There’s so much going on on gameday weekends, it can be hard to decide exactly what to do. But, we’ve got your itinerary planned for the perfect family trip to see the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame.
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Victory March: The Marching Band. The Cheerleaders. The Leprechaun. Coach Freeman. The Victory March has it all. Line the sidewalks as the team leaves the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and moves through Library Quad with the ultimate hype squad. This is a can’t miss! There are plenty of other family-friendly activities happening around campus, too.
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Terrace Toss: Toss a football and play some cornhole on the Wind Family Fireside Terrace. It’s family-filled fun at Morris Inn. This space is the perfect spot for adults and kids alike. Play games, listen to live music and, don’t miss ordering a basket of fries from the Rohr’s Food Truck. These crispy shoestring delicacies are some of the best in town!
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Domer Ducks: Visit the ducks at St. Mary’s Lake. Gameday is a great time to visit the lakes, especially with the installation of the new Our Lady of the Lake World Peace Plaza. Take some time to read the prayer for world peace, and then go for a little stroll. Bonus - the ducks love to hang out here, so maybe bring some of those fries for feeding time!
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Hidden Playground: We know kids love to climb, so strap on your Under Armour HOVRs and get moving. You’ll find this hidden gem with twisty slides and swings just east of DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.
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Touchdown Jesus: Get those arms up - it’s time to take your latest family photo in front of The Word of Life Mural, affectionately known as “Touchdown Jesus”. This can’t-miss photo opp means next year’s Christmas card will be hard to beat!
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Legends Lore: Some of you might remember Legends as Senior Bar, but it's morphed into the perfect family tailgate - all topped with a bit of nostalgia. Enjoy all the things kids love from a ticketed buffet - hamburgers, hot dogs and more. With an outdoor space fit for all ages - a bar and yard games - and just steps from Notre Dame Stadium, you can’t get much better!
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Chick-fil-A: We said it. There’s a Chick-fil-A on campus. Located in Duncan Student Center, this spot is open six days a week, but not on Saturdays of gameday weekends.
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Dining Halls: You don’t have to be a student to eat at Notre Dame’s dining halls. With the ability to graze from a wide variety of the serving stations at North and South Dining Halls you’ll be able to find anything for your picky eaters. Enjoy a tailgate style dinner at North, or the quintessential Candlelight Dinner at South, post-game.
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Stadium Experiences: Get a self-guided experience at Notre Dame Stadium. Walk down the North Tunnel and tap the Play Like A Champion sign. You can’t beat this as a Notre Dame fan!
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Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore: No visit to Notre Dame is complete without stopping at the Bookstore. Grab some gear, get a one-of-a-kind hat at the Custom Zone, or peruse the kid’s books section. There’s plenty for everyone here.
Pro Tip: Need to pause for a moment? Find a bench in the shadow of the Golden Dome to take in the sights, or look for the big willow tree between Sorin and Walsh Halls for some quiet greenspace. The great thing about Notre Dame’s walking campus is that there is plenty of space to get out some energy. Head to North and South Quad to throw a football, run a race, pretend to storm the field or score a winning touchdown. We’re all cheering you on!