Notre Dame Stadium is most often a sea of gold helmets darting around a green sprawl. However, on September 6, 2025, the Fighting Irish are handing over their field to Grammy-award winning musician Zach Bryan along with comedian, Shane Gillis, and Irish singer and songwriter Dermot Kennedy! This marks the fourth concert at historic Notre Dame Stadium since 2018 and we are PUMPED. Feel the glory, connect with the joy, and now, time for logistics.
GETTING TO SOUTH BEND, IN (NOTRE DAME STADIUM)
The Challenge: On football game days and for special events – like this epic concert – the traffic congestion in the area is real.
The Solution: Book the weekend at The Neighborhood Hotel New Buffalo or Grand Beach and surround the concert goodness with other kinds of fun!
Starting the weekend in New Buffalo, MI allows fans to approach the stadium from the northeast, potentially avoiding some of the heavier traffic coming from the west and south, including that brutal Chicago cluster.
Advantages:
• Shorter Distance: New Buffalo, MI to South Bend, IN (specifically to the stadium) is a 45 minute drive.
• Simpler Route: Fewer traffic complications and a more straightforward path.
• Less Congestion: Potentially smoother access to the stadium on game days vs. battling city of Chicago traffic.
Hang Time in New Buffalo!
Here’s an idea – we call it the bookend approach – aka sandwiching a main event with other fun stuff. For example:
Arrive on Friday afternoon, check into The Neighborhood Hotel New Buffalo and hit the New Buffalo Public Beach that’s just 5 minutes down the street! Hungry? Walk over to PostBoy for dinner — this is your spot for delicious & fresh food (go healthy or calorie splurge), wine/beer/cocktails & a bumping patio scene!
Saturday Morning:
Drive 15 minutes and hike around The Warren Dunes State Park!
Aside from the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline, this park offers majestic sand dunes that rise 260 feet above the water. From the top, enjoy views of the glistening horizon and vibrant, tree-lined dunes.
On your way back, grab a quick lunch at Farmette — the sweetest, roadside spot! It’s a small farm, marketplace, bakery + cafe — the ultimate one-stop sustainable shop featuring all the best stuff. Go for local produce, flowers, coffee, cheese, bread, wine, beer, prepared foods, home goods + more.
Shower & rest at the hotel before you hit the road for the concert!
Gates/Doors Open: 5:00 p.m.
Concert Start Time: 7:00 p.m.
Have some extra time at Notre Dame? Shoutout to The Raclin Gallery of Notre Dame History which offers some very cool exhibits like:
Rediscovering Lost Landmarks
Explore the changing skyline of the campuses of the University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College as well as the city of South Bend in this exhibit inspired by the book City and Campus, authored by the late John W. Stamper and published by Notre Dame Press.
Freshwater Fury: Great Lakes Shipwrecks
This year marks 50 years since the Great Lakes freighter, Edmund Fitzgerald, sank in Lake Superior. The Gordon Lightfoot song that appeared the following year helped educate the public on the dangers of being a Great Lakes sailor. This exhibit will cover several shipwrecks that have occurred on the inland seas.
Sunday:
One option is to sleep and sleep. OR: get out there and explore!
Climb the 60 foot tower at Galien River County Park and take in breathtaking panoramic views of gorgeous fall foliage!
Play a round of golf.
Or hit some of the local wineries and breweries!
We love…
–Shady Creek Winery: This is the go-to spot to enjoy family/friends in a place that’s beautiful with delicious wine that’s approachable.
*10 Minutes from the Hotels
–River Saint Joe: A farmstead brewery/restaurant on Flatwater Farm, a 180-acre certified organic farm w/ a lovely beer garden!
*30 Minutes from the Hotels
–Hickory Creek Winery: Hickory Creek’s iconic red barn houses their cozy tasting room. Owner/winemaker, Adam McBride, is often there welcoming guests.
*30 Minutes from the Hotels
– Round Barn Winery, Distillery and Brewery: Great place with a cool lineup of concerts and festivals May-October.
*30 Minutes from the Hotel
–Dablon Winery + Vineyard: This is a beautiful and vast vineyard that features wines crafted in the styles of Burgundy/Bordeaux.
*30 Minutes from the Hotel
–Beer Church Brewing: Housed in a former Methodist church (which is beautiful) you’ll enjoy great beer and awesome food (like wood fired pizza) inside or in the garden!
Head home humming last night’s ZB hits, feeling relaxed and recharged.
About The Neighborhood Hotel
The Neighborhood Hotel was founded in 2020 by Jonathan Gordon — a travel enthusiast who enjoys spaces that inspire, comfort and fuel. Each suite is well equipped for short and longterm stays (i.e. kitchens, laundry, etc.). The Neighborhood Hotel transforms old buildings with compelling history into well outfitted apartment style hotels that honor the old while representing the now. The vibe is fresh and fun with rooms that are stocked to support everyone from the homebody to the adventurer. The hotels provide a basecamp for the explorer and a sanctuary for the traveler who needs to recharge, reset or just chill. The suites are simple and clean, punctuated with accents that bring the right amount of pop. The Neighborhood Hotel has locations in Chicago: Lincoln Park, Little Italy, West Loop (2026 opening) and Southwest Michigan: New Buffalo and Grand Beach.
Read about us in Architectural Digest, Midwest Living and CN Traveler!
Connect with @the.neighborhood.hotel on Instagram and LinkedIn!
