September 19th, 2018 at 10:36 AM ^
Something stopping you from running your own tailgate? If not, the weather should be pretty decent. I’ve never done the bar scene on game day so I can’t speak to it. In terms of ease though, a tailgate is the way to go IMO.
September 19th, 2018 at 10:40 AM ^
I'm interested as well. I'll be making my first trip to the big house and want to get the full Michigan experience.
September 19th, 2018 at 10:45 AM ^
Park on the golf course, bring all the usual tailgate goodies, and have fun. I'm sure there are other tailgating location gems out there, but a golf course tailgate for your first visit is perfect for the full experience. $50 per car however.
September 19th, 2018 at 11:15 AM ^
It was $40 per car for the WMU game. I thought it was $50 too, but maybe they adjust the prices for opponents
September 19th, 2018 at 11:38 AM ^
Is the price different for Ann Arbor Golf and Outing vs. the University course? We paid $50 for WMU game at AAGO. Either way, it's definitely worth it especially with a car load of people.
September 19th, 2018 at 12:14 PM ^
Yes, the U of M course is $10 cheaper than AAGO. A little bit longer walk saves you a bit of cash.
September 19th, 2018 at 1:33 PM ^
ah. Yes I was talking about the University course
September 19th, 2018 at 6:42 PM ^
We are staying at a local airBnB so we plan on walking to the stadium. Golf Course sounds good, thanks.
September 19th, 2018 at 10:44 AM ^
Head to the golf course, there'll be plenty of tailgating options there. Might even see a few people tipping a beer or two.
September 19th, 2018 at 10:45 AM ^
Depends on your definition of "walking distance." It's really cheap to park at the Maynard Structure and head to Hopcat across the street. It's about a 25-30 min walk to the stadium from there, but parking will only be between $2 and $8. Plus Hopcat has great food and drinks.
If you would rather be closer to the stadium, I would recommend going to Frasier's for a breakfast/brunch. Also a bar and a nice spot.
September 19th, 2018 at 10:46 AM ^
Also, if you park at Maynard, you will get to walk past a bunch of tailgates and parties along the way.
September 19th, 2018 at 11:05 AM ^
Or you could check out any of the other local bars around the chain Hopcat. Ashley’s, Red Hawk, heck, even Skeeps...
September 19th, 2018 at 11:31 AM ^
Yeah, the only thing is Skeeps doesn't open until 11 am. At least that was the case for the WMU game.
September 19th, 2018 at 10:49 AM ^
We like the Blue Tractor and all of the bars around there. There are several within walking distance of there and a parking structure near there too. Just hit the yelp! App and pub crawl from there.
Similar question, is it possible to park near the golf course for $20 to meet friends at their tailgate on the golf course (to avoid a $50 parking fee. Just trying to avoid 5 separate individual cars paying $50 to park when one vehicle has most of the tailgating stuff). If we have to pay we will..but just looking for alternative parking besides the course that is close to the course
Thoughts? Advice?
September 19th, 2018 at 11:22 AM ^
Last time I had a similar situation I parked in a hotel parking lot and got a cab to the golf course. This was before uber and took forever to get a cab on game morning, fyi ... I assume it would be better now.
September 19th, 2018 at 11:55 AM ^
Yes. There's a salvation army at the corner of State and Stimson which charges $30. There's also other parking on industrial near Stimson which ranges from $20-30. Just might want to double check what entrance your friend goes in. The people I typically meet up with enter the course at State and Stimson.
September 19th, 2018 at 1:54 PM ^
If you are near State and Stimson, stop by Biercamp for BBQ and beer. Awesome place.
September 19th, 2018 at 12:07 PM ^
We've done this often. From I94, go north on Ann Arbor-Saline Rd, then a left at Scio Church Rd. Less than 1 mile the neighborhood on the left has an entrance at the 7th street light. Make a left and park in that neighborhood for free, but get there pretty early if you want a shorter walk as it fills up.
September 19th, 2018 at 9:19 PM ^
As well...
Take a left on stadium, then right on 7th (first light), turn left after the first stop light (Sunnyside dr), street parking is wide open til about 10, by 11 you’ll have another 1/4 mile to walk, it’s about the same distance as where MBA is talking about.
go blue!
