Whether you plan your trip ahead of time or decide to just browse around downtown for the day, a visit to the arts-and-culture-loving city of Ann Arbor will inspire you, encourage you and probably tire you out! Less than an hour drive from Flint and proud home of the University of Michigan, the city is bursting with things to do for people of all ages. Hundreds of restaurants and unique shops dot the city, in addition to world-class art and historical museums, fun outdoor adventures, great music and theatre venues, and exciting festivals and football games which bring thousands of people through the city and campus area each year. Accolades for Ann Arbor are well-deserved. It’s been named one of Best Midwest Food Towns in Midwest Living; America’s Best Main Streets in Fordor’s Travel; 25 Most Beautiful Cities in America by Budget Travel; Most Walkable Cities by Governing.com and 10 Coolest Cities in the Midwest by MSN Travel. My City Magazine presents to our readers a snapshot of what this energetic and creative city has to offer. You’re sure to find something fun to do in Ann Arbor!
Ann Arbor offers some refreshing choices for enjoying nature in and around the city. Visit Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Nichols Arboretum or a local nature center – or take a fun canoe trip down the Huron River. The city offers a total of 550 canoes, one and two-person kayaks, tubes and rafts for rental, and according to parks officials, around 70,000 visitors paddle the river each year. “We’re a busy operation,” says Recreation Supervisor Cheryl Saam. “You don’t need reservations. We make it super easy and affordable for everyone.”
Experience a little bit of magic and whimsical fun the next time you visit Ann Arbor. The city is famous for a series of miniature doors created on the exteriors of several cafes, storefronts and businesses in Downtown and the surrounding area. The first fairy door was “discovered” in a baseboard in the home of Jonathan and Kathleen Wright in 1993. While renovating the over 100-year-old home, Jonathan installed the door for his young daughters, another one in the fireplace and two in the kitchen. Jonathan, a certified fairyologist, has created a website about the doors – urban-fairies.com – and has also written a children’s book entitled Who’s Behind the Fairy Doors?
Ann Arbor has been described as a city with a small-town feel and where every corner plays a new song every day. With the hot summer months on the way, here are some top attractions you won’t want to miss.
From the casual fan to the most passionate Maize & Blue fanatic, what University of Michigan football follower has not fantasized about dashing through the Michigan Stadium tunnel and onto the field before standing in the “Block M” at the 50-yard-line to the roar of 109,000 Wolverines Faithful?
From just about anywhere in The Ark’s 400-seat auditorium, it feels a lot like you’re listening to a band of folk musicians jamming in your own living room. When the room darkens and the stage lights illuminate the performers leaning toward their microphones to begin, there’s no doubt you’re in for an incredible listening experience.
The Ann Arbor Civic Theatre has remained a beloved part of the theater community since 1929 when it began as a play-reading group. With increasing interest, the Civic Theatre developed further and began running full productions in the auditoriums of local public schools. Its operational space has changed over time, and it currently occupies space on Ann Street near Downtown for its office, rehearsal studio, set-building and storage, and 40-seat Studio shows.
Though the used book on your nightstand might have a creased binding and a few bent page-corners from prior handlers gripping it in suspense, the fact that its old and used probably doesn’t bother you because the story’s intact. Ann Arbor is home to several used book shops for either the casual paperback reader or the serious rare book collector.
A beloved Ann Arbor institution, Zingerman’s businesses attract thousands of visitors every year. It all began when Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig opened Zingerman’s Deli opened in 1982, in an historic building near the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market. “It was just the two of us and two employees,” says Ari. “We envisioned a really unique deli serving traditional Jewish food that would be a great place to work and a great place to eat.” Zingerman’s has now grown into a community of nine different businesses, 22 partners, three staff partners and 700 employees. Along with the deli are Zingerman’s Bake House, ZingTrain, Zingerman’s Catering & Events, Zingerman’s Mail Order, Zingerman’s Creamery, Zingerman’s Roadhouse, Zingerman’s Coffee and Zingerman’s Candy.
