Going to the OSU game
Before you kill me for posting an advice thread let me just say that I am aware that there is a MGoTickets spreadsheet and plenty of useful information about the game day experience in the user-curated hall of fame. I plan on taking advantage of those resources but I'm also looking for more direct advice and suggestions.
My buddy and I are going to fly in for the OSU game. It will be the first time in Michigan for either of us and I have a few specific questions:
- Is it unreasonable to expect to find a hotel in Ann Arbor for that weekend? If not, or if it will be significantly more expensive, what other cities should I look at?
- We are probably flying into Detroit. Is there public transportation available to Ann Arbor or would we be better off renting a car?
- I've heard that some rows are too close to the field. At what point does the view become obstructed?
Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks and Go Blue.
November 7th, 2011 at 4:18 PM ^
1) it is unreasonable
2) taxi, but rental car allows tailgating and sleeping in since you probably won't get a room
3) depends on where you are laterally, don't want to be below 20 behind the team benches
also remember to bring something to relieve your arms, which i am sure will be tired
November 7th, 2011 at 4:50 PM ^
I bet you don't have as much of a problem with hotel rooms as you might think since its the weekend after Thanksgiving. If the usual suspects by Briarwood Mall are full, I'll bet you'll be golden if you call the places up by Plymouth Road and North Campus like the Hawthorn Suites.
BY THE WAY. If anyone has a pair of OSU tickets that are not student tix, I'm looking. Email me with section, row and what you want for the pair at [email protected]
November 7th, 2011 at 5:57 PM ^
It's weird to think, but you might actually be better off buying a pair of student tickets and getting them validated, as long as you don't mind sitting with some students (there won't be many bc a lot will be home). Tickets are going for as cheap as $50 right now if you look in the right spots. Will only be going down as the few that are selling theirs for $300 realize there's no chance they get anything close to that.
November 7th, 2011 at 8:14 PM ^
And where are these rights spots? Cause I really don't want to pay 150 bucks to go to the OSU game and all the M Students I know won't give/sell me theirs
November 7th, 2011 at 5:37 PM ^
Just curious - why don't you like to be below 20 behind team benches? I'm in row 7, section 21, and I'm psyched to be so close to the action. Is it just too crazy?
November 7th, 2011 at 5:47 PM ^
November 7th, 2011 at 6:13 PM ^
Last time I went to the OSU game (in 2007), I sat in the student section and wasn't happy because I ended up standing on the bench and could never get down because random people were standing on the ground between the benches, shoulder to shoulder. I don't mind standing the whole game, but to not be able to move at all sucked. It was also really hard to see with so many people packed in.
I'll only be disappointed if we don't win.
November 8th, 2011 at 12:15 AM ^
to me! We were standing sideways in my section during the UTL game.
November 7th, 2011 at 6:24 PM ^
if you have the choice, i would try to sit where i could see the most of the game and having sat behind teams before, it gets difficult. i think if they are your season tickets, you adapt - i know i have - but for a one time thing, i would be choosy.
November 8th, 2011 at 8:59 AM ^
I was a few rows higher up in similar seats (Section 3) for the first half of the ND game, with a child who was a a very-short 12 years old. He had a lot of trouble seeing. It was partially alleviated by him standing on the bench whenever the crowd stood. We were lucky to have people around us who were super understanding and helped him hop up and down.
That said, he wanted to leave at the half because it was frustrating for him to not be able to see very well. I'm glad we moved to seats where he was happier and could stay the whole time, because, well, duh.
I'm sure you can make it work but just be aware that it may be harder for the little people.
November 7th, 2011 at 4:23 PM ^
Try Canton or Livonia for hotels which are 15-20 minutes east of the stadium
November 7th, 2011 at 5:45 PM ^
November 7th, 2011 at 4:27 PM ^
do it now. pick up the phone and start trying to find a room (if you can) and a car.
November 7th, 2011 at 4:30 PM ^
I stayed at the Comfort Inn in Belleville for the Purdue game, and was able to book a room the week of. Granted, it's not a super nice hotel or anything, but for $80 for the night it met my needs. But that was about a 20 minute drive from Ann Arbor.
I sat in row 63 and had a great view of the field.
Good luck to you and your buddy, it's a great time. And I'm sure the atmosphere will be even more electric with TSIO in town.
November 7th, 2011 at 4:37 PM ^
Rent a car and get a hotel outside of Ann Arbor. There are probaby a variety of choices, e.g. Livonia, near the airport, etc. Priceline it and find out what your options are. If you have to drive into town that morning, do it early because traffic will be a bear.
If you are not tailgating in the lots near Pioneer H.S. or the golf course, avoid the Main Street exit off of I-94. Avoid Washtenaw too, if you can. Get a map and sneak in Geddes Road or Plymouth Road.
