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Ann Arbor
Overview
Ann Arbor — often abbreviated as AA or A2 — is a picturesque city surrounding the University of Michigan. It has a strong bent toward the arts, and an attractive and pedestrian-friendly downtown. Visitors enjoy the city'
Wikivoyage guide · 45 sections
▸Introduction648 chars
Ann Arbor — often abbreviated as AA or A2 — is a picturesque city surrounding the University of Michigan. It has a strong bent toward the arts, and an attractive and pedestrian-friendly downtown. Visitors enjoy the city's wonderful sidewalk cafe dining, unique shops, lots of bookstores, and abundant cultural opportunities.
Ann Arbor is in Michigan 35 miles (56 km) north of the Ohio border and 45 miles (72 km) west of Detroit, near where the furthest exurban fringes give way to country and small towns. In 2019, the city had a population of about 120,000 people, and thousands of visitors come to town for football games and various festivals.
▸Understand1,754 chars
Ann Arbor is centered on the University of Michigan. The U of M campus intermingles with downtown, and the whole area is walkable, though day buses run between the campuses and the central business district. Toyota, General Motors, Ford, Thomson, Google, and Domino's have a major presence in the area. The university is well known for its medical school complex.
Farther out, the city fades into urban sprawl (a mall and business parks in the south), then countryside dotted with towns, and to the east, Detroit suburbs. Bus routes beyond the city limits, except in the direction of Ypsilanti, are lacking; you'll want a car or bike unless you have several hours to spare. On some autumn Saturdays, transport is difficult as 100,000-odd people pour in for university football games.
Ann Arbor, or Tree town, is, as one might expect, full of trees; they line the streets, and in summer from the air, or year-round in Google Earth, all that can be seen is a green swath with a few buildings sticking out. (In the early 20th century, after having leveled the forest that once occupied the area, the city instituted an aggressive tree-planting program that's since borne fruit.)
The city was founded in 1824 as "Annarbour", named after the two founders' wives (Ann Allen and Mary Ann Rumsey) and an arbor of burr oak trees on the village site (although some have theorized that the name arose from an arbor of roses or grapes).
Downtown is a solid block of restaurants and art galleries. The university hosts cultural events, and venues such as the Michigan Theater host first-run independent films and high-profile music groups. Several good independent bookshops are located here, and the Ann Arbor Art Fair draws over half a million visitors each summer.
▸Tourist information131 chars
Visit Ann Arbor website
1 Ann Arbor Convention and Visitors Bureau, 315 W Huron St, ☏ +1 734-995-7281, toll-free: +1-800-888-9487.
▸Climate699 chars
Like most of Michigan, summers can be hot and humid. In July and early-August it can hit high into the 90s with high humidity. Typical average heat indices in the summer are around 85 °F (29 °C) during the day and 64 °F (18 °C) at night, but heat indices occasionally hit 99 °F (37 °C) with 73 °F (23 °C) overnight lows. Winters are fairly normal for the lower Great Lakes region, which enjoys 4 seasons. It starts to be chilly in late October and it begins to warm up again in mid-March (but the occasional early April snowfall is not unheard of!) Average winter temperatures are generally in the range of 30 °F (−1 °C) and in January temps can dip below 20 °F (−7 °C), or even lower if it's windy.
▸By car754 chars
Ann Arbor is bounded by I-94 (between Detroit and Jackson) on the south and west, US-23 (between Flint and Toledo, Ohio) on the east, and M-14 (which leads to Detroit's western suburbs and I-96) on the north. From Toledo and other points south of Ann Arbor, take US-23 north; from Detroit, the airport, and points east, take I-94 west (or I-96 west to M-14 west); from Chicago and points west, take I-94 east; from the north, take US-23 south. There is ample paid parking downtown, but very little is on the curb (most is in parking garages). An option is to use the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) park and ride lots, which lie on the outskirts of Ann Arbor. There are five such lots with free parking around the city, and bus service to each.
▸By plane1,869 chars
The nearest major airport is Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW IATA), about 25 minutes away. The best way to get to downtown Ann Arbor is the Michigan Flyer (see below), but there are also several shuttle services (also below) that offer pre-booked trips for $30-35 one-way and $55-60 round-trip, with the cost per person decreasing as the size of the group increases, that will take you to any location in Ann Arbor and the surrounding areas. Uber will also pick up and drop off between Ann Arbor and Detroit airport, and can be much cheaper than a cab, $25-30 each way. There are quite a lot of airport shuttle services, but the following will give you a place to start:
A2 Area MetroRide, ☏ +1 734-709-1204, a2metroride.com@hotmail.com. Airport pickup is also available. Reservations advised. (updated Jan 2026)
AirRide. Operated by the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority. Fixed-route bus service, with advance reservations necessary. Serves Blake Transit Center in downtown Ann Arbor. Limited service, but much cheaper than other options. $12 one way.
Ann Arbor Airport Shuttle, ☏ +1 734-222-9400. 24-hr phone service. Reservations should be made at least one day in advance to acquire your preferred pick up time. 1 passenger is $32 one-way or $62 round-trip.
Michigan Flyer, toll-free: +1-888-643-5637. This is a scheduled coach service rather than a taxi service, and so is significantly cheaper. Drops you off at the Blake Transit Center. $22 round-trip.
1 Ann Arbor Airport (ARB IATA) (intersection of State Street and Ellsworth Road), ☏ +1 734-994-2841, airport@a2gov.org. A small 24-hour airport that handles business, corporate, public and private flights, air ambulance service, flight instruction and charter services. (updated Apr 2016)
Metro Quick Pick Car Service, ☏ +1 734-218-1883. $59 round-trip cash ($59 credit card).
▸By train1,202 chars
2 Ann Arbor station, 325 Depot St. Daily 7AM-midnight; ticketing is available from 7:15AM-11:30PM. The station is within walking distance of downtown, just beyond the Kerrytown district. You can also take bus route 1 to downtown, and there are usually taxis waiting outside the station. (updated Oct 2023)
Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates train service around the United States. (updated Mar 2022) Route serving Ann Arbor:
Wolverine Service operates daily several times between Pontiac and Chicago including stops along the way in Troy, Royal Oak, Detroit, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, Jackson, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Niles, and New Buffalo. There are three westbound and three eastbound departures daily. Detroit is about 1 hour away by train, and costs $10 – 15 one-way. The train is about 4 hr 45 min from Chicago, and usually costs between $25 and $50 one-way. The train from Chicago generally arrives 15 minutes to half an hour behind schedule. There are many train connections in Chicago.
Amtrak also runs thruway bus connections to the Toledo station for connections further east on the Lake Shore Limited (Boston & New York) and the Capitol Limited (Washington DC).
▸By bus924 chars
Greyhound, Amtrak Station, Ann Arbor (Amtrak Station, 325 Depot St), ☏ +1 734-662-5511. M-F 9AM-6PM, Sa Su 9AM-4:30PM. The bus station is at the Amtrak Station. Detroit is a little over 1 hour away via bus; a one-way ticket costs $7–8, round-trip is $13–15. Chicago is 5 to 6½ hours away; a one-way ticket is $34–37, round-trip is $65–70. (Tickets booked in advance are much cheaper.). (updated Jan 2022)
Michigan Flyer, toll-free: +1-888-643-5637. Bus service from Detroit Metro Airport to East Lansing, MI via Ann Arbor. The main public transit connection between Michigan's two large state universities. Connects with the Ann Arbor Transit Authority 36 route at the Sheraton.
D2A2, ☏ +1-517-333-0400. Express bus service between Ann Arbor and Detroit.
Indian Trails, ☏ +1-989-725-5105. Bus service from the Blake Transit Center to St. Ignace via Jackson, Lansing, Mt. Pleasant, Gaylord, Petoskey, and Mackinaw City.
