First time going Michigan football game at big house
October 3rd, 2017 at 10:05 PM ^
is there is risk.
Washtenaw is low risk. Always traffic, lots of businesses, good lighting. Packard is mostly fine but dimly lit, and more side streets without lights hence more people trying dangerous things that result in accidents which unfortunately I have personal knowledge of/experience with and what do I know having lived on this side of town forever. Traffic is actually your friend because it cuts down the risks. So I can see where you have not had a problem leaving the games. If you are leaving town late Saturday and want to avoid risks more, take Washtenaw. If you want to try and save a couple of minutes by all means take Packard but just be very aware. I'm not telling you what to do.
October 3rd, 2017 at 3:19 PM ^
I have always lived a walkable distance, but I would assume Packard would actually be worse, yes. I feel a lot of newcomers are normally looking to take Packard all the way out (maybe it is the main route that shows up on Google, idk).
October 3rd, 2017 at 2:52 PM ^
A bunch of season tickets were mixed up in the mail and had to get revalidated. Beware of this when buying/scalping. Probably want to avoid Sections 25-33 for your wife's sake
October 3rd, 2017 at 2:57 PM ^
Park at one of the remote lots listed here and spend $3 for the bus http://www.theride.org/Services/Event-Services/U-M-Football-Game-Shuttles
October 3rd, 2017 at 3:05 PM ^
I don't even know where to start. First, I'd buy some tickets online and do your best to verify with athletics that they aren't counterfeit -- no way to tell with scalpers.
Second -- I mean -- this day is going to be absolutely crazy wherever you park and anywhere remotely close will likely be a relative "fortune."
Not really the kind of game you can show up to a couple hours before -- this day / game is a real investment that you need to prepare for and show up early (in the morning) with a gameplan -- It will likely come down to just how mobile your wife is and if walking around is at all possible.
October 3rd, 2017 at 3:05 PM ^
For optimal enjoyment, I'd tend to agree with you on this. I can't even imagine this being my first trip up there. What a mess that be, but I'm completely neurotic about everything so take that for what it's worth.
October 3rd, 2017 at 3:06 PM ^
I didn't want to sound overly blunt -- just wanted to make sure he knew that if he is getting there at all close to gametime it's going to be pretttttttttty stressful for all involved.
October 3rd, 2017 at 3:09 PM ^
Hey.. if it were me with the pregnant wife going to this for the first time for an MSU game, I'd want the most honest feedback I could possibly get.
October 3rd, 2017 at 3:06 PM ^
OP seems to mistakenly think that game day in Ann Arbor is a casual event. It's anything but, especially as you get anywhere near the stadium.
October 4th, 2017 at 12:00 AM ^
Exactly. Ann Arbor is a small city that deals with the temporary population growth the size of the country's largest stadium on football Saturdays, and that's not even counting the illiterate Sparties who come up just to tailgate...
It's a chaotic situation that has to be prepared for to avoid MAJOR headeaches, especially with a big game and rare night game like this.
October 3rd, 2017 at 3:05 PM ^
Bring the comforts of home to the game. Tailgate and make sure you have a comfortable seat for the wife!! There is Pioneer High School or the Golf course to park at. Great gameday atmosphere.
Question for the rest of the board as well. Are there two seperate organizations running tailgating on the golf course? Is there a difference in price or space you get?
October 3rd, 2017 at 3:08 PM ^
Yes, there are 2 seperate outfits. Ann Arbor Golf and Outing I belive is $60 for this game, and the university golf course is usually $40, but I have no idea what they're charging this time. Also, beware of rain. We aren't supposed to get a lot of rain on Friday, but if that changes they will close the courses to anyone who doesn't already have a pre-bought pass. If that happens... well... let's just hope that doesn't happen for everyone's sake. We don't need a Thunderdome parking situation (anymore than it already will be).
October 3rd, 2017 at 3:09 PM ^
Eat at Frita Batidos, drop your wife off closer and park on 5th for free, which is west of the stadium.
