Quick Summary
Ann Arbor has always been one of the top 10 college football destinations in the country. One of the main attractions of a college football game at Michigan Stadium is its capacity of 107,601. (It was recently reduced from 109,901). This means you’ll be watching the game with more fans than is possible at any other college football game in the country.
Furthermore, Ann Arbor shines in its beauty come the fall season. The town is designed around the campus, making everything within walking distance. With an abundance of restaurants and bars, you will find plenty of entertainment throughout the weekend.
When to Go
Considering its location, Ann Arbor is best visited during the first two months of the football season. After these months, the weather becomes quite cold. If you do travel outside of this time frame, it is likely to attend the premier game on Michigan’s schedule. The annual game against Ohio State takes place in Ann Arbor on odd-numbered years, featuring two of the biggest rivals in the Big Ten. However, you may find temperatures outside to be quite chilly.
Moreover, Michigan competes against other teams in its East division every year, including Michigan State and Rutgers in odd-numbered years, and Indiana, Maryland, and Penn State in even-numbered years. Keep an eye out for when Nebraska, Wisconsin, or your favorite team visit town. While the non-conference home games may not be as exciting, they can still provide some entertainment.
Getting Michigan Football Game Tickets
As anticipated, tickets are not the easiest to obtain. Generally, you won’t find tickets on the primary market through Michigan, as most are allocated to alumni or students. It’s advisable to look at secondary ticket options such as StubHub or ticket aggregators like SeatGeek and TiqIQ.
Additionally, Craigslist could be another avenue for finding deals; however, it lacks the security of traditional ticket sources. It is possible to work tailgates or walk around the main tailgate before the game; vendors sometimes offer tickets, but securing them ahead of time is wise, especially if you’re traveling a considerable distance.
Getting There
Ann Arbor is conveniently situated less than an hour from Detroit, making travel easy. Detroit serves as a hub for Delta, with flights available from many cities nationwide. Additionally, Spirit offers low-cost fares from numerous locations. Major airlines typically provide service to Detroit from their respective hubs; thus, using a travel aggregator to compare flight prices to Detroit is recommended.
Moreover, Ann Arbor is a three-hour drive from Cleveland and Columbus, or a four-hour drive from Chicago, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh. While these cities are not necessarily close enough for flying, the decision rests on whether it’s more economical. Alternatively, you can take an Amtrak train from Detroit (about an hour’s ride), or Chicago (just under a five-hour ride). Lastly, bus services are available from various destinations in the Midwest via Greyhound and Megabus.
Where to Stay
Finding accommodations in Ann Arbor can be a challenge. The main hotels on campus include the Bell Tower Hotel and the Graduate Ann Arbor, though these can be quite pricey during football weekends. Reservations may need to be made a year in advance for popular dates. If hotel prices are prohibitive, consider staying at one of the hotels near I-94, which are about two to three miles from downtown, so travel time should be factored into your plans.
There are several cab companies available, or you can use your own transportation. Choices include Holiday Inn, Residence Inn, Sheraton, and a few local hotels. Whether you choose a hotel or not, you may compare rates and read reviews on TripAdvisor.
Alternatively, renting an apartment or house for the weekend could be a viable option. Look for places north of Michigan Stadium, south of Fuller Street, east of Main Street, and west of Baldwin Avenue. Websites like AirBNB, Gameday Housing, HomeAway, or VRBO can help you find suitable accommodations.
Tailgating
Numerous areas are designated for tailgating during the games:
Tailgating Areas
The golf course has become the primary tailgating spot for alumni and casual fans. Arriving early is crucial as parking opens around 6:00 a.m. Attendees often set up elaborate tailgates featuring grills, TVs, and games. However, expect crowded bathrooms as local resources can quickly become overwhelmed.
The secondary tailgating area caters to a more mature audience, located in the parking lot of Pioneer High School, directly across from the golf course. Fans often park and set up RVs days ahead of the games, transforming the area into a festivity on game days.
