Plea for Help
I am finally returning to the Big House this Saturday. The last time I was there was for a 56-14 ass-waxing of Illinois, but it was some years ago, and I was young enough to not have to drive, so I have quite a few questions.
-How early should I plan on arriving in order to park and make my way to the Stadium?
-Where do the parents/family of the opposing teams sit (this is where my tickets are)?
-What is the best way to get off of 94? Google tells me to get off on Jackson and take Stadium south, but I seem to remember the cops having a big road blocked off straight from the highway, with traffic going toward the stadium in all lanes before the game and away from it after.
-What kind of traffic should I expect around the stadium and at what time?
-Is the typical sporting event parking rate of around $20 about right?
-Can I make it from the south side of Chicago (33rd and the Ryan) in four hours?
-Any not-to-be-missed pre-game sights?
Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide.
November 12th, 2008 at 9:39 PM ^
(As of the Illinois game)Frats are charging 20 bucks for parking and they were still had spots open when I got to the game which was about 2 hours before kickoff.
Good luck getting out of AA after the game, you'll need it.
November 12th, 2008 at 9:42 PM ^
You should head to the stadium at about 11 since it tkaes longer to get through the front gates and into your section due to the construction.
It seems visitors now sit high up in the south end zone (Section 8-10)
Get off at Ann Arbor Saline Road since State Street can get clogged the closer you get to game time. You can also ome in through Ypsi from Washtenaw or Packard.
We go to Frazier's Pub on Packard 1/2 mile from Stadium) for pre game food and drink and take a cab to the game. You can leave your care in the Frazier's lot the entire game of park on the side street right next to it.You walk back to your care after the game- it's about a 25 minute walk.
I would allow 5 hours coming in from Chicago in case you hit traffic.
Always get there for the band pre game show. The band coming onto the field, the M fanfare, the Victors and the team running under the banner always gives me chills.
Good luck.
Go Blue!!
November 13th, 2008 at 12:13 AM ^
From my experience going to the Illinois game there was virtually no traffic coming out of Chicago for the game (spent a couple of weekdays in the city); granted I left 6 hours before kickoff to make it to the tailgate but driving along 94 I saw a lot more Michigan faithful than Illini (it wasn't until I hit Michigan that I saw any Illini whereas I a few other Wolverines were coming out of the city at the same time as me).
November 12th, 2008 at 10:09 PM ^
Just park in the Maynard lot, you will find parking and wont have to pay 20-30 dollars.
November 12th, 2008 at 10:12 PM ^
Arrive about an hour and a half early and you should be golden.
November 12th, 2008 at 10:27 PM ^
I would take AA/Saline Rd. exit. If you want to park for free a 10 min. walk from the stadium, I would take a left at Scio Church (before Pioneer). Pass 7th St. and take a Right on Greenview Dr. and the first Right on Glen Leven. Anywhere on this street close to the 90 degree turn left is good and free. You will see people tailgating. Where the road turns there is a small park and a trail that leads through the woods to pioneer.
I would try to arrive there at least an hour to allow for walking time. Shopping around the corner of Stadium and Main and whatever other sights you want to see outside the stadium. Good luck and go blue!
November 12th, 2008 at 10:28 PM ^
also... getting out of town isn't bad here b/c you go out the same way you came in and AA/Saline Rd. is one way to 94.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:49 PM ^
Worth seeing is the Step Show with the Drumline!
Game Day Schedule
8:00 AM - MMB Rehearsal at Elbel Field
9:30 AM - Rehearsal Ends - parking of cars on the Elbel Lot begins
9:30 AM - Victors Walk (partial MMB only)
10:30 AM - M Drumline Step Show in front of Revelli Hall
10:55 AM - MMB Forms-Up behind Revelli Hall
11:05 AM - Performance at Parents' Weekend Tailgate (Indoor Track Building)
11:15 AM - Depart for Michigan Stadium
11:30 AM - MMB arrives at the Big House
11:39 AM - NUMB Pregame Show
11:46 AM - MMB Pregame Show
12:02 PM - Kickoff - Michigan vs. Northwestern
November 13th, 2008 at 9:06 AM ^
Was that the game when it snowed almost three inches in the second half? I was quite young at the time but I think that I remember that.
Concerning directions,I always take 23 North to Washtenaw and West to the stadium. 94 usually looks too packed to bother with. Spend the extra money and park at Pioneer and take S. Main St. down to 94. My secret for getting out quick? Get in the far left lane of S. Main since it is one way after games and there is an exit onto 94 East that few seem to know about.
November 13th, 2008 at 9:32 AM ^
Coming from the West on I-94, you want to get off at Ann Arbor-Saline. That is the fastest way to the Stadium, but more importantly, it is MUCH faster than any of the exit routes to leave the Stadium after the game.
Coming from the Southside of Chicago, your drive time will likely be a little less than 4 hours (this assumes that you are driving at roughly 10 MPH over the speed limit, don't stop along the way, and have no construction traffic). With the early game, there is less risk of hitting traffic along the way. And since the beginning of the season, the construction and flood related issues on I-94 in Northwest Indiana have not been a problem. I am not assuming that there is not any construction taking place on the Dan Ryan of Bishop Ford at this time. (Note: I've driven in from Chicago on game day for each game this season.)
If the section you are sitting in is a "full" section, where by the aisle goes all the way to the field, it can be time consuming to get into your section if you wait for the last 30 minutes before game time. to the point that you would miss the Band taking the field.