Was talking about Purdue in another thread, thought it was a good topic. My group of friends does one per year. Here's where we've gone so far. Would be interested in other places anyone has been:
Year 1: Michigan. Overall had a really good time in Ann Arbor, despite getting the mortal $hit beat out of us. We tailgated on a golf course, which I thought was odd, but it was a great spot. The bar scene is really cool but you can tell there's just a big fundamental difference between Michigan and Nebraska folks. I saw a ton of hipster beards, ipads, mismatched socks - that kind of thing. My cousin was in Dickies overalls and he stuck out like a sore thumb.
The Big House was a let down. It's just a giant bowl of a stadium. Just kind of underwhelming, despite the hype. Good looking women. Were treated relatively well. Got a lot of, "Welcome to the Big Ten!" when we were leaving the stadium, but again, we got murdered. Overall, mostly "friendly" jabs. Overall, would go back to Ann Arbor for a game.
Year 2: Purdue. For whatever reason, we had a blast at Purdue. Tailgated in a huge open field with hundreds of other cars packed in. The campus is one of the ugliest I've ever seen but the people were very friendly. Partied with them all day at the tailgate. One dude tried to walk off with my shades, but other than that, all were cool. Bar scene was fun. Actually ran into an old head coach of their's who knew Bob Devaney and talked to us for a couple hours. Great stories. Stayed at a Motel 6 right off the interstate with a bunch of husker fans and felt fine, safe.
My favorite road trip in our still-early goal of hitting them all. Would definitely go back to Purdue.
Year 3: Northwestern. My idea of a college gameday experience is a college town, passionate fanbase, etc. Northwestern just isn't that but it's probably not really their fault being it's Chicago. We had fun at the Blur tailgate but would be a distant 3 on my list and I don't think I would go back. They don't have many fans, the tailgating was subpar, the bar scene doesn't really exist. Everything is just too spread out and their fans just don't seem to care. I guess I'd recommend going once, but that's probably all you'll need.
Year 4: Illinois. Anyone been to Champaign?
Year 1: Michigan. Overall had a really good time in Ann Arbor, despite getting the mortal $hit beat out of us. We tailgated on a golf course, which I thought was odd, but it was a great spot. The bar scene is really cool but you can tell there's just a big fundamental difference between Michigan and Nebraska folks. I saw a ton of hipster beards, ipads, mismatched socks - that kind of thing. My cousin was in Dickies overalls and he stuck out like a sore thumb.
The Big House was a let down. It's just a giant bowl of a stadium. Just kind of underwhelming, despite the hype. Good looking women. Were treated relatively well. Got a lot of, "Welcome to the Big Ten!" when we were leaving the stadium, but again, we got murdered. Overall, mostly "friendly" jabs. Overall, would go back to Ann Arbor for a game.
Year 2: Purdue. For whatever reason, we had a blast at Purdue. Tailgated in a huge open field with hundreds of other cars packed in. The campus is one of the ugliest I've ever seen but the people were very friendly. Partied with them all day at the tailgate. One dude tried to walk off with my shades, but other than that, all were cool. Bar scene was fun. Actually ran into an old head coach of their's who knew Bob Devaney and talked to us for a couple hours. Great stories. Stayed at a Motel 6 right off the interstate with a bunch of husker fans and felt fine, safe.
My favorite road trip in our still-early goal of hitting them all. Would definitely go back to Purdue.
Year 3: Northwestern. My idea of a college gameday experience is a college town, passionate fanbase, etc. Northwestern just isn't that but it's probably not really their fault being it's Chicago. We had fun at the Blur tailgate but would be a distant 3 on my list and I don't think I would go back. They don't have many fans, the tailgating was subpar, the bar scene doesn't really exist. Everything is just too spread out and their fans just don't seem to care. I guess I'd recommend going once, but that's probably all you'll need.
Year 4: Illinois. Anyone been to Champaign?
