November 15th, 2023 at 11:16 AM ^
I’ve been to & tailgated for 3 Maryland games and here are my thoughts:
- It’s a “closed” campus, so you have to tailgate in certain, designated lots. You can still buy passes from Maryland’s AD directly or via the resale sites (e.g. stubhub)
- Lots are first come first serve, but if you have a pass, you’ll get a spot and the lots are all mixed fans (usually 30-60% Michigan fans and a lot of joint tailgates)
- Portapotties are standard, but you can also use the basketball stadium bathrooms (much nicer)
- They sell beer in the stadium and you can sneak in a flask in your socks if you want
- Tailgates are generally pretty chill (burgers, dogs vs. fancy vs. hardcore smoker type)
- It was about a 10-15 minute walk from the lot to the stadium, but it’s scenic.
- There are grocery stores and restaurants/ fast food relatively close to the campus (it’s closed, so nothing really inside)
November 15th, 2023 at 12:04 PM ^
The Alumni Assoc used to have a nice Michigan tailgate in parking lot C1, but I have not heard about it since Covid. Does anybody know if it is still a thing?
November 15th, 2023 at 12:41 PM ^
Email came out from the DC group earlier today saying no official tailgate this year:
We are not hosting an official UMDC tailgate this year, but there will definitely be lots of alumni tailgating in various parking lots leading to the stadium.
November 15th, 2023 at 12:47 PM ^
Thanks, I thought this was probably the case.
November 15th, 2023 at 1:13 PM ^
Please provide link to where you can buy passes from Marylands AD directly because where I am looking it has been sold out since one or two weeks ago. Thanks.
November 15th, 2023 at 1:39 PM ^
All the regular parking lot spots are sold out I saw last week and plan to take metro to campus
November 16th, 2023 at 12:13 PM ^
Sorry. My buddy bought them ~2 weeks ago. I'm pretty sure you can also buy passes on the resale sites too. Just double check / do your homework to make sure tailgating is allowed.
November 15th, 2023 at 11:18 AM ^
Ill be with my son and his friend (14yr/olds) in lot C1. Michigan fans tend to be all over the place so its not hard to find friendly faces. MD fans are also plenty nice, most have said in the past I just hope its a good game. Never been harassed or mistreated.
November 15th, 2023 at 12:02 PM ^
There is a critical mass of Michigan fans that tailgate in Parking Lot C1, right near the Reckord Armory (which also has actual bathrooms).
Parking Lot C1 is right off of Route 1, but be prepared, it is slow to get in and out of. Best to park elsewhere and walk over there. It is probably sold out by now anyway.
November 15th, 2023 at 11:20 AM ^
Fellow MGoBlog community member Bakken Blue was very generous and hooked me up with a parking pass in 11B. Thank you!
Unfortunately, I'll probably not arrive in time to do much tailgating, but I hear that the tailgate scene is in the parking lots.
November 15th, 2023 at 12:43 PM ^
We've been to Maryland twice and we've parked/tailgated in 11b both times. There are lots of Michigan fans there, and whatever Maryland fans are there are nice. It's a very reasonable walk to the game and relatively easy out afterwards. I'd be there this year, but our daughter and fiance, who live in that area will be coming to visit us a few days later here in Michigan. Should be great weather forcthe game!
November 15th, 2023 at 11:55 AM ^
Legend.
November 15th, 2023 at 1:42 PM ^
She may actually be Maryland's Valedictorian.
November 15th, 2023 at 1:49 PM ^
Deservedly so.
November 15th, 2023 at 11:44 AM ^
Does anyone else have an extra parking pass available for resale? If so, would be very appreciative.
November 15th, 2023 at 11:46 AM ^
Posting here because I haven't been a member on this board long enough to start a thread and couldn't find a better place for this.
I've been a lifelong Michigan fan and a reader here for several years. I have enjoyed reading the perspectives and analysis of fellow Michigan fans on this board, and it has been a relief (especially the last few weeks) to have a place to find likeminded, reasonable perspective.
I have never been to a Michigan game in person, and after watching Michigan beat the Buckeyes for the first time in a decade in 2021, I decided that I would attend the next edition of The Game in Ann Arbor as my first. I'll be making the trip from Alabama to Ann Arbor the Friday before the game and will be attending with my two brothers (also their first attendance). That being said, I wanted to ask what advice would you have for someone attending their first game? Where to park? Where to go for tailgating? Best places to eat? When it comes to parking, we don't mind walking a few miles, so inexpensive parking will be priority for us.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
November 15th, 2023 at 12:11 PM ^
alblue,
You're asking about the Michigan v OSU game in Ann Arbor on November 25th. You can get a lot of guidance here - and, my suggestion is - next Monday - when Game Week begins - continue / open a thread - because suggestions from this crew will be "legend".
