Advice for traveling to the Maryland game
Will be making the drive to College Station to see Michigan win it's 1000th game. Planning on driving to suburban DC on Friday and then going over to the game on Saturday morning.
Any advice on the best location in the stadium to sit (haven't bought tickets yet)? Gameday parking? Anything of note to visit in and around College Park, the U of MD or the stadium? Oh, and the all important postgame victory meal!
Thanks in advance.
November 12th, 2023 at 3:38 PM ^
College Station?
November 12th, 2023 at 3:38 PM ^
College PARK!
Opened myself up to Texas jokes!
November 12th, 2023 at 3:39 PM ^
I like the 200 level on the visitors side. Not much to see in college park.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:35 PM ^
That is where I am sitting. Good seats with good view, and you still feal part of the game.
300 level (top upper deck) feels isolated from the game. I would avoid it unless you are bargain hunting.
From about the 50 yardline to the open end of the horseshoe will be solid Michigan. There will be dispersed Michigan throughout the entire stadium, except the student section which is the endzone inside the horseshoe.
November 12th, 2023 at 3:40 PM ^
All simple. Will be like a home game. They don’t care
November 12th, 2023 at 3:41 PM ^
Are you Jimbo’s Moving Service?
November 12th, 2023 at 3:42 PM ^
I'll be there!
Sections 2-3-4 are packed with Michigan fans. Grab a parking pass
College Park kinda sucks. Pg county not exactly amazing nearby.. It's a noon game. Go eat in DC
November 12th, 2023 at 3:44 PM ^
DC traffic or metro just to grab a bite? College Park has generic bars that are acceptable for postgame.
November 12th, 2023 at 3:50 PM ^
There's no traffic on Saturday. Just after the game usual stuff. I'd recommend driving. Metro will be slow on the weekend. If you have a car to take, take it
November 12th, 2023 at 5:34 PM ^
The Metro station is also a pretty healthy walk away from the stadium
November 13th, 2023 at 12:27 AM ^
At least in years past, they've had free shuttles from the metro station to the stadium. Honestly I'd suggest taking the metro, it was super easy and convenient when I've done it (and the train was full of M fans which was pretty cool).
November 12th, 2023 at 5:39 PM ^
There's no traffic on Saturday
Laughs in 295 south of E. Capitol or NY Ave going into DC.
November 12th, 2023 at 6:06 PM ^
You either live in the DC area and therefore don't think it's an ordeal or you don't ever go there.
I'm going to guess you live in the DMV.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:07 PM ^
Your taste in restaurants = your taste in game plans.
🤮
November 12th, 2023 at 6:09 PM ^
Hi MGoOhNo. Do you have some recommendations for downtown D.C. to go eat at on Saturday night following the Michigan game? Thanks, much appreciated!
November 12th, 2023 at 4:55 PM ^
Its a good venue that will be full of UM fans and very few Maryland fans. The 200 level is great on the visitor sideline. Tailgating is great, get a parking pass in advance for a nearby lot as they are inexpensive. Food in that area is just okay. I would suggest maybe even make the trek after the game to Annapolis to go to the Iron Rooster, bonus its a beautiful little town. Otherwise you may be better off heading to Fairfax, VA to the Mosaic District which will also keep you from riding the METRO.
November 12th, 2023 at 3:44 PM ^
I'd go enjoy DC for as fun beforehand! Metro is great and can take you to the game whenever you want to get there/tailgate!
November 12th, 2023 at 3:49 PM ^
If you want really good food, head to DC--there are abundant outstanding options there. College Park is a little grim, but better than it used to be.
There are some cool places in Riverdale Park (MD)--very close to College Park. Check out Hot Lola's (fried chicken) and 2Fifty Texas BBQ (closes at 7 PM, but with a noon kickoff is still an option). Burtons Bar and Grill is also a newer, nice-ish place.
It's hard to go wrong with seats unless they're down low. The stadium is miniscule compared to Michigan, but the sight lines are ok. Beer is now available at the stadium.
And College Park is near DC, so there are all the obvious things to see and do around there. In College Park, you can stroll around the campus and head to the stadium--that's about the thing (singular) worth seeing.
