Getting Around during Parent & Family Weekend

Michigan Union

We hope you enjoy your time in Ann Arbor! Parking on game day can be a challenge. Give yourself plenty of time and a good sense of humor to navigate parking and travel to all events on game day. A sturdy pair of walking shoes is also a wise choice. 

Tailgate Parking and Transportation

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

  • Walking from the tailgate to Michigan Stadium: There will be plenty of sidewalks and popular walking paths from the pre-game tailgate to Michigan Stadium. Expect to “follow the crowd” and wear comfortable 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 help you get from the event to Michigan Stadium. Please ask at the check-in table at the tailgate for information on how to access golf cart transportation to Michigan Stadium.
     
  • Post-game shuttles to Hill/Thompson Structures: The Blue Bus will take you back to the Hill St. and Thompson St. parking structures after the game. The post-game pick-up location and time are TBD.

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Football Game Parking & Transportation

FootballRide Gameday Shuttle

If you are attending the football game on Saturday and are NOT attending the MFamily Tailgate, we strongly recommend utilizing the FootballRide Gameday Shuttle service offered by Ann Arbor's public transit system to get to the game.

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 approximately 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 ($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 buy 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. To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit TheRide's Event Services webpage.

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 U-M athletic department provides football gameday parking information to the public, including which lots offer Day-of-Game parking paid onsite, ADA accessible parking, and parking for large vehicles such as RVs. 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.

Please note that sales are cashless at Michigan Athletics parking lots, University of Michigan parking lots, and City of Ann Arbor parking lots on gamedays. 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 also sell parking spaces in their driveways, lawns, and parking lots. Prices vary, and sales can be cash only or cashless. Cars may be blocked in at these locations, so be prepared to accept this risk if you select 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 (78 total visitor spaces)
  • Located near the Michigan Union, directly behind the Student Activities Building 
  • Rate $2.50/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 two blocks north of the Michigan Union 
  • Rate $1.65/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 three blocks north of Michigan Union
  • Rate $1.65/Hour

Library Lane Parking Garage (319 S 5th Ave) 

  • Large parking structure 
  • Located next to the Ann Arbor District Library, about three blocks north of the Michigan Union 
  • Rate $1.65/Hour 
  • Discounted Rate After 3 PM Monday-Saturday: $5.00 daily rate (must exit by 6 AM the following day or standard rates apply)

Fourth & William Parking Garage (115 E William St)

  • Large parking structure 
  • Located about five blocks away from the Michigan Union
  • Rate $1.65/Hour 

Forest Avenue Parking Garage (650 S Forest Ave)

  • Large parking structure 
  • Located about five blocks away from the Michigan Union
  • Rate $1.65/Hour 

Palmer Drive Parking Structure (200 Washtenaw Ave) 

  • U-M faculty & staff parking structure with 240 visitor parking spaces 
  • Located on Palmer Dr from Washtenaw Ave, approximately a 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 $2.50/hour 

Parking Meters 

  • Parking meters provide convenience, but empty spaces can be challenging to find 
  • Meters are enforced Monday-Saturday, 8 am-6 pm unless otherwise stated on the meter or central pay station 
  • Rate $2.50/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 and staff structures are open for visitor parking. Additionally, structures usually reserved for University staff only (such as Thayer St. or Fletcher St.) are generally open to the public for a fee during performances at the University’s theaters. 

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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. Students, faculty, and staff have unlimited free access.
     
  • Amtrak – The Amtrak Station is located at 325 Depot St, 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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Hotel Information

Limited hotel Blocks have been secured in Ann Arbor and the surrounding areas. For options within Ann Arbor, please visit Destination Ann Arbor. 

To access our reserved blocks in the surrounding areas, please use the booking link provided under each hotel listed below. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list, and you are welcome to explore additional accommodations as needed.

Availability is very limited and cannot be guaranteed for all guests during Parent & Family Weekend.


Courtyard by Marriott - Detroit Dearborn

DoubleTree by Hilton - Detroit Dearborn

Courtyard by Marriott - Detroit Downtown

Fort Pontchartrain Detroit, A Wyndham Hotel

Courtyard by Marriott - Detroit Livonia

  • Hotel blocks available Parent & Family Weekend 10/22/26 - 10/25/26
  • 17200 N Laurel Park Drive, Livonia, MI 48152
  • Booking Link for Parent & Family Weekend Block
  • Deadline to book at the discounted rate: Thursday, September 24, 2026

Courtyard Detroit Metro Airport

Hilton Garden Inn Plymouth



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