Tailgating at Maryland

The Alumni Assoc used to have a nice Michigan tailgate in parking lot C1, but I have not heard about it since Covid.  Does anybody know if it is still a thing? 

Please provide link to where you can buy passes from Marylands AD directly because where I am looking it has been sold out since one or two weeks ago.  Thanks.

There is a critical mass of Michigan fans that tailgate in Parking Lot C1, right near the Reckord Armory (which also has actual bathrooms). 

Parking Lot C1 is right off of Route 1, but be prepared, it is slow to get in and out of.  Best to park elsewhere and walk over there.  It is probably sold out by now anyway.

We've been to Maryland twice and we've parked/tailgated in 11b both times.  There are lots of Michigan fans there, and whatever Maryland fans are there are nice.  It's a very reasonable walk to the game and relatively easy out afterwards.   I'd be there this year, but our daughter and fiance, who live in that area will be coming to visit us a few days later here in Michigan.  Should be great weather forcthe game!  

Legend.

She may actually be Maryland's Valedictorian.

alblue,  

You're asking about the Michigan v OSU game in Ann Arbor on November 25th.   You can get a lot of guidance here - and, my suggestion is - next Monday - when Game Week begins - continue / open a thread - because suggestions from this crew will be "legend".

First - you're arriving in A2 on Friday evening.   There are a LOT of places to eat, and - I would suggest you check into Open Table for the type of restaurant / food you'd like.   Main Street and the "downtown" area cater more toward adults.   South University caters more toward students.  Reservations will help - and restaurants on Main Street - like the Black Pearl have a good environment and decent food.

Second - where to park.  My suggestion to most people is to park on / near campus.   The University garages will be open - and, the cost to park there is probably around $ 25 / vehicle.  Depending on the specific garage, it will be a bit over a mile to the Stadium.   A few locations to consider parking include - 1) Ross / Business school on Hill Street.  2) Fourth and William (more downtown), and 3) a couple of other "downtown" area garages.   You could find street parking a bit closer to the Stadium - but, that will depend on your arrival time.   Two tailgate areas are 1) Golf Course, and 2) Pioneer High School.  Those are very close to the Stadium - but, are more expensive and it's best to arrive "very early" to get a good spot at either of those.  By "very early", I mean prior to 7:00 am.

Third - the game kicks off at noon.  I suggest an "early" arrival - so you can park and enjoy a bit of tailgating.  You and your brothers are welcome to join our festivities - and, we can figure out a way to share details about our location with you.

Go Blue!

I have had a lot of success street parking a few blocks west and north of the stadium. I think I last parked roughly around 7th and Madison about 3 hours before game time and there was a ton of parking.

I love it!  First game, fuck let's go to OSU!  The last game I went to I prepaid to park at Venue (since they are a blog sponsor) and had some beers there before the noon kickoff.  It is $40 if you prepay and about .5 miles to the stadium. Just go to their website and they have a prepaid parking tab.  If you are ok walking a bit you can find parking as cheap as $25 further out.   I am sure some of the folks on here can direct you to a proper tailgate.  Just bring a $20 to offer the host, most will decline but I still think it is nice to offer.  Or BYOB.  My experience most people are super friendly, especially if you tell them its your first game and your from Alabama you should not have trouble finding a spot to hang out before or after the game. 

Lots of good food options but I always go to Frita Batidos.  Love that place. Zimmerman's is also cool if you have not been just be ready to drop $20 plus on a really good sandwich (they also pay their employees well and offer benefits so that makes it a little easier to drop that much).

You will have a great time, the stadium is pretty amazing the first time (although I went as a kid) but just the sea of humanity is impressive. Safe travels! and welcome to the board, I was also a Mgolurker for years before making an account. 

Go Blue!

I don't tailgate so if you're doing that, I have no advice.

Otherwise, I always go as early as I can stand it so I don't have to stress over parking. I'd park somewhere near Main Street up by Washington Ave. It's a little hike to the stadium but it sounds like you're up for the walk.

You can find places to eat around there, although tbh I don't know which places are open for breakfast now. But there will be some. If you are super early, you'd also have plenty of time to walk up to State Street (campus area) and pass more restaurants and find more food places by State.

If you want to eat at a restaurant before the game, and make it to the game on time, you'll need to be really early. It's going to get crowded, obviously.

After the game, walk back up Main (or State), stop for food and drink somewhere, let the traffic clear out some.

For specific food options, there are a ton of places. Can't really go wrong, IMO.

Have fun, alblue! Others have covered the parking bases pretty well IMO. There are nice neighborhoods to the west and east of the stadium where you can park on the street for $0.

I'd urge some caution with restaurants. Ann Arbor has the various food bases covered pretty well, but lots of them are in the "3-star" category (passable but not memorable).

Great choice going to that game, that's the exact right atmosphere to really get a feel for the experience. Even if you park far away, I'd recommend getting to the area of the game at least two hours early, and preferably earlier, so you can soak it all in. Just walk around the Pioneer parking lot or golf course or whatever, there will be tons of people out in a festive atmosphere and you don't need any kind of pass to get in if you're not parking as car. 

You can normally park in a neighborhood if it's more than like 1.5 miles away and it's not right before the game. 

There was a good thread on places to eat in Ann Arbor this summer - https://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/ot-updated-aa-restaurant-recs

That's my plan.  I usually park at the Metro station and take the bus.  I didn't buy my ticket until last week and I'm just not going to pay $80 for a parking pass.

This. Except I'll be walking the 2 miles to the stadium early because I want to see Big Noon. But yeah, the bus apparently starts at 9 AM and does a circuit around the area.

How's the shuttle bus work? Is it part of the metro system? Does it take forever on gamedays?

Thanks, this is great.  I was looking for something like this.  I will be driving in from Rockville MD via the Beltway.

Thanks for that tip! I'm in Lot 9B this year as the better lots were even more absurdly overpriced than usual and I noticed there was this note that said "Must enter via 193/Paint Branch Dr." and was trying to figure out what the deal was as I didn't recall that from all the previous years.

do the lots open at 9:30? The maryland AD website doesn't actually say.

"I'm going with a large mixed group of my kids and dads."  

How many dads do you have?  (I'm hoping like 7.)

Thank you for the insight on set location. I am hoping to get into the pit which opens at 9 AM. Although I probably don't want to be front and center on TV, a few rows behind should suffice. Plus Big Noon is giving out Cowboy hats

It's a pretty campus.  But it's a lame college town (there pretty much is none, just some strip shopping centers off of route 1).  It is actually much better than it used to be though.

Bought a pass there, too, but now debating if I should get another one where I won’t be stuck for a while after the game and just chalk up this one as a loss.