Going to Indiana game--Suggestions?
Me and a group of people are going to the Indiana game.
We are driving from Ann Arbor and planning on leaving Friday. Are there any suggestions of where to stay and what to do before and after the game?
We were planning on staying in Indianapolis (as most hotels seemed to be booked in Bloomington).
Any suggestions from people who have gone before or live in the area would be greatly appreciated.
November 2nd, 2015 at 11:58 AM ^
Still debating on when to buy tickets. If they beat Iowa this weekend tickets will shoot up. if they lose, it'll be a fire sale. I could see Iowa blowing this one after Indiana gets a Bye and an extra week to plan/get healthy. I'm nervous.
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:01 PM ^
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November 2nd, 2015 at 12:06 PM ^
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:10 PM ^
I know i can walk in on the day of and buy the shittiest ticket for $10. But, theres something about buying a good seat that gives me pleasure. The tickets are still relatively high on Stubhub.
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:11 PM ^
Do you hate money!?
November 2nd, 2015 at 8:49 PM ^
but if I definitely would wait until game day to buy if I had intentions to go. IU sinply does not host sellouts other than the Purdue game (always sold out) and Ohio State (likely because its about half as far to the Ohio border as it is to Michigan).
I've only gone to one Michigan @ IU game, approximately 20 years ago, and there had to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 20,000-25,000 empty seats on a beautiful sunny October day. But mid-November? By then, most IU fans have shifted full attention to hoops. If seats---good seats---could be had in Minneapolis last Saturday for $30-40 for a pair an hour before kickoff, there is no reason to believe a pair of decent seats would cost more that $20-25 for that IU game in two weeks.
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:10 PM ^
I was at the game in 2010. The staduim was full, but it seemed like it was about 25% Michigan fans.
November 2nd, 2015 at 3:43 PM ^
for face value. Looks like the upper corner opposite the visitor section is still pretty wide open but it may have filled in some since the time I purchased.
Wish I knew what kick off time was, in relation to what night I might stay in hotel.
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:17 PM ^
It looks like you can buy tickets directly from IU. $55 for adults.
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:32 PM ^
This is what I did. Going with the GF and an IU alumn buddy. Woo. Never been for a game. Should be fun.
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:37 PM ^
It looked like there were a ton of tickets left on the official IU atheletics page. Way cheaper than Stubhub anyway. I'm waiting until they announced kick-off time bfore I buy tickets. I may wait until the last minute seeing as how the tickets on the school website are so cheap.
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:03 PM ^
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November 2nd, 2015 at 2:53 PM ^
According to the Michigan website, the networks have exercised their 6-day option for this game. The game time will either be 12 or 3:30 and will be announced Sunday.\
(Not only does that frustrate people that are traveling to the game, it's tough for people who are trying to plan other events on that game. Sure, I can always DVR the game, but it's not quite the same -- and I can't DVR the Michigan radio broadcast...)
November 2nd, 2015 at 3:46 PM ^
and rig up an egg timer to trigger some sort of Rube Goldberg machine to hit 'record.'
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:11 PM ^
TAILGATE -- right next to the stadium. as far as where to stay, there are some really nice hotels downtown bloomington that won't require any ubers/cabs if you want to go drinking afterwards, but you will likely be paying >200$ a room per night.
When you go out, there are several bars downtown that are worth visiting.
Kilroys (on Kirkwood) is probably worth a visit, right nearby there is Nick's, which is more of a classic IU bar. Down the street and around the corner from there are Brother's (for the generic college bar experience and a little bit cheaper prices) and Sports (if you are more interested in the night club scene).
If you are more interested in fancy, grown-up game experiences, there are a couple nice places to eat. I can't say enough about Little Zagreb's as a steakhouse, but you will get some very unfriendly looks wearing U of M gear in there.
In the morning, swing by Runcipal Spoon for outstanding brunch.