▸Get around511 chars
Downtown Ann Arbor is not large, so it's easy to get around just by walking. In fact, free parking is almost nonexistent, especially when the town is full of students, so you'll probably prefer to walk anyway. Occasionally you'll find an unused parking meter; you'll have to feed it money between 8AM-6PM on weekdays and Saturdays, otherwise they're free. There are parking lots and buildings scattered around downtown; they're free on Sundays, otherwise you can generally expect to pay 80 cents to $1 per hour.
▸By bus714 chars
3 Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA), 331 S Fourth Ave, ☏ +1 734-973-6500, +1 734-996-0400. M-F 6:30AM-11:30PM, Sa Su 8AM-7PM, depending on the route.. Provides bus service in and around Ann Arbor and downtown Ypsilanti. Adult fares for regular AATA routes are $1.50 each way (free for U-M faculty, staff and students), and the Link is free to ride. (updated May 2010)
University of Michigan Buses. Most commonly used by students traveling between the different campuses to and from classes, run on weekday (full) and weekend (reduced) schedules year-round, except for Thanksgiving day Thursday and Friday, Christmas day, and New Year's day. The routes connect the North, Central, and South campuses. Free.
▸By taxi627 chars
Ann Arbor has several reliable 24-hour taxicab companies. You can't hail a cab from the sidewalk, although there are certain spots in town where they often hang out waiting for passengers, notably in front of the Michigan Union on State Street, and the Federal Building on Liberty Street. Uber and Lyft both have a large presence in Ann Arbor and are often far cheaper than a traditional taxi, especially off-peak
A2 Area MetroRide Taxi Service, ☏ +1 734-709-1204, a2metroride.com@hotmail.com. Airport pickup also available. Advance reservations advised.
Ann Arbor Yellow Cab Company, ☏ +1 734-272-8009. (updated Jan 2026)
▸See5,646 chars
1 Downtown Ann Arbor. Most of the shops and restaurants line State, Liberty, and Main streets, with the quality becoming more upscale as you approach Main. The other popular student hangouts are along South University street. A few blocks north of downtown is the historic Kerrytown district, full of remodeled old homes and pleasant shopping.
2 Michigan Theater, 603 E Liberty St, ☏ +1 734-668-8397, +1 734-668-TIME (8463). A restored 1928 cinema, complete with two organs, one of them a vintage 1927 pipe organ. The theater shows mainly independent and foreign films, with special classic-film showings throughout the year. The organ is often played before performances, and during the Michigan Theater's special silent-film showings. The main auditorium also hosts other events throughout the year, particular musical groups and comedy shows, many fairly well-known.
3 State Theater, 233 S State St, ☏ +1 734-761-8667. An art-deco cinema from 1942, the State Theater works in conjunction with the Michigan Theater, and often plays films that have stopped showing at the Michigan.
4 The Ark, 316 S Main St, ☏ +1 734-761-1451. A nonprofit, intimate music club with 400 seats, which usually hosts folk/rock performers. Private club liquor license (membership required for liquor purchase).
5 Michigan Stadium (The Big House), 1201 S Main St. Nicknamed the "Big House", the U-M stadium is the largest football stadium in America, with a seating capacity of 109,901. Home games are played in autumn on the well-known "Football Saturdays", when thousands of visitors clog the Ann Arbor streets to watch the Wolverines (or their opponents) play. (updated Nov 2018)
6 The University of Michigan Law School Quadrangle (on South University Street between State Street and Tappan Street). The Law School's "Quad", nationally renowned for its serene environment and beautiful Gothic-style architecture, is just south of the center of campus. Built in the early 20th century, the Quad consists of Hutchins Hall — the main law school building — the reading room and the U-shaped Lawyer's Club. The reading room (open to visitors) is an enormous cathedral-like building with stained glass windows featuring the colors of major universities in the US and around the world. The underground law library is naturally lit by enormous windowed shafts just beyond the Quad. The Quad is a grassy open space ringed by trees and seasonal flower beds. During the warmer seasons, students relax and toss the ball around, or sit and study in the Quad, making it an integral part of the Law School. Many locals consider the Law Quad to be the most beautiful part of Ann Arbor.
▸Public art2,320 chars
Ann Arbor has a number of public sculptures and murals that can be viewed both on campus and downtown. Of these, several are particularly well-known:
13 The Cube, Maynard Street and E Jefferson Street (Regents Plaza north of the Michigan Union). A 15-foot-tall (5 m), 2400-lb glossy black cube created by Tony Rosenthal; there's a similar one in the East Village of New York City. The Cube spins on its axis when pushed. Although Tony Rosenthal cubes often appear identical, the late artist always varied design elements on each of his cubes. Alamo has a distinctive curve element whereas Ann Arbor is more geometric.
14 The Wave Field, Hayward Avenue (in the courtyard outside the Francois-Xavier Bagnoud building). Created by Maya Lin, the Wave Field is an earth sculpture, 90 feet (27 m) by 90 feet (27 m) square, consisting of a series of fifty grass waves in eight rows.
15 Alley mural, E Liberty Street, by the Liberty Square parking structure. The alley mural began as a one-man project in the 1980s and became a popular spot for graffiti artists. The city took the spot over in 1999 by hiring artist Katherine Tombeau Cost to paint over the original mural and graffiti with a new 5,000-square-foot (460 m2) mural. The graffiti artists haven't entirely relinquished their claim to it, meaning that Cost's mural has been partially defaced with large bubble lettering, but it's still an interesting (and out-of-the-way) sight. Be sure to seek out the "trippers'" bubble gum wall toward the back. During warmer weather, you'll often find musicians or dancers putting on solo performances in the alley entrance, hoping to glean donations.
16 Bookstore mural (corner of E Liberty Street and S State Street). Painted in 1984, when the corner location was still occupied by David's Books, this mural depicts the five authorial visages of Woody Allen, Edgar Allan Poe, Herman Hesse, Franz Kafka, and Anaïs Nin.
Painted fixtures, throughout downtown. Fire hydrants and transformers, painted in bright colors by local artists and schoolchildren.
Fairy Doors, throughout downtown. Keep your eyes near the ground for fairy doors-- miniature colorful doors through which fairies can enter local businesses. According to Jonathan B. Wright of urban-fairies.com, the doors began appearing around town in the early 1990s.
▸Parks and gardens1,782 chars
Ann Arbor has 147 city parks, ranging from less than a block wide to over 100 acres (40 hectares). Some of the more prominent ones include:
17 Nichols Arboretum, 1610 Washington Heights, ☏ +1 734-647-7600. 8AM-8PM. "The Arb" comprises 123 acres (50 hectares) of hilly woodland along the Huron River, with collections of North American plants interspersed throughout. Peony garden, prairie, constructed wetland and Appalachian plant collection. At night you can see all of Ann Arbor from the top of the hill. (updated Nov 2023)
18 Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N Dixboro Rd, ☏ +1 734-647-7600. The grounds are open daily from 8AM-dusk. Conservatory and gift shop open Tu & Th-Sa 10AM-4:30PM, W 10AM-8PM, closed Mondays. A 300-acre (120 hectares) site with outdoor display gardens, a 10,000 square feet (930 m2) conservatory filled with tropical plants, and miles of nature trails. Free (gardens), $5 (conservatory, but free on Fridays from noon-4:30PM). (updated Nov 2023)
19 Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller Rd, ☏ +1 734-662-9319. A 69-acre (28 hectares) park along the Huron River and Geddes Pond, and Ann Arbor's most popular recreation area. Walkways with pedestrian bridges over the water, two playgrounds, picnic areas, open fields, over 3 miles (4.8 km) of asphalt trails. Canoe, kayak and paddleboat rental (canoes can also be taken from the Argo Park livery, 1055 Longshore Drive, +1 734-668-7411, to the Gallup livery).
20 Buhr Park, 2751 Packard St, ☏ +1 734-971-3228. A 39-acre (16 hectares) park with picnic areas, children's play area, softball diamond, soccer fields, outdoor tennis courts, 25-yard (23 m) swimming pool, children's wading pool, outdoor ice arena for public skating and ice hockey, cross-country ski center, and snowmobile trails. Skate rentals available.
