From Wikitravel

Ann Arbor [1] — often abbreviated as AA or A² — is in southeast Michigan, 35 miles north of the Ohio border and 45 miles west of Detroit, near where the furthest exurban fringes give way to country and small towns. Founded in 1824, it was originally named "Annarbour" 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). Today the city has a population of about 115,000 people, not including the transient college students, or the thousands of visitors who come to town for football games and various festivals.

Ann Arbor 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.

[edit] Understand

Ann Arbor is centered around the University of Michigan [2]. The U-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, Domino's, and Borders Group 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. Buses here are sparse or nonexistent; you'll want a car 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.

Tree town is, as one might expect, full of trees; they line the streets, and from the air, in summer, 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.)

Like most of Michigan, summers can be hot, with temperatures occasionally hitting 90 degrees, but averaging in the mid 80s. Winters are fairly normal for the lower Great Lakes region, which enjoys 4 seasons. It starts to be chilly in late October and it starts to warm up again in mid-March (but the occasional early April snowfall is not unheard of! Average temperatures are generally in the range of 30°F and in January temps can dip below 20°F or lower if it's windy. The equivalent of this low temp in the summer is when mid-July it can hit deep into the 90's with high humidity. Same difference! 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. The original Borders bookstore is also here, as are several good independent bookshops, and the Ann Arbor Art Fair draws a million visitors each summer.

• Ann Arbor Convention and Visitors Bureau, 120 W Huron Street, ☎ +1 734 995-7281 or +1 800 888-9487, [3].  edit

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

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) on the north. From Toledo and points south, 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.[4]

[edit] By plane

The nearest major airport is Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (IATA: DTW, ICAO: KDTW), about 25 minutes away, from which it will probably be necessary to rent a car or have a friend pick you up. A taxi will cost you in the neighborhood of $45 one-way; alternatively, several shuttle services offer pre-booked trips for around $25, with the cost per person decreasing as the size of the group increases. There are quite a lot of airport shuttle services, but the following will give you a place to start:

• Ann Arbor Airport Shuttle, ☎ +1 734 394-1665, [5]. Reservations should be made at least one day in advance. 1 passenger is $35 one-way, $55 round-trip.  edit

• Ann Arbor - Detroit Metro Airport Shuttle, ☎ +1 734 507-9220, [6]. 1 passenger is $35 one-way, $55 round-trip.  edit

• Custom Transit, ☎ +1 734 971-5555, [7]. $57 round-trip.  edit

• Michigan Flyer, ☎ +1 888 643-5637, [8]. This is a scheduled coach service rather than a taxi service, and so is significantly cheaper. Drops you off at the Sheraton Four Points hotel; use AATA route 36 (weekday only) to get to U-M central campus and downtown. $30 round-trip.  edit

• SelectRide, ☎ +1 734 663-8898 or 866-663-8898, [9]. Reservations should be made at least two days in advance. $24 per person to the airport, $31 per person from.  edit

Ann Arbor Airport (IATA: ARB), (intersection of State Street and Ellsworth Road) +1 734 994-2841, [10] is a small 24-hour airport that handles business, corporate, public and private flights, air ambulance service, flight instruction and charter services.

[edit] By train

• Amtrak, 325 Depot Street, ☎ +1 734 994-4906 or +1 800 872-7245, [11]. daily, 7AM-12AM; ticketing is available from 7:15AM-11:30PM. The station is located within walking distance of downtown, just beyond the Kerrytown district. The Ann Arbor stop is situated on the Wolverine line, which travels between Pontiac (north of Detroit) and Chicago. 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 4:45 hours from Chicago, and usually costs between $25 and $50 one-way. Passengers should be aware that Amtrak trains in Michigan can be on time but can often run well behind schedule because priority on the tracks is given to freight trains. Take this into consideration if planning a trip, and be sure to call ahead if you're meeting someone at the station. edit

[edit] By bus

• Greyhound, 116 W Huron Street, ☎ +1 734 662-5511, [12]. M-F 9AM-6PM, Sa-Su 9AM-4:30PM. The bus station is located downtown, near Main Street. 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 6.5 hours away; a one-way ticket is $34 - $37, round-trip is $65 - $70. edit

• Megabus, ☎ +1 877 462-6342, [13]. Service available between Ann Arbor and Chicago, fares start at $1. Buses arrive and depart at the University of Michigan's State Street Commuter Park & Ride lot. The lot is on the west side of South State Street about 0.5 mile north of Eisenhower Parkway. The bus stop is on the east side of the parking lot between the entrance and exit. Take AATA route 36 (weekdays only) to campus and downtown. edit

• Michigan Flyer, ☎ +1 888 643-5637, [14]. Bus service from Detroit Metro to Lansing MI via Jackson MI. Connects with the Ann Arbor Transit Authority 36 route at the Sheraton.

