1. Eat at Triple XXX
2. Go sledding at Slayter Hill
3. Attend Purdue vs. Indiana basketball game
4. Participate in one of the many events during Grand Prix week
5. Attend a concert at Elliot Hall of Music
6. Take a selfie with Neil Armstrong
7. Fountain run
8. Visit the Cordova Recreational Sports Center
9. Clapping in the clapping circle
10. Ride the Boilermaker Special

Visit the Cordova Recreational Sports Center

           In 2012, Purdue University’s fifty- three year old Recreational Sports Center underwent a $98 million dollar renovation.  The new and improved Cordova Recreational Sports Center is now one of Purdue University most popular attractions.  The Recreational Center was named after the eleventh president of Purdue University, France Cordova.  The grand opening of the Purdue University took place on October 12, 2012.  

The new Co- Rec is equipped with a 55 foot roped rock climbing, a bouldering wall with more than sixty horizontal feet of terrain.  Equipment is available to rent during staff hours.  The new Purdue Co- rec also houses a competition and a recreational pool that is available for students to use during designated hours.  The competition pool is one of the premier aquatic facilities in the country.  The pool has eight lanes and is fifty meters long.  The pool also has a six lane, twenty- five yard dive pool.  The competition pool is used by both Purdue’s varsity swim and dive teams and water polo teams.  The Recreational Pool is a great place where students can go relax and have fun with friends.  The pool is equipped with a vortex, spa, three 25 yard lap lanes, and bubble bench. 

Along with the pool and rock climbing wall, the Co Rec has two indoor tracks, dozens our basketball and volleyball courts, and lifting and workout equipment.  The Co Rec is a great place for students to go to blow off steam and get away from the hectic college life.  

Riding the Boilermaker Special

The Boilermaker Special is the official mascot of Purdue University. It is also the biggest mascot of all other universities. The mascot resembles a Victorian-era railroad locomotive and is operated and maintained by members of the Purdue Reamer Club. For many years, Purdue actually didn’t have a mascot. It wasn’t until 1939 that Purdue student, Israel Selkowitz, suggested that the school adopt an official mascot to represent Purdue’s engineering heritage. After much discussion, in 1940, the school introduced the Boilermaker Special I. Since then, there have been many improvements made to existing Boilermaker Specials and also several new models have been created. Currently, the Boilermaker Special VII is in use. In 2011, the Boilermaker Special underwent its most recent overhaul. It received a new engine, transmission, and chassis. This is the Boilermaker Special that you see on the streets today. One of the many cool things that Purdue has to offer, are free rides on the Boilermaker Special. This can be a very fun experience that can be shared with friends and family. The historic locomotive will take you all throughout campus for everyone to see. All you need to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the awesome ride on the Boilermaker Special, America’s greatest mascot. Also, when you are outside and see the Boilermaker Special driving by, be sure to make a train horn motion to the conductor, and he or she will pull the horn for all of Purdue to hear. Make sure to sign up on the Free Rides List through the Purdue Reamer Club to get a chance to ride the Boilermaker Special. This is a great Purdue tradition and I recommend that all Purdue students experience this at least once in their college career.

Attend a show/event in the Elliot Hall of Music

            Every year Purdue University puts on over a thousand shows and events for students, facility, and the Lafayette community every year. The hall was opened up to the public in 1940.  The hall was named after Edward C. Elliot.  Edward was the President of Purdue University from 1922 to 1945.  The hall also has one of the largest stages in the world.  Both the winter and spring commencement is held in the Hall of Music along with exams for large, multi- section classes.

The Elliot Hall of Music holds up to six thousand people and is the largest proscenium theater in the world.  J. Andre Fouilhoux was one of the architects of the Elliot Hall of music and designed Elliot’s “sister” theater, New York’s Radio City Music Hall.  The two halls have very similar designs, they have an art deco= motif, wide staircases ascending to the auditorium, cantilevered balconies and wide main floor.  The three stone figures located outside of the hall were designed by John Johnson.  These stone figures represent music, drama, and forensics.  

Elliot Hall of Music hosts a variety of different types of shows ranging from ballet, musicals, and operas to rock, country, and pop concerts and comedians and lectures.  Some of the events this year include: The Purdue Musical Organization Christmas Show on December 6^th and 7^th; Theatrical Production of the Beauty and the Beast on January 20, 2015; a musical performance by Brad Paisley with Parmalee and the Swon Brothers on February 7, 2015; and a Theatrical Production of the Sister Act on February 27, 2015.  

Eat at Triple XXX

One of my favorite memories as a little girl was going to Purdue football games with my dad.  My dad graduated from Purdue in 1990 with a degree in electrical engineering.  My dad took so much pride in showing me, my brother, and my sister around campus and telling us stories about his four years at Purdue.  I remember one of the first games I went to with my dad he told me that we were going to a restaurant that had been featured on TV.  I continue to go to Triple XXX frequently now that I am a student at Purdue University.  The food at Triple XXX is affordable but also very good, which you don’t find very often especially as a college student. 

Triple XXX was featured on the Food Network’s show Diners, Drive- Ins, and Dives in February of 2008.  The show’s host, Guy Fieri, learned first- hand how to make a double cheeseburger and how things are done at Triple XXX.  The episode premiered on the Food Network on April 23, 2008.  The traditional diner style restaurant has been attraction Purdue University students and other West Lafayette residents since 1929 when it was opened by Bert Wright. 

Their menu includes several flavors of milk shakes, super shakes, malts, frosts and floats.  Their signature burgers are made with 100% sirloin.  Their variety of burgers include the Boilermakers Pete, a triple decker burger; the Duane Purvis All- American, a ¼ pound burger with creamy peanut butter served on a toasted sesame seed bun; and several other types of burgers.  Breakfast is also served all day!