Top Things to Do in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Do

16 Hands Gallery

The tempting selection includes jewelry, clothing and candles at a shop in the Kerrytown historic district downtown.

Ann Arbor Art Center

The nonprofit hosts exhibitions and classes including family night and date night sessions.

Ann Arbor Art Fair

The largest juried art fair in the nation draws nearly 1,000 artists and 500,000 visitors (July 20-22, 2023).

Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum

See diverse floral environments, as well as sculptures, mosaics and fountains, at these two green spaces on the University of Michigan campus.

Motawi Tileworks

Window-shop or purchase Arts and Crafts-style tiles for homes, as well as clocks, pendants and other goods, at Motawi.

Michigan Stadium

The Wolverines play football in "The Big House," the largest sports stadium in North America—and second largest in the world—with a capacity of more than 107,000.

University of Michigan Museum of Art

A stunning glass collection from Louis Comfort Tiffany is among the highlights of this free college museum, which has a permanent collection of more than 18,000 objects.

University of Michigan Museum of Natural History

Journey through 4 billion years of life on earth through the museum's permanent and changing exhibits. Featured exhibits include Exploring Michigan, with life-size dioramas that highlight the state's habitats and wildlife as well as hands-on activities.

Eat and Drink

Aventura

Refuel with Spanish tapas, flatbreads, paella and drinks, including a bloody mary bar and sangrias on weekends, at Aventura.

Biercamp's

Order a small-batch beer and a house-made brat or brisket sandwich to enjoy in the beer garden at Biercamp's. Take home the deli's artisan sausages.

Cafe Zola

The French-inspired brunch menu at Cafe Zola includes crepes like Nutella Banana (with ice cream and toasted almonds) and Champignon Buckwheat (mushrooms and onions topped with porcini mushroom sauce and crème fraîche).

Frita Batidos

Top Chef contestant Eve Aronoff serves gourmet burgers with a Cuban twist at Frita Batidos. Load up a chorizo-based burger with cilantro-lime salsa, avocado spread and tropical slaw.

Gandy Dancer

Enjoy fine dining on steak and seafood in a restored 1886 train depot.

Ginger Deli

Try Ginger Deli's fresh and healthy Vietnamese classics, including summer rolls, banh mi made with on-site French bread, and pho.

Grange Kitchen and Bar

It's all about farm to table at Grange; local ingredients include wine, shrimp (farm-raised in Okemos), morels and just-picked ramps. Try the five-course seasonal tasting menu on Wednesday nights.

The Jolly Pumpkin

This brewery on Main Street turns a pint into a food adventure with dishes such as oven-dried-tomato pizza and truffle-oil fries.

The Last Word

Find an extensive wine and cocktail menu and creative small plates, such as Thai poutine, shishito peppers and smoked trout, at this spot known for its speakeasy ambience.

MANI Osteria and Bar

Near the University of Michigan campus, this restaurant is known for wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta and small plates. At Sunday brunch, enjoy a coffee cocktail or blood orange margarita.

Mediterrano

Taramousalata—a garlicky potato-caviar spread with the texture of whipped butter—starts every meal at Mediterrano.

Paesano Restaurant-Wine Bar

Forget red sauce. A seasonal menu offers innovative, upscale Italian dishes. If it's on the menu, make sure to taste the chestnut risotto.

Spencer

The casual wine-and-cheese bar features French flavors made with local ingredients.

Weber's Restaurant and Hotel

An Ann Arbor institution since 1937, the restaurant serves tender prime rib, steaks and seafood. Stay at the boutique hotel, too.

Zingerman's

Not just a name, but an institution, this family of businesses includes the original deli, a bakery, a creamery and the Roadhouse restaurant. Together, they form the backbone of the city's culinary scene.

Stay

Graduate Ann Arbor

The 204 rooms in Graduate Ann Arbor capture Wolverine pride. The academic-look lobby features a long library-style table and equation-covered blackboards as well as hand-painted murals behind the reception desk.

Palmer House

One of only a handful of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes you can rent in the Midwest, the Palmer House sits on two wooded acres near the Nichols Arboretum. Original Wright-designed furniture and and built-in cabinets remain in the three-bedroom, two-bath home. The home's unusual design, based on an equilateral triangle, translates to hexagonal-shaped beds as well as polygonal cutouts resembling birds on the exterior walls.

For more information visitannarbor.org