Accommodations In Ann Arbor
The Graduate Hotel
Surprisingly, there are very few hotels in the heart of Ann Arbor. However, I have had great experiences at the Graduate Ann Arbor. Graduate Hotels owns over 30 hotels in college towns across the United States styled with collegiate-inspired decor. The Graduate Ann Arbor is pet friendly and features a coffee bar, cocktail lounge, and fitness center. Click here for rates and to book!
Bell Tower Hotel
Another great accommodation is the Bell Tower Hotel. The Bell Tower Hotel is a family-owned local business. Located in the heart of the Universitys campus and within walking distance to restaurants, stores, theaters, and more, this hotel is an excellent option. Additionally, the hotel offers a delicious complimentary breakfast, meeting rooms, and exceptional customer service.
AirBnbs
Although I have never stayed in an AirBnb in Ann Arbor, a quick search showed many options. As always, I recommend thoroughly reading reviews and talking with the host before booking.
Well, there you have it! I hope you found my recommendations for the best things to do in Ann Arbor, Michigan to be helpful. Ann Arbor is such a great little city, and one that makes the perfect weekend destination.
If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below! And dont forget to follow us on Instagram, .
Paddle Down The Huron River
If you’re looking to get out on the water, a tour down the Huron River via kayak, canoe or paddleboard is the adventure for you. The Huron River is a calm waterway with a few riffles and sections of drops and pools fun for both beginners and watersports enthusiasts. Argo and Gallup Park Canoe Liveries are open every day from 10 a.m. 7 p.m. through the last week in October and the river makes for a beautiful scene when surrounded by snowy banks in the winter.
Border To Border Biking Trails
Using a bicycle in the city is great for transportation.
However, if youre looking for a more natural landscape, or even off-road biking, there are lots of parks in the surrounding areas that make great biking locations.
The Border-to-Border Trail has over 40 miles of non-motorized pathways for long-distance biking .
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Ann Arbor Lillie Park
Ann Arbor
This is one of the most attractive and fun places in Ann Arbor.
Ann Arbor Lillie Park is a Park with a lake, 2 ponds, a boardwalk, sports fields plus asphalt, wood-chip, and limestone trails.
This is a perfect place to spend your holiday either with your family, friends or alone. There are lots of different fun things to do in the park.
There is a picnic area with tables, and this place is perfect for a reunion or gathering.
Furthermore, there are different trails where you can walk or run.
The playground is beautiful and a safe place for kids to play.
There is also a large grassy area where you can play and run around. Besides, it is a good spot for those that wish to picnic in the local way by sitting on the grass.
You can fish in the river. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and bird watching.
You will certainly enjoy your stay in the park. Dogs are also allowed in the park, therefore, your dogs can accompany you whenever you want to hike.
Make sure you visit Ann Arbor Lillie Park whenever you are in Michigan or ensure you add it to the list of places you intend to visit.
Address: 4365 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, United States
Take The Family To The Creature Conservancy
The Creature Conservancy is a zoo that specializes in conservation and education. All of the resident animals are either rescues or are part of breeding programs for endangered species. Some of the resident animals include eagles, Mountain Lions, parrots, sloths, and so much more! The Creature Conservancy is open on Saturdays and Sundays or during the week if you make a reservation. This zoo also hosts lots of special events where you can see animals first-hand and learn all about them from experts!
The Creature Conservancy has also begun a special adults-only event on the first Friday of every month. This event features animal experts that provide more in-depth knowledge about some of the zoos animals.
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Public Golf Courses In Ann Arbor
Golf has long been a treasured pastime in Ann Arbor. Today, there are more than 20 different public golf courses in the city and throughout the surrounding area some of which have been hosting golfers for more than a century.
Some of the best public golf courses in Ann Arbor include:
- Leslie Park Golf Course
- U-M Golf Course
Fine Dining In Ann Arbor
Whether you live in Ann Arbor full-time or you are simply stopping by for a few days, you will find that theres always a reason to celebrate when you are in town.
Fortunately, there are many magnificent fine dining restaurants in the city, each of which offers a distinct atmosphere, a worldly menu, and exceptional service.
One of the most famous fine-dining restaurants in Ann Arbor is:
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Where To Stay In Ann Arbor
Bed and BreakfastOption. Ann Arbor Bed and Breakfast is close to city center and near Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and Crisler Arena. It features beautiful architecture including a terrace, and eye-pleasing grounds. And of course, breakfast!
Best Budget Option. Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ann Arbor is so frills but the price is right. Its highly rated and 2 miles from the University. Breakfasts is included here.
Wolverine-Ready. Graduate Ann Arbor is a great place to stay when visiting a student or catching a game, at just 3 blocks from the university. You wont be far from the many things to do in this piece.