[edit] Get around

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 around 80 cents to $1 per hour.

[edit] By bus

• Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA), 331 S Fourth Avenue, ☎ +1 734 973-6500 or +1 734 996-0400, [15]. 6:30AM-11:30PM on weekdays, and 8AM-7PM on weekends, depending on the route.. Provides bus service in and around Ann Arbor and downtown Ypsilanti. During the school year, the city also operates an express service called the Link, a fleet of purple buses that only travels between Central Campus, the downtown area and Kerrytown. Adult fares for regular AATA routes are $1 each way (free for U-M faculty, staff and students), and the Link is free to ride.  edit

 edit

• University of Michigan Buses, [16]. 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.  edit

[edit] By taxi

Ann Arbor has several reliable 24-hour taxicab companies. Note that 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.

• Amazing Blue Taxi, ☎ +1 734 846-0007, [17]. Also offers flat rates to destinations around Michigan and nearby major cities. edit

• Ann Arbor Yellow Cab Company, 2050 Commerce Drive, ☎ +1 734 663-3355.  edit

• Blue Cab Company, ☎ +1 734 547-2222, [18]. </listing

[edit] By Segway

• Wonder Wheels Segway Rentals, Tours, Sales, 338 Catherine Street, Apt #4, ☎ +1 313 318 6159, [19]. Segway rental and tour company, if you want to explore Ann Arbor without the hassle of parking fees. $45 (1 hour), $65 (2 hours), $100 (daily).  edit

 edit

[edit][add listing] See

If you want to know what's going on in town, the best guide to the entertainment scene in Washtenaw County is the Current, 212 E Huron Street, +1 734 668-4044, [20]. There's information on music, films, dance and theatre events, poetry and novel readings, lectures, art exhibits, festivals, and more, as well as restaurant reviews, general information about the town, and so much more. If you're interested in the Ann Arbor arts scene, this should be one of the first things you pick up; one easy spot to find copies is outside the Michigan Theatre on E Liberty Street.

• Downtown Ann Arbor. Most of the shops and restaurants line State [21], Liberty, and Main [22] streets, with the quality becoming more upscale as you approach Main. The other popular student hangouts are along South University [23] street. A few blocks north of downtown is the historic Kerrytown district [24], full of remodeled old homes and pleasant shopping. edit

• Michigan Theater, 603 E Liberty Street, ☎ +1 734 668-8397 or +1 734 668-TIME (8463), [25]. 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. edit

• State Theater, 233 S State Street, ☎ +1 734 761-8667, [26]. 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. edit

• The Ark, 316 S Main Street, ☎ +1 734 761-1451, [27]. A nonprofit, intimate music club with 400 seats, which usually hosts folk/rock performers. edit

• University Musical Society, ☎ 734-764-2538, [28]. 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.  edit

• University of Michigan Stadium, 1201 S Main Street, [29]. Nicknamed the "Big House", the U-M stadium is the largest American football stadium in the world, with a seating capacity of 107,501. 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. edit

• The University of Michigan Law School Quadrangle, on South University Street between State Street and Tappan Street, [30]. The Law School's "Quad", nationally renowned for its serene environment and beautiful gothic-style architecture, is situated just south of the center of campus. Built in the early twentieth century, the Quad is comprised 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 itself 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. edit

• University of Michigan Diag, between N University Street and S University Street. The heart of the University of Michigan's Central Campus, the Diag is the main quadrangle around which most of the key buildings on campus are arranged. Its name comes from the many diagonal sidewalks that intersect it or criss-cross the area. In the middle of the Diag, just in front of the graduate library, is a brick courtyard with a brass M in the center; according to student legend, if you step on the M during your first semester at the university, you are doomed to fail your first exam. The Diag is often used for demonstrations, booths or student fairs, and is a popular hangout in warm weather. edit