▸Museums2,301 chars
21 Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, 220 E Ann St, ☏ +1 734-995-5439. Nine galleries with more than 250 interactive science demos and exhibits, on topics from physics to health to nature to mathematics. Kids will like it a lot; adults will be fairly entertained. $9 (donations gratefully accepted).
22 Cobblestone Farm Museum, 2781 Packard St, ☏ +1 734-994-2928, +1 734-973-7267. Tours offered 10AM-1PM on the last Saturday of the month, beginning in May. On-site gift shop open during tours or by appointment. An 1845 two-family home, notable for its façade made of cobblestones in herringbone rows, now restored and interpreted to give a view of past rural life in Washtenaw County. $2.
23 Kempf House, 312 S Division St, ☏ +1 734-994-4898. Tours offered 1PM-4PM on Sundays, September through December and March through June, or by appointment. A restored Greek Revival house museum from 1853; once home to Reuben and Pauline Kempf, prominent Ann Arbor musicians, now offering guided tours and a glimpse into Victorian life in Ann Arbor. $1.
24 Leslie Science Center, 1831 Traver St, ☏ +1 734-997-1553. Park open daily sunrise to sunset; Critter House open Su noon-3PM. 50 acres (20 hectares) of fields, woods and prairie, featuring outdoor, hands-on and discovery-based educational programs. Features an environmentally-friendly Nature House; a Critter House with frogs, turtles, snakes, and rabbits; live birds of prey, including owls, falcons, kestrels, hawks, vultures, and a bald eagle; and a mile-long trail through the Black Pond Woods. Free (donations gratefully accepted).
25 Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, 1000 Beal Ave, ☏ +1 734-205-0555, ford.library@nara.gov. M-F 8:45AM-4:45PM (closed Federal holidays). The Gerald Ford Library collects and preserves the papers from Gerald Ford's presidency, including over 20 million pages of memos, letters, and personal papers. The collection also includes photographs, videotapes, audiotapes, and film. While these materials are by appointment only, there are free exhibits in the lobby on the life of President and Mrs. Ford, as well as a 20-minute film, narrated by President Ford. The Library hosts free evening events - author talks and programs by notable individuals. Free.
26 Argus Museum, 525 West William St. Free. (updated Jan 2020)
▸Open to the public2,456 chars
27 University of Michigan Museum of Natural History (Exhibit Museum of Natural History), 1109 Geddes Ave, ☏ +1 734-764-0478. M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Exhibits on natural sciences and anthropology, including prehistoric life, Michigan wildlife, Native American and other cultures, and rock and mineral specimens. Free (donations gratefully accepted).
28 Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, 434 S State St, ☏ +1 734-764-9304. Tu-F 9AM-4PM, Sa Su 1PM-4PM, closed Mondays. Galleries featuring nearly 100,000 artefacts from Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Near Eastern civilizations. Free (donations gratefully accepted).
29 University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA), 525 S State St, ☏ +1 734-764-0395, +1 734-763-UMMA (8662). Building hours: daily 8AM-midnight; gallery hours: Tu-W 10AM-5PM, Th F 10AM-10PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Collections of African, American, Asian, European, and Middle Eastern art; modern and contemporary artwork; prints, drawings and photographs; and frequent rotating collections. Gift shop on-site. Free ($5 donation suggested).
30 University of Michigan School of Art and Design (Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design), 2000 Bonisteel Blvd, ☏ +1 734-764-0397. M-F 9AM-5PM. Exhibitions by art students and faculty in two galleries on North Campus: the Warren Robbins Graduate Center and the Slusser Gallery. Also check out their small downtown gallery "Work". Free.
31 Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry, 1011 N University Avenue (School of Dentistry, room G532). M-F 8AM-6PM. Over 10,000 artifacts focused on the history of dentistry, with particular interest in dental practice and technology in the United States and Michigan since the 18th century. Free.
32 Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments, 1100 Baits Dr, ☏ +1 734-764-0583. M-F 10AM-5PM. Housed in the School of Music, the Stearns Collection holds over 2500 pieces of historical and contemporary musical instruments from all over the world. Free.
33 Detroit Observatory, 1398 East Ann Street 48109, ☏ +1 734-764-3482, bentley.ref@umich.edu. The oldest astronomical observatory in Michigan and 2nd oldest building remaining on campus. Take a free tour of the observatory and learn how it set the stage for The University of Michigan to become a center of science and research. The telescopes at this observatory served to set time for the entire city and keep the trains running on schedule until the development of more reliable timepieces and telecommunications. free.
▸Closed to the public1,247 chars
Several of the university's collections are hosted by institutions that are primarily research-oriented, and so generally don't have exhibits on permanent display. However, it may be possible to arrange to view the collections through contacting the curators.
34 Herbarium, 3600 Varsity Dr, ☏ +1 734-764-2407, fax: +1 734-647-5719. Collections of algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms, monocots, dicots, fungi and lichens.
35 Museum of Anthropology, 610 E. University Avenue, ☏ +1 734-764-0485, fax: +1 734-763-7783. Archaeological collections of pottery, flaked and groundstone tools, animal bones, ethnobotanical and sediment samples, and accompanying field notes, site and survey maps, photographs, and other relevant documents and records; ethnographic collections of pottery, basketry, textiles, wood, and many other materials; and extensive photographic collections.
36 Museum of Paleontology, 1105 North University Ave, ☏ +1 734-764-0489, fax: +1 734-936-1380. Collections of paleobotany, micropaleontology, invertebrate paleontology and vertebrate paleontology.
37 Museum of Zoology, 3600 Varsity Drive, ☏ +1 734-764-0476, fax: +1 734-763-4080. Collections of birds, fishes, insects, mollusks, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
▸Do3,758 chars
Michigan Wolverines, ☏ +1 734-764-0247. Ann Arbor is a college town, and this fact is perhaps no more prevalent than on game day (particularly football where the stadium fills to the largest capacity in the entire nation). UM has one of the most accomplished and competitive athletic programs in the nation. No visit is complete without taking in at least one Michigan sporting event. The football program has won more games in its history than any other Division I FBS program, and sells out every game at "The Big House", capacity 109,901. The men's ice hockey program is a national powerhouse, winning an NCAA record 9 national championships, and packing a boisterous 6,377 sellout crowd into historic Yost Ice Arena. Michigan also has a strong tradition in men's basketball, swimming, baseball, softball, field hockey, gymnastics, cross country and track. Other teams include women's basketball, golf, men's and women's lacrosse, rowing, soccer, diving, tennis, volleyball, water polo, and wrestling.
1 Blue Karaoke, 3500 W Liberty St, ☏ +1 734-302-3673. M-Th 6PM-4AM, F-Sa 5PM-5AM, Su 5PM-4AM. 9 private, sound-proofed rooms for groups of 2-30. Over 10,000 song selections in seven different languages. Reservations encouraged, especially for larger parties and weekend nights. $35-100 per hour.
2 Planet Rock, 82 Aprill Dr, ☏ +1 734-827-2680. M-W F 3-10PM, Th 3-11PM, Sa 11AM-8PM, Su 10AM-6PM. Over 22,000 sq ft (2,000 m2) of climbing terrain, with 50-ft (15 m) walls, a motorized climbing wall, three bouldering areas and adventure racing including rappelling. Day passes $15, climbing lessons $39-50.
Canoeing. Popular in the area through the Huron-Clinton Metroparks.
Kensington Beach. 20 minutes north of Ann Arbor.
3 Play the Bells in the Tower at Kerrytown, 407 N Fifth Ave (Next door to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market), ☏ +1 734-369-3107. Sa 10:30AM, W F noon. Play the charming melodies of the Kerrytown Chime — a seven ton, world class musical instrument made up of 17 bells in a tower. Choose from over 100 songs. Play by number. Kerrytown Market and Shops is one of the only places in the world where such an instrument is accessible to the public. It is easy and tons of fun for all ages. Free.
