Any Recommendations for Things to Do in Ann Arbor Before A Night Game (versus MSU)?
I plan to be back in Ann Arbor for the game versus MSU on Oct. 29.
It'll be a night game, and for basically my entire life of attending Michigan games, I've either lived in Ann Arbor or Chicago, close enough to drive and tailgate out of my vehicle. The exceptions were all OSU games and those are Noon kicks, so if you're flying in, pregaming at the hotel and getting over to the stadium is about all you can do.
This will be my first night game, but I'm also flying in and I'm not interested in buying tailgating supplies that I can't take back home with me.
So with all of that said...what are some fun things to do/places to go before the MSU game this year? Just go to a bar or is there something unique for fans without a dedicated tailgate? Thoughts?
October 16th, 2022 at 9:16 PM ^
Get an eighth of mushrooms and spend all day floating around
October 16th, 2022 at 9:21 PM ^
This guy knows how to night game.
October 16th, 2022 at 9:49 PM ^
Would that be considered micro dosing?
October 16th, 2022 at 9:59 PM ^
I have no idea I'm only into macro dosing
October 17th, 2022 at 12:54 AM ^
Macro your micro bro
October 16th, 2022 at 9:19 PM ^
Being a night game against MSU, you will want to utilize you afternoon hours bathing in fire retardant chemicals.
October 16th, 2022 at 9:19 PM ^
What are your interests?
October 17th, 2022 at 12:34 AM ^
hey easy there Les this isn't some sorority girl
October 16th, 2022 at 9:27 PM ^
Did I miss something? Has game time been announced? Mgoblue.com still says time TBA.
October 16th, 2022 at 9:39 PM ^
at Saturday’s game the powers that be told us ushers they still guess it will be night but nothing for sure.
October 16th, 2022 at 10:45 PM ^
FOX has already picked up OSU-PSU for Big Noon Saturday. I think that means that MSU-Michigan will probably be on ABC/ESPN. It might depend on how appealing some of the other matchups are in other conferences. They will also have ND-Syracuse that week. But my guess is the game will be on ABC in primetime.
October 17th, 2022 at 5:21 AM ^
FOX has World Series game 2 on at night and CBS has Florida-Georgia on at 3:30. My guess is MSU-Michigan will be on at 3:30. The night game will depend on which teams are in the World Series. https://www.espn.com/college-football/schedule/_/week/9/year/2022/seasontype/2
October 17th, 2022 at 9:50 AM ^
ABC is still going to have a Saturday Night Football primetime game on that day regardless of FOX coverage of the World Series. Because FOX used their selection on OSU-PSU, ABC/ESPN, which usually has the next pick of games, will probably take the MSU-Michigan game as stated above. ESPN will have an SEC primetime game (maybe Kentucky-Tennessee), but ABC will have to have their own game in the primetime slot. There aren't many other options outside MSU-Michigan and ND-Syracuse.
One game I didn't mention is Oklahoma St-KSU, but I am not sure how the Big 12 rights are split up between FOX and ESPN. And Oklahoma St and KSU both have big games this weekend. If they both were to win, it could make that game an even more attractive matchup. I think this game might be the only one that might be able to keep MSU-Michigan from ABC Saturday Night Football.
October 16th, 2022 at 9:42 PM ^
Friday night at the Ark. Or Yost if they're home.
October 16th, 2022 at 9:49 PM ^
Practice your self-defense skills.
October 16th, 2022 at 9:52 PM ^
I would eat a lot of food. Blimpyburgers, Zingerman's, a chipati at Pizza House, a Bibimbop somewhere, Frita Batidos, some bbq at Ricewood.
October 16th, 2022 at 9:58 PM ^
I'd have to watch the game from the bathroom if I tried that.
October 16th, 2022 at 10:13 PM ^
The chipati from pizza house is some weird terrible stuff.. 25 years after my freshman year, that shit is still there. It's just some salad in a giant pita bread that they give you a bucket of ranch to pour on. Wtf. There isn't even a logical way to eat it.
