Big House Security Policy and other questions
I am taking my 6 year old and 2 year old to their first game at the Big House for the opener on 8/31. I haven't made it back to Ann Arbor for in 5 years, so a few kid-related, restuarant-related questions on a somewhat slow Monday morning:
1. What is the Big House policy on strollers? I am staying at the Bell Tower Hotel, so I was hoping to do the walk down State Street to the game, as that is a cool part of the game doay experience, but my 2-year-old would be in his stroller. Can I bring it in, and if not is there a place by the stadium to safely park it? What do others with young kids do for this walk?
2. Best seating locations for young kids to (1) be close enough to see the players (my 6 year old knows most of the bigger name guys, so he would probably enjoy seeing them somewhat up close), but (2) not be so close to the band, as the 6 year-old has some minor sensory issues and would be very scared of the band. So, quiet sections with good view for the kids. Sections where people tend to sit more are probably better. Price not really a consideration for this game.
3. Restaurants. I have some old favorites that I always hit - Mr. Spots wings and waffle fried are a must for me. My wife and I also always get breakfast at Angelo's. Any other restaurants that the kids might enjoy? I think that my older son would love Mongolian BBQ, just because it is somewhat unique and there is nothing in NY much like it. Any other thoughts?
4. Any good game-day or friday afternoon / early evening ideas that are kid friendly? We will obviously spend a good amount of either friday or saturday walking campus, but I am looking for other thinkgs that the kids might enjoy attending.
Thanks, to all , for any suggestions / information.
August 12th, 2013 at 5:14 PM ^
I second the idea of going to Matthaei Botanical Gardens. It has a really wonderful Children's Garden in the back that is really fun for kids of both genders and a wide age range. Because it is outside, it doesn't close so you can go when it is convenient. We have gone in mornings/evenings/winter/summer and my boys love it.
I would skip Mongolian BBQ because it is always super busy around game days and my kids CAN NOT WAIT for food. My kids love Pizza House (probably because we let them order milkshakes). If your kids are willing to try new things, La Marsa on State Street is good.
I like the idea of chaining your stroller to a bike rack or light. I wish I had thought of that when my kids were little and started going to games. You should check out parking on Hoover St, it's the best. One year we made an arrangement for an easy in/easy out spot on Hoover and it was great. We could leave home at 11:15 and be in our seats by 11:50.
They now have ice cream in the stadium and it will buy you a lot of time when the kids are sad/mad.
August 13th, 2013 at 11:07 PM ^
Congratulations on the little ones!
1. Due to heightened security, there is almost zero chance you'll get the stroller inside the grounds. The suggestion of the previous posters make the most sense - either drop the gear at a nearby tail gate site and be prepared to carry the little ones over or if you have another adult with you, do the drop and pickup. Drop you and the little ones at the stadium and the other adult goes park. When you are ready to go, have one of you get the vehicle and circle back as close as you can - remember that Main Street will be closed! We had some elderly guests (85+ years) and arranged this - but at that time Main Street was open so that was possible.
2. If cost is really not an option, suggest getting one of the open air Jack Roth club or upper level sections like Section 3 to 5 - that puts you up opposite the band section. With sequestration, there won't be (I believe) a fly over so you don't have to worry about that. The club option really may be the ideal choice - when the kids get bored, they can retreat inside and run around a bit and there are fewer crowds and you can get out of the sun.
3. Angelo's is great but remember - everyone thinks they are great so come early! So be prepared for a crowd. Since you have little ones - you might be conditioned to get up early - so earlier the better and beat the crowd. Zingerman's has been re-done and they have nice open air area - pricier but nice. The Cracked Egg on North Main is also a good breakfast place.
4. Hands On Museum (Fifth Avenue area), Botanical Garden and the Natural Science Museum are all good choices.
Have fun, but as many have noted be realistic about how much of the game you'll see and how much they'll remember. Get some nice pictures - often the ushers are nice and will take a picture for you with the field as a backdrop if you ask nicely and the little ones usually closes the deal.
Soon, you'll be able to go New Jersey and see the Wolverines play Rutgers every other year.
Go Blue
August 13th, 2013 at 11:15 PM ^
I don't want to clutter threads with this and have only posted on it a few times, but my aunt and uncle own a little cafe in A2, although not downtown. Juicy Kitchen on N Maple; Google will give you their website and the Yelp and Urbanspoon info and whatever else, but it is a bit of a connection to the site at least.
August 30th, 2016 at 12:52 AM ^
I didn't want to start an entirely different thread on this topic, so I'm bumping this one up to ask a quick question if people have recent information.
This weekend--against my better judgment (my wife won the debate)--we will be taking my 2 year old daughter to her first Michigan game. We'll have 5 adults as well attending our little tailgate--none of us are drinkers/partiers so it's all parents & grandparents and my one toddler. My mother in law isn't a huge Michigan fan so she's prepared to be the main person tending to my daughter during the game. She's also fully prepared to leave very early (we'll take two cars) if my daughter is just totally bored or upset. If she makes it to half time I'll consider that an astounding victory, but my hope is she'll at least enjoy the general spectacle, maybe the band, some ice cream, etc. before she finally decides she's had enough at some point in the 2nd quarter.
Quick question on the secuirty issues--the official website says no bags or beverage containers. Does that include diaper bags & sippy cups for young kids? Has anybody taken young kids recently and have you been able to bring in diaper bags to the stadium? The rest of this thread pretty much answered my other questions RE: strollers and other items, so my main concern at this point is the diaper bag issue.
Thank you in advance!