Going to The Game for the first time!
Anyone have any advice on the best area to park and tailgate? I will be driving up from NC for Thanksgiving and the Game. This will be my second game, but first tailgate. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I read previous posts, but wanted some updated info. Can't wait for Saturday. Go Blue beat ohio!
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:00 PM ^
You always remember your first time.
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:01 PM ^
Don't know about parking, but be prepared to rock for a full 3 hours. I went in 2007 and stood, perpendicular to the field on the bench, for the entire game. There was no moving. It was raining and 44 degrees. My son already asked me (he was with me in 2007), "Are we going to be able to sit this time?" Here's what I told him:
No. We will maintain a consistent level of enthusiasm throughout the entire game. We will lose our voices. We will chant whatever the crowd wants to chant, and we will not finish until the clock reads 0.00. We will storm the field if given a chance (OK, so we probably won't do that because I'm frankly too old). We will leave feeling like we could give no more. And we will not sit.
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:16 PM ^
You will be considerate to those around you if you are the only ones standing.
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:19 PM ^
What about those of us who will have forfeited, to an extent, our sense of balance before the game? Can we at least get a kickstand large enough to support us?
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:40 PM ^
As for the standing in 2007:
I got tickets in the student section. We were standing on the benches and people were standing on the ground directly in front of us. So we literally couldn't move. This was not by choice. But we weren't going to be those people who made a deal, so we stood. My son was 7, so he sat a little bit but couldn't see anything because everyone else was standing. So, if we stand, we stand. If we sit, we sit. Going with the flow on Saturday.
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:38 PM ^
I wish the fans around us had the same attitude. We were in a section that sat for UTL. I expect Ohio to be different though.
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:24 PM ^
No thanks
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:41 PM ^
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:16 PM ^
I'm confused, isnt standing the entire game the norm?
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:34 PM ^
Everyone needs to sit down. You're not going to help the team by standing and you're just making life difficult for everyone around you!
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:09 PM ^
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:35 PM ^
November 22nd, 2011 at 10:22 PM ^
... are great for sitting.
Benches are for defining your standing space.
November 22nd, 2011 at 10:45 PM ^
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:05 PM ^
I hate not being able to stand up during the game and having to worry about the people behind me. So, for Saturday, I decided to buy student tickets and get them validated for the first time so I can finally have some real fun cheering at a game!
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:02 PM ^
Here's my update... STOP posting this crap!
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:24 PM ^
Don't click on the topic. There's your update.
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:20 PM ^
The golf course is $30 to park. We went there last week, and had a good time. Lot of room, good people and good atmosphere. Saw a lot of Nebraska people drinking Natty Light. Humor I a good thing.
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:26 PM ^
The golf course is so much fun. I parked there for the first time for the Eastern game this year and loved it. Tailgated there last week and it didn't disappoint.
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<br>Have fun!
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:30 PM ^
How long does it take to get out of the golf course once the game is over?
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:36 PM ^
If you're trying to leave right away expect a long wait. The course doesn't close for two hours after the game so we get the beer and grill back out. Then after the traffic thins you get right out with no waits.
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:48 PM ^
Grab a beer and relax for at least an hour then leave or you will be screaming at some line cutting bastards for the next 2 hours.
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:30 PM ^
Does anyone have experience driving down on a football Saturday to Ann Arbor from Macomb/Oakland County? I'm driving to the game for the first time and wondering what kind of traffic backups I'm going to be looking at. If I leave at 8 am what time can I expect to get to AA? Should I leave earlier to be safe? Will be taking the standard 275 to 14 route.
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:37 PM ^
M14 exit from 275 will be backed up for probably a half mile, definitely remember that from growing up in Oakland Co. Nearing Ann Arbor, probably better off going US-23 rather than Main St.
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:34 AM ^
I agree about US-23. You can take either the Plymouth Rd or Geddes exit. Going to Main St. is slow.
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:15 PM ^
The I-275 / M-14 / I-96 area typically isn't bad on gameday, but it is noticeably more dense from a traffic standpoint. If you really want to be clever, get off I-275 at Ford Road and take Ford all the way to Plymouth Road, hence entering Ann Arbor from the northeast and missing the freeways.
November 22nd, 2011 at 9:47 PM ^
It depends exactly where in Oakland/Macomb you're coming from - and how early you want to get there. From Telegraph Road to Ann Arbor is around 40-45 minutes when there's no traffic. On football gamedays it's slower, but generally not too bad except for some portions of 275. If you're leaving at 8:00, you'll beat the traffic by a couple of hours.
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:31 PM ^
Im close 2 getting a ticket as well. It would also be my first time to THE GAME. Cant Wait!!
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:36 PM ^
I am going to be sitting in section 44 (row 1 seat 1, actually). Will the State fans be too bad (other than my Dad, of course).
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:37 PM ^
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:41 PM ^
I'll be in section 36 row 54. We will also be driving over from Macomb County on game day. I hope to be parked by 8 though.
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:12 PM ^
with the pay-to-park houses on Potter St, just west of the stadium. $20-40, depending on how close you want to be, and always a lot of great tailgating and street football.
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:18 PM ^
If anyone is willing to walk 2ish miles to the stadium, you can get free parking in Kerrytown. Just an FYI. Not a terrible option if you have an existing tailgate you're heading to and coming from the north side. The two mile walk is long, but you can take it through campus and really enjoy the scene before your preparations begin.
As a recent alum I'm staying with a friend outside of AA - the first time I'll be driving in the morning of the game. There's a lot next to the School of Nursing (Kingsley and Ingalls) that doesn't require a permit on weekends and is totally empty Friday night - Sunday night.
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:31 PM ^
My wife and I will be coming up for our first ever game at the Big House too. Looks like we're bringing along some warmer weather with us. Looking to crash some tailgates!
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:39 PM ^
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:52 PM ^
November 22nd, 2011 at 9:23 PM ^
That's very nice of you. We'll be staying in AA right down from the stadium and will be hitting the golf course early.
November 22nd, 2011 at 10:28 PM ^
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBoYgImWPVI&feature=related
(I'd try to actually embed this, but last time it failed miserably.)
November 22nd, 2011 at 9:23 PM ^
Do yall park in the golf course?
November 22nd, 2011 at 10:02 PM ^
We Yall do! And ya know what? Parking iz free! And don't ya hurry! Get to the course about a half hour before that darn kickoff and yall will be there in plenty of time. Don't forget the possum pie for dat darn bbq... YEE HAW and GO BLUE!
November 22nd, 2011 at 10:32 PM ^
Take your meds, y'all.
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:30 PM ^
I am from the UP and I drop a few "y'all's"...take it easy champ
November 23rd, 2011 at 12:21 AM ^
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:23 AM ^
Tailgate with us at UofM golf course off state street. Look for the jäger flag
November 23rd, 2011 at 7:46 AM ^
What time do you guys get there? Do they let anyone park at the state st entrance?
November 23rd, 2011 at 11:49 AM ^
We get there @7 sharp and they let anyone park there absolutely. It's good fun
November 23rd, 2011 at 11:34 AM ^
It will be sick!!!
November 23rd, 2011 at 12:04 PM ^
Is anyone looking to sell their tickets to the game this weekend?