4 Ann Arbor Ice Cube, 2121 Oak Valley Dr, ☏ +1 734-213-1600. With three permanent indoor ice rinks under one roof, this is the perfect place to practice your hockey or figure skating skills, or just go for recreational skating.
5 University of Michigan Yost Ice Arena, 1000 South State St, ☏ +1 734-764-4600, fax: +1 734-764-4597, yostice@umich.edu. Home to the university's collegiate ice hockey teams. Also specializes in hockey and figure skating programs for the general public.
▸Events6,107 chars
8 Ann Arbor Film Festival, 203 E Ann St, ☏ +1 734-995-5356. Held during six days in late March at the Michigan Theater (603 E Liberty Street). The oldest festival of its kind in North America, showcasing over 100 independent and experimental films and videos annually, since 1963. Over 20 prizes are awarded to the best films. Passes are available for single screenings, single days, weekends or the entire week.
University Musical Society, ☏ +1 734-764-2538. The University Musical Society annually presents a series of concerts by world-renowned artists at Hill Auditorium, the Power Center, the Michigan Theater, or Rackham Auditorium. Price varies according to performance.
Hash Bash, University of Michigan Diag near State St and N University St. Held the first Saturday in April. The Hash Bash began when poet John Sinclair was jailed for marijuana possession, leading John Lennon and Yoko Ono to headline a protest rally in Ann Arbor in 1971. Beginning in 1972, it became an annual event to commemorate the occasion and support the reform of marijuana laws. The Hash Bash is a gathering point for thousands of cannabis aficionados from all around, with guest speakers in the Diag attracting large crowds. Given the nature of the event, you probably will see people smoking marijuana; those who do light up tend to take advantage of the difference in fines between the town ($25) and the university ($100 and possible jail time), which basically means that your punishment depends on which side of State Street you stand on. Vendors sell everything from hemp bracelets to "glass art" (actually pipes and bongs, but who's quibbling?), bongo drums are played, and people-watching can be an event in itself.
Naked Mile, University of Michigan campus. Once held in mid-April at midnight on the last day of classes. A tradition at the University of Michigan which began in 1986, in which hundreds of students — traditionally graduating seniors, although in practice there's a broader spread — ran across campus naked, while spectators cheered them on, to celebrate the end of the school year. Although it is illegal, it was tolerated by local police until 1998, when they began attempting to strongly discourage continuation of the Naked Mile, fueled in part by concerns over outsiders videotaping the event and selling the recordings online. To avoid being arrested, students often run the Mile in body paint, underwear, or a day earlier than usual.
9 Ann Arbor Book Festival, 311-315 S State St, ☏ +1 734-369-3366. Held in mid-May. First organized in 2004 to promote reading, heighten awareness of literacy challenges, and showcase the rich culture of the written word in Michigan and beyond. The festival features a bookstore crawl, antiquarian book fair, author readings, symposiums and panels on literacy and writing, tours of the U-M library conservation and preservation lab, and a street festival.
▸Learn642 chars
2 University of Michigan, ☏ +1 734-764-1817. A highly-ranked research university with a strong athletics tradition, the University of Michigan has been located in Ann Arbor since 1837 and is deeply intertwined with the town, being one of the major employers in the area. It offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in social sciences, sciences, humanities and arts, engineering, law, business and medicine. The average student population is around 40,000, with about 5,000 faculty members. There are three campuses — North, Central, and South — with downtown Ann Arbor being adjacent to, and somewhat intermingled with, Central Campus.
▸Work502 chars
The University of Michigan and the infrastructure and support services for it are major employers in Ann Arbor.
3 Google, 2300 Traverwood Dr, ☏ +1 734-332-6500, fax: +1 734-332-6501. Google opened the headquarters of AdWords, their advertising system, in the McKinley Towne Centre building in 2007.
4 Barracuda Networks, 2373 Oak Valley Dr Ste 200. Barracuda Networks, Inc. is a privately held company providing security, networking and storage products based on network appliances and cloud services.
▸Bookstores1,214 chars
It's been said that Ann Arbor has more bookstores per capita than any other town in the US – certainly a walking tour of downtown will take you past quite a few, although the number is beginning to slowly dwindle. The flagship Borders bookstore was here from 1971 until it closed in 2011.
1 Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tea Room, 114 S Main St, ☏ +1 734-665-2757. Specializing in spirituality, psychology and integrative medicine. Also carries gifts, cards, jewelry, crafts, art, music, incense, ritual items, candles, aromatherapy, body tools, and yoga supplies. The tea room, on the second floor, is quite good, though not cheap.
2 The Dawn Treader, 514 E Liberty St, ☏ +1 734-995-1008. M-Th 11AM-8PM, F Sa 11AM-9PM, Su noon-5PM. A great place to browse – probably has the largest and widest selection of the downtown used bookstores.
3 Literati Bookstore, 124 E Washington St. General bookstore. Beautifully designed and trendy. Regularly hosts authors and poets for readings and other book related events.
4 Motte & Bailey, 212 N 4th Ave, ☏ +1 734-669-0451. Specializes in history.
5 West Side Book Shop, 113 W Liberty St, ☏ +1 734-995-1891. Used and rare books, maps, and photographs. A strong literary bent.
▸Music495 chars
6 Encore Records, 417 E Liberty St, ☏ +1 734-662-6776. M-Sa 10AM-8PM, Su noon-5PM. One of the best used record stores in the country. Staff have encyclopedic knowledge.
7 Underground Sounds, 255 E Liberty Suite# 249. M-Th 11AM-8PM, F Sa 11AM-9PM, Su noon-6PM. New records. They have the latest and keep their stock well up to date.
8 Wazoo Records, 336 1/2 S State St, ☏ +1 734-761-8686. M-F 10AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-6PM. New and used CDs and vinyl. Small but very well-picked selection.
▸Art and gifts1,246 chars
9 Dixboro General Store, 5206 Plymouth Rd, ☏ +1 734-663-5558. M-Th Sa 10AM-6PM, F 10AM-8PM, Su 11AM-5PM. One of the busiest country gift and furnishing stores in Michigan, located in a historic store in the village of Dixboro. Furniture, candles, collectables, garden decor, tabletops, bath and body supplies, home accessories, lighting, and edible goodies.
10 Four Directions, 329 S Main St, ☏ +1 734-996-9250. A great gift store offering jewelry, crystals, minerals, fossils, and gifts from around the world. Their jewelry is very pretty and generally at quite reasonable prices. If you want something local to the area, you can find samples of Michigan greenstone aka chlorastrolite (the state gem, from Isle Royale, which is fairly pricey), Petoskey stone (the state stone, usually found loose rather than in jewelry) and native Michigan copper (as bookends or free-flowing verdigris-encrusted sculptures).
11 Motawi Tileworks, 170 Enterprise Dr, ☏ +1 734-213-0017. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM. Low-relief and polychrome tiles, using locally-produced clay and glazes, which can be purchased as individual art pieces or for installation. Guided tours available (free at 11AM every Thursday, or $5 per person for tours of 4 or more people by appointment).
▸Other672 chars
12 York. Known as the Big Ten Party Store until 2005, the name change better reflects the quality of the merchandise. Long popular with locals of discriminating taste, York is one of the best spots in town to find a broad selection of wines, spirits, and beers, as well as cheeses, imported candies, and other quality foods.
13 Vault of Midnight, 219 S Main St, ☏ +1 734-998-1413. M-Sa 10AM-10PM, Su 11AM-8PM. Comic books, graphic novels, trade paperbacks, manga, action figures, board games, statues, DVDs, T-shirts, posters, art prints, stickers and toys. The store also hosts art exhibitions, signings, and regular board-game nights with a selection of in-house games.
▸Shopping centers837 chars
14 Kerrytown Market, 407 N Fifth Ave, ☏ +1 734-662-5008. Over 20 shops and restaurants, including a very nice produce and seafood market.