November 12th, 2023 at 3:56 PM ^
I would highly recommend Nando's Peri Peri Chicken that has one of their restaurants in College Park. It's a chain started by a South African guy that makes some amazing good food (already two dozen around DC, 3 dozen in Chicago area, and now they are going up in Dallas area).
November 12th, 2023 at 4:07 PM ^
Nando's is international.
Had it in Mauritius.
To OP, DC is 20 minutes south (depending on where in the city you are going).
Pretty much anything under the sun is available.
If you have a fat wallet, hit Other Half for beers, and walk next door to Gravitas for $150 pp Michelin Star eats.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:10 PM ^
Not so humblebrag alert!!!‼️
November 12th, 2023 at 5:34 PM ^
Well me saying we hit up the Bethesda or Arundel Mills joints wouldn't be as exciting, would it?
November 12th, 2023 at 4:57 PM ^
Nando's is good! National Harbor wouldn't be a bad option but expensive as heck!
November 12th, 2023 at 5:25 PM ^
Nandos is an expensive casual place, not something I assume you're looking for... I'm not a fan, but either way, it's not exactlya fun night on the town imo.
It's gonna be cold so have a plan. Tons of good food in DC. Avoid the chains
November 12th, 2023 at 7:03 PM ^
Can’t go wrong with Nando’s. They also have locations in Illinois.
College Park has some great Salvadoran places. I haven’t been there since 2019 and don’t know if it survived the pandemic but El Rinconcito was a favorite of mine (and is walking distance from the stadium).
November 12th, 2023 at 7:18 PM ^
I almost forgot about El Pollo Rico in Arlington! best chicken ever!
November 12th, 2023 at 3:52 PM ^
Depending on the wather, it may behoove you to sit in the lower level under the upper level. We sat there during the hurricane game a few years back and managed to stay dry.
You may want to consider taking the Metro to the game rather than driving. They have shuttles from the station to the stadium. Really cheap and convenient.
November 13th, 2023 at 7:36 AM ^
weather should be fine, just cold in the 50's
no rain is forecast as of now
November 12th, 2023 at 4:01 PM ^
If you’re driving and don’t care about $:
- Purchace a parking pass for the parking garage that’s built into the west endzone.
If you’re driving and want to be cheap:
- Park at IKEA (1-2 miles away)
- Get an Uber to/from the stadium…they will literally pull up right next to the stadium.
If you’re not driving - or plan to drink:
- Take the college park metro station and walk ~1 mile or so to the stadium. I think there are shuttles too but I usually just walk since it’s usually nice weather at every Maryland game I’ve gone to.
Sit on the north sidelines (the side without the press box) if you want to be in the Michigan side.
Regardless of where you sit, expect the crowd to be ~60% Michigan to start, and if it gets bad, it could be 80-90% Michigan fans remaining by halftime. Regardless of the outcome, Maryland fans are probably the most chilled out fanbase I’ve experienced in the conference.
The campus is pretty in a plantation/colonial way, but is pretty bland overall and there isn’t much to do.
Best bet for fun is to catch the game, then head to the subway station mentioned above and go to DC for the rest of the day/night.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:40 PM ^
The campus itself is pretty. The college "town" is lame, not really a town at all, just a very (very) busy multi-lane road with mostly chain restaurants on the other side of it.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:59 PM ^
Keep an eye on the weather. When it gets cold and windy that stadium gets freezing cold. Don't forget to get a crab pretzel!
November 12th, 2023 at 5:35 PM ^
The Chessie.
Am planning on getting it Saturday.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:12 PM ^
Things to do and places to eat in DC:
- For a picturesque location and many good options for food and music, check out the revitalized DC Wharf District.
- Also a cool neighborhood and a cultural icon, Ben’s Chili Bowl in Shaw-U Street.
- Two of my favorite restaurants in DC (caveat: I’m vegetarian) are by Jose Andres: Spanish tapas at Jaleo in Penn Quarter, and Mediterranean fusion at Zaytinya at Gallery Place.
Parking in DC is doable on the weekend, and there are good options for nightlife and food. Happy to suggest more (my girlfriend and I are just outside the Beltway at the river)!
November 12th, 2023 at 4:41 PM ^
I second all of these. It takes more time to get to and from these places than people may think, but because it is in early game it is doable after the game.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:36 PM ^
Not applicable for anyone visiting for the game and didn't plan waaaaay in advance, but if you are vegetarian, would recommend Oyster Oyster.
