Ann Arbor is one of my favorite places to visit in Michigan and I keep coming back for more. Whether this is your first trip or you want to explore some more, you've come to the right place. As you get hungry along the way, I recommend fitting some of my favorite restaurants and coffee shops into your schedule.
Best Time to Visit Ann Arbor, MI
The best time to visit Ann Arbor is from May to October, when you can enjoy warm weather, festivals, and outdoor fun. Fall is especially popular for football games and colorful foliage. Winter brings a quiet charm, cozy cafés, and holiday markets.
How to Get to Ann Arbor, MI
- By Car: Located off I-94 and US-23, Ann Arbor is about 45 minutes west of Detroit.
- By Train: Amtrak's Wolverine Line stops in Ann Arbor with service between Chicago and Detroit.
- By Plane: Fly into Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), about 25 miles away, then drive or shuttle to town.
Where to Stay in Ann Arbor, MI
- Graduate Ann Arbor – Boutique hotel
- Ann Arbor Bed & Breakfast
- Hyatt Place Ann Arbor – Modern, family-friendly stay
Best Things to Do in Ann Arbor, MI
1. Visit the University of Michigan Museum of Art
Rating: ★★★★★
Get started at the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) which was actually built as a war memorial in 1909 and is one of the largest university art museums in the country.
Admire 19,000 works of art that span an array of periods, including works by Pablo Picasso, Franz Kline, Claude Monet, Randolph Rogers and Kara Walker.
Where you'll find it: 525 South State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 734-764-0395
2. Take the kids to the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
If you are traveling with kids, don't skip the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum where you can choose from 250 interactive displays.
I found it to be a great place to dive into imaginative and interactive learning experiences to discover the wonder of science, technology, art, math, and engineering.
220 E. Ann Street, 734-995-5439
3. Watch a game at Michigan Stadium
See a game at Michigan Stadium which is the largest stadium in the United States and the second largest in the world, seating crowds of up to 115,000 people!
Watch a football game or call them an ask for a private tour on a weekday.
Stop for coffee and a croissant at The Drip House Coffee nearby.
1201 S Main St, 734-647-2583
4. Step Into Prehistoric Michigan at the Museum of Natural History
Another great attraction if you are a science fan is the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History. If you are thinking of enrolling, this is a great place to check out the university’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.
Walk through 22,000 square feet of exhibits showcasing Anthropology Displays, the Geology Displays, the Hall of Evolution, and the Michigan Wildlife Gallery.
I enjoyed my visit to the planetarium. The "Butterfly and Pollinator Garden" was my second favorite here.
University of Michigan, 1109 Geddes Avenue, 734-764-0478
5. Go for a walk in Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum
Spend some time outdoors at Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum also operated by the University of Michigan.
My favorite was the charming Bonsai Garden.
If you are visiting with kids, don't miss the Garfield Children’s Garden which offers cool hands-on learning opportunities.
1800 N. Dixboro Rd, 734-647-7600
I liked staying at the Graduate by Hilton Ann Arbor.
6. If You Love Local Flavor, Stroll Through Kerrytown
Shop for local goods at Kerrytown, a historic district. I enjoy browsing the Artisans’ Market on weekends.
It's a kid friendly area and you can have fun exploring for hours, with great snacks and coffee nearby.
7. See a performance at Hill Auditorium
If you want to see a performance by world-renowned artists and some of the best visiting orchestras, keep an eye on the seasonal schedule at Hill Auditorium.
As with most things here, the Auditorium is part of the University of Michigan campus and hosts a variety of the large public events.
Enjoy the unique, hemispherical stage, superb acoustics, and seating for up to 3,500 people.
825 N University Ave, 734-764-2538
8. Discover Presidential Legacy at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Check out the the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library located on the north campus of the University of Michigan.
You'll be able to see important items on the life, career, and presidency of Gerald Ford, the 38th President of the United States of America.
1000 Beal Ave, 734-205-0555
9. Visit the School of Music, Theatre & Dance
See a musical at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance while you are in town.
You may catch an opera, play or a dance performance instead.
Admire the unique Earl V. Moore building which was designed by Eero Saarinen.
1100 Baits Drive, 734-764-0583
10. Travel Back in Time at the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
Check out the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology which houses 100,000 ancient and medieval artifacts from civilizations of the Mediterranean and the East.
If you are interested in ancient Egyptian, Roman, Etruscan, Persian, and Islamic objects, there's something here for everyone.
I saw a rare collection of Egyptian mummy masks, ancient Greek coins, Roman brick stamps and the largest collection of Parthian pottery outside Iraq.
434 S State St, 734-764-9304
I enjoy visiting and exploring Ann Arbor. You can bookmark my page where I keep adding new posts about this fascinating place.
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