First - you're arriving in A2 on Friday evening. There are a LOT of places to eat, and - I would suggest you check into Open Table for the type of restaurant / food you'd like. Main Street and the "downtown" area cater more toward adults. South University caters more toward students. Reservations will help - and restaurants on Main Street - like the Black Pearl have a good environment and decent food.
Second - where to park. My suggestion to most people is to park on / near campus. The University garages will be open - and, the cost to park there is probably around $ 25 / vehicle. Depending on the specific garage, it will be a bit over a mile to the Stadium. A few locations to consider parking include - 1) Ross / Business school on Hill Street. 2) Fourth and William (more downtown), and 3) a couple of other "downtown" area garages. You could find street parking a bit closer to the Stadium - but, that will depend on your arrival time. Two tailgate areas are 1) Golf Course, and 2) Pioneer High School. Those are very close to the Stadium - but, are more expensive and it's best to arrive "very early" to get a good spot at either of those. By "very early", I mean prior to 7:00 am.
Third - the game kicks off at noon. I suggest an "early" arrival - so you can park and enjoy a bit of tailgating. You and your brothers are welcome to join our festivities - and, we can figure out a way to share details about our location with you.
Go Blue!
November 16th, 2023 at 12:11 PM ^
Thank you for the suggestions and the invitation! We will definitely be getting there early in the morning to soak in as much of the festivities as possible.
I'd be happy to find a way to communicate location details and hang out a bit. Is there a way we can direct message or something?
November 15th, 2023 at 12:11 PM ^
I have had a lot of success street parking a few blocks west and north of the stadium. I think I last parked roughly around 7th and Madison about 3 hours before game time and there was a ton of parking.
November 15th, 2023 at 12:18 PM ^
I love it! First game, fuck let's go to OSU! The last game I went to I prepaid to park at Venue (since they are a blog sponsor) and had some beers there before the noon kickoff. It is $40 if you prepay and about .5 miles to the stadium. Just go to their website and they have a prepaid parking tab. If you are ok walking a bit you can find parking as cheap as $25 further out. I am sure some of the folks on here can direct you to a proper tailgate. Just bring a $20 to offer the host, most will decline but I still think it is nice to offer. Or BYOB. My experience most people are super friendly, especially if you tell them its your first game and your from Alabama you should not have trouble finding a spot to hang out before or after the game.
Lots of good food options but I always go to Frita Batidos. Love that place. Zimmerman's is also cool if you have not been just be ready to drop $20 plus on a really good sandwich (they also pay their employees well and offer benefits so that makes it a little easier to drop that much).
You will have a great time, the stadium is pretty amazing the first time (although I went as a kid) but just the sea of humanity is impressive. Safe travels! and welcome to the board, I was also a Mgolurker for years before making an account.
Go Blue!
November 15th, 2023 at 12:32 PM ^
I don't tailgate so if you're doing that, I have no advice.
Otherwise, I always go as early as I can stand it so I don't have to stress over parking. I'd park somewhere near Main Street up by Washington Ave. It's a little hike to the stadium but it sounds like you're up for the walk.
You can find places to eat around there, although tbh I don't know which places are open for breakfast now. But there will be some. If you are super early, you'd also have plenty of time to walk up to State Street (campus area) and pass more restaurants and find more food places by State.
If you want to eat at a restaurant before the game, and make it to the game on time, you'll need to be really early. It's going to get crowded, obviously.
After the game, walk back up Main (or State), stop for food and drink somewhere, let the traffic clear out some.
For specific food options, there are a ton of places. Can't really go wrong, IMO.
November 15th, 2023 at 12:48 PM ^
Have fun, alblue! Others have covered the parking bases pretty well IMO. There are nice neighborhoods to the west and east of the stadium where you can park on the street for $0.
I'd urge some caution with restaurants. Ann Arbor has the various food bases covered pretty well, but lots of them are in the "3-star" category (passable but not memorable).
November 15th, 2023 at 3:01 PM ^
Great choice going to that game, that's the exact right atmosphere to really get a feel for the experience. Even if you park far away, I'd recommend getting to the area of the game at least two hours early, and preferably earlier, so you can soak it all in. Just walk around the Pioneer parking lot or golf course or whatever, there will be tons of people out in a festive atmosphere and you don't need any kind of pass to get in if you're not parking as car.
You can normally park in a neighborhood if it's more than like 1.5 miles away and it's not right before the game.
There was a good thread on places to eat in Ann Arbor this summer - https://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/ot-updated-aa-restaurant-recs
November 15th, 2023 at 11:59 AM ^
We are going to take the metro to the College Park station and catch the shuttle bus to the stadium.
November 15th, 2023 at 12:35 PM ^
That's my plan. I usually park at the Metro station and take the bus. I didn't buy my ticket until last week and I'm just not going to pay $80 for a parking pass.
November 15th, 2023 at 12:41 PM ^
Wonder if there's a fee to park there. I know for the pro football team it costs 15 to park on gamedays at Morgan Blvd or Largo.