Never understood that food item in the slightest
October 16th, 2022 at 11:14 PM ^
One of my roommates worked there and brought home bags of the pitas that didn't pass the eye test. But it passed the eat test. We lived on it. I think Pizza Bob's has a better one and it's actually the sauce that makes it so good.
October 17th, 2022 at 8:18 AM ^
It's funny -- to degrees I understand both Wendy and Tesla on this topic.
October 17th, 2022 at 5:22 AM ^
Tesla, you better watch yourself. You’re going to have a bunch of Jewish girls - including my wife - protesting in front of your house. Especially ones who graduated in the ‘80’s and ‘90’s. They are VERY serious about their Pizza House chipatis.
October 17th, 2022 at 8:14 AM ^
Promise?
I love pizza house, but that stuff... A chapati is basically Indian bread. I assume this was a play on that, but they took something ethnic and mixed it with Denny's, and came up with that disaster.
Also, I too ate pizza house in the 90s in school. Way too much in fact. Maybe I'm old as shit, but when I took my family to UMAA for the first time this year to see Colorado state, and we had pizza house that night, I don't know how kids can afford it.... It's so expensive. Again, 25 years, so ok... But I couldn't believe how much it cost.
When I chatted with the driver on the way to the airport, he had a good point. Kids coming to Michigan game always had plenty of money... So maybe I'm not adjusting to inflationn, and years and years passing
October 17th, 2022 at 8:51 AM ^
They offer ridiculously good delivery deals targeted at students after midnight...things you miss when moving out of a college town and adopting a more normal eating/drinking schedule
October 17th, 2022 at 9:08 AM ^
ah ok, thats fair. when i was in school, i ate IN the restaurant maybe 1 time. but we ordered delivery until they closed (4 am) probably weekly.
October 17th, 2022 at 9:16 AM ^
Tesla, I think the appeal of the chipati is the combination of the sauce, the bread, and the eating experience the whole thing provides. Plus the fact that it's mostly unique to Ann Arbor. (Although, the Chicago area does have Pockets, which was inspired by chipatis in Ann Arbor.)
There is also an ongoing Pizza House vs. Pizza Bob's debate. My wife is a Pizza House woman.
October 17th, 2022 at 9:25 AM ^
Their wings got me through 2 years of college.. at 3 am, playing some combo of Halo and other crap we all did. Opening up that plastic box of wings, and the vinegar making my eyes water... brings ANOTHER tear to my eye!
The rest of it, whatever... nothign great. I liked Bell's pizza better. But their wings!! Super saucy, but super vinegary/and a little spicy
October 17th, 2022 at 8:52 AM ^
The chipati sauce is delicious and addictive and should also be served with other food items there that require a dipping sauce, like Feta Bread and chicken fingers
October 16th, 2022 at 10:01 PM ^
Seriously? You can get there early and walk around the campus and remember what it was like when you were actually a student there. And see all the new stuff and all the exciting things that they've done since the last time you walked around that campus. It's an opportunity to reminisce renew refresh and move forward. Don't know why you are spending time in a hotel anyway.
October 17th, 2022 at 7:35 PM ^
1. I didn't go to school there...I grew up in Ann Arbor.
2. I said you basically stay in the hotel when it's a noon kick (and you fly into town), and I'm talking about gameday. Not the entire weekend. Of course you go out Friday night. But Saturday, there's not a ton of time.
3. I was there last year. I usually try to go to a game every year. But you're missing the point...I usually drive and tailgate so I've never paid attention to what people who don't have cars do.
That's literally the point of the thread. It's a night game, I'm not driving and tailgating...so I'm looking for suggestions.
Not sure what I did to offend you, lol.
October 16th, 2022 at 10:04 PM ^
Join someone else’s tailgate
October 17th, 2022 at 10:19 AM ^
On the Golf course there are one or two tailgates
October 16th, 2022 at 10:05 PM ^
Sorry. Misread the title. I thought you were asking about Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead.
October 16th, 2022 at 10:08 PM ^
We always hit up some breweries on the way in from Chicago but will always hit up HOMES as the last stop for a drink before going to the night games.