Student Tailgating Spots
Students gravitate towards the tailgating spots near the homes located within the ‘Student Ghetto,’ bordered by Forest Street to the east, State Street to the west, Packard Street to the south, and Hill Street to the north. Many students gather on lawns, indulging in keg parties.
Fraternity upperclassmen often host these gatherings in front of their houses. Joining the fun is easy, but be cautious with alcohol consumption in public spaces, as violations can result in fines.
Food in Ann Arbor
Delis
Zingerman’s Deli remains the most famous establishment in Ann Arbor, evident from the long lines it attracts. Visitors indulge in Jewish delicacies, with the Reuben, Cuban Conundrum, and Oswald’s Mile High being customer favorites. Aim to visit during off-peak hours for a more pleasant experience, ideally during mid-morning or early afternoon. Be sure to save room for their cakes and cookies, which are equally delightful.
Alternatively, Maize and Blue Delicatessen provides similar offerings without long waits. Their “Triple Play Reuben,” featuring corned beef, pastrami, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese, is a local favorite.
Burgers
If burgers are on your mind, visit Blimpy Burger, known for fully customizable meals; be sure to try their onion rings as a side. Frita Batidos also serves tasty burgers alongside Cuban cuisine. For a more upscale experience, Prickly Pear offers a delightful Southwestern menu.
Pizza
For pizza enthusiasts, several excellent options exist. Bigalora Cucina, Jolly Pumpkin Café and Brewery, and Mani Osteria & Bar offer gourmet pizzas. Notably, Mario Batali has praised Mani Osteria as a top choice.
Students favor Pizza House, primarily for its chapatis—pitas stuffed with salad and accompanied by delectable breadsticks and chapatti sauce. This establishment remains popular for late-night deliveries once the bars close.
Breakfast
Several breakfast spots stand out apart from Zingerman’s. Café Zola is renowned for its brunch, particularly the Complete Crepe—a breakfast sandwich wrapped in a crepe. Line up early at Angelo’s to enjoy their raisin French toast or deep-fried French toast. Northside Grill, slightly further from the campus, provides great alternative breakfast options.
Late Night
For late-night cravings, Panchero’s serves the best local burritos. BTB, previously known as Big Ten Burrito, is favored for its quesadillas. Mister Spots is known for cheesesteaks, while chain Jimmy John’s offers its usual sandwiches.
Fleetwood Diner operates 24 hours, luring patrons with their diverse hash browns. To wrap up this food journey in Ann Arbor, Rod’s Diner is adored by students for its colliders, allowing you to mix and match toppings with frozen yogurt.
Bars in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor boasts a vibrant bar scene. Dominick’s stands out as the most popular spot for daytime drinks, with large mason jars of sangria and the “Constant Buzz,” a blend of strawberry daiquiri and piña colada. Enjoy responsibly at their outdoor patio to prevent any post-drinking regrets. The Brown Jug pays homage to Michigan legends, making it a must-visit bar, albeit often crowded.
Conor O’Neill’s provides a traditional Irish bar experience for a more mature crowd, located a bit further from campus. Various breweries serve excellent beers, with Ashley’s boasting the widest beer tap selection, Heidelberg for its boot drinks, and World of Beer for an extensive bottled beer choice.
Younger crowds tend to flock to Scorekeepers (also known as Skeeps) and Rick’s. Scorekeepers features local games on enormous screens but transforms into a lively club atmosphere on weekends, making it a popular spot for students and those using fake IDs. Rick’s offers similar vibes with nightly drink specials and is frequented by fraternity and sorority members.
Notably, athletes like Derek Jeter and Michael Phelps have been known to make occasional appearances, especially enjoying the late-night karaoke when students sing Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler.” Those searching for a DJ scene but who prefer a somewhat older crowd might consider heading to Rush Street, where DJs spin tunes throughout the night.
