The Purdue Bucket List

The minute you enter Mackey Arena, the home of Purdue’s basketball teams, on a game day, you will be surrounded by thousands of fans, proudly decked in Purdue merch, cheering and chanting. The excitement in the air is contagious. As Alisha says, “Mackey Arena is an incredible, and loud, environment that you MUST see and hear for yourself! True Purdue pride is seen at these games!”

Purdue Basketball Men’s Team bring the hype to Mackey Arena.

Home games are amazing but away games are something else entirely. Proudly cheering for your college on rival turf is thrilling. “Winning a Purdue game in general is so much fun, but winning while away is even more incredible. There is something about traveling with diehard Purdue fans that makes the experience so special,” says Alisha who has been to a few away games in Chicago undeterred by the freezing cold.

Alisha (right) and her friend attend the Purdue vs. Illinois game at the University of Illinois.

”Students and alumni alike love Harry’s!” says Bella, and rightly so! You will see people waiting in long lines outside Harry’s for hours, especially after 6 p.m. and on game days. Unless you’ve experienced Harry’s, your Purdue experience is incomplete. For all those wondering what all this hype around a chocolate shop is, Harry’s opened in 1919 as a soda and candy shop, transitioned to a bar during Prohibition, operating as a speakeasy with the slogan "Meet You at Harry's.”

P.S. Your graduation photoshoot is incomplete without a picture with this iconic background. That's how much this place will grow on you during your time at Purdue.

Bella (second from right) and friends celebrate graduation at Harry’s Chocolate Shop.

Exploring a fun elective unrelated to your major can be a great way to learn something new while taking a break from academics. In her senior year, Bella took up Beginning Tennis (PES 116) despite never having played tennis.

“I had never picked up a racket in my life but loved learning the sport and having a designated time in my schedule to move my body. It’s also a great way to meet new people outside of your major and learn something new!”

Check out a rendering of the proposed new tennis courts at Purdue's Co-Rec.

Highly recommended by both Alisha and Bella, sledding down Slayter Hill deserves a place on every Purdue Bucket list.

“Everyone heads out to Slayter Hill on anything they can find. People use all sorts of sledding materials, such as mattresses, doors, broken flat-screen TVs, and your traditional sled like I prefer to use!” says Alisha. Bella adds, “It’s great people-watching and such a fun experience to have with your friends.”

Left: Alisha (second from left) sleds with friends on Slayter Hill. Right: Bella (second from left) enjoys a winter day with friends at Slayter Hill.

Loved by every Boilermaker, Purdue Pete, our iconic mascot, adds to the character of our school.

“There is something special about meeting your school mascot!” says Alisha. Whether it’s high-fiving him at a game or grabbing a quick photo, interacting with Purdue Pete is a must-do experience.      

Alisha (right) poses with Purdue Pete outside of Elliott Hall of Music.

The Union Christmas Tree at Purdue University is a holiday tradition. Seeing the tree being lit for the first time is an event itself. It’s the perfect spot to spend time with friends or study for semester-end exams. Bella loved studying by the tree. 

The Union Christmas Tree

“IU Sucks!” makes its way into chants and cheers for every game, no matter the team playing. So imagine how crazy the game against IU itself actually is.

“At Mackey Arena, these games get LOUD,” says Alisha. On the football side? Bella who went to every home game against IU, shares, “The Old Oaken Bucket game is our annual college football rivalry between Purdue and IU, with the winner receiving the Old Oaken Bucket trophy. Every year it switches which team hosts.”

Left: Alisha poses with The Old Oaken Bucket inside Ross-Ade Stadium. Right: Bella (third from left) stands with her family and friends at Slayter Hill tailgating the Purdue vs IU game.

If you hear Breakfast Club and have pancakes, bacon and french toast in mind, guess again. The Breakfast Club is a longstanding Purdue tradition on football game days. Students wake up bright and early and head to a bar, dressed up in fun costumes.

Alisha shares, “My father and I headed to Harry’s, at 4:55 a.m. in our chicken and cow costumes to get ready for the game day ahead!” Yes, here bars open at the crack of dawn for the Breakfast Club tradition.

Alisha (right) hangs with her father outside of Harry’s Chocolate Shop for Breakfast Club.