• The Ann and Robert H. Lurie Tower, at the center of the North Campus of the University of Michigan, [31]. A 165-foot tall structure which houses an operational carillon. The tower is open to visitors when the bells are being played, with two floors accessible by elevator. The top floor allows the visitors to see the carillonneur playing, while the lower floor provides a view of the carillon bells, as well as a skyline view of the Ann Arbor area. The current operational hours are posted at the base of the tower. edit

• Domino's Farms, US-23 and Plymouth Road, +1 734 930-4425, [32]. A large office park in a pastoral location, home to the world headquarters of Domino's Pizza. Visitors will go mostly for one of two attractions:
  • Ave Maria Fine Art Gallery, 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, +1 734 930-2514, [33]. Tu-F 9AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-2PM, closed Su-M. The largest art gallery in Michigan, specializing in eary 20th century and Old World art.
  • Domino's Petting Farm, 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, +1 734 998-0182, [34]. M-F 9:30AM-4PM, Sa-Su 10:30AM-5PM. 15 acres of land with farm animals from around the world, including rare and near-extinct species, like the French Poitou donkey (only 200 reportedly in existence), African watusi cow, Horned Dorset ram, and Tibetan yak. The barn was once part of a working 1925-era farm, but was opened as a petting zoo in 1984. Tours, hay rides and educational presentations available. $5 (adults), $4.50 (children and seniors).

• Ann Arbor Alpacas, 4805 Stone School Road, ☎ +1 734 369-3200, [35]. Visitors can watch the alpacas being sheared at the end of May, or attend the open farm days on the second Saturday of the month from April through July. edit

[edit] Public Art

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:

• The Cube, Maynard Street and E Jefferson Street (Regents Plaza north of the Michigan Union), [36]. A 15-foot-tall, 2400-lb glossy black cube created by Tony Rosenthal; there's an identical one in the East Village of New York City. The Cube spins on its axis when pushed, which is a tradition among U-M students. edit

• The Wave Field, Hayward Avenue (in the courtyard outside the Francois-Xavier Bagnoud building), [37]. Created by Maya Lin, the Wave Field is an earth sculpture, 90 feet by 90 feet square, consisting of a series of fifty grass waves in eight rows. edit

• 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 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. edit

• 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. edit

• Painted fixtures, throughout downtown. Fire hydrants and transformers, painted in bright colors by local artists and schoolchildren. edit

[edit] Parks and Gardens

Ann Arbor has 147 city parks, ranging from less than a block wide to over 100 acres. Some of the more prominent ones include:

• Nichols Arboretum, 1610 Washington Heights, ☎ +1 734 647-7600, [38]. "The Arb" comprises 123 acres of hilly woodland along the Huron River, with collections of North American plants interspersed throughout. Peony garden, prairie, constructed wetland and Appalachian plant collection. edit

• Matthei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N Dixboro Road, ☎ +1 734 647-7600, [39]. 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 site with outdoor display gardens, a 10,000-square-foot conservatory filled with tropical plants, and miles of nature trails. Free (gardens), $5 (conservatory, but free on Fridays from 12PM-4:30PM).  edit

• Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller Road, ☎ +1 734 662-9319, [40]. A 69-acre 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 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). edit

• Buhr Park, 2751 Packard Street, ☎ +1 734 971-3228, [41]. A 39-acre park with picnic areas, children's play area, softball diamond, soccer fields, outdoor tennis courts, 25-yard swimming pool, children's wading pool, outdoor ice arena for public skating and ice hockey, cross-country ski center, and snowmobile trails. Ski and skate rentals available. edit

[edit] Museums

• Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, 220 E Ann Street, ☎ +1 734 995-5439, [42]. 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. $7 (donations gratefully accepted).  edit

• Artrain USA, 1100 N Main Street, ☎ +1 800 ART-1971 (278-1971), [43]. Check the website to see if the Artrain will be in town during your visit. A traveling art museum, housed in vintage rail cars, that tours the nation but is based in Ann Arbor. Each exhibition tours the country for three to four years, offering creative partnerships with local artists at each stop along the tour. edit

• Cobblestone Farm Museum, 2781 Packard Street, ☎ +1 734 994-2928 or +1 734 973-7267, [44]. 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.  edit

• Kempf House, 312 S Division Street, ☎ +1 734 994-4898, [45]. 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.  edit