November 15th, 2023 at 12:51 PM ^
The last time I went was the 2019 game and I don't think I paid anything. I'm not 100% sure though
November 15th, 2023 at 1:18 PM ^
The parking at Metro lots is free on the weekends.
November 15th, 2023 at 9:20 PM ^
One clarification is that parking at the College Park metro lot is $15 during football games if you do not ride the metro into the city. You can park at any other station for free. Greenbelt is convenient nearby place to park and ride one stop.
November 16th, 2023 at 2:52 PM ^
thanks for elaborating. would have known they would probably charge parking for football gamedays. Greenbelt it is.
November 15th, 2023 at 12:40 PM ^
This. Except I'll be walking the 2 miles to the stadium early because I want to see Big Noon. But yeah, the bus apparently starts at 9 AM and does a circuit around the area.
November 15th, 2023 at 3:04 PM ^
How's the shuttle bus work? Is it part of the metro system? Does it take forever on gamedays?
November 15th, 2023 at 6:20 PM ^
There are just a bunch of red buses that go back from the metro station to the football stadium. There is usually one waiting for us when we get there before the game. After the game there is usually a line and some traffic but it is manageable and if we do well will be mostly Michigan people if you stay until the end. You can walk it from the metro station but it is not close - about a mile an a half. The buses have a special route so the traffic for the cars seems worse.
November 15th, 2023 at 12:05 PM ^
We are arriving at lot 11B around 9:30. For folks who are driving, be sure to arrive at the campus entrance that corresponds with your parking lot. This is new this year, due to construction. Not sure if they actually enforce it, but not worth taking a chance. More info:
https://umterps.com/sports/2023/6/30/football-parking-23
November 15th, 2023 at 12:11 PM ^
Thanks, this is great. I was looking for something like this. I will be driving in from Rockville MD via the Beltway.
November 16th, 2023 at 1:12 PM ^
me to! Go Blue!
November 15th, 2023 at 12:46 PM ^
Thanks for that tip! I'm in Lot 9B this year as the better lots were even more absurdly overpriced than usual and I noticed there was this note that said "Must enter via 193/Paint Branch Dr." and was trying to figure out what the deal was as I didn't recall that from all the previous years.
November 15th, 2023 at 4:09 PM ^
do the lots open at 9:30? The maryland AD website doesn't actually say.
November 16th, 2023 at 5:36 AM ^
My ticket for Lot TTG (Terrapin Trail Garage) says that the lot is open from "6 hours before kickoff until midnight." I would guess that all of the lots are the same.
November 15th, 2023 at 12:19 PM ^
I purchased parking passes for the PH lot. Will be pre-gaming for sure. There are always a large number of Michigan fans. Parking passes are only available after market, which stinks, but it is what it is. I'm going with a large group of kids and dads. Should be fun! Go Blue.
November 15th, 2023 at 12:23 PM ^
"I'm going with a large mixed group of my kids and dads."
How many dads do you have? (I'm hoping like 7.)
November 15th, 2023 at 1:04 PM ^
Everyone's got jokes. Reading it, does sound funny. Other kids, not mine, have dads that are going. Up vote for you, very funny!
November 15th, 2023 at 12:41 PM ^
The Fox Big Noon Kickoff pregame show will be broadcasting from College Park.
The pregame show will take place at LaPlata Beach, which is located directly across from the front entrance of the Eppley Recreation Center. (This is an open field / beach volleyball area that is off of LaPlata drive, about 100 yards from the stadium.)
The show starts at 10 a.m.
November 15th, 2023 at 1:11 PM ^
Thank you for the insight on set location. I am hoping to get into the pit which opens at 9 AM. Although I probably don't want to be front and center on TV, a few rows behind should suffice. Plus Big Noon is giving out Cowboy hats
November 15th, 2023 at 12:50 PM ^
I don't think there is much if any parking available for purchase at this date*, but I'll mention that there is free parking along Route 193 (runs across the north side of campus and is near the stadium. Parking is allowed on the shoulders of the road (both sides) but not on the median.
For most games, getting there 3ish hours before kickoff does the trick, but I'll allow more time--there will be a lot of traffic. But you might have some luck around 7 or 8 AM if you want to be an early bird...
*except after-market of course
November 15th, 2023 at 1:01 PM ^
Will be stuck in what apparently is the Hell of the Regents parking structure.
Are going to stroll around campus; have never been and want to see the Testudo.
November 15th, 2023 at 1:53 PM ^
It's a pretty campus. But it's a lame college town (there pretty much is none, just some strip shopping centers off of route 1). It is actually much better than it used to be though.
November 15th, 2023 at 4:01 PM ^
Bought a pass there, too, but now debating if I should get another one where I won’t be stuck for a while after the game and just chalk up this one as a loss.
November 16th, 2023 at 2:31 PM ^
have an extra pass?