I have actually changed my view on the lower rows in the Stadium. I used to say that rows 40-60 are optimal, and they are great. However, we sat in row 9 behind the Western Michigan bench during the opening day monsoon and I have to say that it was a ball being that close to the action and we could see fine. You see different things in different places, but there really are not any obstructed view seats.
I would say that if you get stuck in the endzone, it would be better to be at least 35 rows up, unless you are in the first row or two and are into being right on top of a few (very few) critical plays. However, with the field lowered 20 years or so ago, the players on the bench do not obstruct the view of the field. The close view and the sound is pretty awesome.
Rows 55-65 or so are optimal for getting in and out of the stadium if you can't sit still.
November 7th, 2011 at 4:41 PM ^
I will be watching my first Michigan game at the Big House then too. Lifelong dream, can't wait.
November 7th, 2011 at 5:53 PM ^
Except it's going to be my 2nd ever game, but my first game was a blowout. I'm with you on this one, I'm already counting down the days
November 7th, 2011 at 6:16 PM ^
So not really the same at all then.
November 7th, 2011 at 4:47 PM ^
Don't be afraid to look for rooms as far south as Toledo/maumee. There are motels right on US23 1 hour from the stadium. Hotels in Dundee too but maybe they will be occupied.
November 7th, 2011 at 4:52 PM ^
November 7th, 2011 at 4:55 PM ^
Airbnb.com
I used for my honeymoon in Croatia last month and it worked out perfect. there was one owner that even took us to the airport when we left for detroit.
Definitely check out toledo/maumee, I know there are a few hotels on Dussel Road that are very close to the interstate. There is also some good eating to be found in that stretch of Maumee.
Also check out the park and party to guarentee a spot if you rent a car, I prob wouldn't chance just parking it anywhere.
November 7th, 2011 at 5:17 PM ^
What is the park and party all about?
November 7th, 2011 at 11:22 PM ^
is a way to reserve a parking spot for the game. for a small fee, they will save you a spot and you don't have to sit in line hoping for a spot. mostly for piece of mind. it can be expensive to park (i usu just park at pioneer and if i stay for the band, enough people have left that traffic isn't too bad)
There had been an ad along the side bar of the page that got brian some money, but i haven't seen it for a few weeks. here's a link none-the-less:
LINK
November 7th, 2011 at 4:57 PM ^
My advice to you: make some fucking NOISE.
November 7th, 2011 at 5:35 PM ^
My 11 year old son and I are going (my husband got the short straw and has to stay in the hotel with our daughter) and all I can say is, I will be making some fucking noise, hopefully an embarrassing amount of fucking noise.
November 7th, 2011 at 4:57 PM ^
My advice to you: make some fucking NOISE.
November 7th, 2011 at 5:06 PM ^
November 7th, 2011 at 5:16 PM ^
November 7th, 2011 at 5:21 PM ^
Do yourself a favor and don't procastinate on Saturday morning. The city isn't set up to hold the amount of traffic that occurs on game day. Nothing worse than being stuck in stop and go traffic during the tailgate.
November 7th, 2011 at 5:22 PM ^
looking to sell a ticket in section 20 row 35, if anyone is looking.
November 7th, 2011 at 6:04 PM ^
I'm definitely interested
November 7th, 2011 at 6:36 PM ^
wow my mistake its actually in section 22, so even better. I'm not looking to sell stub hub prices but its still a prime seat. don't really know how much.
November 7th, 2011 at 6:48 PM ^
Email me at [email protected] maybe we could discuss further iOS
November 7th, 2011 at 5:23 PM ^
Thanks to everyone that responded.
I think I'm going to look for a hotel in Romulus. That seems to be the closest town to the airport and it doesn't make sense to go too far in any one direction. For peace of mind I'd rather have my room booked and not wait and see if I could get a room that is closer to Ann Arbor through a cancellation.
I'll be flying from Boston so I don't think Lansing and Flint would be options.
It sounds like rows 40-60 might be the best options.
I plan on making my fair share of noise.
November 7th, 2011 at 5:34 PM ^
November 7th, 2011 at 5:38 PM ^
make sure they have the sticker on them making them for anybody. If they dont you will not get in without a student ID. And do you mean the 02 Washington game? The last sec. kick to win it? I was at that game also if that the same one.
November 7th, 2011 at 5:40 PM ^
November 8th, 2011 at 9:46 AM ^
Yeah, I think the airport hotel is the best bet since you are flying in. Most of the available AA hotels are still not walkable, so you still need to take a car down to the stadium for gameday. The rates by the airport should be much more reasonable too.
Parking is not too bad, depending on how far you're willing to walk. Tailgating at the golf courses is full and runs $30/$40 per car (The UM lot is a bit tamer and cheaper, the AA Golf Club course, nearer to the stadium, is more rowdy). Try name your own price on priceline for your rental car, you can probably get a car for $25-$30 a day. Just make sure you get there early. If you're not in AA by 9am (assuming noon game), it's almost not worth going, you'll easily spend the whole time up to kick-off in traffic and parking.
