SD to AA pilgrimage planning – night game recommendations?
I’m currently in the process of planning a trip to finally make it back to Ann Arbor – my first and only in-person experience was on a pipe dream out-of-state HS visit that happened to be the 2014 Minnesota concussion game. I’m hoping I’ll never have to speak of that again when people here in South Dakota ask if I’ve been to the Big House and can instead say I saw the team play that won it all (would never have anticipated saying that non-sarcastically two years ago lol). I’ve desperately wanted to experience a night game and while it certainly won’t be the most anticipated game on the schedule, Sept 16th against BG is checking off key boxes on affordability and weather (my parents are hoping to come with & they’re extremely frugal + along with my wife would not be thrilled about chancing later-fall Michigan weather).
I’ve been reading through some of the board history on optimal seating, things to do in Ann Arbor around game-day, etc. from years past, and although it’s likely mostly redundant, I don’t feel too guilty throwing this out there amidst the lull in Michigan happenings – are there any different recommendations for night games specifically? Of course happy to hear any other updated recs too! I’m hoping we can swing the Belleville/Dearborn game that Friday night to see Bryce Underwood & Jeremiah Beasley play, so if you’ve got any must do/see items in the Detroit area, that’d be greatly appreciated as well!
I have a feeling most of the AA stuff will be similar to what has been posted, but if you make it into Detroit I just got back from a 4 day trip this week. Gray Ghost in mid-town was excellent and Mudgie's deli in corktown was also top notch. Lots of good middle eastern food in Dearborn if you like that type of food, which I do.
I still say there is not a bad seat in Michigan stadium, but I prefer to sit row 40 and up just to get better sight lines. I was there for Hawaii last year and the night game is cool (weather sucked and long lightning delay) but the tailgaiting was a good time. I am sure there are some mgobloggers on here that would hook you up with a tailgate location and hospitality. Just bring beer or some cash to offer the host, most will refuse but still nice to offer. Have a great time, feels like a special season coming up! Go Blue!
For Friday, I’ll recommend Miller’s Bar in Dearborn if you like a classic burger bar type joint (family friendly if that’s a concern). I think they’re up for sale, so they may not be another chance.
There’s so much to do it’s hard to recommend stuff, but I guess my recommendation for the game would be to tailgate on the golf course. always a bunch of stuff going on, great atmosphere, etc. I got to pet some bulldog puppies last time I went and made nice with the guys a few cars down and watched the 3:30 games on their tv with them.
I usually bring a small propane grill and make burgers/dogs. If it’s a noon kick I’ll make steak and eggs at ~10am. Brown Jug is one of my favorite bars in AA so I recommend that but there’s so many quality places to eat in and around AA
The BG game will have added benefit of more hotel availability. Most BG fans, and its not like tens of thousands will come up, will drive back to the wastelands of Ohio after the game. Also ticket prices will be really cheap for almost any section.
If you’re in Detroit, I’m going to recommend Lafayette Coney Dogs as the Holy Grail of coney dogs. If you’re a coney connoisseur, it’s a worthy pilgrimage in its own right.
Duly’s is way better than both Lafayette/American, imo
You should check out Lafayette for no other reason then it's where Patti Smith and Fred "Sonic" Smith met. A little slice of punk rock history.
I was there Wednesday. Little disappointed they are not 24/7 anymore. Apparently that happened after the pandemic?
If the weather co-operates, consider a cider mill late morning/ early afternoon. A few hours before game time, hit a tailgate and party. They’re all around the stadium. Even though tix will be cheaper as game time approaches, I’d have mine earlier. Watch the band march down the street to enter the stadium. Be at your seats for their pre game show.
Since the Belleville game is AT Dearborn High, there are many good eatery’s in West Dearborn on Mich Ave. If u desire Middle Eastern cuisine, Malak El Kabab is a good one. If not, there are many different kinds of foods within that mile stretch. Whatever u choose, they’re all about a 5 minute drive to Dearborn High.
Don't you have...one more thing?
OP, if you'd be open to it, I'd like to hear the story of how someone from South Dakota became a UM fan.
Well, you'll need to stop at Wall Drug along the way. Sadly, Michigan Stadium lacks the amenities of O'Harra Stadium, so you can't tailgate inside the stadium and then watch the game and listen on the radio from the comfort of your own car, so I hope you're not disappointed with your experience here.
Tongue firmly in cheek.
We stopped at that Wall Drug place a few years ago and had lunch. What a crazy place - there's almost nothing they don't have. A must stop if you're visiting the Badlands area.
Been there many times, though not in the last 50 years. It was something else in the 50s and 60s; I can just imagine what it's like now.
I visited the Badlands, Wall Drug, and The (world's only!) Corn Palace with a friend back in the mid-90s. Certainly if you're out on the Great Plains, Wall Drug beckons with all the signage ("Only 2000 miles to Wall Drug!"). It was huge and kind of a tourist trap but worth the visit. I bought a bumper sticker.
On a more serious note, and since you're here a few days, make a dinner reservation at Cantoro Trattoria in Plymouth.
The Plymouth-Northville belt is a fairly easy jaunt from Ann Arbor, yes, if the OP is in fact staying in Ann Arbor. 15-20 minutes along US-23 N to M-14 E.
We were actually right around the corner at Sheehan's last week, which has some rather good burgers and sandwiches, but I would recommend Cantoro's as well if one is willing to drive a bit.
Can you give us the TL;DR version?