# 3 University Of Michigan Museum Of Natural History
Located along 1109 Geddes Avenue, this 22,000 square feet facility is home to various collections of artifacts and specimens collected as early as the 1830s. This facility was founded in 1956. Some of the permanent exhibits housed in this natural history museum include the Anthropology Displays, the Geology Displays, the Hall of Evolution, and the Michigan Wildlife Gallery. Additionally, a planetarium and a Butterfly and Pollinator Garden are other exhibits in this museum.
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Areas & Neighborhoods In Ann Arbor
If the University of Michigan is responsible for imbuing Ann Arbor with its scholarly vibe, then Ann Arbor’s neighborhoods are responsible for its Midwestern charm. From the family-run delis lining Main Street to the Old World feel of the Old West Side, a stroll through Ann Arbor’s enclaves offer an illuminating look at a city shaped by millworkers, immigrants, and academics.
Main Street
A 45-minute drive lands you in the heart of Ann Arbor, where a bevy of mainstream and independent purveyors beckonfrom nostalgic record shops to outdoorsy athletic purveyors and swanky farm-to-table restaurants.
Kerrytown
As Main Street bleeds into Kerrytown, youll find Ann Streetthe thoroughfare Bob Seger crooned about in his 1976 hit single “Mainstreet.” Fresh-roasted coffee, handcrafted jewelry, and the Ann Arbor Farmers Market are all attractions that lure visitors to Kerrytowns tree-lined streets.
Old West Side
Gothic cottages and charming colonials dominate the scenery in Ann Arbor’s Old West Side, a residential neighborhood along the city’s western edge. Seasonal events like the late-May or early-June Children’s Festival and the Lurie Terrace Concert lend a community feel to this historically German locale.
Michigan Stadium Tours Ann Arbor Mi
The University of Michigans football facilities are legendary. Holding over 100,000 people, this place really gets rocking during the football season. See where all the history goes down by embarking on a Michigan Stadium Tour. The 60-90-minute tour includes: Michigan Stadium Field, Michigan Football Game Day Locker Room, Michigan Stadium Press Box, as well as the club and suite level.
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Kelsey Museum Of Archaeology
Richard Westlund / Shutterstock
You dont have to be Indiana Jones to appreciate the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology.
Its one of those Ann Arbor attractions that can be enjoyed by people from all walks of life due to its utter uniqueness!
For starters, its housed in a large, asymmetrical mansion made from jagged fieldstone and outfitted with old-school design elements befitting its Romanesque architecture style.
Inside, its packed with more than 100,000 artifacts from civilizations around the world visitors can walk among Greek coins, Iraqi pottery, Byzantine textiles, Roman brick stamps and Egyptian mummy masks.
The best thing about the museum, however, is its namesake: archeology.
It has very rare collections of things like excavation records and turn-of-the-century photos, and even if youre not an archaeology student, its hard not to be impressed by them.
Check out the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology if youre looking for fun and interesting places to visit in Ann Arbor.
Take a break from the movie theaters and shopping malls and get a little culture instead!
Address: 434 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
Treerunner Adventure Park West Bloomfield
With zip-line trails, climbing platforms, and elevated bridges, TreeRunner Adventure Park West Bloomfield is a forest recreation center located 40 minutes from Ann Arbor. They have top-notch obstacle courses through the trees with different levels for different skill sets.
The training session is brief and to the point, and they explain the harness and how to attach everything so well. As you move through each course for more challenging sections, it is easy to forget that your muscles are getting tired. It is a great outdoor activity that not only is fun but also involves a lot of problem-solving skills. Just when you think you cannot do it or fear sets in, you find a way and just go for it.
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Before You Leave The United States
Make sure to plan ahead:
- You tested positive for COVID-19.
- Do not travel until a full 10 days after your symptoms started or the date your positive test was taken if you had no symptoms.
If you had close contact with a person with COVID-19 but are NOT recommended to quarantine…
Ann Arbor Hill Auditorium
The University of Michigan
Do you love stage art or do you love to watch live shows? If so, you are in the right place if you are in Ann Arbor.
Ann Arbor Hill Auditorium is one of the most organized and the largest showroom in Ann Arbor.
There are different interesting shows to see in the Auditorium.
The place and its surrounding areas are always clean and well maintained.
The auditorium was to honor Arthur Hill, who served as a regent of the university from 1901 to 1909.
Furthermore, the staff are very friendly and helpful they are always available, so finding your seat will be easy with their help.
They have big parking spaces and different restaurants where you can get yummy meals.
About all, the tickets fee is relatively cheap.
