Game Day Advice
I would like to ask the MGoBlog community for some advice.
For the CMU game, I am coming to Ann Arbor and bringing my family to their first Michigan game. I have only attended one game myself (2002 PSU game – OT win). My daughters are 6 & 8 yrs. old. They are getting into Michigan (my favorite quote so far was “Daddy, so it doesn’t matter who is playing, if Michigan State is playing we root for the other team”) but we are still at the point of the game needing to be an event (translation: wings, meat/cheese, other snacks). I want to make the most of our trip to Ann Arbor making it fun for the family to help with the frequency of returned trips. I picked the CMU game figuring that it was a game that should be in hand, if for some reason we need to leave early. In addition, it is a non-rivalry game, so the crowd should be more family friendly.
I am not a Michigan alum (unfortunately – lived in Iowa and went with the in state tuition).
Advice needed:
- Best way to get tickets for non-alum? (Price is not necessarily a problem, but don’t want to get ridiculous either.)
- What sections are preferred for kids? (Too close to the band may be an issue with my 6 yr. old)
- Where is the best place to park to tailgate that is family friendly (exact opposite question I would have asked 10 yrs ago)? And how soon would I need to get there to actually get a spot?
- Advice on family friendly game day activities before the game (i.e., team walk to stadium, band)
- Want to walk around campus (taking pictures, etc.) - what are the parts of campus that are a must see?
- Will be in town Friday night; are there any events the night before games worth checking out (family friendly ones)?
- Any other advice regarding food, sites to see, etc. will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for all of the advice. Go Blue
You can't bring a lot of stuff, including your wife cannot bring a purse. That has tripped us up before. Also, no umbrellas.
The golf course is great for tailgating and you should get there early.
On campus, visit the Block M in the middle of the Diag, the Museum of Natural History, the Michigan Union, and just stroll South University, State Street, and Main Street.
One point: I took my daughter to the game and we walke down State past all the frats and the house parties near the athletic complex. It kind of freaked her out with all the students boozing and loud music. Listen to the other comments and keep the kids closer to Elbel Field where the band warms up. It's more wholesome.
You can buy a family 4 pack to that game direct from Michigan. 4 tix, 4 tshirts, 4 hot dogs, 4 drinks and 2 programs for $310. http://ev8.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetPackageInfo?packageCode=GS%3AUM%3A%3AF13FP3%3A&linkID=umichse&shopperContext=&caller=&appCode=
The band is in the student section, so you don't have to worry about that.
You can always park at Pioneer HS (SW corner of Stadium/Main; kitty corner from stadium) or on the golf course (SE corner of Stadium/Main). You shouldn't have a problem finding a spot at these locations and should run you about $40 to park at either. With it being a 3:30 kick and 1st game of the year, I would expect most will get there real early.
There is a small Fan-Fest where Pioneer is w some radio broadcasts and other pregame festivities.
Full disclosure: i live in this neighborhood and park cars, haha
Do NOT over pay for tickets. Granted it will be the first game of the season, so the demand will be higher than normal for a MAC opponent. That said, I have paid face value outside the stadium for games like MSU and OSU. Worst case scenario hold out until you get to AA. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO GET TICKETS.
The golf course is a good place to tailgate. IMO it is the only place to tailgate. The open green space is great for the kids. The best part is as long as you do not show up at 7am with the other degenerate drunks (me) it should be fairly calm. I took mine to the Toledo game (yep that game) a few years ago and it was perfectly fine for the. We played corn hole and ladder golf on the fairway and they had a blast.
I can't help much with the rest of the family freindly stuff unfortunately. I am too much of a drunk I guess. I did accidently walk in with the band for a game and that is cool but usually I just tailgate right up until about 20 minutes before kick off.
You can't go wrong in AA. Hope you have a good time.
-CMU tickets were starting at about 55 last time I checked stub-hub. Not bad at all.
-The band sits in the front of section 28. If you sit at all behind them the sound won't be an issue. All of the instruments are directional, after all. They do turn around for "Lets go Blue" sometimes, but that only happens a few times a game. As long as you're not RIGHT next to or behind them this won't be an issue.
-There's a lot of parking in the area around the stadium that can be had for $25-$30. Virtually every house in the Brown/Davis/Green street area will be selling spots. There are enough students for it to be fun, but not so much that it would be an issue to have kids/a family in the area. Personally, I suggest 833 Brown St. I used to live there, and it's still occupied by band kids We charged $30 when I lived there, I assume it's still the same. They'll also probably let you use the bathroom (we're very proud of it) which may be nice for kids.
- Definitely watch the band practice/drum step show/step off to the stadium. Practice will probably go from about 10:00-noon at Elbel. This is especially nice if your seats are in an area where you won't be able to see/hear halftime that well. The drumline step-show starts about an hour and a half before kickoff and takes place on the steps of Revelli Hall. Show up a bit earlier to get your kids to the front. The band will do inspection and step off for the Big House approxomately 1 hour before kickoff. This is also pretty fun and can get quite raucous (there are usually a good number of drunken band alumni around harassing the current bandsmen) The whole Hoover St area gets pretty crowded, so keep your kids close, but it is really fun and quite an experience.
