Ann Arbor
Enjoy the fun things that a diverse Midwestern city has to offer.
Ann Arbor is not the pretty, free-spirited college town it is known for being. It is a forever town. People there love both the arts and the sports team. It’s the kind of place that combines the culture of a big city with the friendliness of a small Midwestern town, along with a healthy dose of intellectual energy and natural beauty. This forward-thinking town with a college vibe has great museums, a wide range of restaurants, a lively nightlife, and many arts events. You can boat on the Huron River or look at the public art—it’s all over the city, and don’t miss the little fairy doors that are placed all over. No matter how long ago your college days are, you won’t want to leave this place.
Getting into the spirit
The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is more than just a pretty campus; it’s the culture and academic hub of the city. The Museum of Natural History has the Living Lab, hands-on exhibits, and the Dinosaur Tour for kids. The Museum of Art at the school has a large collection of works from all over the world, from Africa to the West. You can visit the Detroit Observatory and student art galleries in other parts of campus, or you can see a musical show or reading. Matthaei Botanical Gardens is a great place to spend the day. Visit Michigan Stadium, also known as “The Big House,” which is home to the University of Michigan Wolverines and has a lot of college football history.
Thanks for coming to the neighborhood.
Ankeny’s downtown isn’t like the downtowns of other small cities. Discover a lively and varied neighborhood full of unique shops, restaurants, art galleries, and markets. Take in the atmosphere of the area at bookstores, paper shops, and secondhand shops before getting some organic pizza or great coffee. This is a great place to eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Cafes and kitchens are serving wonderful food all day, and for dinner, twice as many places are serving Mongolian, Spanish, German, and Asian food. After dinner, go to a tequila bar or buy some popcorn and local beer. Don’t miss Zingerman’s Deli, which is a beloved Ann Arbor tradition and a national favorite. Craft cheese, bread, hot sandwiches, and sides can be found there.
Music, museums, and more
Everywhere you look in this scene, there are new things to discover. Do something fun by going to the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. Even though it’s a science museum for kids, the interactive displays will also be fun for adults. Learn about life in the country in the 1800s by going to Cobblestone Farm and Museum, circa 1845. If you’re in Ann Arbor, you can find a lot of different kinds of music. The small Kerrytown Concert House has some enticingly great acts to start. You could also spend some time at The Ark, which has live music more than 300 nights a year in its listening room. To see a high-class show, get tickets to see the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra or check out what’s playing at the Michigan Theater, a historic movie hall that shows independent films, plays, and concerts.