It is apparent that you will love the place and there is a talent hunt show.
Ensure you visit whenever you are in Michigan because it is worth it and your fun experience is certain.
Address: 825 N University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
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Get Outdoors And Into Nature
- Leslie Science and Nature Center: A public area open year-round where you can get out on the trails and explore.
- Gallup Park: Located on the Huron River, youll find nature trails, walkways, bridges, playgrounds, places to kanoe, and more.
- Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nicole Arboretum: Beautiful gardens with exotic trees and plants to admire.
Ann Arbor Hands On Museum
The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is an interactive exhibit and family-friendly science center that has attracted around 6 million visitors since its inception in 1982. They aim to introduce children of all ages to STEM fields of study in a fun and interactive way. Popular exhibits in the museum include the water play area and the nature experience which features an interactive nature wall and geology samples.
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Experience History At The Gerald R Ford Presidential Library
History and politics take center stage at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum. This large library focuses on politics, foreign affairs, and domestic concerns during the Cold War era. Collections include photos, film, digital collections, and many curated documents not available elsewhere. A special exhibit highlights Betty Fords commitment to womens rights, childrens healthcare, and the arts. A visit is a great refresher on the people and events of this important time in history.
Sue Reddel and Diana Laskaris
Visit A Museum Or Theater
- University of Michigan Museum of Art: One of the largest university art museums in the country, it represents 150 years of art collecting. It is also free!
- University of Michigan Museum of Natural History: Both permanent exhibits and special exhibitions provide fun and memorable times for people of all ages. This museum is also free.
- Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum: Discover your inner scientist! Admission is $16/person and the experience is geared towards kids.
- Michigan Theater: Independent films, stage productions, and concerts take place at this Ann Arbor staple.
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The Creature Conservancy Ann Arbor Mi
With camps, birthday party events, and other activities, the Creature Conservancy is a space that provides guest a hands-on experience with some of the most incredible animals in the world! The resident animals are rescued or injured/non-releasable. The Creature Conservancy offers educational programs and private tours for guests to learn more about these amazing creatures.
Visit The University Of Michigan Museum Of Art
Ann Arbor is, first and foremost, a college town. The great University of Michigan specializes in science, so many of the local museums center on that subject. However, the University of Michigan Museum of Art is a special place where visitors can view a collection that spans 150 years! The museum has hundreds of permanent installations, as well as temporary exhibitions that change throughout the year.
If you want to learn more about the history behind each art piece, you can also scan a QR code on your phone to take a self-guided tour of the museum. Finally, there are always exciting events happening at the University of Michigan Museum of Art. Students from the University exhibit their own artwork or even engage in performance pieces, live readings, and so much more!
Best of all, the University of Michigan Museum of Art is entirely free to all visitors, so you can bring the whole family without worrying about your wallet!
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Free Things To Do In Ann Arbor
An escape to Ann Arbor need not cost a fortune. You won’t even need your wallet if you go to:
University of Michigan Museum of Art – Check to see if there are any major exhibits, displays or guided tours on at this popular museum.
Buhr Park – Treat the kids to a good time or let your own inner child run free this place just screams fun.
University of Michigan – If you’re an admirer of modern-style architecture, add this attraction to your to-do list.
Law Quadrangle – If you’re planning to explore the history of the region through its landmarks, mark this one down on your travel itinerary.
Gerald R. Ford Library – Widely renowned among the locals, this site is worth dropping by.
Nichols Arboretum – Prepare a picnic and enjoy a relaxing walk around the trees and shrubs.
Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck In Time
Four decades in the making and well worth the wait, literary maverick Kurt Vonnegut gets a doc worthy of his name
Jean-Jacques Annaud delivers a gripping blow-by-blow of the day Frances church went up in flames
Jordan Peele channels 50s sci-fi scares into another stylishly crafted and hugely entertaining modern horror
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Find All The Fairy Doors
Ann Arbor is also home to a unique and adorable scavenger hunt, which you can participate in throughout your entire vacation! Located throughout the city are dozens of little fairy doors, magical creations that are set into the walls of various shops, restaurants, and other buildings.
While youre shopping in Kerrytown, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for these delightful installments. Not only is this a fun game to play with children, but even adults can enjoy finding these whimsical little creations! The first fairy door was installed in 1993, and ever since then, people throughout the city have joined in on the fun. The fairy doors of Ann Arbor are a creative and unique community project that makes this town truly special.
Ann Arbor, Michigan is filled with culture, beautiful scenery, and nighttime entertainment. Theres something for everybody to enjoy in this wonderful city! Looking for other great vacations? Check out 10 Best Things to Do in Boston, Massachusetts.
