Purdue Football Fun: A Game Weekend Checklist

With Purdue football season underway, we’ve compiled a list of must-do game weekend activities. This checklist is full of traditions and experiences that are sure to get everyone from campus newcomers to Purdue football regulars in the Boilermaker spirit! 1. Go to The Den The Discount Den is a popular convenience store located in Chauncey Mall. It’s a great spot to pick up affordable Purdue attire, snacks, soda and more. Home of the iconic “Den Pop,” The Den is most known for its soft drink bar where you can create your own soda concoction. Also, be sure to grab some delicious Hammer Donuts! The Den is open from 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sundays. 2. Walk Around Campus Walking around campus during football weekends is a fun way to see many iconic Purdue landmarks. Additionally, it’s a great chance to take pictures with friends and family to remember the experience. Listed below are a few of the must-see spots:

• John Purdue – Memorial Mall
• Unfinished P – Next to Stewart Center
• Campus Fountains – We recommend Loeb Fountain by Beering Hall and The Engineering Fountain on Engineering Mall
• Bell Tower – Across from WALC
• Neil Armstrong – Outside of Armstrong Hall

A campus walk also allows campus newcomers and alumni to see new changes and recent additions to Purdue. The most notable addition to campus currently is the Wilmeth Active Learning Center, located across from the Bell Tower. 3. Eat at Popular Purdue Restaurants Stopping in for a bite to eat at the most beloved Purdue restaurants will get you in the Boilermaker spirit. One of the most known joints is Triple XXX, a diner known for its burgers and milkshakes. It opens at 5:30 a.m. daily for breakfast and closes at 11:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10:00 p.m on Sunday. A crowd favorite is the Duane Purvis All American Burger, a classic cheeseburger with a sweet twist – peanut butter. The Drew Brees First Choice breakfast special is also an early-morning hit among the locals.  Another classic restaurant is Bruno’s, a family-run pizza joint. First-timers can’t go wrong with the famous Bruno Dough and the Boilermaker Pizza. Bruno’s opens at 4:00 p.m. daily, so be sure to save this location for dinner. Another hidden gem is Basil Thai, which is located in Chauncey Mall. The small Thai shop offers many delicious vegetarian and vegan options. The red curry and rice dish is one of the best items on the menu. 4. Ride on the Boilermaker Special Catching a ride on the Boilermaker Special, Purdue’s notable mascot, is an experience every Purdue fan should have. You can spot the locomotive driving around campus on game weekends. The Reamer Club offers free rides in front of Stewart Center from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. on the Fridays before home football games. This is a great activity for kids! 5. Tailgate Tailgating near the stadium on game day is a great way to catch up with old friends and get excited about the game. For details about purchasing tailgate spaces, check out the official Purdue Tailgating Page. 6. Go to Harry’s With great drinks and free popcorn, Harry’s Chocolate Shop is the place to be on game weekends. It opens at 11:00 a.m. and closes at 3:00 a.m. daily. It tends to stay fairly packed all weekend, so expect a crowd. The Green Dragon is a go-to drink for frequent Harry’s customers. Filled with students and alumni, it’s hard to find a place with more school spirit in one location than this iconic bar. 7. Go to the Game The most important thing to do on a game weekend is (obviously) go to the game. For more information about ticket prices and purchasing details, visit the Purdue Sports football ticket information page. While at the game, be sure to cheer on the Boilers and watch the “All American” Marching Band perform during halftime with the World’s Largest Drum! Make sure to check out the Home of Purdue’s website for more information about upcoming Purdue athletic activities. Alexis Murrell, Purdue University Student, shares this blog.