Get to the stadium early too, the lines into each section have been pretty ridiculous right at kick-off. If you can get there 1/2 hour early, you can save yourself a lot of aggravation.
Regarding seats, honestly, it's not an optimal stadium as far as viewing position, the bowl is pretty shallow, so to get high enough to get a good perspective also moves you away from the field horizontally. I personally like to be close to the field, just to have the experience of being right next to the action. If you miss anything, the new scoreboards are awesome for replays.
November 7th, 2011 at 5:25 PM ^
I may have one hotel room not being used. I will find out this week if my buddy and his wife are going or not. If they dont go I can get a hold of you before I turn the room back in so maybe you can call and get it. You can email me if you want to do that at [email protected]
November 7th, 2011 at 5:35 PM ^
There are shuttle options to and from the airport from Ann Arbor. I would recommend renting a car. Splitting cost between two will be way cheaper. Plus, you will have more flexibility.
November 7th, 2011 at 5:45 PM ^
Tix are $130 on stubhub right now, prolly cheaper than what youll find on the spreadsheet. I got mine before the ND game for $140. Its a pretty good place for tickets
November 7th, 2011 at 5:57 PM ^
Rent a car.
Check out Plymouth if other options fail. 20 min. away, nice downtown w/ bars and restaurants.
Not a bad seat in the Big House.
Go Blue.
November 7th, 2011 at 6:05 PM ^
Shoelaces_Pfft, what are you looking to get for it?
November 7th, 2011 at 6:34 PM ^
As a rule, if you want to book a hotel in Ann Arbor for a football weekend, you've got to do it several months in advance. Three weeks in advance? Not a chance - especially for a game like OSU.
November 7th, 2011 at 6:44 PM ^
FYI - I haven't sat during a tsio game since 2001. So have fun and be LOUD.
I went out to Iowa ... and the fans stood the entire game! In IOWA, fergodssake!
tsio is a given ... here's to hope that we stand and cheer the entire Nebraska game. Have we ever played Nebraska in Ann Arbor? Let's show the Husker fans what a first class place the Big House is!!!
Go Blue!
November 7th, 2011 at 7:24 PM ^
near the airport. You can find some nice, reasonably priced options and Metro really isn't too far from Ann Arbor. Plus, it will be convenient for your flight out.
Renting a car might be the way to go. Just don't trash it tailgating.
November 7th, 2011 at 8:56 PM ^
"Is it unreasonable to expect to find a hotel in Ann Arbor for that weekend? If not, or if it will be significantly more expensive, what other cities should I look at?" - MAgoBLUE
If you're really pressed, you may find cheaper rooms in Belleville or by Metro Airport, so you would be about 20-25 minutes from Ann Arbor (driving at typical Michigan speeds in your rental, which you will need if you're flying in). I live about 750 feet from the south fence of Metro Airport and although my desk is in Belleville (about 10 minutes west of the airport), my "area" is part of Ann Arbor, so I've timed this drive over the years.
"We are probably flying into Detroit. Is there public transportation available to Ann Arbor or would we be better off renting a car?" - MAgoBLUE
As anyone who grew up in southeastern Michigan would tell you, renting a car is literally days faster than a taxi or the SMART bus. Actually, you'd have to pick up the bus in Canton if you stayed at Metro Airport, which is where the SMART system makes its sole connection (currently) with the AATA (Ann Arbor Transit Authority). Basically, rent a car.
"I've heard that some rows are too close to the field. At what point does the view become obstructed?" - MAgoBLUE
My season tickets put me about in the middle row of my section, so I've never had the problem. Couldn't say, sorry.
November 7th, 2011 at 10:09 PM ^
Whenever my husband and I go to Michigan games, we always stay at the Sheraton in Detroit/Novi which I believe is about halfway between Ann Arbor and Detroit. , We always enjoy our stay and I think it's in a good location, especially if there arent any hotels available in AA. We just canceled our reservation we had there for the weekend of the OSU game so there should be at least one room available!!! We've never had a problem with vacancies though and we made a reservation there for the Notre Dame game only about a week in advance. Good luck and most of all, I hope you get to see a Michigan victory. Not looking too good right now though in my opinion.
November 8th, 2011 at 12:43 AM ^
Still plenty of rooms available very close to campus including by Briarfield mall. Just finished booking my room for the game about an hour ago. I called several places that I found online and they had rooms available. Don't try to book online, just call the hotels directly. Seems to be an issue with alot of the sites because there was something where you had to book for two nights in regards to the internet bookings. If you call directly you can book for however many nights you want. Hope this helps and I'm sure I'll see you and around another 111,000 people there!