What to do in Ann Arbor

Submitted by jimmyh on

My wife and I will be in Ann Arbor is there any place that anyone can suggest that we can do and see while we are in town ? Can we see Practice at all ?

Njia

August 16th, 2011 at 7:38 AM ^

"The Arb" is the Nichols Arboretum, which is next to the U-M Medical Center, along the Huron River. It's a terrific park, great for taking a walk. If it's a nice day, I highly encourage it.

I also have to agree with those who are suggesting you go to Zingerman's Deli on Detroit Street in Kerrytown, on the brick-paved, north side of downtown. It has so often been ranked #1 in this or that category on a national basis by so many food and travel writers, you have to try it yourself. Yes, it is expensive. Yes, it is absolutely worth it.

The Museum of Natural History in the middle of Central Campus is a great place. It's free, except a donation is suggested (not much, about $5 per person). Lots of neat things to see, including mastodon skeletons. It's one of my favorite places in Ann Arbor.

After a trip over to the museum, take a short walk down to South University (a street) and grab a bubble tea at Mo Mo Tea or Bubble Island (I prefer Mo Mo Tea, but Bubble Island is also good). If you've never had one, it's a treat. Take your drink and walk west on South U a couple of blocks to the West Hall arch. Go through the arch and up the sidewalk to the "M" in the The Diag, the Center of the Universe As We Know It.

Ann Arbor is a special place; one of America's truly great college towns. Enjoy it!

ND Sux

August 16th, 2011 at 7:53 AM ^

Five breweries to choose from: Grizzly Peak, Blue Tractor, Arbor, Wolverine, and Jolly Pumpkin. 

The first three have good food, not sure about the last two. 

WolvinMaine

August 16th, 2011 at 10:46 PM ^

Jolly Pumpkin has a short but very good menu.  I ate there last year around Thanksgiving, and the focus was fresh/local take on pub grub.  Nothing radical, but good.  Their beer is something else.  They have some of the best sour/wild beers in America.  If you dig on funky/sour brews, this is one of the breweries that have figured it out.  I will say though, the bacterial/brett character of their beers on tap was much lower then anything I had in bottles, but then, I only get the stuff shipped out here to Maine that have been able to stew for a bit.  On tap, it was not nearly as pronounced. 

El Jeffe

August 16th, 2011 at 8:22 AM ^

Guys, I got this:

  1. 9:00 a.m.: Breakfast at Angelo's
  2. 10:30 a.m.: Walk through Arb to work off breakfast
  3. Noon: Zingerman's
  4. 1:30 p.m.: Walk downtown to work off lunch
  5. 3:00 p.m.: Mid-afternoon snack at Blimpy's
  6. 4:30 p.m.: Walk through diag to work off Blimpy's
  7. 7:00 p.m.: Dinner Cottage Inn
  8. 8:30 p.m.: Walk around athletic campus to work off dinner
  9. 10:00 p.m.: Drinks at Old Town or Grizzly Peak
  10. 2:00 a.m.: Late night snack at the Fleetwood
  11. 3:00 a.m.: Walk back to your hotel to work off the Fleetwood

Note: if you like to do anything other than eat and walk, I can't help you. That's all I ever do in A2 when I'm back.

Number 7

August 16th, 2011 at 8:36 AM ^

There is also Zingerman's Roadhouse - strip mall setting, but tremendous food. The chef recently won a James Beard Award for being one of the best in the midwest.

swan flu

August 16th, 2011 at 8:42 AM ^

Gandy Dancer is groooosss.  The menu is way too big, and they don't cook anything well.  The place is straight out of 1988.  And it is mad expensive.

 

If you want a REALLY good meal, go to Eve in Kerrytown.  Mario Batalli frequents the place. 

Gandy Dancer:Eve::Bud Light:Jolly Pumpkin

Beavis

August 16th, 2011 at 10:34 AM ^

Gandy Dancer is not "gross" but it is straight out of the 80's and totally overpriced.  A place where old money loves to go.  

Also, I don't know about Eve in Kerrytown.  But I caution you to relive the head chef's (brief) stint on Top Chef to see if it is a place that you would like to eat (doesn't seem to be my cup of tea).  Really... Chop House or Real Seafood.  All you need in fine dining for Ann Arbor.  

An Angelo's Addict

August 16th, 2011 at 8:54 AM ^

Zingerman's, Maize n Blue, Angelo's, No Thai, Pizza House and many more. Go on an eating frenzy, thats what I plan to do when I get to visit again for the Notre Dame game. and of course ricks, check ricksline.com or whatever its called to see the amount of people waiting outside

rymgoblue11

August 16th, 2011 at 8:55 AM ^

Man Vs Food did an A2 episode - you could probably youtube that. All those places are legit and delicious! Although, if you are around South U... try No Thai! Good stuff! There is one in Kerrytown. Palios is delic. You cannot go wrong eatting in A2!