15 Ann Arbor Farmer's Market and Artisan Market, 315 Detroit St, ☏ +1 734 994-3276. Spring through Autumn, W Sa 7AM-3PM (Farmer's Market), Su 11AM-4PM (Artisan's Market). Local farmers bring fresh produce, baked goods, and plants to the Farmer's Market for sale at excellent prices, while the Artisan Market features the work of local craftspeople.
16 Nickels Arcade (between State St and Maynard St S of Liberty St), ☏ +1 734-995-7281. Shops and galleries housed in a historic indoor walkway with a glass atrium-style ceiling, built in 1915 and modelled after a European arcade.
17 Briarwood Mall, 100 Briarwood Cir, ☏ +1 734-761-9550. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Over 125 shops and restaurants.
▸Eat2,004 chars
For a relatively small Great Lakes town, Ann Arbor has a large variety of cheap (and sometimes quirky) eateries (thanks in part to the large student population) such as pizza restaurants, quick Chinese food and lots of sandwich and wrap shops downtown. You'll also notice hot dog and tamale carts on many street corners, particularly in the summer, selling basic fare starting at $1 with complimentary toppings. As alternative to restaurants the regional supermarket Busch's have good salads and sushi.
One thing you won't see much of, however, at least on campus and in the downtown area, are popular nationwide fast-food chains. The impression is that Ann Arbor is proud enough of its small independent restaurants that it has no need for mass-produced french fries (although with rental costs rising in the downtown area, many local restaurants — and shops — are being ousted in favor of wealthier small chains, like Bruegger's and Great Wraps).
For the more refined palate, there's no shortage of fine dining. Between Ann Arbor's vibrant cultural life and its sizeable international population, there seems to be considerable demand for the fancy and the exotic. There are certainly a few restaurants in town that can empty your wallet singlehandedly, but don't let their reputations scare you away: at even the priciest restaurants, there are dishes that you can order for a more modest fee, if you just want to sample the atmosphere. During warmer weather, be sure to check out the eateries on Main Street that offer outdoor sidewalk dining. It's a popular alternative, especially for the locals who have just suffered through six months of winter, and even though you're sitting right by the street, it's more relaxing than you might expect.
If you're looking for an Ann Arbor specialty, the fragel — a raisin bagel that has been deep-fried and rolled in cinnamon sugar — seems to have originated here. Once available all over town, now you can only find them at the Bagel Fragel on Washtenaw Ave.
▸Budget7,688 chars
1 Asian Legend, 516 E William St Ste A, ☏ +1 734-622-0750. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-10:30PM, Su 11AM-9PM. Taiwanese and Szechuan cuisine, with a separate menu of over 50 traditional Taiwanese dishes. The salt-and-pepper crispy chicken wings are one of their most popular dishes. $4-12.
2 Ayse's Courtyard Cafe, 1703 Plymouth Rd, ☏ +1 734-662-1711. M-F 11AM-2PM, Sa 11:30AM-3PM; M-Th 5PM-8PM, F 5PM-9PM; closed Su. Ann Arbor's only Turkish restaurant, offering soups, salads, pilavs, boreks, lamb, beef, chicken, and many vegetarian stews. $7-10.
3 Bagel Fragel, 3500I Washtenaw Ave, ☏ +1 734-929-2756, mdbagelfragel@aol.com. 6:30AM–3PM daily. The only place left in town where you can buy fragels, a delicacy that was created at the (now defunct) Bagel Factory here in Ann Arbor. It's best to go early and get them piping hot. (updated Aug 2021)
4 BTB Burrito, 810 S State St, ☏ +1 734-222-4822. Daily 11AM-4AM. Salads, nachos, burritos, chimichangas, quesadillas and tacos, made with fresh ingredients and fresh salsa. $3 regular-$9 giant.
5 Bubble Island, 1220 S University Ave, ☏ +1 734-222-9013. M-Th 11AM-2AM, F Sa 11AM-3AM, Su noon-2AM. Hot and cold milk tea (black or green), calpico, Thai iced tea, coffee and frozen smoothies, with black or rainbow pearls, mango stars and lychee jellies. Drinks come in a variety of cream-based and fruit-based flavors, with the cream-based taro being especially popular. They also offer snacks like chicken wings, fried foods and mochi ice cream. Students often hang out in the lounge to play board games. $2-$5.
6 Earthen Jar, 311 S Fifth Ave, ☏ +1 734-327-9464, fax: +1 734-327-9346. M-Th Sa 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-9PM, closed Su. This tiny restaurant is full of flavor and the only all-vegetarian Indian restaurant in town. Family recipes may surprise. Catering. salad bar $5/lb.
7 The Fleetwood Diner, 300 S Ashley St, ☏ +1 734-995-5502. Daily 24 hours. Because it's Ann Arbor, there are many vegetarian options. You can't miss the shiny metal exterior, and will most likely leave with a story. Try the Hippie Hash, a mixture of potatoes, vegetables and cheese. Can be an interesting adventure at night. $4-7.
8 Jamaican Jerk Pit, 314 S Thayer St, ☏ +1 734-995-JERK (5375). M-Th 7AM-10PM, F 7AM-midnight, Sa 10AM-midnight, Su 11AM-7PM. Jamaican food including soups, salads, patties, seafood, sandwiches, and jerk chicken and pork. $5-9.
9 Jerusalem Garden, 307 S Fifth Ave, ☏ +1 734-995-5060. M-Th 10AM-9PM, F 10AM-9:30PM, Sa 11AM-9:30PM, Su noon-8PM. Palestinian-American-owned restaurant very popular for its cheap but tasty falafel. $4-6 sandwiches, $8 combination plates.
▸Mid-range5,860 chars
30 Amadeus, 122 E Washington St, ☏ +1 734-665-8767. An Eastern European cafe with an emphasis on Polish and Hungarian food, and a Viennese patisserie. The pierogies and goulash are delicious, as are their homemade soups. It's best to go for lunch, when the food is practically identical but the prices are much lower. $9–21.
31 Bewon Korean Cuisine, 3574 Plymouth Rd, ☏ +1 734-332-1004. Simple restaurant in strip mall with good Korean food.
32 Blue Nile, 221 E Washington St, ☏ +1 734-948-4746. Ethiopian cuisine, with both meat and vegetable dishes served in their all-you-can-eat feast options. All meals are served with traditional bread called injera, and Ethiopian coffee and tea are also available. Try the honey wine. If you're on budget, ask for refills, do not order extra things. This place, though reasonable, gets expensive fast. $50 for 2.
33 Heidelberg Restaurant, 215 N Main St, ☏ +1 734-663-7758. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-2AM, Su 3PM-2AM. American and German specialties, including sauerbraten, rouladen, sausages, spaetzle, salads, pasta, sandwiches, beef, poultry and seafood. An upstairs club features nightly entertainment. $6-18.
34 Marnee Thai, 414 S Main St, ☏ +1 734-929-9933. M-Th 11:15AM-2:30PM, 5:30-9:30PM; F 11:15AM-2:30PM, 5:30-10PM; Sa 11:15AM-10PM; Su 5:30-9:30PM. A downtown branch of Lotus Thai, featuring a nearly-identical menu. Try the grilled seafood with herbs.
35 Mediterrano, 2900 S State St, ☏ +1 734-332-9700. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F 11AM-11PM, Sa noon-11PM, Su 10:30AM-9PM. Specializing in the cuisines of the Mediterranean, with appetizers, soups, salads, pasta, seafood, steaks, and regional Mediterranean main courses. Try their tortilla de camarones and Moroccan seabass fufarran. The complimentary taramosalata is excellent, and they're justifiably proud of their bright green extra-virgin olive oil, which you can also buy at the restaurant. $11-23.
36 Metzger's, 305 N Zeeb Rd, ☏ +1 734-668-8987. M-W 11AM-9PM, Th-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 11AM-8PM. Traditional German cuisine since 1928. Appetizers, soups, salads, seafood, chicken, American main courses, wursts and platters, sandwiches, German side dishes, desserts, beers and spirits. Traditional German main courses include sauerbraten, rouladen, schnitzel, cabbage rolls and chicken livers. $7-24.
