Huskie Bucket List
Experience what makes Huskie life so special.
We've put together a list of things every Huskie should do, whether you're new to NIU or a returning student. Be sure to add your own adventures. Share your journey on social media, and let us know what we missed. Use #HuskiePride when you post!
Indulge Your Inner Selfie
From our giant N-I-U sculpture in the MLK Commons to Altgeld Hall’s famous garden gargoyle Grotesque, or “Olive Goyle” as we like to call her, you'll find plenty of backdrops to show your Huskie pride in pictures. Capture a photo with our popular Huskie mascot Mission (you're bound to see him around at some point), and flash our "Go Huskies!" hand symbol.
Join Something
We're just bursting with organizations and activities. Be sure to take part in Week of Welcome and Homecoming, but don't stop there. Our Huskie Hub will help you explore hundreds of student organizations that fall into all sorts of categories. Academics. Community service. Culture. Student government. Recreation and sports. Religion. Phew...you get the idea.
Be Festive
We're big on festivals around here. We celebrate corn, pumpkins and lots of other stuff. DeKalb's late-August Corn Fest is one of the remaining free music fests in Illinois, while the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival offers a weekend of Halloween fun. Another popular attraction is the DeKalb Back Alley Market, a vibrant marketplace with local artists, makers and vendors, live music and food trucks.
Fall in Love with Our East Lagoon
One of the most scenic spots on our beautiful campus, the East Lagoon provides the perfect background for a walk or picnic. Enjoy a bonfire in our bonfire pit or hang a hammock. Feeling more adventurous? Plop a canoe or kayak in the water. We even rent out the boats through NIU Adventures! (Speaking of adventures, check out our adventure trips.)
Cheer On Our Huskie Athletes
Huskies are active on the field and in the stands for NIU Athletics events this fall. Students receive free admission to each regular-season home game, and it’s easy to get tickets with our mobile ticketing. Make sure to tailgate and wear red and black on game days! (Fridays too. That’s kind of a thing around here.)
Take in Art, Culture, Music and All That
Inspire, connect and broaden your cultural knowledge by visiting our museums, theaters and cultural resource centers. See one of our concerts or check out an art exhibit. Venture beyond campus on our Huskie Bus Line. You'll find more to DeKalb than you expect, including the historic Egyptian Theatre (deemed the heartbeat of downtown DeKalb), concerts in the park hosted by the DeKalb Park District, bookstores, and quirky spots like Star Worlds Video Arcade and Fargo Indoor Skatepark.
Hang Out at the Holmes
You can't miss our HSC, the tallest building in our friendly hometown of DeKalb. You'll find plenty of options for food and fun, including Starbucks (coffee, coffee, coffee!), Qdoba Mexican Eats and The Grill at the Huskie Den. You'll also find the Depot convenience store, bowling, billiards, an expanded bookstore and plenty of places to relax — even cozy spots by our fireplace.
By All Means, Beer Nuggets
Known as beer nuggets to loyal fans, these deep-fried pizza dough bites don't actually have any beer in them, and they're legendary in our college town. Sold at several local pizza spots, they even made it into Urban Dictionary as a DeKalb invention. Bonus trivia: Barbed wire is a DeKalb invention, too.
Taste Your Way Through Campus and Beyond
You'll find plenty of places to feast on campus and beyond, from Qdoba, Starbucks, The Grill at the Huskie Den and the Depot C-Store in our HSC to Einstein Bros. Bagels at Founders Memorial Library. Within walking distance of campus, DeKalb brims with coffee shops and restaurants, ranging from fast food to fine dining to family style to international flavors. For a sweet treat, try Ollie's Frozen Custard in Sycamore. It's a must.
Work Off Those Calories
As a student, you automatically have access to NIU Recreation, with facilities throughout campus. Lift weights, squeeze in some cardio or join a pickup game or fitness class at our Recreation Center. More of an outdoorsy type? DeKalb’s many parks offer space to venture out, whether on foot, bike or skates. Play disc golf, basketball or tennis, or simply take a walk and breathe it all in.
Huskie Spotlight
“My favorite spot on campus is the East Lagoon. Not only is it a peaceful break between the stresses of college, but I've also created lasting memories there. It's amazing to think about how many generations of Huskies have used the same spot to study, relax or hang out.”Sam Soria,
environmental studies major
Keep Exploring
Explore all our Huskie Guides on topics that matter most to your success at NIU.