October 3rd, 2017 at 3:12 PM ^
do street parking somewhere near Burns park. Generally right near the corner of Wells and Olivia. It is free and there are always a lot of spaces available if you get there a few hours before game time. Quick (10 minute) walk into the South U. commercial area (pizza house, brown jug, etc.). Then another 15 minutes to the stadium, and 20 minutes back to the car. A bit of walking for an expecting wife, but ladies are tough.
October 3rd, 2017 at 3:18 PM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 8:31 PM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 3:21 PM ^
I usually park in a nice parking garage off of Main st. and east william st right before the palio. I am not sure about anyone else, but I always have a great time at Connor O'Niell's. It's an awesome irish bar with a great vibe and good drinks, and there are tons of TV's with games on.
MY all time favorite place is Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales. The brick oven pizza's are to die for and they have simply the best beers on tap. Real cool place, but hard as fuck to find somewhere to sit. Just go and walk around. Downtown Ann Arbor is the best place in America during football season. Thinking about it makes me moist.
Best part is, you can park in the garage, and literally walk down to the stadium with a belly full of good food and drink!
Have fun!
October 3rd, 2017 at 4:31 PM ^
Great advice. I met a friend for the game a few weeks back and he parked in that deck ~2 hours before kickoff. I was surprised. Conors was fun, there was seating and the crowd wasn't too big (MSU @ night will probably be busier).
Also, OP can leave a car on the street the night before (around the EQ area maybe?) and take Uber's to/ from the game. If you do that you'd need to make sure you get cell service after the game (100,000+ people are all on the network, and it's spotty at best).
If OP tailgate's, there is that website that reserves parking spaces, but it will be at least $50, but you can hang out for a few hours afterwards, eat and not get stuck in traffic.
October 3rd, 2017 at 3:29 PM ^
other then the blue lot pioneer and the brown lot where can i park a 32 foot RV up there? we wont be able to get there untill around 3. sorry i can't start a new thread and cant find any answers on the blog
October 3rd, 2017 at 3:34 PM ^
Not sure.. I know usually you can park at Fingerle Lumber, but looks like they're all sold out already.
October 3rd, 2017 at 4:06 PM ^
Noticed this post on craiglist just now while looking for tickets. No idea if it's a good deal or anything, but maybe it's of interest to you.
https://annarbor.craigslist.org/for/d/michigan-football-rv-parking/6330…;
October 3rd, 2017 at 6:12 PM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 3:49 PM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 4:21 PM ^
probably can't walk a long distance, AND you want to eat somewhere 2-3 hours before the game (presumably at a restaurant), it's going to be hard to find a parking spot not far from the stadium. By the time you're done with dinner and ready to park, anything cheap or free close to the stadium will be gone. Your only hope at that point is maybe Pioneer, but you'll pay whatever the rate is there ($40?). And just a warning about the traffic in Ann Arbor this Saturday - it's going to be really, really bad. The last MSU game here two years ago was THE worst traffic I've ever seen for gameday. And I expect the same this time. I'd either eat earlier or plan some sort of tailgate wherever you park. Pick up some food from one of the deli's or call in to a restaurant and BYOB. And get here EARLY as you can. That's all I got.
October 3rd, 2017 at 5:12 PM ^
Pioneer is $50.
October 3rd, 2017 at 4:28 PM ^
Congrats to the future Wolverine. The child's first experience at Michigan Stadium but not the last one. Wife should not give birth during a key play. Convenient eateries are likely to be very crowded. Scout them out in advance online then call them for a reservation and mention the pregnancy and plead with them to accept a reservation in view of the condition. You probably still won't secure a reservation for a party of three though. So plan for a long line but you should get in. Look up Pizza House as a safety. The Michigan Union will have fast food/convenience food and the lines move fast (but that's not representative of what A^2 offers for good food). Consider the restaurants you'll find several blocks from campus on the west part of town, if patient, take a meal at Zingerman's (located near "Kerrytown") so you can say you ate there, plus it's good food. Tour the campus, walk the diag, see the Hill Auditorium inside, visit the law quad etc etc. Good luck finding decent tickets and parking for less than a year's worth of car payments. I joke I joke ... sorta, it's Staee weekend and the couch burners will descend on A^2 and drive up prices.
