The Ann Arbor area is well-known for its globally inspired arts and entertainment offerings. A true thriving artists community, Ann Arbor is home to galleries, museums, and the most incredible music and theater. Downtown Ann Arbor is the perfect place to stroll local bookstores, unique galleries, and a variety of wonderful museums. From the University of Michigan’s Museum of Natural History to the UM Kelsey Museum of Archeology, you could spend an entire day exploring. And then come back the next day and still have more to see and do!

If you love to try new cuisine, Ann Arbor is home to more than 400 restaurants offering everything from Ethiopian to Eastern European to Italian, and absolutely everything in between! Gourmet desserts and hand-crafted ice-cream shops are just steps from local parks, making for a wonderfully delicious afternoon. There are even restaurants that welcome dogs! And then there’s Zingerman’s. What began as a deli in 1982, has now grown into an entire food district featuring nine specialty food-focused destinations. If you haven’t tried Zingerman’s Roadhouse’s “Voted Best in America” mac and cheese, you’ll want to make that your first stop. Finally, with numerous national and international awards, Paesano Restaurant & Wine Bar is a must for those who enjoy wonderful Italian food and an amazing assortment of wines!

From local markets to malls to thrift and antique shops, Ann Arbor is the perfect place for shoppers. Built in 1918, the historic Nickel’s Arcade is a 261-foot-long, mosaic-tiled corridor in downtown Ann Arbor boasting some of the most unique specialty retail shops. The historic Kerrytown District is home to the Ann Arbor farmer’s market, weekly artisan market, and eclectic shops, galleries, and bookstores. Our State Street District/Main Street Area was voted by Fodor’s as one of the best streets in America on account of their gift shops and galleries. Be sure to check out our local bookstores, Crazy Wisdom and Literati (which was named a Publisher’s Weekly Bookstore of the Year!)  You could spend an entire afternoon in the stacks.

Whether you’re an adventure-seeker or just enjoy nature, Ann Arbor offers just about everything under the sun (and moon!) From kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddle boarding in the summer to cross country skiing, snowshoeing and ice skating in the cooler months, there is plenty to see and do outdoors. Like to hit the greens? Ann Arbor is home to so many beautiful golf courses, including Fox Hills, which was voted Best Public Golf Course of the Year. Nicknamed “Tree Town,” Ann Arbor is home to soooooo many beautiful parks and gardens. If you’re a walker or bird-watcher, you’ll absolutely love it here. Be sure to visit the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and take a stroll through the Waterloo State Recreation Area, where you’ll be able to watch the sand hill crane migration – it’s truly a sight to behold.