The Top Things to Do in Ann Arbor, Michigan: Community, Cuisine, and Campuses
Ann Arbor is a city in (and the county seat of) Michigan’s Washtenaw County, and one of the most populous and recognizable cities in the state. It’s known famously as the home of the University of Michigan, but there’s a lot more to the story than that, including a wide range of delectable restaurants, unique shops, a charming main street, opportunities to be in the great outdoors, as well as day trips aplenty.
Downtown Ann Arbor. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
Ann Arbor is the sort of city where, if you only used its population size to guide yourself in all there might be to do there, you’d end up sorely mistaken about the sheer volume of opportunities there are here for meaningful exploration.
For starters, it’s a beautiful little city in Michigan, with several main streets that make you want to keep your camera close at hand, parks and outdoor activities aplenty, and, of course, it’s the home of the University of Michigan. Not unlike Kingston, Ontario (where you’ll find my alma mater, Queen’s University), the spirit of Ann Arbor is closely aligned with the university.
In practice, this means you’ve got a beautiful campus to stroll around, but perhaps more importantly, on a more macro level, it means there’s a playful and exploratory energy that permeates this city. Every street feels ripe for a festival to celebrate something, there are cool shops that appeal to a wide variety of interests, and the restaurants and bars are packed with individuals that either seem to be discussing something meaningful related to their studies, or doing precisely the opposite.
The main point here is that there’s an energy which makes visiting the city quite a treat. There are interesting and interested people everywhere and, to me, that’s a recipe for a place that’s very much worth visiting.
I may be too much of a long-winded poet at heart, but I also loved the idea that Ann Arbor was a sort of stage with which you could see how so many people can find meaning in one place. Students exploring their identity, professors helping young people on their paths, restaurant owners who have had a connection to this city for decades, and people who thought they were only staying here for four years, but who quickly realized that Ann Arbor was meant to be their home.
The city itself should be a central focus during your visit, but I’ll also mention some day trips from Ann Arbor that you may want to consider, because there’s an incredible amount to do around this part of the state, too.
A Bit More About Ann Arbor, Michigan
You’ll find Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, Michigan, and when thinking about the city in terms of the state, it’s generally around the 5th most populous city (with the most populous city being, of course, Detroit). Nowadays, the city is known for the University of Michigan, as well as its research and development sectors (and tourism, naturally), but it was originally founded back in 1824.
In 1837, the University of Michigan was established, and since then the stories of the city and the university have been indelibly linked. The city saw growth as a regional transportation hub, but experienced its first real surge in population towards the latter part of the 19th century.
Manufacturing became important as well, but on an identity level, Ann Arbor also started to become a headquarters for activist movements (and was actually home to the first “teach-in” against the Vietnam War). That makes sense to me—where there are strongholds of education, there is a natural propensity towards openly questioning and tackling ideas around both the basic tenants of morality and, well, humanity.
Geographically, you’ll find Ann Arbor located along the Huron River, which flows southeast through the city on its way to Lake Erie. The hills and valleys of the immediate area and surrounding region play a role in its natural beauty (and set up some mighty fine shots for photographers like Bri and me).
At its core, Ann Arbor is a place with a unique history and identity which points to the past, and an unmistakable insurgence of optimism, youth, and a focus on research, which also suggests it’s a city with its eye set firmly on the future.
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Where to Stay in Ann Arbor
Bri and I have taken two trips to Ann Arbor now, and we picked a different memorable spot to stay each time:
Family FRIENDLY & Unique: Weber’s Hotel
On our first visit we decided to stay a little off the main drag by basing ourselves at Weber’s Hotel, which is an ideal spot for families in particular because of the indoor pool and recreational activities on offer.
It was clean, the staff were friendly and accommodating, and the beds were comfy, so we were quite happy overall.
Central & Walkable: AC Hotel Ann Arbor
On our return trip in the summer we opted for a more central stay with friends at AC Hotel Ann Arbor Downtown. This hotel is in the perfect location if you’re looking to leave the car behind for most of your trip. The rooms are comfortable, and their on-site AC Hotel Lounge has some truly delicious cocktails. I’d highly recommend ordering their Milk Punch cocktail!
