My seats are east side of the stadium. The best food on that side is in the lower level (SE) corner. I like the barbecue at Smokies. I walk to the stadium from my house. The parking lots around the Ryan Field are only open to season ticket holders and so is the parking at the golf course east of the stadium. I know there is some tailgating near campus but I don’t know if out of towners can get spots easily. Lots of people park at the Metra Train stops where there is parking. The tailgate there behind their cars. Be careful which neighborhoods you park in Evanston because many of the streets are restricted to permit only for residents. Many of the parking lots open to public do not allow alcohol (like catholic church (St A's parking lot) south of stadium. I have my family park in the neighborhood streets west of Green Bay road and south of Lincoln Street. It is free and only short walk. (11 am game means no bar scene until after game.) If you have breakfast in downtown Evanston you can get on “L” train (purple line) at Davis/Benson. Cost $2.25. Go north to Central St stop and walk West on Central across the bridge. If you stay in Chicago, you can take the Metra Train from downtown to Central St stop. Cost about $5.50. Then walk east on Central. Or you can take RED line north out of city and switch to Purple line at Howard. Then take Red line to Central St. Cost $2.25. Lots of great places to drink and eat in downtown Evanston after game. Traffic does suck after game. So just relax after the game. Lots of Chicago Iowa fans. The stadium is about a mile west of campus. If you have time the walk to the campus, it is worth the walk. The campus is right on the lake and is beautiful. Walk straight east on Central St which is the street on south side of Ryan Field. You will see Evanston’s Lighthouse. That is the north side of campus. Walk south on Sheridan Rd to Lincoln and turn left. You will see the construction of the new on-the-lake athletic facility NU is building for a cool $260 million. Keep walking and you will walk into the path along the lake. Great walk and view of downtown Chicago skyline.

 

[Wadzinator]

Thank you coming from dubuque fri staying in Northbrook I was wondering about handicap parking but sounds like I can get close if none is available

 

[Hawksky]

For those attending the NU game, here is some useful information:

http://www.nusports.com/sports/2015/3/18/football_gameday_info.aspx

 

[hawkfeever]

I am a Hawkeye living in Evanston. My wife is Northwestern alum and my daughter attends NU. We have had season tickets at NU for years. The stadium is very simple without a lot of extras. There is only one video score board in (NE) corner. My seats are east side of the stadium. The best food on that side is in the lower level (SE) corner. I like the barbecue at Smokies. I walk to the stadium from my house. The parking lots around the Ryan Field are only open to season ticket holders and so is the parking at the golf course east of the stadium. I know there is some tailgating near campus but I don’t know if out of towners can get spots easily. Lots of people park at the Metra Train stops where there is parking. The tailgate there behind their cars. Be careful which neighborhoods you park in Evanston because many of the streets are restricted to permit only for residents. Many of the parking lots open to public do not allow alcohol (like catholic church (St A's parking lot) south of stadium. I have my family park in the neighborhood streets west of Green Bay road and south of Lincoln Street. It is free and only short walk. (11 am game means no bar scene until after game.) If you have breakfast in downtown Evanston you can get on “L” train (purple line) at Davis/Benson. Cost $2.25. Go north to Central St stop and walk West on Central across the bridge. If you stay in Chicago, you can take the Metra Train from downtown to Central St stop. Cost about $5.50. Then walk east on Central. Or you can take RED line north out of city and switch to Purple line at Howard. Then take Red line to Central St. Cost $2.25. Lots of great places to drink and eat in downtown Evanston after game. Traffic does suck after game. So just relax after the game. Lots of Chicago Iowa fans. The stadium is about a mile west of campus. If you have time the walk to the campus, it is worth the walk. The campus is right on the lake and is beautiful. Walk straight east on Central St which is the street on south side of Ryan Field. You will see Evanston’s Lighthouse. That is the north side of campus. Walk south on Sheridan Rd to Lincoln and turn left. You will see the construction of the new on-the-lake athletic facility NU is building for a cool $260 million. Keep walking and you will walk into the path along the lake. Great walk and view of downtown Chicago skyline.

Dang can't we all just park in your yard and walk??? Just a few hundred friends from Iowa.

 

[bagdropper]

A recent review of the game experience there (PSU last weekend)...

https://www.offtackleempire.com/201...estern-penn-state-football-recap-donut-burger

 

[NLHawkeye88]

Bump... anyone purchase a parking pass for the golf course?

I remember about 7 years ago tailgating in a university lot off of Sheridan and Central (maybe?). That is a good mile walk though, was thinking of something more convenient for this year.

 

[BlackNGoldWings]

Don't listen to these guys I've been going up there since I was 7 years old:

- Tailgating and atmosphere/location is great. What's not to like about Evanston near the lake? It's in a neighborhood and it's very collegiate and cool. Intimate and one of my favorite places to see a game.

-Stadium: just a classic old old Big Ten stadium. People say it's a dump I say it's cool. You can smell the history. Not any like this still around - as old as MSU stadium and Memorial stadium in Champaign.

It's a bit like this place. (Notice Old Capitol on the right.)

 

[hawkeyebob62]

I'm probably the only Iowa fan in the country who likes Ryan Field. Old school as it gets. I just like the place.

Also............and be sure you do this: There's a hot dog stand on the corner of the parking lot called Mustard's Last Stand. You see them on the Big Ten Network quite often. I love this place!!!! Great hot dogs. A must do.

You are about to go back in time. Ryan Field is a gem.

As the son of NW alums, we had season tix growing up. My sister was a pom-pom girl one season, as well. Back then it was Dyche Stadium (may still be, with "Ryan Field" added?).

LOVED Mustard's Last Stand. And there used to be a place on Harms called "Hackney's". Great for pre- or post-game lunch.

Tailgating also "old school cool". My dad used to take us into McGaw Hall to listen to the marching band warming up. Great stuff!