Suggestions for first trip to AA and first game in the Big House
My four brothers and I are taking my dad (1966 alum) to the Indiana game this weekend. We are all lifetime fans but none of us brothers have been to a game in the Big House or spent any time in AA, so I'm looking for suggestions on what to do on gameday. So far I have read Brian's 2011 food guide and a similar post from earlier this year. We're getting in late Friday night and leaving Sunday, so mostly I'm looking for gameday suggestions on:
- Parking
- What do see before going to the stadium for warm-ups? Say from 8 am on.
- Is the Towsley Family Museum worth the time, and is it packed on game day?
- What time to get into the stadium for a 3:30 game to see warm ups/band?
- Can I bring a seat cushion for my dad? I recall this being a thing on the blog a few years ago...
- Any cool traditions after the game to be sure to catch?
Any other suggestions are very welcome. Go Blue!
November 17th, 2016 at 11:48 AM ^
Beat Indiana.
November 17th, 2016 at 12:06 PM ^
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November 17th, 2016 at 2:15 PM ^
Look for Carl.
November 17th, 2016 at 3:44 PM ^
Hey Carl!!!
November 18th, 2016 at 11:42 AM ^
November 17th, 2016 at 11:51 AM ^
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November 17th, 2016 at 12:10 PM ^
November 17th, 2016 at 1:36 PM ^
+1 for Maize and Blue.
November 17th, 2016 at 4:10 PM ^
May I recommend the #14- Reuben from Long Island: corned beef, jarlsberg, coleslaw, and russian dressing on grilled sourdough pumpernickel
That was my favorite sandwich from when I was a student - I still always stop at M&B whenever I'm back in Ann Arbor. Not as pretentious as Zingermans but just as much food and a much better value
November 17th, 2016 at 11:51 AM ^
Also, we don't have any tailgating invites, so any suggestions on that would be great. I assume you don't just walk around inviting yourself to people's parties.
November 17th, 2016 at 11:56 AM ^
We are coming down to Ann Arbor from the U.P. (and Wisconsin). You're more than welcome to tailgate by/with our group of 10-15. Email me at [email protected] if you want.
November 17th, 2016 at 1:21 PM ^
I'll second this question. I will be with a group of four 30ish people (2M/2F if that matters). This is my first time back to the big house since I was a grad student there in my early 20s, so I am a little lost on what to do, since at that stage of my life, I would just have my own parties because I lived there, plus it was more acceptable to wander into random parties. We will be staying downtown the whole weekend so we won't be parking or having our own tailgate.
I'm not specifically looking for an invite to crash anyone's tailgate as much as wondering what people do who don't have big group tailgates. Just wander around? Bring a bag and set up shop on the golf course or nearby tailgate lots? Are there sponsored tailgates that we can pay for? I don't think a bar will really provide the atmosphere I'm hoping for.
November 17th, 2016 at 4:16 PM ^
The band practices in the morning and you can always take a long walk around campus, hit Moe's or M-Den some great photos in there for sale with autographs of the players. Lots of great restaurants and the farmer's market is open. Life is always beautiful in Ann Arbor on Gameday. Glad you guys are getting the chance to experience it.
November 17th, 2016 at 1:37 PM ^
I was so curious I doubled down.
November 17th, 2016 at 2:27 PM ^
Shoot me an email (see above)
November 17th, 2016 at 11:58 AM ^
November 17th, 2016 at 12:11 PM ^
If anyone here actually knows Carl, you might want to warn him that one of his stops on the way home either this evening or tomorrow better involve a copier because he's going to need a lot of vouchers potentially.
November 17th, 2016 at 11:53 AM ^
November 17th, 2016 at 12:18 PM ^
November 17th, 2016 at 1:42 PM ^
November 17th, 2016 at 11:56 AM ^
and get a sister ann, along with a coffee/chocolate chip milk shake.
make sure you are near the east side of the stadium, north of gate 1, to see the band come by and play the victors. that is usually 1 hr to 45 min before game time, though they were a bit late for the maryland game.
invite yourself to a tailgate and spread money liberally - you will make friends and influence people.
dress warm - will be chilly later on.
sounds like a great day. i too will be there, but with only one of the sons.
November 17th, 2016 at 12:30 PM ^
Good point--Pizza Bob's would be a great idea for the OP's dad. He might remember it from his time in Ann Arbor. Since he's a 1966 alum, that's just about the only business near campus that still exists as it did 50 years ago, although I think it had a different name back then (Pizza Loy's?).
Also, getting to your seat at about 2:40 or so (60 minutes before kickoff) will be enough to see warmups; the band will come out at about 3:15.