As far as tickets go, I would gamble on buying them outside the stadium. There is no way they are going to be close to capacity, even if they beat Iowa. I waited to buy tickets outside this weekends minnesota game and picked up two tickets for $40.00 about twenty minutes before kick.
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:34 PM ^
November 2nd, 2015 at 1:50 PM ^
yogi's has, in my opinion, fallen off significantly. The owner has been trying to sell for awhile, he actually had a deal in line to demolish the site and raise an apartment building but it ended up being blocked. Their food is not that good (in my opinion of course), and they turned the place into a food 1st booze 2nd establishment. Doesn't make any sense to me.
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:12 PM ^
I'll tell you this. There's a lot of construction on Route 37 between Indy and Bloomington. Game traffic will be brutal.
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November 2nd, 2015 at 12:19 PM ^
Check out the IU tailgating scene around the stadium. Not only do IU fans know how to drink and tailgate (probably b/c football season is so painful that they are experts at numbing the pain), but they were super friendly to me and my friends when we went there in 2011.
I believe we went to an area across 17th St. right across from Memorial, and we had a blast. A few IU fans adopted us into their tailgate, and they allowed us to eat their food and drink their drinks (as well as beat them in beer pong AND flip cup). You should have tons of fun if you're open to meeting new people.
#CoolStoryBro
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:24 PM ^
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November 2nd, 2015 at 12:25 PM ^
Coming from Ann Arbor, I94 - I69 - I465 - I65 - INSR46 may be the best route. If you haven't already, check for hotels in Columbus, IN. As for things to do before/after, Village Deli on Kirkwood has great breakfast, but be forewarned - they're always packed on weekends. Opie Taylor's on North Walnut is a pretty good place for a burger. If you're in the mood for pizza, my favorite place down there was Cafe Pizzaria at the corner of Kirkwood and Grant.
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:36 PM ^
I had to drive to evansville last weekend and stopped in columbus (originally from there). there were major road works (probably like 20+ miles) on I65 that would have held me up if it hadn't been 1 AM. So, might be better to take SR-37 instead. However, on the way back SR-37 northbound was a parking lot due to construction.
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:25 PM ^
is my second favorite Big Ten city, enjoy
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:27 PM ^
It probably won't be as bad this year, but back when I went in 2010 the game was actually sold out (or near sold out) and it took forever to get into the stadium. There were literally 8 people scanning tickets in for the entire stadium. they just had no idea how to handle an actual crowd
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:32 PM ^
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:35 PM ^
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November 2nd, 2015 at 12:51 PM ^
The Tap which is on North College Ave. Huge collection of beers and plenty of TVs. It is small so it may be hard to get into after the game. I'd suggest Nicks over any of the other bars, but I'm certainly not as young as I once was, though I would defintely still play Sink the Biz.
Be prepared for many insults, for whatever reason the IU faithful are not cool with Wolverines in town.
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:52 PM ^
I live in Bloomington. There are a bunch of hotels in town, so it should not be that much trouble getting a room for the night. There is also a heck of a lot of construction between Indy and Bloomington to build the I69 extension, so that will be a long trip in game day traffic (plan for 2 hours).
The best way to get here from Ann Arbor is US 23-US 24-I469S-I69S-I465S-IN37S-IN45/46 (but it does take you through that unholy state). From Detroit, swap US 23 for 75S and I475.
Tickets are pretty easy to get out here. The visitor sections are in 1 and 101.
<b>The stadium allows in and out access for your mid-game tailgating convenience.</b> Just make sure you get your ticket scanned on the way out.
If you want to crash a tailgate, there is an unnamed beer distributor that throws a good one and usually has a concert afterwards. Look for the big tailgate setup across the street from the IU credit union on 17th between Dunn and Indiana.
For food, I suggest getting some wings at Buffa Louies on Indiana. If its your first time in town, a trip to Nicks (on Kirkwood) is obligatory. If you just want to drink beer go to Yogis or the Tap. For Sunday brunch, go to uptown cafe and make sure you get the sausage patties.