37 One Bowl Asian Cuisine, 1220 S University Ave, ☏ +1 734-747-7006. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F 11AM-11PM, Sa 11:30AM-11PM, Su noon-10PM. Offers Chinese cuisine as well, but Vietnamese is definitely the reason to come here. Excellent dishes include the pho, grilled meat vermicelli, hot pots and the cilantro chicken. Be sure to try the Vietnamese-style coffee. $5-18.
▸Splurge2,578 chars
47 The Chop House, 322 S Main St, ☏ +1 734-769-5960, toll-free: +1-888-456-DINE (3463). M-Th 5-10PM, F Sa 5-11PM, Su 4-9PM. Appetizers, soups, salads, steaks, chops, poultry and seafood. One of Ann Arbor's priciest restaurants, so many people only visit on their birthday, when their main course is free! If you just want a little something sweet, gourmet pastries and desserts are available in the adjacent La Dolce Vita for around $7 each (try the crème brûlée with fresh fruits). There's also a cigar lounge downstairs for sipping and smoking. $10-50 appetizers, $25-44 main.
48 The Earle, 121 W Washington St, ☏ +1 734-994-0211. Provincial Italian and French country cuisine. The escargots in puff pastry are delicious. $18–30.
49 The Gandy Dancer, 401 Depot St, ☏ +1 734-769-0592. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F 11AM-11PM, Sa 3:30-11PM, Su 10AM-2PM 3:30-9PM. Great seafood (check the buffet) in a former train station. Eat here and watch the tracks or, if you're broke (and you will be after the meal), walk along the tracks and watch the diners.
Knight's Steak House (2 locations). (updated Mar 2026)
50 Knight's Steak House, 2324 Dexter Ave, ☏ +1 734-665-8644. M-Sa 11AM-11PM; closed Su. The place where locals go for excellent steaks, prime rib and veal, along with salads, side dishes, seafood and desserts. $5-33.
51 Knight's Steak House Downtown, 600 E. Liberty, ☏ +1 734-887-6899. Tu-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-9PM. The place where locals go for excellent steaks, prime rib and veal, along with salads, side dishes, seafood and desserts. $5-33.
52 Weber's Inn, 3050 Jackson Ave, ☏ +1 734-665-3636. M-Th 6:30AM-10PM, F 6:30AM-11:30PM, Sa 8AM-11:30PM, Su 8AM-9PM. Featuring prime rib, steaks, seafood and an award-winning wine cellar since 1937. Appetizers, soups, salads, main courses, pasta and desserts. Sunday breakfast brunch served from 9:30AM-1PM for $9.25. $14-35.
53 Zingerman's Roadhouse, 2501 Jackson Ave, ☏ +1 734-663-FOOD (3663). M-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 10AM-9PM. Serving "really good American food", including regional specialties from around the country with an emphasis on down-home Southern food, spicy Southwestern and fresh Californian cuisine. Soups, salads, $16 burgers, sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, desserts and $8 cocktails. $10-$19 lunch, $10-27 dinner.
54 Sava's, 216 S State Street, ☏ +1 734-623-2233. 8AM-midnight. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks (particularly wine and cocktails); selections are primarily from European and American cuisine. Try the sweet potato fries for good value. $11-29 for main courses. (updated Jun 2017)
▸Pubs4,779 chars
1 Arbor Brewing Company, 114 E Washington St, ☏ +1 734-213-1393. M-Sa 11:30AM-1AM, Su noon-midnight. Happy hour is all day Monday, and Tu-F 4PM-7PM. Known to the pub faithful as ABC, this establishment has outdoor seating in the warmer months and a fabulous block party Oktoberfest celebration in the fall. ABC has good food (especially the nachos) and a good variety of unique brews. They also offer a selection of Belgian-style ales brewed onsite. ABC offers monthly beer tastings ($40), with a schedule posted on their website.
2 Ashley's Restaurant & Pub, 338 S State St, ☏ +1 734-996-9191. M-Sa 11:30AM-2AM, Su 11AM-midnight. A busy establishment with good food and an excellent assortment of beers (over 60 on tap). Ashley's is always a good time and worth the wait on the weekends. Sandwiches, wraps, pub pizzas and main courses. $7-14.
3 Babs' Underground Lounge, 213 S Ashley St, ☏ +1 734-997-0800. Tu-Sa 7PM-2AM, closed Su-M. A popular, low-key, secluded underground drinking establishment known for its cocktails.
4 Brown Jug, 1204 S University Ave, ☏ +1 734-761-3355. Daily 11AM-2AM. Early bird specials are from 2-5PM, happy hour 7:30PM-10PM. A popular hangout since 1938, the Brown Jug offers appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches, burgers, chicken and fish dinners, and pizza. Beware however that a lot of the food has been frozen. $5-16.
5 Casa Dominick's, 812 Monroe St, ☏ +1 734-662-5414. M-Sa 10AM-10PM, closed Sundays and closed during the winter months. A popular hangout south of campus next to the Business School and Law School, with lots of outdoor seating on the two porches or in the rear garden. Mostly Italian food, with pizza, pasta, subs and salads. The sangria, served in Mason jars, is very popular. Service can be hit-or-miss.
6 Casey's Tavern, 304 Depot St, ☏ +1 734-665-6775, info@caseys-tavern.com. M-Sa 11AM-11PM (bar open until midnight F Sa), closed Sundays. Tavern near the Amtrak station. Soups, salads, snacks, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and main courses, with beers for $3.25-4.95. Very helpful wait staff who will gladly steer you away from items they don't recommend. $6-$12.
7 Conor O'Neill's, 318 S Main St, ☏ +1 734-665-2968. Daily 11:30AM-2AM. Food is served Su-Th 11:30AM-11PM, F Sa 11:30AM-midnight. Serving wine, beer, Irish coffee and other hot drinks. The menu is a mixture of pub food (burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads) and traditional Irish favorites (mussels, shepherd's pie, boxty, fish and chips, and more). The strawberry and rhubarb crumble is delicious. $6-10.
▸Bars and nightclubs1,141 chars
15 Blind Pig, 208 S First St, ☏ +1 734-996-8555. A popular local nightclub and concert venue since 1971, featuring local talent and occasionally larger acts. The 8 Ball Saloon, beneath the club, is open daily from 3PM, with pool tournaments Su-Tu and a darts tournament on Monday.
16 Necto, 516 E Liberty St, ☏ +1 734-994-5436. Doors open 9PM. Ann Arbor's hottest nightclub with DJs and live music, and nightly drink specials. Pride Friday at Necto is Ann Arbor's best LGBT party, every Friday night since 1984. $3-$8 cover.
17 Rick's American Cafe, 611 Church St, ☏ +1 734-996-2747. M-W 9PM-2AM, Th-Sa 7PM-2AM. Rick's holds a legendary reputation on campus, and it has been the most popular bar among University of Michigan upperclassmen for many years. While it doesn't get busy until around 11PM, expect the line to wrap around the side of the building to the end of the alley next door in the fall and spring. Though "cafe" is in the name, Rick's does not serve food, and instead is known for strong drinks such as the "mind probe" and the "shark bowl", as well as the best dance floor on South University. $5 cover. (updated Jul 2018)
▸Coffee, tea and chocolate2,676 chars
18 Comet Coffee, 16 Nickels Arcade, ☏ +1 734-222-0552. M-F 7AM-8PM, Sa 8AM-8PM, Su 8:30AM-8PM. Highest-quality coffees from around the world, from a variety of specialty coffee roasters, prepared by expertly-trained baristas. Not one to miss for coffee lovers.
19 Crazy Wisdom Tea Room, 114 S Main St, ☏ +1 734-665-2757. M-Th 10AM-10PM, F Sa 10AM-11PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Local tearoom offering organic fair-trade locally-roasted coffee, chai, a wide variety of teas (black, green, white, red and herbal), and main courses from Seva. Offers periodic reading series and special events. $1.20-4.25.