September 19th, 2018 at 1:59 PM ^
Could find student housing on state - my senior year a buddy lived there and would rent out parking for like $20-30 depending on what time you got there
September 19th, 2018 at 8:15 PM ^
JTrain, I’ve got you covered. There is a lot located on the first driveway on the west side of State Street north of the tennis center entrance. $20 and a hole in the golf course fence are perfect for your needs. If you see a white Subaru Forester, stop and say hello
September 19th, 2018 at 9:11 PM ^
Down Pauline there are lots of residents that have “easy out” parking if you get there early enough (09:30-10). The last 2 weekends they were $25-30.
September 19th, 2018 at 10:53 AM ^
Grizzly Peak is a really easy walk to the stadium. Good food and good beer. We go there when the weather doesn't cooperate for tailgating.
September 19th, 2018 at 11:04 AM ^
"We have some friends headed to town and our usual tailgate was canceled. Any ideas on where to go before the game (bars, etc.) that are within walking distance of the stadium?"
TRANSLATION SOFTWARE APPLIED
The guys who normally feed us and give us beer bailed this week. Any of you guys mind if we crash your party? If so, where should we go to hook up with you?
September 19th, 2018 at 11:15 AM ^
Ha! Not too far off...
September 19th, 2018 at 11:07 AM ^
Rick's
September 19th, 2018 at 11:24 AM ^
Grizzly Peak, Pizza House, Blue Tractor, Knights, Blimpy Burger, and Mr. Spots are my favorites.
That said, I’m with the initial respondant, Park on the golf course, bring minimal fare, and take it all in. Great atmosphere on the course. In fact, that is where I’ll be, taking my five week old son to his first game!
September 19th, 2018 at 11:59 AM ^
5 week old? More power to you. I can't imagine taking my 7 week old to a game.
September 19th, 2018 at 3:57 PM ^
Better get him some noise-cancelling headphones. Seriously. A little dude's ears can't handle all that noise.
September 19th, 2018 at 11:34 AM ^
We're visiting and have no tailgate because we don't know anyone. We weren't planning to drive from our hotel though since it's only about a mile away. I posted similar earlier in week and was advised to walk through golf course and/or Pioneer. My husband found one of the bars that is open super early for noon kicks is Fraser's so we were gonna at least check that out, though I'd rather be outside. Tailgating in the South right now is still like getting boiled so...
September 19th, 2018 at 12:03 PM ^
Not knowing anyone is no big deal. That's how I went to my first Michigan game. Set up my own little tailgate with my three buddies who came along and we made friends with tons of other people on the golf course.
September 19th, 2018 at 12:28 PM ^
Can you "tailgate" there without a car/space? I hope to just meet some people and join one otherwise.
September 19th, 2018 at 1:20 PM ^
Advice: bring beer.
September 19th, 2018 at 1:32 PM ^
Yes. You can just walk in for free. You can't put up a tent and a big setup like that but you can bring a cooler and "squat" somewhere even if you dont talk to anyone and no ones going to say anything.
September 19th, 2018 at 1:51 PM ^
Also we went to Frasers last weekend before tailgating. Probably about noon. It was totally dead.
September 19th, 2018 at 6:11 PM ^
That sounds boring as hell. Thanks for being honest. I'm hoping to convince my not super outgoing partner to just let us sit outside on golf course or meet some people or whatever.
September 19th, 2018 at 11:43 AM ^
If you find a Titleist AVX #4 with maize and blue dots over the "i's" in the trees between 10 & 18, its mine
September 19th, 2018 at 11:59 AM ^
Tailgate on the golf course, it’s easy and plenty of room. Even a cooler with a few beers and a sandwhich is fun on the golf course. You can always walk the course with a beer and easily make friends. For bars, I’ve only gone before games if it’s horrible weather and i like good time Charley’s, but at some point a bar is a bar, try to tailgate before and bar after.
September 19th, 2018 at 12:04 PM ^
Red Hawk is usually my go to if I'm not tailgating.
September 19th, 2018 at 12:10 PM ^
If you don't tailgate on Saturday, here's my usual plan:
Start on South U (maybe TDs or Charlies), walk through the diag to the MDen (maybe grab a drink at one of the bars close to there) and then head to Main St and grab a drink at Connors and then head to the game. You can also stop by Dominick's and walk through the B-School and Law Quad and skip MDen.
The bars certainly have people, but are usually not super crowded. It's a pretty good way to see the campus and get in a game, if you are short on time.
September 19th, 2018 at 1:49 PM ^
My wife and I are tailgating at the golf course with extended family for the Neb game. My wife is a lifetime member of the UM Alumni association. What events (if any) are being held by the UM Alumni association we could attend on game-day?