Our 10 Best Things to Do In Ann Arbor, Michigan takes a look at a city located west of Detroit. The beautiful Ann Arbor city has various attractions that are a must-see whether you are a visitor or a resident. It has various activities that anyone can do during various times and seasons of the years. Activities like ice skating during the winter, fishing in the river, canoeing, and kayaking. The city also has numerous museums. Apart from the 50,000 trees lining the streets of this city, it has a garden that offers tranquil surroundings and camping sites that you can visit. Have you ever stepped in an over one hundred thousand capacity stadium? Well, Ann Arbor is home to the largest stadium in the United States, and it hosts various sporting activities during different times of the year. Ann Arbor city is home to one of the best wine distillerys. It has theatres, markets, and parks where visitors and locals can visit to have fun, relax, and even buy local produce. This great city was founded in 1824, and its population estimates stand at around 120,735 in 2019. There are endless activities to do in Ann Arbor, Michigan, during various seasons and times of the year.
Here are the best 10 things to do in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
# 10 – Hudson Mills Metropark
Are you an outdoor enthusiast who likes quiet places? Well, if you do, you should never miss visiting this amazing Metropark. This amazing outdoor Metropark covers more than 1,500 acres consisting of dense woodlands, Rolling Meadows, and shimmering wetlands. You will have a glimpse of rare species of wildlife and birds in this amazing park. The Hudson Mills Metropark features hiking, biking, and trekking trails that you can use for related activities. Besides, inside this 1,500-acre property located 12 miles northwest of Ann Arbor, there is the Huron River, where activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and fly fishing occur. You can bring your loved ones for a picnic in this park while when visiting with kids, there are swings and slides where they can play. Moreover, during the winter, cross-country skiing trails are available for skiing activities.
# 9 – Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
Do you like ancient things? It would be best if you never miss visiting Kelsey Museum of Archaeology while in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Located at the central campus of Michigan University College of Literature, Science, and Arts. This museum is a research museum opened in 1928, and it features over 100,000 breathtaking objects from Ancient Greece, Egyptian, Roman, Etruscan, Persian, Mesopotamia, and Islamic objects. On the permanent display in this museum, there are around 1,500 artifacts plus preserved spices of over 2,000 years. Other fascinating things found in this museum include a rare collection of Egyptian mummy musk, ancient Greek coins, the largest collection of Parthian pottery, and roman brick stamps. Furthermore, this museum offers educational programs, special exhibitions, and various fieldwork projects.
# 8 – Kerrytown
Kerrytown was named after County Kerry in Ireland. The farmers market is located in Kerrytown, and it opens every Wednesday and Saturday from 7 am to 3 pm. A visit to Kerrytown will allow you to understand Ann Arbor locals’ culture and interact with them. In Kerrytown, everything like jewelry, clothing, handmade art, vintage treasures, and toys are found. Additionally, locally sourced items, farm produce, baked goods, and gourmet food are sold in Kerrytown. Activities such as browsing and tastings are available in various shops located in Kerrytown.
# 7 – University of Michigan Museum of Art
If you are an art person, then your visit to Ann Arbor will not be complete without visiting the University Of Michigan Museum Of Art. In 1909 University of Michigan Museum of Art started as a war memorial. Currently, it is one of the best and the largest universities in the entire United States. Besides, based on stats, it is one of the most visited places in Ann Arbor. This museum of art features over 21,000 pieces of art in the current day. Among the fascinating collections found in this museum include metal, glass, and photography, which are Asian, African, and Western art. The works by Pablo Picasso, Franz Kline, Claude Monet, and Kara Walker are among the permanent exhibits on display in this museum.
Further, activities such as workshops, educational programs, and classes are also offered in this museum for both visitors and locals. University of Michigan Museum of Art is open from Tuesday to Sunday, while it remains closed on Mondays and during university holidays. It does not have an admission fee.
# 6 – Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum
This is a place to enjoy the tranquility of nature away from the noisy and busy city life. A visit to these 123-acre joint properties will give you a chance to cool off your mind while viewing the array of botanical gardens and natural conservatory. There are hiking and walking trails inside this property. The gardens featured include Great Lakes Garden, Bonsai and Penjing Garden, and the Garfield Children’s Garden. Additionally, there is a variety of wildlife and rare species of birds on this property. During the spring, you will view the beauty of colorful and sweet-smelling flowers blooming. This property has no admission fee, and it opens daily between 10 am and 8 pm during the summer. During fall and winter, it opens from 10 am to 4.30 pm daily except on Wednesdays when it extends its closing time to 8 pm.
# 5 – The Creature Conservancy
You can never miss passing by this conservancy during your visit to Ann Arbor, Michigan if you are interested in animals. The facility is an animal rescue center and education organization. Visiting this conservancy will allow you to learn about animals and see them in the process. The exhibits found in this conservancy include Aquatic Exotics such as apple snails, African clawed frogs, and water hyacinths. This creature conservancy is one of the places that you can go camping during your visit to Ann Arbor.
# 4 – Leslie Science & Nature Center
A visit to this science and nature center will inspire curiosity and exploration for you and even kids. This natural facility features trails, birds of prey, and raptor enclosures, among other fascinating creatures and things. Among the birds of prey found in this science and nature center include the American kestrel, Bald eagle, barred owl, eastern screech owl, great horned owl, turkey vulture, among other birds of prey. Inside this property, there are different types and species of trees and animals that you will get to see during your visit. Last, field trips, Girl Scout and cub scouts plus overnight visits, as well as summer camps and school break-up camps, are among the activities offered in this property for children.
# 3 – University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
Located along 1109 Geddes Avenue, this 22,000 square feet facility is home to various collections of artifacts and specimens collected as early as the 1830s. This facility was founded in 1956. Some of the permanent exhibits housed in this natural history museum include the Anthropology Displays, the Geology Displays, the Hall of Evolution, and the Michigan Wildlife Gallery. Additionally, a planetarium and a “Butterfly and Pollinator Garden” are other exhibits in this museum.
# 2 – Michigan Stadium
Also known as ‘The Big House,’ this is the pride of Ann Arbor. With a capacity of 115,000, It is the largest stadium in the united states. This stadium hosts various sports activities such as football, lacrosse, and hockey. It is a place you should not miss visiting while in Ann Arbor if you are a sports fan. ‘The big house’ was built in 1927, and it also acts as the venue for the Michigan university graduation ceremony. This breathtaking stadium is located at 1201 S Main St.
# 1 – Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
You should never fail to visit this facility if you want to learn and understand the life and career of the 38th president of the United States, Gerald Ford. Among the exhibits featured in this library include materials on the domestic issues and affairs during the Cold War period, Watergate case. Letters, memos, reports, and historical documents are housed in this museum that will help you learn a lot during the visit. This library is also a perfect place for meetings and lectures while in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Feature Photo: Traveler100, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