But of course you can feel free to use the map below to find the best option for your next trip to Ann Arbor.
What to Do on Your Trip to Ann Arbor
Explore the Magic of the University of Michigan Campus
There’s a lot to exploring the University of Michigan campus, and that’s largely a testament to how intimately connected the university is to the city, as well as the lengthy history of the school. As the school grew, so did the city. Here are a few ideas for how to explore the campus on your visit:
Begin at the Diag: This is the heart of Central Campus, a large open space surrounded by many of the university's oldest buildings. Here, you may want to visit the nearby Michigan Union.
Check Out the Law Quadrangle: Known for its stunning Gothic architecture, it's one of the most picturesque parts of campus, and if you’ve got a penchant for dramatic photography, this is the spot.
Pop into the University of Michigan Law Library: This is a beautiful library you can enter from the Law Quad. Like with all libraries on campus, it’s frequently used by students and photos aren’t allowed inside, but it’s incredible to see the stained glass windows, ornate wooden ceilings and moody academic lighting in person. The Hatcher Graduate Library is another impressive library to set eyes on.
Visit the University of Michigan Museum of Art: This museum has an impressive assortment of art and artifacts to appreciate, including a large collection of Picassos. They have rotating exhibits over several floors, plus they have several artifacts, pottery and sculpture from all around the world. A bonus of all of the university’s museums is they’re free to visit. We didn’t have the chance to visit, but you can also check out the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History.
Visit the Nickels Arcade at 99: It’s a collection of shops in a narrow, picturesque hallway, some of which have been around since the Arcade opened its doors in 1915. Not to miss while you’re here.
The North Campus is where you’ll find the Duderstadt Center and the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. I mention the latter because there are often performances and exhibits open to the public there.
If you can, I’d also recommend taking a tour of the iconic Michigan Stadium (known as “the Big House,” and for good reason). We took a tour here on a return trip with friends, and appreciated learning a little more about the stadium and the football team’s history. Unfortunately we weren’t able to go on the field during our tour, but that is possible sometimes!
Several years ago I actually attended The Winter Classic hockey game here between the Maple Leafs and the Red Wings, and it was one of the more memorable sports experiences of my life. I do know that some visitors who love golf also have the University of Michigan Golf Course circled to see if they can sneak in a round.
Finally, do not leave without visiting the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum (especially in the warmer months, of course). We actually grabbed a pickup lunch one day (from Zingerman’s, no less) and had a picnic here, then went for a hike, and took some pictures amongst the flowers. We’re huge fans.
Make Time for Kerrytown
If I were you, I’d do what we did, and plan your visit around spending time at the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market, which runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays (typically from 7 or 8am to 3pm). It’s a nice way to experience the city, and meet some of the local producers and vendors.
I’d then go and explore the Kerrytown Market & Shops. Instead of visiting any one particular place, I’d simply set aside an hour or so, and just see what catches your eye. It’s spread out over two floors in multiple connected buildings, so plan to wander and browse—Bri and I both walked away with a few things!
It’s a bustling neighbourhood in its own right, beyond the markets, so you may want to see what’s playing at the Kerrytown Concert House or, if you’re travelling as a family, consider popping by the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.
But the big thing for foodies is to make the pilgrimage to Zingerman’s Deli, an absolute Ann Arbor institution that’s known countywide for the their sandwiches in particular. We tried the Zingerman’s Rueben and the Binny’s Brooklyn Reuben with ample potato salad on the side, and loved it. Zingerman’s Next Door is their bagel, coffee and breakfast spot (and yes, it’s next door!) which is great for an earlier stop in Kerrytown.
There seems to always be something going on in Kerrytown, so keep an eye on what may be happening while you’re visiting. The best place for this? The Kerrytown Events Calendar.