November 2nd, 2015 at 1:35 PM ^
As a huge craft beer fan, I was wondering if Upland is worth checking out. I have had a couple of their beers from people bringing them to Michigan. Do they always keep a sour on tap? Would it be a packed place to head after the game?
November 2nd, 2015 at 2:26 PM ^
I was there about a week ago. they did not have any sours on tap, but you could buy bottles of cherry or kiwi to go. there taplist was: dragonfly, teddy-bear kisses (must get), harvest ale, wheat, octoberfest, and an imperial ipa. food is really solid as well
November 2nd, 2015 at 2:34 PM ^
I'm not a huge fan of upland's beer. Its decent, but not great. I think the best craft beer in town is Bloomington Beer Company located at Lennies on 10th st.
Both places have great food.
I've never been to Upland when it is not packed.
November 2nd, 2015 at 3:58 PM ^
Any other craft beer spots (breweries or pubs) I should try? Looking for a good bottle shop as well. I work at a brewery in West Michigan and I want to bring some stuff to trade. I will make sure I check out both spots.
November 2nd, 2015 at 4:34 PM ^
Goto Sarhara Mart. Its the best beer & wine selection I've seen. Other options are Big Red, but their selection is hit and miss, and Lucky's Market, which has a good selection of local brews. Make sure you grab a couple 3 Floyds seasonals.
A bunch of microbreweries have opened up the last year. Two new ones are Function and Quaff On (I haven't tried them yet). The Tap recently started brewing their own, but I have always been drawn to one of their other handles.
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:55 PM ^
Downtown Indy has a pretty good blues joint called the Slippery Noodle on the conrer of South and Medidian. Good place to hang out.
Construction on I-65S is a mess, but so is 37.
November 2nd, 2015 at 12:58 PM ^
I have a group of 4 or 5 of us coming from the St Louis area and have a hotel walking distance from the stadium. We're also heading there on Friday, and based upon the suggestion of the Bloomington resident above, what say we try and have a Michigan get-together at Buffa Louie's at 8pm and either stick around there or do some bar hopping.
Can I get a harrumph from anyone who is interested...
November 2nd, 2015 at 1:00 PM ^
November 2nd, 2015 at 1:42 PM ^
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November 2nd, 2015 at 2:05 PM ^
Anybody have an idea about what sections of the staidum the M fans will be in?
November 2nd, 2015 at 2:35 PM ^
1 and 101.
November 2nd, 2015 at 2:20 PM ^
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November 2nd, 2015 at 2:50 PM ^
Does anyone know where in the stadium there will be large blocks of Michigan fans? I'm going to the game alone and would prefer to sit in a relatively friendy section.
EDIT: 1 and 101, apparently. Did not read the thread closely enough.
November 2nd, 2015 at 3:13 PM ^
I went to Law School at IU...but it's been a bit since I graduated. However, sink the biz at Nicks is a must. Half the time I was there - I'm not sure the people knew there was a game going on - just that they were outside tailgating and having fun.
The Irish Lion for a Mutton Pie is a delicious meal - you can grab a yard of beer while you are there.
The Sticks at Kilroys on Kirkwood were always a great snack.
Check out the UGP store there while you are in Bloomington too.
November 2nd, 2015 at 3:15 PM ^
November 2nd, 2015 at 3:47 PM ^
November 2nd, 2015 at 4:24 PM ^
It won't be announced until the Sunday before.
November 2nd, 2015 at 4:53 PM ^
I grew up in the great state of Indiana. Went to Bloomington the only time we played there while I was at UM in 2010. Was told, multiple times, " I only went to Michigan because I couldn't get into Indiana."
Many Indiana fans aren't so bright, but they know how to party. Enjoy.
November 2nd, 2015 at 6:12 PM ^
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