Stadium Tour - 9/12 @ 8:30am /// First Game Advice

Submitted by bigdemo on
A client of mine is celebrating his 10th Anniversary the right way, with his first game and a tour of the Big House.  He is looking for others to join the tour (the cost is $20 per person.), and also is looking for advice on places to go, eat, tailgating, etc.

This may be a strange request, but as a long time mgoblog reader I have never actually posted on the board.  I have zero points and finally just created an account.  I am traveling to this week's game (first home game ever!) and wanted to see if you could help me out by starting a post on the board. 

I am asking for tips on places to go on gameday, places I would to eat, tailgating, etc.  I'm also booking a tour that Monday (9/12) of the stadium and it would be fun to open that up to others.  My wife and I are celebrating our tenth anniversary - and we decided this was the trip we would take!

I can offer great tips on hiking fourteeners and visiting the non-humid and mosquito free land of Colorado in exchange as well as heartfelt gratitude from someone with deep Detroit roots who hasn't been back in way too long. 

 
If interested, email Josh: therufflife07 at  gmail.com
 
 

Michigan Stadium Tour 
(60-90 minutes) includes:

 

  • Michigan Stadium Field
  • Michigan Football Game Day Locker Room
  • Michigan Stadium Press Box
  • Club and Suite Level

CGordini

September 6th, 2016 at 5:06 PM ^

Man, if this was *Sunday* and not *Monday*, I'd be all over it. But I can't justify doing a 8:30AM ~1.5 hour long tour and then rushing off to work. I just wouldn't be happy.

14 Wolverine

September 6th, 2016 at 5:14 PM ^

First, thanks to Matt - top shelf in my e-mailing with him.  I have to thank him immensely for the help getting a post up.  If you need any help, he's got my vote. 

Hit me with your best ideas.  I'm going to be in Ann Arbor for a few days. 

Game day - Would love to see the drumline.  Any tips on finding a tailgate?  Parking mistakes to avoid.  What do I need to have the ultimate game exprience?  Already got sweet seats but I count on your expertise.  Where to celebrate the victory afterwards?  

We'll be in MI for a few days afterwards, so cider mills and the Matthei Botanical gardens are on the list.  Is there anywhere else I need to go?  Let me hear it.

Thanks in advance!

 

 

rockediny

September 6th, 2016 at 6:13 PM ^

If you're there on Friday, I believe the band does a full run of the pregame show at the beginning of practice (practice starts at 4:45pm) if you want to hear it in its purest form (loud and right in front of you). Also, make sure you get to the stadium early so you can see them perform it for the crowd. My favorite place to eat was Blimpy Burger but the new location is kinda far from the stadium so maybe go after the game. 

M-Dog

September 6th, 2016 at 6:23 PM ^

If I recall, someone said that sometime on gameday before the game, the band practices the half time show.  Is this true, and if so when and where?  I'd my family to see it (not all of whom are going to the game) for the Wisconsin game that will likely have a 3:30 start.

 

Bando Calrissian

September 6th, 2016 at 11:07 PM ^

For a 3:30 game, morning rehearsal should probably start like 9ish? Maybe a touch later.

I'll be honest--gameday morning rehearsal was mindnumbing as a band member, and it's even moreso watching it.  I know I pretty much never played more than about 20-25% volume, if I played at all on Saturday mornings. Most people hold it back for the actual game. There's a lot of singing, too. Nothing really happens, and you're too low to see anything anyway.

Best bet for anything interesting is Friday rehearsal. Always lots of people, everything gets a runthrough, and people are actually playing. 4:45-6:15 at Elbel.

stephenrjking

September 6th, 2016 at 5:20 PM ^

I wish the tours weren't expensive and oddly scheduled. Since I moved away I've visited Ann Arbor many times, but I have yet to be able to see inside the Stadium again. I really would like to show my kids the commemorative brick my Dad and I purchased in 1999.

My advice: If you don't have a solid invite to a tailgate, it's not the end of the world, but don't trust you'll find the right place. Eating before gametime isn't a bad idea. There was a thread last week posted by a guy who often tailgates but who was taking his family, and that thread has a lot of good advice for places to eat within walking distance.

The main advice is to plan ahead and take your time. This weekend has few other games of interest, so there is even less reason to rush anywhere. Get to the Stadium early enough to see some warmups, watch the band, stay to the end, wander off, have some food, enjoy the weather.

14 Wolverine

September 6th, 2016 at 6:21 PM ^

Never. This is one of those lifetime dreams. When I was a kid we got to go to a Tigers game in the old stadium. (I even have a pic of me on the scoreboard - yeah!) But my parents never got us to a football game.

Here in Colorado Springs I'd get to go to home Air Force games. An awesome atmosphere in its own way, but not exactly on the same scale.

stephenrjking

September 6th, 2016 at 11:14 PM ^

Awesome. The first walk through the tunnel into the bowl is amazing.

Go early, park somewhere. Wear Michigan gear. Enjoy the atmosphere of thousands of others prepping for the game with you. I've never done stuff north of the stadium, so I don't know where people park or eat around there, but there are food establishments. Give yourself way more time than you think you need. Walk around the concourse of the Stadium. Watch the whole game.

You can't go wrong.

WestPalmBlue

September 6th, 2016 at 9:08 PM ^

I just found out about the tour recently via this blog.. was fully prepared to drop the full $100 for my three person family but upon booking the rep was kind enough to let me know we would be joining others who have already booked so it will just be the $15/person!

14 Wolverine

September 6th, 2016 at 11:02 PM ^

So far the total is up to 7 now with others from the blog.  I just have to clear it with the tour guide, but that should really make it a little easier on our trip budget.  Also looking forward to meeting up with those that can join us!

Thus continues the longest wait for a weekend.  Ever.  : )

 

Cavalry21

September 7th, 2016 at 12:54 PM ^

I'm coming up for the game, first one since The Game in 97.

So I'm in a similar situation, been looking for things to do, places to eat.

From my memory, I def. want to hit Angelo's, Ashley's, and Dominick's.  My wife has never been to campus, but is insitent we go to Zingermann's.  

It's a little old, but Brian wrote a guide a few years ago that has been pretty helpful in finding and remembering places:

http://mgoblog.com/content/guide-ann-arbor-eating-drinking

Personnally, I'm coming with a big group of UCF fans, and since tailgating isn't a great option without a car and gear, and especially for a noon kickwe are thinking of hitting Grizzly Peak for their game day breakfast.  Anyone tried it or have other recommendations?

Enjoy the game 14-Wolverine

Go Blue!

 

14 Wolverine

September 7th, 2016 at 1:22 PM ^

Thanks Cavalry21! Scoured that link for ideas. I'm thinking breakfast or is be a great idea.

Still intent on wandering into a tailgate. I'm going to soak in every bit of pregame I can.

Uncle Joey, we're back to 5 for the group, let me know if you are interested.