What to do while in Ann Arbor
I will be going to the Michigan vs Lil Brother game in October with my wife. I will be leaving the kids at home and will be spending 3 nights and 4 days in Ann Arbor with just the Mrs. She has never been to Michigan and this will be her first game at the Big House.. I really want to show her a good time and need some good advice on the places to eat, places that need to be seen, and the stuff that needs to be done while in Ann Arbor. Sorry for the generic post but just want to blow her socks off. The game alone will do it, but just want to check all the boxes that need to be checked while we are there. Thanks for everyones help in advance!
This is coming from a science person, but I never saw the appeal of Shaman.
You're making it sound like just because a restaurant is taking over for a bookstore that it's some shift in priorities or at least a knock on them. Shaman Drum had a crappy return policy and sold ridiculously overpriced coursebooks that you could buy off of Amazon or abebooks for 15-20% of the price you'd get it there. I'm surprised they stayed in business as long as they have.
...that I'm not invested in this issue, it's just nostalgia talking.
As you might imagine, I wasn't part of A2's counterculture scene, but I did appreciate it's place in the fabric of the city and the University.
As far as Five Guys goes, it's a fine franchise that I partake in from time to time and I'm positive they'll do quite well in that location. That said, it doesn't excite me to see Central Campus pick up another restaurant chain.
I'm not really invested in it either I just wasn't a huge Shaman Drum fan so I'm not really sad to see them go. I can understand not necessarily wanting another chain though.
You were a student when Drake's closed. I don't think Steve's Lunch is around anymore, either. And we even started after the Pretzel Bell closed. I have cousins who still mourn that loss.
/Sigh.
If they ever close Ashley's (perish the thought) I'm going on a beer strike.
My grandparents were just asking me and b/f if Pretzel Bell was still there.... they loved it back in the day
My grandma still talks about the Pretzel Bell....all the time.
Yeah, I totally get that.
Bruegger's is a seriously important part of my morning five days a week; I mean, the staff and I swap stories about our families and such. But that doesn't mean I don't think it's a huge bummer that Drake's isn't there anymore.
Yeah, I said Drake's. Yes, I AM that old.
Jerusalem Garden has my favorite falafel ever...better than any I've had in NYC or Israel. If you like that sort of thing, it makes a great cheap lunch.
Also, meaty hippy hash at Fleetwood is to-die-for. Hash browns haven't been the same since.
but even better username. It is the first one I've seen that actually made me LOL. Followed by an obligatory OMG.
is in Ypsi. It's related to The ABC. Its right around the corner from Depot Town and Sidetrack/Aubrees/Sticks.
take her to the place the ping-pong table from Forrest Gump was made!
Then you'll truly be Maize and Blue.
This list is seriously making me want to head back for a weekend.
Like people have mentioned: Ashley's, Zingerman's and Dominick's.
I don't know if this has changed since I left, but I would avoid the Real Seafood Co. on Main St. I was always very disappointed with their mains, though the starters were nice enough.
I would also recommend heading out into the surrounding area, somewhere like Saline or Dexter for some "small town charm". Maybe find a cider mill while you're out in the country and have some warm cider and a donut.
Enjoy your weekend, no matter what you do.
There is NOTHING to do.
-from a Saline grad
Cider mill is definitely on the list. I would love to check out some of the smaller towns in the area as well. I am getting so excited for this trip!!!
Two words: Hippy Hash
Nothing like getting hippy hash at 2 am at Fleetwood after closing down 8 ball (bar on the side of the Blind Pig).
Zingerman's sandwiches are overrated and overpriced. Maize and Blue Deli on South U is much better and affordable.
IMHE...
Zingerman's: overpriced, but not overrated.
Maize & Blue Deli is good value, but not a superior sandwich.
Agree to disagree. I love Zingerman's selection of oils and vinegars, but their sandwhiches are meh.
It is the best pizza I have had in my life. I have introduced that establishment to no less than 20 people. All but one agreed with me that the food is amazing. The one who didn't was a female who was so thin that if she turned sideways, she became invisible. "It seems like too many calories" is what she told me. It's Chicago style pizza. It's supposed to make your arteries kinda cry a little.
It's on Maple just past Miller. Perfect location to pick-up and then hit the highways after the games.
all women enjoy shopping. Plan on spending some time at Briarwood. There is an MDen in the mall so you can pick up some good quality Michigan merchandise while you're there.
For the nightlife, I'd hit dinner at least once at Grizzly Peak. Up scale restaurant as well as a brewery. Ideal for couples.
as far as malls go... Somerset in Troy would realllly knock the socks off (if you like expensive window shopping or have the money to blow)
(I was going to object to the "all women enjoy shopping" generalization... then realized I barely have anecdotal evidence to support my case.)
However, I know that he isn't going to want to drive all over Michigan to go shopping. Briarwood may not be anything special, but it is still a mall.
She might enjoy the small shops on and around main street, but there is no gaurantee on what the weather will be in early October in Michigan.
Go Shag in the Stacks
If they're in a hurry. Or bashful.
Take her to Detroit. Get some deep-fried alligator at Fishbone's. Go across the street to the pastry shop and get fat.
Take her to Somerset in Troy. Prepare to have a high credit card bill.
Eat at Zingerman's in Ann Arbor. Tailgate on the golf course.
Go see a concert, whether it's at Hill Auditorium (highly recommended), the Blind Pig, or the Ark. If you're older, the Blind Pig might not be your crowd. It's a dingy bar, but they have a lot of great bands come through there. I've seen Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie, Great Lakes Myth Society, Electric Six, Rogue Wave, and Pedro the Lion there, among others. I saw Andrew Bird at the Ark, which was pretty effing awesome, too.
...Angelo's for breakfast. Make it happen.
Good call on Cafe Marie. We have gone there for years. The food is almost as good, but 1,000 times easier to get in the place. Hope it stays that way after your endorsement!
check out Middle Earth and some of the other shops along South U. Definitely head over to Ashley's for a brew or two...great list of beer to choose from. If you want to knock her socks off, and you don't mind spending a bit of cash, take her downtown to The Earle on Washington St. They have very good French and Italian cuisine.
Sweet! My wife and I are making our first trip to AA for the Big Chill. It looks like we have plenty to do. Any suggestions for tailgating or pre-game bars?
(...for brunch)
I can't believe I forgot about Afternoon Delight! Definitely a must while in town!
so double your Afternoon Delight
People frequently forget about the rest of Kerrytown that is not named Zingerman's. There are a ton of really cool shops owned by eccentric locals if you're into that sort of thing. It's a much different part of town than campus or Main Street.
is Earl of Sandwich still there on State St? I know it only came in a few years ago but sometimes places don't last that long. I wouldn't recommend going there for a one-weekend type trip I am just more curious as to whether or not it's still there.
that didn't last long at all.
If you do want to hit a cider mill and get some of the "small town feel," the mill in Dexter is the oldest continuously operated mill in Michigan and they have a wine tasting room for a winery near Jackson. Great place in Sept - October when the leaves are changing, right on the Huron River. http://www.dextercidermill.com/ and http://www.sandhillcranevineyards.com/
Oh, yeah - Dexter also has the #1 and #4 Belgian-style golden ales in the world... http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/24/dining/reviews/24wine.html
(Yes, I'm from Dexter and not AA, but it makes for a nice change on Sunday after the gameday on Saturday...)