A university town in Michigan with a population of 113,934, home to major tech companies and cultural institutions like the UM Museum of Art and School of Music.
Ann Arbor, Michigan's fifth-largest city, revolves around the University of Michigan and its iconic Michigan Stadium, where 107,601 fans gather for football games. Walk through downtown to browse independent bookstores like Literati or grab a sandwich at Zingerman's Deli, known for its corned beef and pastrami. Each July, artists transform 30 city blocks into open-air galleries during the Ann Arbor Art Fairs. You'll find locals kayaking the Huron River, cycling the Border-to-Border Trail, or relaxing in one of the city's 160 parks.
University of Michigan Campus Life
The University of Michigan shapes Ann Arbor's character with 51,000 students and buildings dating back to 1841. Stop by the Museum of Natural History to join hands-on experiments at the Living Lab or walk among dinosaur fossils. Browse African sculptures and Contemporary American paintings at the Museum of Art, or look through 19th-century telescopes during Detroit Observatory tours. Student galleries across campus display current works from Art & Design students. The university's 30,000 employees and research facilities have attracted tech companies like Google and Toyota to open offices nearby.
Downtown Shopping and Food Scene
Independent shops line downtown Ann Arbor's streets, selling everything from vintage leather jackets to rare graphic novels and international ingredients. At Zingerman's Deli, which began as a small sandwich shop in 1982, you can choose from 100+ cheese varieties, fresh-baked breads, and imported foods. Try Mongolian hot pot at The Slurping Turtle, Spanish tapas at Aventura, or German schnitzel at Metzger's. Start your morning at local coffee roasters like RoosRoast, and end your evening with craft cocktails at The Last Word or The Ravens Club.
Arts and Entertainment Venues
Watch independent films beneath the 1928 Michigan Theater's restored ceiling, where the original Barton organ still plays before shows. The Ark's intimate 400-seat room hosts folk and acoustic musicians almost every night, with tickets typically ranging from $20-35. At the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, housed in an 1882 fire station, kids and adults can build electrical circuits and create sound waves. Listen to classical quartets or jazz trios at Kerrytown Concert House, a Victorian home turned 110-seat music venue.
Parks and River Activities
Rent kayaks or canoes at Argo and Gallup Parks to paddle the Huron River. In winter, skate at Buhr Park's indoor ice rink ($7 admission), or play tennis on its courts in summer before cooling off in the pool. The paved Border-to-Border Trail stretches 20 miles along the river, connecting multiple parks. At Fuller Park, you'll find soccer fields and an Olympic-size pool, while the Leslie Science Center maintains hiking trails where you can spot hawks and owls at the raptor center.
Annual Events and Festivals
During the July Art Fairs, 1,000 artists sell paintings, ceramics, jewelry, and sculptures across downtown's streets. Hash Bash brings cannabis advocates to the University of Michigan Diag every first Saturday of April, continuing a tradition from 1972. From June to July, the Ann Arbor Summer Festival fills indoor venues and outdoor spaces with musicians, dancers, comedians, and films, many events free to attend.