You can’t miss a visit to Kerrytown when you’re considering things to do in Ann Arbor as far as I’m concerned.
Keep Your Eyes Peeled for Fairy Doors
Fairy doors. Fairy doors, everywhere. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
As you’re exploring downtown Ann Arbor, a fun game you can play (especially if you’re travelling as a family) is to keep your eyes open for the “urban fairy doors” that are present throughout the city.
The first one appeared in 1993, and since then countless doors have appeared throughout the city. Personally, Bri and I found ourselves just “happening” upon these fairy doors, but if you’re short on time and this is your thing, then I’d recommend this website to track the doors down.
The whole fairy doors idea in Ann Arbor, to me, is a nod to that aforementioned “playfulness” that I believe can be found in abundance in this city.
Try some local brews & Cocktails
Where there are universities, there will be craft beer and cocktails. Ann Arbor is actually home to a variety of places serving up local craft brews specializing in everything from lagers to sours, so you’re almost guaranteed to find the beer (or mead/liquor) that suits your palette. There are also several great spots for cocktails, too.
Here’s a list of spots you may want to have on your list if beer is your thing, located in and around the city:
Bill’s Beer Garden: Located in downtown Ann Arbor in an entirely outdoor space, this is a great spot to try a multitude of craft beers and other libations in town.
Biercamp: An excellent place to come and try local craft beers in a setting that feels like a cozy campground, plus their housemade sausages and loaded tater tots are incredible.
Arbor Brewing Company - Corner Brewery (Ypsilanti): A great spot to come with countless craft beers on their tap list.
The Last Word: A sister bar to Peridot (which also has great cocktails), this bar has an impressive cocktail list to choose from for a late night drink. They also have a moody, speakeasy-esque space, and live jazz on Thursday nights.
Spend Time on main Street, and in the Core of Ann Arbor
Main Street in Ann Arbor, and the streets connected to it, are just plain fun. For travellers like myself, who like to wander around a bit and play the role of observer while getting a sense for a city, it doesn’t get much better than this. Plus if you’re visiting between May and September, A2 Summer Streets happens from Thursday evenings to Sunday evenings, and several major streets downtown are closed off for pedestrians only—it’s the best!
For starters, keep your eyes open for street art (as well as those fairy houses). There’s a very artistic feel to this city if you’re looking to find it.
I walked up and down Main Street many a time, but if you’re tight on time, I’d start at Main and Liberty, then pop your head into some unique spots like Literati Bookstore (my goodness I loved this place), as well as Vault of Midnight (which is a sort of heaven for those interested in the world of comics and graphic novels).
I’ll get to some dining recommendations just below, but many of the most noted dining spots are located around this area. If you’re looking for a great cup of coffee in a neat spot, check out Hyperion Coffee Co. I was actually reading the book Hyperion (by the legendary Dan Simmons) while I was in Ann Arbor. Travel, as I’ve always said, has this way of increasing your chances of seemingly impossible coincidences.
Speaking of coffee, in the core you’ll also want to have RoosRoast Coffee on your radar, but if you have the time, definitely check out RoosRoast Liberty, as well.
Towards the end of your exploration of the core, I’d also recommend treating yourself to a pint at Bill’s Beer Garden, and then treating yourself even further with a little ice cream at Blank Slate Creamery.
Catch Live Jazz at the Blue LLama
Ken Kozora Quartet performs at the Blue LLama Jazz Club. Photo Credit: Bri Mitchell
The Blue LLama Jazz Club and Restaurant is the perfect place to come with a group of friends or for a memorable date night in Ann Arbor. They line up a variety of jazz ensembles and soloists most Wednesdays to Sundays each week. You could visit multiple times a month, and have a completely different experience each time!
During our visit we caught a set by Ken Kozora Quartet. Their sound was unique, they played no less than thirty instruments (many of which I’d never heard of!) and kept the whole room engaged and entertained all night with their mix of Classical and Electronic numbers.
