20 to 25 min. walk or FootballRide. Pubs and restaurants on Main and State; FootballRide shuttles serve downtown and the Michigan Union.
Wade Knyal, Google Maps
KerrytownVisiting fans pick this
30 min. walk or FootballRide. Brick streets, the farmers market and Zingerman's Deli, north of downtown.
FootballRide hotels
20 to 30 min. FootballRide shuttle. Shuttles run from many Ann Arbor hotels to Gate 2 for $1.50 each way. Hotel parking may cost extra.
Around the stadium
Checked at the source
Downtown Ann Arbor (Main Street, State Street and Liberty) sits north of the stadium, with pubs, brewpubs and Zingerman's. Main Street downtown stays open on game days.
Map of the area
Tap a pin to see the place.
Getting to Michigan Stadium
From Detroit Metro
From a specialist guide
DTW Detroit Metro. The AirRide bus, run with the Michigan Flyer, links the airport and Ann Arbor about a dozen times a day; check MichiganFlyer.com for game-day schedule changes.
On game day
Checked at the source
FootballRide shuttle to Near Gate 2 next to Crisler. Walk from downtown. Stadium; a vehicle-free zone opens 3 hours before kickoff. AirRide from DTW to Ann Arbor.
Parking and tailgating at Michigan Stadium
Tailgating
Checked at the source
The biggest public option: $65 cashless, entry from Stadium Blvd., State St. or Main St., opening 7 AM for day games and noon for night games. Stay off tees, greens and bunkers. No charcoal or wood grills and no fire pits in U-M lots. Gas is fine, but no flame or heat devices under tents. Keep generators 20 feet from tents and structures and carry a fire extinguisher. Gear stays inside your space and off roadways. Spaces are first come, first served and can't be saved. No glass and no branded tents. Brown Lot sells RV spots for $200 on game day only, from 7 AM for day games or noon for night games. No overnight parking in any U-M lot. Pioneer High School no longer takes RVs. Flags and signs can fly up to 20 feet high and must stay inside your space.
Game day at Michigan Stadium
Getting in
Checked at the source
Bag policy: No bags of any kind, including purses, backpacks, fanny packs and clear bags. One medical or childcare bag is allowed after inspection at Gate 3 or Gate 9 West.
Bag check: Bag Check is inside the southeast entrance of Crisler Center off Stadium Way. Claim items within 45 minutes after the game.
Touring the stadium
Checked at the source
Guided tours of the Big House run on weekdays for a fee. Book at least two weeks ahead through the Special Events Office (734-764-4599, [email protected]). No walk-in tours.
After the final whistle
Checked at the source
After the game Main Street/Ann Arbor-Saline Road runs one way south to I-94, with stop-and-go signals for crossing fans. FootballRide return shuttles leave from Stadium Blvd for about an hour after the game. All lots must be empty within two hours.
One thing to avoid
From a specialist guide
Don't bring any bag, not even a clear one: Michigan Stadium bans all bags except medical and childcare bags.
Food and drink at Michigan Stadium
Bars near the stadium
Checked at the source
Ashley's Restaurant & Pub, Google Maps
Ashley's
338 South State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Restaurant and pub on State Street by central campus.
Away fans: campus pub; hours shift for big sporting events.
Conor O'Neill's Irish Pub, Google Maps
Conor O'Neill's
318 South Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Downtown Ann Arbor's Irish pub, named best Irish pub in Michigan by Yahoo and Delish in 2020.
Away fans: downtown Irish pub that welcomes everyone.
Grizzly Peak Brewing Company, Google Maps
Grizzly Peak Brewing Company
120 W Washington Street, Ann Arbor, MI
Downtown brewpub with house beers and a full kitchen.
Away fans: brewpub for groups; reservations taken.
Michal Lorenc, Google Maps
Old Town Tavern
122 W. Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, MI
Open since 1972 and first a blue-collar bar that opened at 6 AM for factory night shifts, now one of downtown's best-loved townie bars.
Away fans: classic townie bar.
Things to do around Michigan Stadium
Listed in the order they happen on game day. Each one earns points.
Eat75 points
Sandwich at Zingerman's Deli
This is the flagship of Ann Arbor's well known food business, set on the brick-paved streets of Kerrytown.
$$. The day before
Landmark40 points
Walk the Diag
This is the oldest part of the Michigan campus, named for the paths that crisscross it.
Free. The day before
Photo25 points
Michigan Theater
This is the landmark theater on Liberty Street downtown.
Free. The day before
Outing40 points
Ann Arbor Farmers Market in Kerrytown
This market has run since 1919, right in the middle of Kerrytown's brick streets.
Free. 6 hours before kickoff
Tailgate75 points
Tailgate at the U-M Golf Course
This is the biggest public tailgate lot, right next to the stadium, and it costs $65 cash-free to park.
$$. 5 hours before kickoff
Ritual75 points
Michigan Marching Band march to the Big House
The band marches to the stadium before kickoff, and Hoover Street closes 90 minutes out to clear the way.
Free. 1 hour 30 minutes before kickoff
Seats and views at Michigan Stadium
Where each part of the stadium sits, and what you see from it.
Bowl1 to 44Tap any part of the stadium to see its view.