• Leslie Science Center, 1831 Traver Street, ☎ +1 734 997-1553, [46]. Park open daily sunrise to sunset; Critter House open Su 12PM-3PM. 50 acres 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).  edit

[edit] University of Michigan Museums

[edit] Open to the Public

• Exhibit Museum of Natural History, 1109 Geddes Avenue, ☎ +1 734 764-0478, [47]. M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 12PM-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).  edit

• Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, 434 S State Street, ☎ +1 734 764-9304, [48]. 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).  edit

• Museum of Art, 525 S State Street (temporarily located at 1301 S University Avenue through mid-2008, while the main museum building is under construction for expansion and restoration), ☎ +1 734 764-0395 or +1 734 763-UMMA (8662), [49]. Tu W F S 10AM-5PM, Th 10AM-9PM, Su 12PM-5PM, closed Mondays. 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).  edit

• U of M School of Art and Design, 2000 Bonisteel Boulevard, ☎ +1 734 764-0397, [50]. 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.  edit

• Work, 306 S State Street, ☎ +1 734 998-6178. Tu-Th 12PM-7PM, F-Sa 12PM-8PM, Su 12PM-5PM, closed Mondays. Run by U 0f M School of Art and Design, it's smaller, downtown, and much the same. Free.  edit

• Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry, 1011 N University Avenue (School of Dentistry, room G532), [51]. 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 dating from the 18th century to today. Free.  edit

• Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments, 1100 Baits Drive, ☎ +1 734 764-0583, [52]. 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.  edit

[edit] Closed to the Public

Several of the University collections are hosted by institutions that are primarily research-oriented, and so generally don't have exhibits on permanent dispay. However, it may be possible to arrange to view the collections through contacting the curators.

• Herbarium, 3600 Varsity Drive, ☎ +1 734 764-2407 (fax: +1 734 647-5719), [53]. Collections of algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms, monocots, dicots, fungi and lichens. edit

• Museum of Anthropology, 1109 Geddes Avenue, ☎ +1 734 764-0485 (fax: +1 734 763-7783), [54]. 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. edit

• Museum of Paleontology, 1109 Geddes Avenue, ☎ +1 734 764-0489 (fax: +1 734 936-1380), [55]. Collections of paleobotany, micropaleontology, invertebrate paleontology and vertebrate paleontology. edit

• Museum of Zoology, 1109 Geddes Avenue, ☎ +1 734 764-0476 (fax: +1 734 763-4080), [56]. Collections of birds, fishes, insects, mollusks, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Blue Karaoke, 404 W Liberty Street, ☎ +1 734 302–3673, [57]. Mo-Th 6PM-4AM, Fr-Sa 5PM-5AM, Su 5PM-4AM. 9 private, sound-proofed rooms for groups of 2 to 30. Over 10,000 song selections in seven different languages. Reservations are encouraged, especially for larger parties and weekend nights. $35 - $100 per hour.  edit

• Pinball Pete's, 1214 S University Avenue, ☎ +1 734 213-2502. Large video arcade featuring pinball machines, air hockey, pool tables, shot clock basketball and football, ticketed games, Dance Dance Revolution, and classic arcade games from the 1980s as well as popular new fighting games. edit

• Makielski Berry Farm, 7130 Platt Road, ☎ +1 734 572-0060. Every day 8AM-8PM (in season). From August to October, pick your own insecticide-free red, yellow, or golden raspberries at very reasonable prices. The owners also sell raspberry honey. Children are welcome, but be careful if you bring your pets; the dogs on the premises have been known to suddenly attack small animals. edit

• Planet Rock, 82 Aprill Drive, ☎ +1 734 827-2680, [58]. M Tu W F 3PM-10PM , Th 3PM-11PM, Sa 11AM-8PM and Su 10AM-6PM. Over 22,000 square feet of climbing terrain, with 50-foot walls, a motorized climbing wall, three bouldering areas and adventure racing including rappelling. Day passes $15, climbing lessons $39 - $50.  edit

• Zap Zone, 2809 Boardwalk Street, ☎ +1 734 930-6670, [59]. M-Th 4PM-10PM, F 3PM-12AM, Sa 12PM-12AM, and Su 12PM-9PM. Multi-level laser tag and an arcade. Laser tag $7, bumper cars $3.  edit

• Canoeing is popular in the area through the Huron-Clinton Metroparks.

• Kensington Beach is 20 minutes north of Ann Arbor.