It was a truly impressive evening of music, and our friends Scott and Megan of Bobo & Chichi, Bri and I were all amazed. You can just come to enjoy the show (and possibly a few cocktails—great martinis here!), or make a reservation for dinner.
Ride the Argo Cascades
Scott and me ready to ride the Cascades. Photo Credit: Bri Mitchell
The travelingmitch + Bobo & Chichi friends’ trip to A21. Photo Credit: Scott Herder
This is a favourite local summer activity in Ann Arbor that’s easy for visitors to enjoy, too.
The Argo Cascades is a series of nine manmade cascades on the Huron River that feels a lot like visit a snow tubing park—it’s essentially a well-organized run of cascades and pools, and once you reach the end, you take the walking path back to the top to ride them again and again! I didn’t really know what to expect and envisioned the walk being long, but it’s only about a five-minute walk back up to the top.
Start by heading to the Argo Park Livery. If you’re driving, you can park here (but it gets busy on weekends!), and then walk over to the Argo Park Canoe & Kayak building to rent tubes and lifejackets. The staff will explain where to go to ride the cascades, and then you can get down to business.
A few tips and notes before you go:
Wear a bathing suit, or clothes you plan on getting wet. There are change rooms on site, and lockers, too if you need them.
Bring water shoes or waterproof sandals that strap on, as you’ll lose any other footwear. Same goes for hats or waterproof bags—whatever you bring, make sure it can be strapped to you or your canoe.
The pools are somewhat shallow, but with rushing water knowing how to swim is a must. There’s a risk of falling out of the tubes (we all fell out a few times!), so you want to make sure you know what to do in the water—a lifejacket is never enough for those who can’t swim.
This was such a fun way to cool off on our summer visit to the city! It’s always great to be able to do what the locals do as a visitor.
Grab a bite to eat in Ann Arbor
There is no shortage of innovative and enticing dining options when it comes to Ann Arbor, and it was awfully nice to see the restaurants packed there while we were visiting. Not packed in a way that makes it impossible to get a table, but rather packed in a way that ensured that most restaurants had their own respective buzz.
Here are some options to consider:
Fleetwood Diner: A small, throwback diner with an iconic neon sign downtown. Inside is covered top to bottom in stickers, and their “Hippy Hash” is a breakfast staple. This is the perfect place to come for a quick bite to eat with diner vibes.
Peridot Ann Arbor: A Vietnamese fusion restaurant that stole our hearts enough that we ended up writing a full article about it, unto itself. We’ve now visited twice, and have loved both experiences. Such a treat.
Biercamp: I’ve mentioned it for craft beer, but think of your friend’s backyard with the grill fired up, and that’s what you’ve got. Their house made sausages are delicious, as are their loaded tots.
Zingerman’s Delicatessen: We mentioned it up above as well when writing about Kerrytown, but it’d be a mistake to come all the way to Ann Arbor and to not stop by. Note that there’s typically a bit of a wait. We went and took a ticket, then explored the market across the street, and came back 45 minutes or so later to grab our sandwiches.
Pacific Rim by Kana: Creative dishes blending flavors from across Asia, such as miso-glazed black cod and Korean-style short ribs.
Sava’s: A popular spot for brunch, offering a variety of dishes from classic eggs Benedict to inventive breakfast tacos.
Mani Osteria & Bar: One of Ann Arbor’s best known restaurants. Wood-fired pizzas, homemade pastas, and a lively atmosphere.
The Chop House: Nothing says “I’m celebrating a special occasion” like prime cuts of beef and a very extensive wine list (with no shortage of bold reds).
The Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant: All you can eat platters (with that classic Ethiopian emphasis on sharing from the same plate), honey wine, and excellent tea.
Aventura: Tapas-style dining with a variety of small plates, innovative cocktails, and a vibrant ambiance.