The Jules Janick Horticulture Garden offers a serene getaway. For Bella, this is her special spot on campus.

“I love plants and being outside and would always find myself coming here for some peace and quiet. It’s a great place to walk around, meet a group, or just de-stress,” she says.

Bella (left) and her mom visit the Purdue Horticulture Garden.

Tailgates make football games more of a full-day event packed with drinks, barbeque, games, music and a lot of enthusiasm. Curious about how it’s done at Purdue?

“All of Slayter Hill and the intramural fields are full of people coming to cheer on the Boilermakers. Whole families come to the tailgate and have lots of food during the festivities. I always like to watch the Purdue marching band perform at the amphitheater while tailgating at Slayter Hill,” says Bella.

Bella (middle) tailgates with friends in the Co-Rec parking lot.

This one is for explorers and adventure seekers! Purdue staple, Triple XXX, has a PEANUT BUTTER burger,  the Duane Purvis All-American burger. It comes with the burger classics topped with peanut butter. It's been featured on Guy Fieri’s, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

“You either love it or you don’t, but it is a must-try!” says Alisha.

Triple XXX’s Duane Purvis All-American burger is TV famous.

Did you know Purdue owns the World’s Largest Drum? This drum, which has been at Purdue for over a century, stands 10 feet tall and weighs 565 pounds with its carriage. A crew of six players, along with the rest of the band, perform at games and events.

“Before each football game, the marching band performs at Slayter Hill. This drum travels with them everywhere, so getting to see it up close is very exciting. Getting a picture with the drum is a must, and hitting the drum is a step above,” Alisha says.

Alisha poses with friends and band members in front of the famous drum.

“Get involved on campus” is the first advice you'll hear from anyone at Purdue because it drastically changes your experience. Bella stands strongly by this. “I highly recommend trying different clubs and organizations to see where your passions lie and to meet new people! While at Purdue, I was involved with the Panhellenic community, College Mentors for Kids and the Business Ambassadors.”

Bella (right) soaks up life at Purdue with friends at Delta Gamma.

Imagine celebrating a Boilermaker win by rushing onto the field, just like in the movies. Sounds cool, right? This bucket list idea from Alisha talking about her experience says, “It was a night to remember, and one of my favorite Purdue memories.”

Alisha (right) and friends after rushing the field at Ross-Ade Stadium.

Co-Rec, short for France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center, offers a gym, yoga, swimming and free classes for students, providing a way to work out and make new friends. Alisha has taken up cycling classes with her friends and absolutely loved it.

Alisha works out with friends at the Co-Rec.

The Paint Crew is the official student section for the men's basketball team. Bella was a proud member for three years.

“If you’re a member of the Paint Crew, you get tickets to every home basketball game and even have the chance to go to the tournament games,” says Bella. This one fills up fast, so rush!

Still wondering why is it called the Paint Crew? The organization is named after the team’s head coach, Matt Painter.

Bella (left) hangs out with a friend at Mackey Arena.

The presidents at Purdue drive innovation, growth and success so they hold a special place within our community. “Meeting the president of the University slightly feels like you are meeting the President of the United States or at least someone famous!” says Alisha. And luckily, Purdue's President Mung Chang is more accessible than the President of the United States.

Alisha (right) and friends meet former president, Mitch Daniels (bottom), at Ross-Ade Stadium.

Traveling with Purdue friends is an unmatchable experience, be it Miami for Spring Break, NYC for New Year’s or Chicago for St. Patrick's Day. Bella, who traveled to Nashville with her friends, says, “We drove there during our fall break. It was such a fun experience to have together.” Another option is a study abroad program where you can earn credits while traveling the world.

Bella (left) traveled with friends to Broadway in Nashville, TN.

Graduation is the final destination, the culmination of all you’ve worked so hard for.

“I cherish all the memories I made at Purdue and graduation was such a great celebration of all those memories and accomplishments!” says Bella, who recently graduated. Alisha adds, “I am a proud Boilermaker and so thankful for my entire experience at Purdue!”

Left: Alisha poses on graduation day outside of Elliot Hall of Music. Right: Bella poses on graduation day at the Purdue Bell Tower.