Mighty Good Coffee Roasting Co.. Specialty coffee roasting business. Four locations.
20 RoosRoast Coffee Works, 1155 Rosewood St Suite B (located off of S. Industrial, very close to the Michigan Stadium!), ☏ +1 734-222-9202, roosroast@gmail.com. M-Sa 7:30AM-6PM, Su 9AM-3PM. RoosRoast is an awesome local coffee roastery filled with art and love and home of the triple shot long pull! Specializing in Fair Trade and Organic coffees! Come try a cup of coffee or pick up some beans today!
21 Socotra Coffee House, 3130 Packard St, ☏ +1 734-929 5672. Yemeni coffee shop with a wide variety of sweets available.
Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea (6 locations). Coffees, teas, frozen drinks, hot chocolate, Italian sodas and juices, as well as soups, sandwiches, parfaits, quiche, pastries, sweets and desserts. Their ginger lemon tea is a popular choice.
22 Washington St., 123 W Washington St, ☏ +1 734 769-2331. Daily 6AM-11PM. (updated Mar 2026)
23 Westgate - Westgate Library, 2503 Jackson Ave, ☏ +1 734 827-5116. M-F 6:30AM-8PM, Sa-Su 7AM-8PM. (updated Mar 2026)
24 UM Union, 530 South State St, Rm 1300, ☏ +1 734 548-8088. M-Sa 7AM-Midnight, Dom 9:30AM-Midnight. (updated Mar 2026)
25 777 Building, 777 E Eisenhower Pkwy, Kiosk 1, ☏ +1 734 368-9917. M-F 6AM-5PM, Sa 7AM-Midnight. (updated Mar 2026)
26 Plymouth Green, 3393 Plymouth Rd, ☏ +1 734 369-4568. Daily 6AM-9PM. (updated Mar 2026)
27 Kerrytown, 407 N 5th Ave, ☏ +1 734 622-0084. M-Sa 6:30AM-10PM, Su 8AM-10PM. (updated Mar 2026)
28 TeaHaus, 204 N Fourth Ave, ☏ +1 734-622-0460, lisa@teahaus-annarbor.com. M-Sa 10AM-7PM, Su 11AM-4PM. Over 160 classic black and green, oolong, white, rooibush, herbal, ayurveda, fruit, aroma and seasonal teas sold loose, as well as tea accessories. Tea tastings offered periodically.
29 York, 1928 Packard St, ☏ +1 734-662 0798, info@yorka2.com. Coffee shop, deli, and bar with indoor and outdoor seating and rotating food trucks
▸Sleep1,261 chars
There are four main hotel districts in Ann Arbor: near campus; in the southern part of town, where State Street meets I-94 (including Boardwalk St, Briarwood Cir and Victors Way); in the southeastern part of town, near the intersection of Washtenaw Rd and US-23 (including Carpenter Rd); and in the northeastern part of town, by the intersection of Plymouth Rd and US-23 (including Green Rd). There are also a few in the northwestern part of town, near the intersection of Jackson Ave and I-94. Accommodations tend to be the most expensive in the campus area, so unless you're here for a conference or business trip that's being paid for, you'll probably want to look further out.
Hotels in the campus area are within easy walking distance of downtown Ann Arbor and most of the attractions. The southeastern area is served by two AATA bus lines, route 4 (along Washtenaw) and route 22 (along Carpenter), and the northwestern area is along route 9. The other two areas aren't quite as well linked, although route 2 does go along part of Plymouth Rd, and the commuter 36 stops at Wolverine Tower, which is a short walk from the hotels along State and Boardwalk. However, you'll most likely want to use your car to get around if you're staying outside of downtown.
▸Budget1,240 chars
1 Red Roof Inn Ann Arbor - University of Michigan South, 3505 S State St, ☏ +1 734-665-3500. 108 rooms. Jacuzzi suites available. $50–70.
2 Days Inn, 2380 Carpenter Rd, ☏ +1 734-971-0700. 127 rooms. Complimentary expanded daybreak breakfast, indoor heated pool and whirlpool, sauna, onsite workout facility. Jacuzzi suites available. $60–100.
3 Embassy Hotel, 200 E Huron St, ☏ +1 734-662-7100. 30 rooms. Built in 1889. $39–49, $159–$179 weekly.
4 Extended StayAmerica, 1501 Briarwood Cir, ☏ +1 734-332-1980. 112 rooms. Fully-equipped kitchens and workspaces, dining and cooking utensils provided. Free access to Bally's Total Fitness Center. Adjacent to Briarwood Mall. $66, $42/day weekly rate.
5 Extended Stay - University South, 3265 Boardwalk St, ☏ +1 734-997-7623. 71 rooms. Fully-equipped kitchens and workspaces, dishwasher, on-site fitness center. Free access to Bally's Total Fitness Center. $77, $57 weekly.
6 Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, 3610 Plymouth Rd, ☏ +1 734-997-9100. 83 rooms. Complimentary continental breakfast. $56–76.
7 Red Arrow Motel, 5577 Plymouth Rd, ☏ +1 734-662-9944. 10 rooms. Just outside the city limits, near Dixboro. $48.
8 Red Roof Inn, 3621 Plymouth Rd, ☏ +1 734-996-5800. 108 rooms. $58–64.
▸Bed and breakfast345 chars
9 The Himalayan Lodge, 120 Eighth St (5 blocks W of Main St), ☏ +1 734-369-3107. 1 room, with twin beds (or king together) and private bath. 1875 house on the West Side, about a 20-minute walk from campus. Customized adventure trekking in the Nepal Himalayas. Himalayan watchdog and vegetarian breakfast included. Innkeeper: Heather O'Neal. $98.
▸Mid-range780 chars
10 Candlewood Suites, 701 Waymarket Dr, ☏ +1 734-663-2818, toll-free: +1-877-226-3539. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. 122 rooms. Full kitchen, VCR and CD player, fitness center. On-site gift shop. $82–119.
11 Fairfield Inn, 3285 Boardwalk Dr, ☏ +1 734-995-5200. 110 rooms. Indoor heated pool and whirlpool. Complimentary deluxe continental breakfast. $69–99.
12 Hampton Inn South, 925 Victors Way, ☏ +1 734-665-5000. 149 rooms. Exercise gym, indoor pool, hot tub. Complimentary deluxe hot breakfast and to-go breakfast bags, and free USA Today.
13 Holiday Inn, 3600 Plymouth Rd, ☏ +1 734 769-9800. 223 rooms. Indoor/outdoor swimming pool, whirlpool, fitness center, tennis and basketball courts, restaurant and lounge. Complimentary local shuttle service and USA Today. $104.
▸Bed and breakfast339 chars
14 Stone Chalet Bed & Breakfast, 1917 Washtenaw Ave, ☏ +1 734-417-7223. 11 rooms. An English gothic inn composed of a castle stone chalet house, a Frank-Lloyd-Wright-inspired church, a neo-gothic parsonage, and a coach house tearoom. All rooms have private bath and fireplace. Complimentary deluxe continental breakfast. (updated Sep 2017)
▸Splurge1,869 chars
15 Bell Tower Hotel, 300 S Thayer St, ☏ +1 734-769-3010, toll-free: +1-800-562-3559. 66 rooms. A small European-style inn which has received the city's Award for Outstanding Historic Preservation. The Earle Uptown restaurant, serving French cuisine, is on-site. Complimentary continental breakfast, free valet parking. $149–173.
16 Courtyard Ann Arbor, 3205 Boardwalk St, ☏ +1 734-995-5900. 160 rooms. Breakfast buffet, lounge, indoor pool, whirlpool, exercise room. $124–149.
17 Graduate Ann Arbor, 615 E Huron St, ☏ +1 734-769-2200, toll-free: +1-800-666-8693. 208 rooms. Fitness center, outdoor pool, sauna, sundeck. Passes available to Central Campus Recreation Building gymnasium. Victors Bar & Restaurant and gift shop on-site. $179, $226 suites.