November 17th, 2016 at 11:56 AM ^
Go to Revelli Hall across from Elbel Field at about 2:20 pm to watch the Marching Band and then follow them into the stadium. It is great fun!
November 17th, 2016 at 12:06 PM ^
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November 17th, 2016 at 12:12 PM ^
The Maryland game was weird/different. It was suggested we do this when I took my son to his first game v. Maryland a couple weeks back. We had seen their Revelli entrance and march on youTube. The drumline performed on schedule at 2pm in front of Revelli, but the band never did their entrance out of the front doors. Around 2:45 or so they unceremoniously marched from behind the building, but didn't play the fight song. If the people sitting next to us hadn't knocked on the building doors and had a staff person tell them to move down, we never would have known. Still never got an explanaition for why the change, and why no heads up.
Not sure if this is normal or if there is a place to check ahead of time what the plan is. It is really cool to see if they do it, and a fun atmosphere, but was a bit of a disappointment for a 5 year old when it didn't happen since we waited for so long to see it.
November 17th, 2016 at 1:20 PM ^
was very unusual.
Go Blue!
November 19th, 2016 at 12:00 PM ^
I think Maryland was parent's weekend, so they likely played in Oosterban Fieldhouse before the game. Same thing happens on Homecoming, they play for the Alumni Tailgate in Oosterban, then march to the game, so no traditional exit from Revelli those weeks. However, the drumline step-show happens on the Revelli steps as usual, regardless.
November 17th, 2016 at 11:59 AM ^
Pizza Bobs for shakes followed by a walk through the Law Quad, up East U and back down Hill St to the athletic campus. Can't beat that on a fall day.
November 17th, 2016 at 4:25 PM ^
As a current student, my favorite thing to do on gamedays is to hit up Mr. Spots around 1:30 for 3:30 games and chill there inbetween tailgates. It's the best
November 17th, 2016 at 4:35 PM ^
My god, why did you have to the say the "M" word. Now I have a craving. Haven't had those wings in ages.... so good.
November 17th, 2016 at 12:00 PM ^
If only there were a website devoted specifically to helping tourists find stuff in particular locales
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g29556-Ann_Arbor_Michigan-Vacations…
November 17th, 2016 at 12:03 PM ^
November 17th, 2016 at 12:05 PM ^
November 17th, 2016 at 2:06 PM ^
I'm glad I'm not the only one. I tried telling my wife that's what happened on my computer too. She didn't buy it.
November 17th, 2016 at 12:00 PM ^
go see a football game while you're there.
November 17th, 2016 at 12:02 PM ^
November 17th, 2016 at 12:04 PM ^
The drumline step show at 2 in front of Reveli is great. Small cushions are fine
November 17th, 2016 at 4:52 PM ^
Yes, go at 2:00 not 2:20.
November 17th, 2016 at 12:14 PM ^
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November 17th, 2016 at 12:22 PM ^
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November 17th, 2016 at 12:26 PM ^
November 17th, 2016 at 12:26 PM ^
November 17th, 2016 at 3:47 PM ^
Yes, but on another note, where can I watch the game in Perrysburg Ohio?? Michigan friendly of course....
November 17th, 2016 at 12:29 PM ^
November 17th, 2016 at 12:32 PM ^
but no backpack or nylon gym bags or anything like that. If you're a man, you basically can't bring anything, other than a camera and a wallet, or whatever you can fit in your jeans pockets, like 3 dozen airline liquor bottles, for example.
November 17th, 2016 at 2:25 PM ^
not just dad. Three and a half hours is a long time on a hard surface.
My friend (Maryland game) had to show what he had in his pant pockets. It was just wallet, keys, phone, etc., but he had to take them out and show it. We also (standard) had to unzip our coats/sheatshirts and take out hats off for inspection.
November 17th, 2016 at 2:37 PM ^
I only made it to one game this year (Hawaii), but we didn't have to do any of that, nor have I ever had to do that IIRC. Obviously for Hawaii we weren't wearing jackets or anything, but I didn't have to take anything out of my pockets.
November 18th, 2016 at 6:02 AM ^
with leather hat and vest. Oh don't forget to hide the Scull and Cross Bones tat on your forearm especially because it's going to be cold. Last but not least do not wear anything that is Scarlet and Grey or anything that might have the words Ohio State on it either.
Then I'm sure they won't check what's in your pockets or for the blood warmer flask in your boot.
November 17th, 2016 at 12:53 PM ^
Don't forget binoculars! You could bring one or two pair to share. It's really great to see some of the snaps up close and to keep an eye on Harbaugh. Also to admire the (cough) athleticism of the cheerleaders!
November 17th, 2016 at 1:16 PM ^
I had to look up what the Towsley family museum it. Was thinking maybe its that goofy white house on S Division?? Nope, just some donation thing.