October 16th, 2022 at 10:23 PM ^
Go to Dom Donuts in Ypsi!
October 16th, 2022 at 10:45 PM ^
Kegger at Ono's!
October 16th, 2022 at 10:45 PM ^
Guard the rock on Washtenaw to make sure no Sparty fuckers paint it green.
October 16th, 2022 at 10:57 PM ^
I'm also flying in and I'm not interested in buying tailgating supplies that I can't take back home with me.
Have you considered tailgate concierge?
October 16th, 2022 at 11:04 PM ^
Put on the foil.
October 16th, 2022 at 11:21 PM ^
Drink
October 16th, 2022 at 11:27 PM ^
I would go the Arb for a morning walk before grabbing lunch and then tailgating.
October 17th, 2022 at 12:24 AM ^
Joes Pizza
Go to Joes Pizza
October 17th, 2022 at 12:27 AM ^
I just took my youngest son to the PSU game and the afternoon and night before we toured campus, hit Frita Batidos and followed it up with a “cider” at Bills Beer Garden… not exactly tradition but he absolutely loved getting a feel for campus. Game day was the usual tailgate at Allmendinger park and watching the band march in… for PSU the band did a phenomenal percussion set before the march… I hope it gets posted…
October 17th, 2022 at 5:24 AM ^
+1 for the informative user name.
October 17th, 2022 at 9:42 AM ^
Michigan hosts Western Michigan at Yost, 7 PM Friday Oct. 28.
October 17th, 2022 at 10:15 AM ^
Crash Sparty RV tailgates that have combustible couches…
October 17th, 2022 at 7:37 PM ^
I'll be there the night before...sorry I was talking Saturday only.
Basically, I'm used to tailgating and I'm not tailgating...what are some fun alternatives is the post.
October 17th, 2022 at 10:20 AM ^
I’ve been to a few night games pre-COVID and the bars/ restaurants always had some space (may require you getting food to go/ fast food), and standing around the bar for drinks.
the further you are from the stadium (eg South U bars - Jug, Charley’s, Blue Lep) the less packed things tend to be. I’d also try Dominick’s and even Connors on Main.
I think that enough people tailgate, so the bars aren’t that crowded. Again, this is pre-COVID when we didn’t have worker shortages and capacity issues, so it may be different now.
October 17th, 2022 at 10:42 AM ^
Will you be going to the game with friends, family, bringing kids, etc.?
The weather will be "cooler" - so, you'll want to plan for that and dress accordingly. Regardless of whether it's a 3:30 or evening start - it's going to be the coolest temperature this season.
Where is your hotel? If you're in Ann Arbor, you'll have some flexibility - but, IMO, once we leave our hotel, we don't plan to return to the hotel until after the game.
Things to do in Ann Arbor, a lot of good suggestions already.
Without doubt, I would include a tour / walk around the campus. If you're with "first timers" The Diag, Union, Law Quad, South U, and State Street - are all great suggestions.
I think Dominick's is a good suggestion for a libation before heading over to the stadium.
Check with your friends and see if they have any plans to host a tailgate - and, if so, confirm the location where they'll be.
We host our tailgates in the Blue Lot - located adjacent to Michigan Stadium, near the Student / northeast corner entrance. You and yours would be welcome to join us. If you're interested, let me know and I can share more specifics about our location.
Another option to consider, understanding you don't want to bring / buy a lot of tailgate gear - and, as mentioned earlier - tailgate concierge is definitely an option - would be to pick up your "refreshments" at Campus Corner, walk over to the tailgate areas, Blue / Grey / other lots, and join friends that are hosting there.
Regardless, Go Blue! Have a great time.
October 17th, 2022 at 7:43 PM ^
Really appreciate the insight. Clearly I didn't articulate the question (which you graciously answered - thanks!)
For the rest of the board, I'm good the night before, I'll be out somewhere in Ann Arbor with the rest of you crazy folks.
All I was saying was that I usually drive and tailgate (as of late, at Pioneer). But I no longer live in Chicago, so I'm flying...it's a night game, so I've got a full day before kickoff. And asking for suggestions.
Appreciate it, Amazin!