October 3rd, 2017 at 4:42 PM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 4:46 PM ^
Or perhaps one of the rickshaws/pedal-foot-driven carriages. Slower but you'll get to see the sights.
October 3rd, 2017 at 4:44 PM ^
Depending how far along your wife is, you can get dropped off a few blocks away and just walk. Obviously, will be crowded after the game. Either get out early or take your time and again walk a little and catch an uber further from the stadium. Easiest is to eat at the stadium.
Enjoy!
GO BLUE!!
October 3rd, 2017 at 5:56 PM ^
Strongly strongly recommend buying tix and verifying before you make the trip up here - you don't want to be in a situation where you're haggling outside the Big House a couple hours before kick off.
As far as restaurants, picking something quick on State St/South U might make life easier, but not the most formal/fanciest. Maize and Blue Deli (which I believe is a better than Zingermanns, and cheaper) BTB, Mr Spots and Good Time Charley's (which is more of a classic college bar). Nicer restaurants are closer to Downtown/off campus.
October 3rd, 2017 at 6:29 PM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 6:42 PM ^
Bring two bikes on the back of your vehicle. Park anywhere --Burns park, Virginia park, West park (parks are easy to Google map). An easy mile to downtown then 3/4 mile to stadium. Mind you I've been biking A2 since renting a house up by the Arb in 1980, but even an 8 month pregnant wife should still be able to bike. I biked home all three UTL's and never had any problems ... have blinking lights and take it easy. You could even stay in our extra room in the Old West Side (if my wife is willing and you're decent folk).
October 3rd, 2017 at 9:09 PM ^
You can park close to the golf course without being IN the golf course and still get the experience. We parked at the course the first time for $40 and the next time we parked about a mile away for $5 and just walked (some business down on Industrial) and walked into the course.
We ate at a few places. Casey’s Tavern was good (although a few miles north). I also ate at Cottage Inn and it was meh.
If I was coming up for MSU, I would park on Industrial, I would enjoy some adult beverages at the golf course and then head to somewhere highly rated to eat that had some TVs to watch the day games and drink with some other crazies.
Also, you live in Nash or do you live in a close by city? I live in a city pretty close.
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:54 PM ^
October 4th, 2017 at 12:10 AM ^
Buy tickets and verify they are genuine. You can manage the rest pretty easily even with a pregnant wife; the locals are very friendly on game day and if you need help ask somebody. Good luck, you are in for a great experience. And remember when you hear "Go Blue!" respond with more emphatic "Go Blue!!!"
October 4th, 2017 at 1:48 AM ^
there will be several thousand extra people who are coming into town for the all day tailgating experience. I recommend getting there early to anyone, unless you have a reserved parking spot you most likely are not going to park where you usually do.
Tickets, I've honestly never had a problem getting a Michigan/MSU ticket outside the stadium. For all the in-state hype this game gets its usually a buyers market on gameday. Cruise a couple tailgate lots and you'll find somebody willing to sell who has decided drinking is more fun than watching a game, esp if it rains. But that's been my experience and I'm not coming from Nashville. I'd want ticket in hand before I crossed a state line in that scenario.
October 4th, 2017 at 7:29 AM ^
Get ready for one hell of a time! And congrats on the lil wolverine :-)
October 4th, 2017 at 8:34 AM ^
Great first game to go to at the Big House! Make sure you take everything in because with this being the first night game.... things might get a little overwhelming.
Be sure to walk through the golf course or pioneer high school to see all of the great tailgating going on there and you might be able to get yourself a free drink or two and some food. :)
GO BLUE!
October 4th, 2017 at 11:27 AM ^
I think many of the comments and suggestions in this thread have been written by people who have never been pregnant...
October 4th, 2017 at 12:44 PM ^