[edit] Events

• Ann Arbor Film Festival, 203 E Ann Street, ☎ +1 734 995-5356, [60]. 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. edit

• Hash Bash, University of Michigan Diag near State Street and N University Street, [61]. 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 ($50) 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. edit

• Naked Mile, University of Michigan campus. Held in mid-April at midnight on the last day of classes. A tradition at the University of Michigan since 1986, in which hundreds of students - traditionally graduating seniors, although in practice there's a broader spread - run across campus naked, while spectators cheer them on, to celebrate the end of the school year. Although technically illegal, it was tolerated by local police until 1998, when they began attempting to strongly discourage continuation of the Naked Mile, fuelled in part by concerns over outsiders videotaping the event and selling the recordings online. In recent years, to avoid being arrested, students have run the Mile in body paint, underwear, or a day earlier than usual. edit

• Ann Arbor Book Festival, 311-315 S State Street, ☎ +1 734 369-3366, [62]. 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. edit

• African American Downtown Festival, E Ann Street and N Fourth Avenue, ☎ +1 734 769–0288 (cplfestival@att.net). 10AM-8:30PM. Held the first Saturday in June since 1995. Crafts, merchandise, food, live music. edit

• Taste of Ann Arbor, Main Street. Held the first Sunday in June, from 11AM-5PM. Kiosks along Main Street offer people the chance to sample menu items from over 35 local restaurants. Also includes three stages of live music, dancing and more. Admission is free, although you'll want to purchase tickets to trade for the yummy goodies ($0.50 per ticket, or $10 for a sheet of 20, with most items ranging between 3 - 11 tickets apiece).  edit

• Shakespeare in the Arb, 1610 Washington Heights, ☎ +1 734 647-7600, [63]. Shows begin at 6:30PM. Annual outdoor Shakespearean production since 2001, held on weekends in June. Roving performance requires the actors and audience to shift locations throughout the Arb from scene to scene. Previous productions have included A Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It and Love's Labour's Lost. $15.  edit

• Ann Arbor Summer Festival, 522 S Fourth Avenue, Suite B, ☎ +1 734 994-5999, [64]. Held from mid-June to mid-July. An annual event since 1983 with different nightly indoor cultural performances: singers, musical bands, dancers, comedians, plays, and other acts including acrobats and animal handlers. edit

• Top of the Park, Ingalls Mall, [65]. Held from mid-June to early July. Nightly local and regional live bands, outdoor film screenings at 10PM, and concession booths from eight local eateries. Traditionally this event was held on the upper level of the Fletcher parking structure, next to the Power Center - hence the name - but it has been temporarily moved outside the Rackham School of Graduate Studies. In inclement weather, performances and films may be cancelled. Free.  edit

• Ann Arbor Art Fairs, ☎ +1 734 994-5260 (toll free: +1 800 888-9487), [66]. One Wednesday through Saturday in late July. W-F 10AM-9PM, Sa 10AM-6PM. Held throughout downtown, four juried art fairs that display and sell art: the original Ann Arbor Street Art Fair [67] along N University; the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair [68] along Main, Liberty, William and State; the State Street Area Art Fair [69]; and the South University Art Fair [70]. In practical terms, it's all one great big fair that takes about a full day to explore if you move quickly and don't look at every booth. Prices are generally rather high, as befitting an art show of this calibre, but there are definitely bargains to be found, as well as some less expensive non-juried booths that tag along for the ride. Loads of concessions, live entertainment, and booths with great sales from local businesses are scattered throughout. During the Art Fair, hotels are generally booked up and parking can be difficult to find, so book a room early (by February or March) and find a spot at one of the park-and-ride stops to catch a bus into downtown. edit

[edit] Learn

• University of Michigan, ☎ +1 734 764-1817, [71]. 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. edit

[edit] Work

• The University of Michigan and the infrastructure and support services for it are major employers in Ann Arbor.