Enjoy and Go Blue!

Desmonlon Edwoodson

August 16th, 2011 at 9:43 AM ^

Lots of excellent food choices.  I'd suggest greasy breakfast at the fleetwood diner(for the company/ambiance), a turkey rueben and a Guinness at Connor Oneil's for lunch, and overpriced pizza and sangria(or constant buzz) at Dominics...gotta do it once anyway. 

Close runners up: Cashew Chicken and the best eggrolls on the Earth at Saigon Garden, chicken parmesian on the roof at Palios, and in lieu of Blimpys(which I find to be grossly overrated) grab some Wendy's in the basement of the Union--you just may see an athlete or two.

As far as activities...try to sneak onto the field.  Try to check out the newish practice facility(football or basketball).  Their security isn't that good, and the worst they will do is ask you to leave =)  Or just take a stroll down South University, do some shopping on Main Street, drive down State Street past the frats, spin the cube behind the Union, check out Angel Hall, walk through the Diag and step(or dont step) on the M, soak your feet in the weird Jupiter chomo fountain, kiss a pretty girl under the arch between the diag and South University...

Ron_Lippitt

August 16th, 2011 at 9:51 AM ^

Well that's what it used to be called back when I was a student.  It's now called "Rich JC" .  It's an old school Korean joint, with stools up to the bar, and a totally unapologetic lack of decor.

BUT -- it serves the best Bi Bim Bop you will find in Michigan.  An absolute treat if you're looking for something different that screams Ann Arbor.  Healthy too!!!!! 

bluebyyou

August 16th, 2011 at 12:18 PM ^

Idon't know if it is the best Korean food in the area, but we go on occasion to Seoul Garden on Boardwalk - here is a link

http://www.aaseoulgarden.com/

Any of the Korean barbecue dishes are excellent...choose whatever seems good.  There are so many other vegetable items that accompany the meal that you will not leave hungry.  The waitresses tend to be very helpful if it is your first time. 

Ron_Lippitt

August 17th, 2011 at 9:36 AM ^

Ya get a metal bowl filled with vegetables, rice, good quality beef, and a fried egg on top.  You mix the whole thing with a healthy amount of hot sauce that they provide.  It's eaten with chopsticks (although you can use a fork if you're a wimpy american).

Best part, the kim chi (spicy cabbage).  They provide it in a separate bowl which you can then add to your mixture to suit your tastes.  I LOVE kim chi, so I generally drop the whole thing into the mixture.  But if you're a newb, you might want to sample it first.

Seriously a delight.  And also an amazing remedy for a hangover...

Ron_Lippitt

August 17th, 2011 at 9:41 AM ^

This is terrible to admit, but a hilarious memory.  My roomates and I used to go to Steve's lunch for another reason.  They had a hot waitress there who, for whatever reason, decided that bras were offensive to her.  We would always sit at the side of the bar where she had to do the dishes (which required her to bend over).  And helllllooooo daddy.  I even took a picture one time,

I'm not proud.  Or tired.

 

State Street

August 16th, 2011 at 9:57 AM ^

An often forgotten but very delicious institution: Benny's on South Industrial for breakfast.

The food isn't as great as Angelo's but the ambiance is top shelf, as almost every major UM athlete has eaten there and left a signed picture on the wall (my favorite - Charles Woodson professing his love for the "Super Omlette.")

If you're there on a weekend from 11AM - Noon you're bound to see at least a handful of current athletes enjoying the grub as well.  

canzhiye

August 16th, 2011 at 10:02 AM ^

I prefer Zingerman's Roadhouse over the Zingerman's downtown. And don't forget to check out the fairy doors downtown if you have any kids... or would just like to bring out your inner child-ness

will

August 16th, 2011 at 11:50 AM ^

Borders is doing 30% off everything. The online inventory tracker says they still have a motorola xoom in stock. If so, it would be $300 instead of 500. If you are in AA right now, you should go buy it ASAP.

gbdub

August 16th, 2011 at 12:11 PM ^

Northside Grill on Plymouth makes a great breakfast - I actually prefer it to Angelo's (though Angelo's is good too). It's a bit out of the way, and looks like a dive from the outside (it's not). Always packed on the weekends. Surprised it hasn't made it on here yet - maybe you had to be a North Campus denizen.

502sezGoBlue

August 16th, 2011 at 1:40 PM ^

Although it would be awesome to see practice, if you're peaking anywhere near the field you'll be asked to leave pretty quickly as practice is "private" according to the football program. However, if you really want to watch, go to the Stadium bride over State Street. Good enough viewing point there.