Probably my favorite restaurant in our DC rotation, before Bresca did away with their duck a la presse during CoVid.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:13 PM ^
Oops, double post. But I am glad to suggest more; I’ve lived in DC longer than anywhere else and I’m a big fan of the DC renaissance.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:38 PM ^
Avoid the Regents Drive Garage. I parked there for the 2019 game and just got out five minutes ago. (Okay, not quite that bad, but we didn't move for at least a half-hour when trying to exit.)
Agree with the suggestion for 200-level seats. The lower section wasn't bad but if you're behind the bench and anywhere in the first 30 or so rows, there are some obstructed views.
Weather currently looks favorable -- high in the mid-60s, only around a 20 percent chance of rain.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:44 PM ^
It’s the most woeful stadium experience I’ve seen. Captures the vibe of an XFL game. No one even checked our tickets, we just had to go through a security checkpoint (ubiquitous in DC). The stadium was half full and the locals said it was a good turnout. If you’re lucky and your row gets called, you can win a free car insurance quote!
UMaryland is a commuter campus so there’s not much tailgating or pregame festivities to speak of. Just enjoy the game and hope for good weather!
November 12th, 2023 at 4:58 PM ^
I went to the 2021 game and there were more Michigan tailgates than Maryland by a factor of three...
November 12th, 2023 at 5:02 PM ^
Very true. In 2019 the parking lots near the basketball arena were packed with M fans. You may have a few students/locals in the lots slamming Natty Boh and talking about how bad their team is.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:20 PM ^
Where is the tailgating? We spent the day going to restaurants and bars, took a Lyft to the stadium and the campus looked downright bereft of people from what I saw, until we got to a massive bottleneck at the security checkpoint.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:33 PM ^
In the parking lots. It may not be hardcore, but it's a friendly and enjoyable vibe. If you want a fun exercise, try to find a Maryland fan who believes they will win.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:59 PM ^
The usual parking lot for tailgating is now full of construction--a Metro stop is coming to campus in 2027 (they say), so tailgating is limited to parking decks, etc.
And UMD is definitely NOT a commuter campus. It's just not a football school. Now, soccer and lacrosse are a different story...
November 12th, 2023 at 5:03 PM ^
For Beaublue or anyone else, I have a couple extra parking passes for lot 11B. Leave an email if you'd like one, and I will send it to you.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:38 PM ^
Thanks Bakken!!
November 12th, 2023 at 6:00 PM ^
Thank you!
November 12th, 2023 at 9:28 PM ^
Any left?
November 14th, 2023 at 4:46 PM ^
Do you have any left?
November 12th, 2023 at 5:12 PM ^
I've been there about 3 times. We leave from DC and take the metro - there is a bus that takes you from the metro station to the stadium because it is well over a mile to walk. There will be a lot of Michigan fans on the metro and the bus. Sometimes there is cheering. I can't help with parking advice.
Most of the Michigan fans are in sections 2 and 3. We will be in 3. The first time we were in the corner of the closed end (Section 17 or 18) and there is a boom for TV coverage that is an obstruction. I'm told the 300 level can get very windy.
The place has absolutely zero vibe. I've been to all 14 venues in the B1G (although they were in the dome when I went to Minnesota) and this battles Minnesota for 13th place. The stadium is sterile. The student section is usually empty. They rely on the band and fireworks to try to generate any excitement. The campus is pretty much dead. I don't know much about food because there is nothing by the stadium or the metro station. Most likely we will be going back to DC for dinner.
There will be a lot of Michigan fans there and if we get out to an early lead it is like a home game which makes it fun.
Enjoy the trip. I hoping for good weather this time although the current forecast is not as good as it was a couple of days ago.
November 12th, 2023 at 7:50 PM ^
Agree that the Metro is an easy way to get there, even if parking and only taking it one stop from Greenbelt.
I attended the games against Virginia and PSU this year (using season tickets purchased mainly for this game against Michigan). The upper sections on the visiting side of the field will be overwhelmingly Michigan fans because they don't sell very many season tickets up there, and it was very empty for the Friday night game against Virginia. I thought the student section was the only lower area that seemed full at the start of those games, but it will become empty if Maryland falls too far behind.