• Borders Group Inc., 100 Phoenix Drive, ☎ +1 734 477-1100, [72]. Borders Group owns Borders Books & Music stores, as well as Borders Express and Waldenbooks. The corporate office is located on the south side of Ann Arbor and employs hundreds of people. edit

• Google, 112 S Main Street, 2nd floor, ☎ +1 734 332-6500 (fax: +1 734 332-6501), [73]. Google opened the headquarters of AdWords, their advertising system, in the McKinley Towne Centre building in 2007; currently they employ about 150 sales and customer services representatives, with plans to expand their workforce to between 850 and 1,000 by around 2012. edit

• Pfizer Global Research and Development, 2800 Plymouth Road, ☎ +1 734 622-7000, [74]. Currently employs approximately 2,100 people in research and development functions. These include discovery, drug metabolism, pharmaceutical sciences, drug safety evaluation, development, and therapeutic research. On January 22, 2007, the company announced that the entire Ann Arbor facility will be shut down by the end of 2008. edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit] Bookstores

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.

• Borders No. 001, 612 E Liberty Street, +1 734 668-7652, [75]. M-Sa 9AM-11PM, Su 9AM-9PM. The flagship Borders bookstore, although it's moved a block away from its original location since the store opened in 1971.

• Aunt Agatha's, 213 S Fourth Avenue, +1 734 769-1114, [76]. M-Th 11AM-7PM, F-Sa 11AM-8PM, Su 12PM-5PM. Specializing in new and used mystery, detection, and true crime books.

• Common Language, 317 Braun Court, +1 734 663-0036, [77]. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-7PM. The only gay-owned-and-operated bookstore in Ann Arbor, specializing in gay, lesbian, and feminist works, with books, magazines, gifts and cards.

• Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tea Room, 114 S Main Street, +1 734 665-2757, [78]. 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.

• David's Books, 516-B E William Street, +1 734 665-8017, [79]. In business for over 25 years, David's buys and sells used, rare, and out of print books. They also have an online store, if you want to do some virtual shopping.

• The Dawn Treader, 514 E Liberty Street, +1 734 995-1008, [80]. M-Th 11AM-8PM, F-Sa 11AM-9PM, Su 12PM-5PM. A great place to browse – probably has the largest and widest selection of the downtown used bookstores.

• Kaleidoscope Books & Collectibles, 200 N 4th Avenue at Ann, +1 734 995-9887. Packed full of rare & used books, including vintage pulps, children's titles, mysteries, science fiction, modern firsts, vintage paperbacks with some really amusing pulp fiction titles, 1000s of postcards, sheet music, collectibles and memorabilia, movie posters, action figures, classic toys, and more.

• Motte & Bailey, 212 N 4th Avenue, +1 734 669-0451, [81]. Specializes in history.

• Shaman Drum, 311 - 315 S State Street, +1 734 662-7407, [82]. An academic, scholarly, literary, and independent bookstore for over 20 years, with a highly knowledgeable staff.

• West Side Book Shop, 113 W Liberty Street, +1 734 995-1891. Used and rare books, maps, and photographs. A strong literary bent.

[edit] Music

• Encore Records, 417 E Liberty Street, +1 734 662-6776, [83]. M-Sa 10AM-8PM, Su 12PM-PM. One of the best used record stores in the country. Encyclopedic staff.

• PJ's Used Records & CDs, 617 Packard Street (upstairs from Subway between Hill Street & State Street), +1 734 663-3441. Very friendly staff, amazing selection of vinyl in excellent condition and fairly priced.

• Wazoo Records, 336 1/2 S. State Street, +1 734 761-8686, [84]. M-F 10AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 12PM-6PM. New and used CDs and vinyl. Small but very well-picked selection.

[edit] Art and Gifts

• 16 Hands, 216 S Main Street, +1 734 761-1110, [85]. M-Th 10AM-6PM, F-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 12PM-5PM. Offers fine furniture, lighting, jewelry, wearables, housewares and gifts by artists throughout the United States.

• Dixboro General Store, 5206 Plymouth Road, +1 734 663-5558, [86]. M-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.

• Four Directions, 329 S Main Street, +1 734 996-9250, [87]. 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).

• John Leidy, 601 E Liberty Street, +1 734 668-6779, [88]. M-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM, Su 12PM-5PM. Fine gifts including china, stemware, flatware, ceramics, metalware, woodware, giftware, collectibles, jewelry, clothing, and textiles.

• Middle Earth, 1209 S University Avenue, +1 734 769-1488. Wacky and kitschy gifts, home decor, handcrafted contemporary and fashion jewelry, fashion accessories, T-shirts, books, candy, toys, and much more. It's a must-see if you're looking for something out of the ordinary.

• Motawi Tileworks, 170 Enterprise Drive, +1 734 213-0017, [89]. M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-3AM. 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).