Take a Half-DaY Trip to Dexter or Ypsilanti
Lovely little Dexter, Michigan. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
Depot Town in Ypsilanti. Photo Credit: Bri Mitchell
Ann Arbor is nice a place to base yourself as, as it evidenced by this article, there’s plenty to do, but there’s also some great spots nearby that are only a short drive:
One of our favourites was Dexter, Michigan. For one, the downtown core is pleasant as can be, there’s some unique history here, and the Hudson Mills Metropark offers some excellent hiking and biking trails along the Huron River. They also have a classic A&W there where they still deliver your meal to your car!
Another staple is Ypsilanti (or “Ypsi”, as most people call it), which is known for its historic main streets and vintage and antique shopping. Start by heading to Depot Town at East Cross Street and North River Street. East Cross has beautiful building facades, a historic clock and a ton of vintage shops like Apple Annie’s Vintage. Then, head downtown on Michigan Avenue and make sure you pop into Salt City Antiques.
Beyond Dexter and Ypsi, you can also visit places like Chelsea, Hell, Saline, Milan, Manchester, and the big one, of course, would be Detroit, which is only about a 45 minute drive away.
What Else Should You Consider Doing on Your Visit to Ann Arbor?
At travelingmitch, we try to put in that extra effort for our readers, and that’s what this last section is all about. Here are some other ideas for you to round out your itinerary when you’re visiting Ann Arbor.
Visit the Michigan Theater to watch a film or live performance. We weren’t able to see a show while we were there (next time!), but I’ve heard wonderful things about how they restored this historic theatre! They also have a special fairy door out front.
If you’re looking for some late night fun with friends or on a date night, head down to East Liberty Street. Start by heading to Pinball Pete’s for arcade games (it’s two floors—their basement is filled with pinball machines and they even have Skee-Ball!) and then pop over to Potobox to take some fun Korean-style photo booth pictures.
Take note of events going on in the city. People think first of the Ann Arbor Art Fair, the Summer Festival, of perhaps Taste of Ann Arbor, but there’s always something that’s on the horizon here. There was a vintage car show during A2 Summer Streets on our last visit!
Take a nature walk in North Bay Park on Ford Lake near Ypsi. They have a beautiful 2km boardwalk path and trail loop where you’ll spot plenty of birds, turtles and fish as you walk past the shallow waters of the lake.
Catch some live music or stand up comedy, at The Ark, The Blind Pig or the Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase. There are plenty of concert and live music listings in the city, and the Comedy Showcase space is well worth checking out to see local comedians and some who come from further away.
If sports are your thing (ie. you had a visit to the Big House on your radar), you may also want to consider checking out a basketball game at the Crisler Center, or a hockey game at the Yost Ice Arena. The Michigan Wolverines seem to be able to put forth a top-tier team, regardless of the sport, though are known in particular (at least for the moment) for their football and hockey squad.
Families may want to have the Leslie Science & Nature Center and Domino’s Farms Petting Farm on their radar.
If you’re a lover of the outdoors, and especially if you love a little paddling, Gallup Park is a must for you. It’s a little under 70 acres, and it’s beloved by locals and visitors alike.
Ann Arbor Awaits!
Main Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
What’s neat about Ann Arbor is that we have spent some dedicated time here exploring what makes the city special, and yet after two trips we still have a lot on our list for the next visit. I swear their tourism slogan should be, “there’s always something going on in Ann Arbor.” Really though, when it’s winter, there are always events to celebrate, and when it’s fall, well then it’s all about snapping photos of that stunning fall foliage.
All that to say, it’d be a mistake to think that the summer is the only time to visit. It’s a year round destination that knows how to celebrate any time of year, and ensure there’s always something to do for visitors.
We left the city feeling genuinely impressed, and I think that’s mostly a reflection of the unique vibe they’ve created here. Because of the presence of the university, and a myriad of other factors, there really isn’t another place quite like Ann Arbor, and that makes visiting (and exploring) a true treat.
I have a feeling we’ll be back again before too long, and can only hope an article like this serves you well in your own adventures, and also serves as a kind reminder that, with cities like Ann Arbor, there’s always more than meets the eye.
We want to humbly thank Destination Ann Arbor for hosting us as media. All opinions are completely our own.