- Law Quad is obviously gorgeous. Really, I don't think you can go wrong walking around campus. Students will be moving in and everything should be nice and exciting. I also suggest checking out the Clements Library (boring for the kids, but still a gorgeous reading room. Better than the Law Library in my opinion.) Then take the kids for some fun times at Pinball Pete's. Video arcades are practically a foreign concept for kids these days, so it should be pretty neat for them. As for other kid friendly activities on Friday, I suggest hitting up some museums. UMMA (Art museum) is great, but will probably bore the kids. I would suggest going to the Ruthven Natural history museum. Admission is free (but a donation is nice) and has some excellent dinosaur displays. The Hall of Evolution has several dinosaur skeletons and is really great.
-Food: see the "where to eat in Ann Arbor" article under useful stuff at the top of the page.
To add to that, be sure you're in the stadium early so you see the band's pregame show.
2) I've only ever sat in the student section, but I'd bet if you want to hear the band but not be too close then section 36-44 might be good. (The band is at the bottom of section 28)
4) Definitely watch the band walk off from Revelli Hall. One of the coolest parts of gameday in Ann Arbor and great for kids
Depends WHEN you want to hear the band. Your suggestion is great for when the band is in the stands, unfortunately they will face away from you for most, if not all, of pregame and halftime. With the band now mic'd, you can hear them decently well from anywhere in the stadium, so sitting on the Michigan sideline is nice for halftime and pregame.
You can take a seat cushion.
As for walking around/sight seeing, definitely take a stroll through the diag. That's basically the heart of campus. I'd recommend stopping by the Hatcher Library so you can see the reference room. Be sure to explore the law quad/law library...it feels like Hogwarts. And just walking around State St and South University will give you a good feel for what the campus is like while providing the opportunity to stop in some of the museums, shops and restaurants. Also, since you have young kids, one place to definitely consider taking them would be the Museum of Natural History on North University where they can see the dinosaur exhibits, wildlife gallery, etc.
Gosh I miss being a student at UofM.
- South and South East of central campus will be a madhouse from 10AM to kickoff. This is where the majority of off-campus undergrads live, including many fraternities and senior fraternitiy houses. Nearly every house will be pregaming. It will be loud; it will be crowded; it will be drunk; it will be awesome. It's not very family friendly, but it is a sight to behold. Most crowded areas include south of the union, Hill street near Packard, South State near Hoover, and Hoover itself.
- For your kiddos I suggest the neighborhoods east of the bighouse, Pioneer High School, or the golf course. It's much more family friendly, the kids can run around. There are often Michigan football related activities set up at the high school.
- After the game you can explore campus. This will give time for the traffic to clear out. There will be plenty of people walking about Ann Arbor. Most of the students will be at home passed out before the Saturday night shenanigans begin. It's somewhat of a walk from the Big House to the Diag if you're not used to it. As I'm sure has been mentioned, check out the Law Quad, the Union, the Diag, and Ross business school. If you're up for a real walk check out the Arb.
- Main Street is worth checking out, but I've never been that way after a game. I'm assuming it's crazy busy.
- Go Blue!
I think a lot of people assume its going to be busy and just get out of town before they do dinner or whatever. Its certainly more busy than an average Tuesday and most places will have a wait, but often times not as bad as you'd think after 113,000 people let loose from 1 place.
That said, with kids maybe you wouldn't want to gamble on it, but if they're patient, I wouldn't be too nervous about it.
Regarding seat location, you'll be happier (and your girls will too) if you pay more attention to row number than section number. As you get lower in the stadium, the perspective changes and your girls might have a harder time seeing all the action on the field, and you'll be climbing up and down a lot of stairs every time they want food or need a potty break. Also, that early in the season can be extremely hot in the stadium, so you'll want to be able to take quick breaks outside.
I recommend the north endzone, because there are grassy areas just outside the section entrances where you can sit and cool off. I've been in section 36, row 69 for decades for these reasons. Row 69 is only one step down from the section entrance, so you can use that as a reference point as you consider your ticket location options.
but there is a children's musem that is pretty nice. Obviously not UM football related, but if you are looking for kid friendly activities that will make them like AA thats a good pick.
The night before, go to Elbel field and watch the band practice. they will do the full show, something like 7-10pm
could grab a bite and walk there and picnic while you watch the band
Doy of: well, it's probably gonna be real hot so I'd go easy on the walking with the kids.
My wife and I are flying in to Detroit any suggestions on shuttle service or taxi to Ann Arbor?
Also staying at the Hampton Inn-South Ann Arbor what is the best mode of transportation to get to the game?
Thanks
I'd rent a car.
Looks like your hotel is a shuttle stop: http://www.aata.org/football.asp
For a 3:30 game on Labor Day weekend consider the sun. I have taken my son to many lower profile games, buying tickets second hand. You shoud have your choice of location for this game. With small children, it will be much more pleasant with the sun at your back, in the shade. Sections 13-25 should work well.
If you're driving up make sure to bring some ponchos (can be purchased in and around the stadium, but yeah cost will be up there) Afternoon storms are a thing in Michigan that time of year.
Things to do: you can swing by Stucci's for Ice cream for the family.
Or grab some food at Dominick's (try the sangria)
you could hang out in the diag and people watch. I wonder if the "are-you-interested-in-socialism-lady" is still there...