• Occasionally, 223 S Main Street, +1 734 769-5151, [90]. The best place in town for local and Michigan gifts, including T-shirts, food, Michigan lighthouses, and gift baskets.

• Selo/Shevel Gallery, 310 S Main Street, +1 734 761-4620; 335 S Main Street, +1 734 761-6263; [91]. M-Th 10AM-7PM, F-Sa 10AM-10PM, Su 12PM-5PM. The gallery at 310 S Main specializes in ceramics, woodcraft, mixed media, folk art, textiles, and Judaica; the gallery at 335 S Main specializes in glass art and jewelry.

• Ten Thousand Villages, 303 S Main Street, +1 734 332-1270, [92]. Su M 12PM-5PM,, Tu-Th 11AM-7PM, F Sa 11AM-9PM. A non-profit retail store staffed by volunteers, featuring fairly-traded handicrafts from around the world.

[edit] Other

• Acme Mercantile, 111 W Liberty Street, +1 734 213-3722, [93]. M-Th 10AM-8PM, F-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 11AM-7PM. Constantly adding new playful and useful items such as mystery grab bags and local favorite Mighty Good Coffee, as well as keeping old favorites in stock, like 7 Days of Moustaches and stylish Readers and Sunglasses. The inventory now includes over 4,000 items available both in store and online at www.acmemercantile.com. They're all about function and fun. They have hardware items, office supply items, health and beauty aids, pet supplies, books and stationary, kitchen and household items, cleaning and laundry supplies, men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, candy and toys as well as gifts, cards and gift wrap. They have exclusive lines including Flax clothing for women and Chilewich bags. They also offer many natural and organic items for pets, people and their homes. They also gift wrap for free and validate parking!
• Downtown Home and Garden, 210 S Ashley Street, +1 734 662-8122. M-Sa 7:30AM-7PM, Su 11AM-4PM. Gardening, greenhouse, cookware, and housewares, in a historic livery stable.

• Morgan and York, Fine Wines and Specialty Foods, 1928 Packard Street, +1 734 662-0798, [94]. M-Sa 9AM-9PM, Su 12PM-6PM. 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, Morgan and 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.

• Vault of Midnight, 219 S Main Street, +1 734 998-1413, [95]. 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.

• Wizzywig Collectibles, 4720 S State Street, +1 734 213-1112, [96]. F Sa 12PM-8PM, Su 12PM-5PM. Large store specializing in Japanese pop culture, with anime videos for purchase or rental, toys, apparel, books, CDs, DVDs, trading cards, wallscrolls, and Japanese snacks.

[edit] Shopping Centers

• Kerrytown Market, 407 N Fifth Avenue, +1 734 662-5008, [97]. Over 20 shops and restaurants, including a very nice produce and seafood market.

• Ann Arbor Farmer's Market and Artisan Market, 315 Detroit Street, +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.

• Nickels Arcade, between State Street and Maynard Street south of Liberty Street, +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.

• Briarwood Mall, 100 Briarwood Circle, +1 734 761-9550, [98]. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Over 125 shops and restaurants.

[edit][add listing] Eat

For a relatively small Great Lakes town, Ann Arbor boasts 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 carts on many street corners, particularly in the summer, selling basic hot dogs for $1 with complimentary toppings, as well as a few carts selling more exotic things like tamales and arepas.

One thing you won't see much of, however, at least in the downtown area, is popular nationwide fast-food chains: there's one Wendy's downtown, in the basement of the Michigan League, and that's it. The only McDonald's near campus closed around 2003, to be replaced by a bubble-tea café. 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 Plymouth Road.

[edit] Budget

• Angelo's, 1104 E Catherine Street, ☎ +1 734 663-7222, [99]. M-F 7AM-4PM, Sa 7AM-3PM, Su 7AM-2PM. Angelo's is popularly known as the best breakfast spot in town, offering eggs, omelettes, waffles, pancakes, French toast and lots of sides. They also serve soups, salads, sandwiches and burgers. Be sure to try the homemade raisin bread they're famous for. $4-$9.  edit

• Asian Legend, 516 E William Street suite 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 making it a popular hangout for Taiwanese students. The salt-and-pepper crispy chicken wings are one of their most popular dishes. $4 - $12.  edit