18 Sheraton Ann Arbor Hotel (Sheraton), 3200 Boardwalk St, ☏ +1 734-996-0600, toll-free: +1-800-848-2770. 197 newly renovated rooms all featuring refrigerator, microwave, and personal safe. Fitness center, indoor/outdoor heated pool, whirlpool, and Share Wine Lounge & Small Plate Bistro on-site. Features Ann Arbor's largest ballroom for weddings, conferences, expos, and more. $125.
19 Inn at the Michigan League, 911 N University Ave, ☏ +1 734-764-3177. 21 rooms on the fourth floor of the Michigan League. Complimentary breakfast voucher. $130–135 rooms, $225–230 suites.
20 Kensington Court, 3500 S State St, ☏ +1 866 446-1329, reservations@kensingtonannarbor.com. 200 rooms. Exercise room, heated indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, Graham's Restaurant and Lounge on-site. Complimentary deluxe continental breakfast available for Executive Level. $109–164.
21 Weber's Inn, 3050 Jackson Ave, ☏ +1 734-769-2500, toll-free: +1-800-443-3050. 158 rooms. Pool and recreation area, exercise room, sauna, outdoor patio. Popular on-site Weber's Restaurant and Lounge. Complimentary continental breakfast. $120–170.
▸Bed and breakfast742 chars
22 Ann Arbor Bed and Breakfast (Ann Arbor Bed & Breakfast), 921 E Huron St (E Huron St at Fletcher), ☏ +1 734-994-9100, AnnArborBedAndBreakfast@GMail.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 9 unique rooms with private bathrooms on the University of Michigan Central Campus by Power, Hill, League, and Rackham. Wireless & wired internet, public internet with printer, DVD/TV, on-site parking and a full, hearty breakfast. Coffee, tea, pop, water, and snacks anytime. Hot tub, kitchenettes, and extra beds and tables available. Innkeeper: Pat Materka. $129-229.
23 Burnt Toast Inn, 415 W William St, ☏ +1 734-662-6685. 4 rooms. Art and antiques gallery on-site. Complimentary continental breakfast. Adults only. $80–165 (single-person occupancy).
▸Stay safe1,363 chars
Ann Arbor is generally a very safe town, though the usual rules about common sense (being aware of your surroundings after dark and knowing where you are going) apply here as they would anywhere. The only really common crimes in town are those that you find in any other university town. Theft is the biggie, as many university students who leave their bags unattended in the library or those who fail to lock their bikes can tell you. There's also the occasional mugging or sexual assault, but these tend to occur after dark, so if you're not wandering the streets at 2AM, you probably don't have anything to worry about. Having said that, wandering the streets at 2AM in downtown Ann Arbor is generally quite safe and not at all frightening; there are usually enough students out partying or hanging out with friends until the wee hours that you won't feel like a lone target, or like you're in a dangerous crowd. U of M Police, Ann Arbor Police, and the Washtenaw County Sheriff patrol regularly and are not difficult to find — indeed, alcohol violations such as drinking on the street from an open container are vigorously policed. There are emergency phones located all over campus.
If you are not used to extreme cold, Ann Arbor in the winter can be brutal. If sufficiently cold, it's easy to give yourself an ice burn by touching metal without gloves on.
▸Internet343 chars
Free wi-fi access is plentiful at local cafes.
5 Ann Arbor District Library, 343 S Fifth Ave (Main Branch), ☏ +1 734-327-4200 (all branches). The main branch of the public library, located downtown a couple of blocks from Main Street, offers wifi and a couple dozen desktop computers for visitor use. Check in at the desk on the second floor.
▸Radio stations1,004 chars
Four good public radio stations are within listening distance.
WCBN-FM Ann Arbor, 88.3 FM. Located in the basement of the Student Activities building at the University of Michigan you will find the studios of WCBN. The format is total freeform -- DJs have complete control over their shows -- which makes the broadcasts a mixed bag. The variety is stunning, though, from Sounds of the Subcontinent to emo to classic jazz to Noise Till Noon. They also broadcast a list of upcoming concerts around town at regular intervals.
WEMU, 89.1 FM. News, jazz and blues, with a tilt toward little-known fusion and crossover, from the campus of Eastern Michigan University. Consistent quality -- you'll either like almost all of it, or very little. News updates on the hour, and in the early morning and midafternoon.
WUOM, 91.7 FM. Talk radio from NPR and PRI.
WDET, 101.9 FM. News and music during the day; electronica-tinged underground music at night. Broadcast from Wayne State University in Detroit.
▸Newspapers57 chars
Michigan Daily, ☏ +1 734-763-2459. The student newspaper.
▸Go next2,143 chars
The rest of Washtenaw County has quite a few charming little towns and villages that you might enjoy visiting.
Ypsilanti is about 15 minutes east on I-94, but practically contiguous with Ann Arbor if you're driving down Washtenaw Avenue; four AATA bus routes travel from downtown Ann Arbor to downtown Ypsilanti.
Dexter is about 15 minutes west on I-94.
Saline is about 15 minutes south on US-23.
Chelsea is about 20 minutes west on I-94.
Manchester is about 30 minutes southwest on I-94 and MI-52.
Milan is about 30 minutes south on US-23.
If you'd rather get out of the county, there are some larger cities and towns a short drive away.
Dundee is about 30 minutes south on I-23. Most people go for the nearest branch of Cabela's, an enormous outdoor outfitter and hunting/fishing/camping store, but it also has a nice little downtown. A 20-minute drive from Dundee along MI-50 will bring you to Tecumseh, a charming village with a great downtown and some very nice restaurants, including a British imports shop with a quaint tea café.
Detroit is about 45 minutes east on either I-94 or I-96. If you're not visiting downtown Detroit, you might want to stop in some of the suburbs. There's a nice movie theatre and good restaurants (as well as the only IKEA in Michigan) in nearby Canton; Novi and Troy (home of the impressive Somerset Collection mall) are good for shopping; Hamtramck has a sizeable Polish population, and Dearborn is home to the largest Middle Eastern community in the United States, as well as the fantastic Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village.
Lansing is about 1 hour west on I-96. It's the state capital, and home to rival college Michigan State University.
Frankenmuth, which bills itself as "Michigan's #1 tourist attraction", is about 1 hour north on US-23. It's a great little tourist town with a Bavarian-style downtown, delicious all-you-can-eat fried chicken dinners, and a year-round Christmas store.
Toledo, Ohio is about 1 hour south on US-23. You'll pass several nice little villages on the way. In town, there's a great art museum, the world-class Toledo Zoo, and a neighborhood of old Victorian homes.
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WBP almanac
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From Wikipedia279 words
WBP editorial3
The university’s ripple effect on the city’s rhythm
Beyond the campus boundaries, the university’s research parks and incubators spill into Ann Arbor’s streets, making the city feel like a continuous symposium of ideas. Coffee shops double as informal pitch rooms, and you’ll often hear a PhD candidate debating climate policy with a local artist over espresso. This intellectual spillover shapes the calendar: pop‑up science fairs in the downtown square, impromptu jazz sessions in lecture halls, and seasonal hackathons that flood the city with laptops and neon‑lit brainstorming sessions. Visitors who linger after office hours can sense how the academic pulse fuels a civic imagination that is both forward‑looking and surprisingly inclusive.
Seasonal culinary cycles you won’t find in guidebooks
Ann Arbor’s food scene mirrors the region’s agricultural calendar. In late summer, farmers’ markets brim with heirloom tomatoes and Michigan cherries, prompting a wave of farm‑to‑table menus that showcase raw, seasonal flavours. Autumn brings a subtle shift: menus introduce maple‑glazed pork and spiced squash soups, often paired with locally brewed barrel‑aged ales. Winter’s chill encourages cozy, wood‑fire eateries offering Finnish‑style reindeer stew—a nod to the city’s Nordic student societies. Spring revives the street‑food vibe, with food trucks rotating fresh herbs and edible flowers. Timing a visit to these cycles offers a culinary narrative that evolves with the land.