Getting Around during Parent & Family Weekend

Michigan Union

We hope you enjoy your time in Ann Arbor! It will be a busy weekend and can be a little overwhelming to navigate, especially on game day and for those unfamiliar with the area. Allow yourself a significant amount of time and a lot of patience for travel and parking to all events during the weekend.

Navigating Game Day

Parking on game day is a challenge! Allow yourself a significant amount of time and a good sense of humor to plan for parking and travel to all events on a game day. A good pair of walking shoes is also valuable. 

Tailgate Parking and Transportation

*Parent & Family Weekend is not responsible for any parking arrangements.*

  • Walking from the Tailgate to Michigan Stadium: There will be many sidewalks and common walking paths from the pre-game Tailgate to Michigan Stadium. Expect to “follow the crowd” and wear a comfortable pair of walking shoes!
  • Mobility Assistance from the Tailgate to the Game: If you have a mobility impairment, golf carts will be available after the tailgate to assist you in getting from the event to Michigan Stadium. Please inquire at the check-in table, located at the Tailgate, for instructions on how to get golf cart transportation to Michigan Stadium.
  • Post-game Shuttles to Hill/Thompson Structures: After the game, the Blue Bus will be available to take you back to the Hill St. & Thompson St. parking structures. The post-game pick-up location and time is TBD.  

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Football Game Parking & Transportation

We strongly recommend that you take TheRide’s football shuttles to the football game if you are not attending the MFamily Weekend Tailgate. 

  • FootballRide Game Shuttle                
    Only attending the football game on Saturday? The FootballRide shuttles are a low-cost, headache-free way to travel!                              
    FootballRide shuttles serve many locations, including most Ann Arbor hotels. You can leave your car at your hotel or one of several central locations and ride to and from the football game without the hassle of game traffic, parking, and road closures.

    FootballRide runs roughly every 20 minutes, beginning two hours before game time. The last shuttles leave 30 minutes before kickoff. Shuttles run roughly one hour after the game. Shuttles operate in the North, South, East, West,, and Downtown areas of Ann Arbor.

    Tickets are $3.00 round trip, or $1.50 one way, and are sold at participating hotels or may be purchased in advance by mobile ticket or exact fare cash. Passengers are encouraged to purchase round-trip tickets, as drivers do not carry change. All riders are dropped off at Michigan Stadium before kickoff near Gate 2, next to the Crisler Center. TheRide buses are white and often have advertisements painted on them.

    Check out their website to learn more about pick-up locations and rates.

  • Game Day General Parking                
    Most parking areas near Michigan Stadium are permit-only. If you do not take the FootballRide shuttle, public parking that does not require a permit is very limited. Additionally, you will need to navigate around area road closures and construction.                

    The Division of Public Safety and Security has partnered with Waze to assist with parking and avoiding road closures. DPSS will update this web page when a parking lot becomes full.                  

    For information about Day-of-Game/Cash Sales, road construction, and parking for large vehicles such as RVs, please visit mgoblue.com. Parking must be paid in cash only. 

    The Athletic Department map only displays lots listed for “Day of Game/Cash Sale Parking” for the general public. Parking spaces in these lots are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may fill up hours before game time.

  • PLEASE NOTE: Ann Arbor residents, local businesses, and organizations will also sell parking spaces in their driveways, lawns, and parking lots. Prices vary. Cars may be “blocked in” at these locations, so you should be willing to accept this risk if you choose this option. Watch for signs, and only park in spaces clearly marked “Football Parking.” Illegally parked cars will be ticketed or towed.

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Parking Lots, Structures, & Meters 

W13 Parking Lot (400 Thompson St)

  • Limited spaces
  • Located near the Michigan Union, directly behind the Student Activities Building
  • Rate $2.40/Hour 
  • Note your space number, then pay using the central pay machine before leaving the lot
  • Park in spaces marked with a number only
  • Do not park in spaces marked Blue Lot or UM Business/Service Vehicle Only

Thompson/Maynard Garage (Thompson Entrance: 320 Thompson St; Maynard Entrance: 324 Maynard St)

  • Large parking structure 
  • Located about 2 blocks north of the Michigan Union
  • Rate $1.50/Hour
  • Pay using the machines near the elevators or at the cashier kiosk when you exit

Liberty Square (510 E Washington St) 

  • Large parking structure 
  • Located between S Division and S State St, about 3 blocks north of Michigan Union
  • Rate $1.50/Hour

Library Lane Parking Garage (319 S 5th Ave) 

  • Large parking structure 
  • Located next to the Ann Arbor District Library, about 3 blocks north of the Michigan Union
  • Rate $1.50/Hour
  • Discounted Rate After 3 PM M-F & All Day Saturday $1.50/Hour - Max $5.00 (Must exit by 6 AM the following day or normal rates apply)

Fourth & William Parking Garage (115 E William St) 

  • Large parking structure
  • Located about 5 blocks away from the Michigan Union 
  • Rate $1.50/Hour

Forest Avenue Parking Garage (650 S Forest Ave) 

  • Large parking structure 
  • Located about 5 blocks away from the Michigan Union 
  • Rate $1.50/Hour

Palmer Drive Parking Structure (200 Washtenaw Ave) 

  • U-M faculty & staff parking structure with 180 visitor parking spaces
  • Located on Palmer Dr from Washtenaw Ave, approximately 10-minute drive from Michigan Union
  • 24 hrs Mon-Sat
  • Proceed approximately 100 yards to the 2nd parking entrance on your left to enter “Visitor Parking” 
  • Rate $2.40/hour 

Parking Meters

  • Parking meters provide convenience, but empty spaces can be difficult to find
  • Meters are enforced Monday-Saturday, 8 am-6 pm unless otherwise stated on the meter or central pay station
  • Rate $2.40/hour
  • Be sure to pay close attention to parking time limits
  • E-Park meters accept coins, credit, and debit cards; you can also pay using the ePark Ann Arbor parking app which will allow you to extend your parking time limit as well
  • Rates are subject to change

After business hours, many faculty/staff structures are open for visitor parking. Additionally, structures normally reserved for University staff only (such as Thayer St or Fletcher St) are usually open to the public during performances at the University’s theaters for a fee. 

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Public Transportation

  • Magic Bus – U-M’s bus system that takes students, faculty, and staff across central, north, and athletic campuses for free
  • TheRide – Operated by the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, TheRide offers public transportation for the greater Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area. Single Ride Passes are $1.50, and Day Passes are $3.00. Students, faculty, and staff have unlimited free access. 
  • Amtrak – The Amtrak Station is located at 325 Depot St, only about a 10-minute drive from the Michigan Union building
  • Greyhound – The Greyhound Station is also located at 325 Depot St
  • Destination Ann Arbor – offers information for taxi, shuttle, car rental, and airport transportation services

For more information about navigating Ann Arbor, including biking and walking paths, visit the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA).                
                 
A complete list of faculty/staff parking structures can be found online at Logistics, Transportation, & Parking (LTP)

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