• Ayse's Courtyard Cafe, 1703 Plymouth Road, ☎ +1 734 662-1711. M-F 11AM-2PM, Sa 11:30AM-3PM (lunch); M-Th 5PM-8PM, F 5PM-9PM; closed Sundays. Ann Arbor's only Turkish restaurant, offering soups, salads, pilavs, boreks, lamb, beef, chicken, and many vegetarian stews. $7 - $10.  edit

• Bagel Fragel, 1754 Plymouth Road, ☎ +1 734 332-1555. M-F 6AM-3:30PM, Sa-Su 6AM-3PM. The only place left in town where you can buy fragels, a delicacy that was apparently created here in Ann Arbor. It's best to go early and get them piping hot. edit

• BTB Burrito, 810 S State Street, ☎ +1 734 222-4822, [100]. aily 11AM-4AM. Salads, nachos, burritos, chimichangas, quesadillas and tacos, made with fresh ingredients and fresh salsa. $3 (regular) - $9 (giant).  edit

• Bubble Island, 1220 S University Avenue, ☎ +1 734 222-9013. M-Th 11AM-2AM, F-Sa 11AM-3AM, Su 12PM-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.  edit

• Cafe Felix, 204 S Main Street, ☎ +1 734 662-8650, [101]. A French-style cafe with the best morning cappuccino in town. Food is great including the evening tapas menu and excellent wine and martini selections. Come sit and read, drink, and people watch. Breads and pastries, soups, salads, omelettes, crepes, gourmet sandwiches and entrée croissants. $2 - $8.50 (lunch), $4 - $9 (tapas).  edit

• Cafe Habana, 211 E Washington Street, ☎ +1 734 332-6046. Mo-Fr 7AM-2AM, Sa 8AM-2AM, Su 8AM-10PM. Traditional Cuban and Latin American dishes. edit

• Cafe Japon, 113 E. Liberty Street, ☎ +1 734 332-6200 (fax: +1 734 332-6262), [102]. M-Sa 8:00AM-8:00PM, Su closed. French pastries and bread; Japanese entrées, soups, sushi, and teas; fusion sandwiches. The breads and croissants are outstanding. If you dine in, the entrées are tasty and exquisitely presented. No liquor license. $2-3 (breads and pastries), $6-7 (sandwiches), $9-12 (entrées).  edit

• Cafe Verde, 214 N Fourth Avenue, ☎ +1 734 302-7032, [103]. M-Sa 7AM-9:30PM, Su 9AM-8PM. Next to the People's Food Coop, this is a vegetarian-friendly hot bar and salad bar and cafe featuring local, organic and fair trade items. edit

• Cake Nouveau, 206 N Fourth Street, ☎ +1 734 994–4033, [104]. Mo-Sa 10AM-7PM, closed Sundays. Artistic wedding and party cakes that have been featured on the Food Network; the storefront also sells four varieties of cupcake (chocolate truffle, vanilla beany and two weekly-rotating flavors). Cake slices, cookies and drinks. edit

• China Gate, 1201 S University Avenue, ☎ +1 734 668-2445. Great food with fast service, and relatively inexpensive. $5 - $14.  edit

• Cottage Inn, 512 E William Street, ☎ +1 734 663-3379, [105]. The first pizza restaurant in Ann Arbor, established in 1948. Pizza, salads, subs and pasta. A cheese pizza runs $6 - $10 (10-inch to 14-inch); specialty pizzas are $11 to $19 (10-inch to 16-inch).  edit

• Earl of Sandwich, 307 S State Street, ☎ +1 734 213-6762, [106]. Daily 7AM-11PM. Small quick-service chain founded by the a direct descendant of the fourth Earl of Sandwich. Hot sandwiches, soups, salads, wraps, desserts. $6.  edit

• Earthen Jar, 311 S. Fifth Ave, ☎ +1 734 327-9464 (fax: (734) 327-9346), [107]. M- Th and Sa 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-9PM closed Sundays. This tiny restaurant is full of flavor and the only all-vegetarian Indian restaurant in town. Perhaps because much of the food is vegan, it's not as authentic as the other Indian restaurants in town, but it's a great option for those with dietary restrictions. Be careful, though — because you pay by the pound, it's pretty easy to end up with a $20 plate of food. Catering is also available. The salad bar and mostly vegan buffet are only $4.99/lb with side items and beverages ranging from $.30 to $3.00.  edit

• Eastern