Nonstop, roundtrip from Austin to Chicago is $300.

Need some help from my Chicago friends. i'm going to the Rice/ND game but not with the Rice package. i will fly to Chi-Midway on friday and return sunday morning. since i will be going back early sunday, i won't be staying in South Bend for the trip. my question--what hotel would you recommend given these travel restraints. i could stay in Chicago or in a city between Chi and SB. is there a recommended hotel on the southern side of Chicago that is safe? will be renting a car and driving. thanks for the suggestions.

Ricex

(08-04-2014 12:18 PM)ricex Wrote:  Need some help from my Chicago friends. i'm going to the Rice/ND game but not with the Rice package. i will fly to Chi-Midway on friday and return sunday morning. since i will be going back early sunday, i won't be staying in South Bend for the trip. my question--what hotel would you recommend given these travel restraints. i could stay in Chicago or in a city between Chi and SB. is there a recommended hotel on the southern side of Chicago that is safe? will be renting a car and driving. thanks for the suggestions.

Ricex

Stay in the City and come to the Happy Hour event with Joe Karlgaard on Friday. Why stay on the South Side??? You'll have no trouble getting out of town on Saturday morning, as there will be very little traffic. As for hotels, it depends on what you're looking for-- it ranges from 3-star, moderate price places (a top-of-the-line LaQuinta is centrally located in the theatre district and there's a cheaper Holiday Inn Crown Plaza in Greek Town) to your Hotel W, The Peninsula, The Rennaisance, et al.

Excellent ideas. thanks, Walt.

(08-04-2014 03:51 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(08-04-2014 12:18 PM)ricex Wrote:  Need some help from my Chicago friends. i'm going to the Rice/ND game but not with the Rice package. i will fly to Chi-Midway on friday and return sunday morning. since i will be going back early sunday, i won't be staying in South Bend for the trip. my question--what hotel would you recommend given these travel restraints. i could stay in Chicago or in a city between Chi and SB. is there a recommended hotel on the southern side of Chicago that is safe? will be renting a car and driving. thanks for the suggestions.

Ricex

Stay in the City and come to the Happy Hour event with Joe Karlgaard on Friday. Why stay on the South Side??? You'll have no trouble getting out of town on Saturday morning, as there will be very little traffic. As for hotels, it depends on what you're looking for-- it ranges from 3-star, moderate price places (a top-of-the-line LaQuinta is centrally located in the theatre district and there's a cheaper Holiday Inn Crown Plaza in Greek Town) to your Hotel W, The Peninsula, The Rennaisance, et al.

Perhaps everyone knew this already, but might be worth mentioning anyway as people firm up their plans:
Chicago and South Bend are in different time zones.

For those planning to attend the August 29th Happy Hour in Chicago, with Joe Karlgaard speaking, note the change in venue (due to circumstances out of the control of the ARA):

Quote:Chicago Happy Hour – Rice vs. Notre Dame game weekend kick-off

Friday, Aug. 29, 2014, 5:30–8 p.m.

***PLEASE NOTE NEW LOCATION***

Castle Bar
632 N. Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60654

Start your preparations for the Rice vs. Notre Dame football game early with a Friday night happy hour in Chicago. Athletic Director Joe Karlgaard will be on-hand to get the crowd ready to cheer the Owls on to victory in South Bend the next day.

The cost to attend is $25 and includes beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Please RSVP here by Aug. 27....
https://online.alumni.rice.edu/default.a...entID=1974
Walk-ups will be welcomed as well, but your advance RSVP is appreciated.

We look forward to seeing you there!

This is a bit more centrally located, but only a few blocks from the past location. For those who know Chicago, this is now a multi-story night club (with private party room) in what used to be The Excalibur. It's located at the corner of Dearborn and Ontario (a few short blocks from the Rock 'n Roll McDonalds, one of the first downtown Chicago McDonalds outlets with a Rock and Roll museum adjoining).

There are two seats that just became available for the unofficial Chicago to South Bend Charter bus. We are leaving at 9a CST, arrive in South Bend at 12:30 EST, and will depart South Bend for Chicago immediately following the game. Email me at bwallace13@hotmail.com if you are interested in the seats.

This probably isn't high on anyone's list, but: the South Bend Silver Hawks (whose colors, inexplicably, are green and yellow and whose logo is a bird even though the team website says they are named after an automobile, not a bird) host the Bowling Green Hot Rods on Friday 8/29 at Four Winds Field:

http://silverhawks.streamlineticketing.c...eventId=71

(08-19-2014 11:39 PM)georgewebb Wrote:  This probably isn't high on anyone's list, but: the South Bend Silver Hawks (whose colors, inexplicably, are green and yellow and whose logo is a bird even though the team website says they are named after an automobile, not a bird) host the Bowling Green Hot Rods on Friday 8/29 at Four Winds Field:

http://silverhawks.streamlineticketing.c...eventId=71

The Silver Hawk was a top end Studebaker model produced near the end of production in South Bend. Four Winds Field is built in the shadow of the old Studebaker Motor Works. South Bend is redeveloping the Studebaker Motor Works into Ignition Park.

Fireworks on Friday! Make sure you get your tickets early, because the games often sell out. The South Bend Chocolate Company Cafe is open late, and a nice after game stop if you are not looking for alcohol.

I am not sure where the green and yellow came from.

The Studebaker National Museum is a great place to spend some hours. It pulls no punches on why Studebaker failed. It shares a building with the Northern Indiana History Museum, and you can learn firsthand how South Bend kept the kkk out. The Copshalom (Oliver Steel Plow) and Tippecanoe Place (Studebaker) mansions are in the same area.

According to the ARA website, Notre Dame tailgate tickets are now sold out. Great job, everyone!

(08-21-2014 10:22 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  According to the ARA website, Notre Dame tailgate tickets are now sold out. Great job, everyone!

Wow - that's exciting and great to hear! And I'm guessing the charter trip is a sell out as well?

This charter trip that was put together for Rice fans is such a fantastic package. I was sharing the details with several friends and they are a bit envious. How lucky we are to have a top notch trip planned for us that rivals those of other programs!

It will also be a nice talking point for the AD to use in negotiations, be it for future match-ups and even conference re-alignment, when he can say Rice fans and staff know how to come together to support their teams.

Well done and Go Owls!

FYI, here is some Game Day info (i.e parking, prohibited items, tailgating, etc.).

http://gameday.nd.edu/about/final-home-game-nd-vs-byu/

Some cool info re the charter flight, from the travel agent:

Quote:Q: Will food and beverages be served on the plane?
A: Yes. A small breakfast, soft drinks, and coffee will be complementary on the plane. Alcohol will be available for purchase.

Q: I have Southwest drink vouchers; can I use those on the flight?
A: Yes. Valid drink vouchers will be redeemable on the flights to and from South Bend.