The Best Things to Do in Ann Arbor: The Ultimate Weekend Guide for 3 days

Ann Arbor, Michigan. Home to the University of Michigan, and, if you’re familiar with what some locals say, “six square miles surrounded by reality”. About four hours from our hometown of Chicago and around 45 minutes west of Detroit, it’s a great place to spend a few days. Ann Arbor is home to around 120,000 people, making it the fifth-largest city in the state of Michigan. About 51,000 students go to the University, with 33,000 of those being part of the undergraduate programs.

P2 is an Ann Arbor native, and I spent five years in Ann Arbor getting my BA and MA from the University of Michigan. The University of Michigan is where we met. With years of experience in Ann Arbor informing our recommendations for people at all different stages of life, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the best things to do in Ann Arbor.

So here’s everything you need to know about spending a few days in A2 complete with where to stay, where to eat, and the best things to do in Ann Arbor!

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links, I may make a small commission – at no cost to you!

How many days do you need in Ann Arbor?

First things first – how much time do you really need to enjoy Ann Arbor? One of the best things about Ann Arbor is that it isn’t a massive city. Even if you only have one night in Ann Arbor, you can do quite a few things to really get a feel for A2 depending on your plans.

If you’re looking to enjoy the full experience of Ann Arbor, we’d suggest spending at least two nights. Consider arriving early Friday morning and heading home on Sunday to make the most of your time. Any time beyond that is a bonus to really explore the city.

How do I get to Ann Arbor?

If you’re flying, you will likely fly into Detroit Metro Airport (DTW). Pick up your rental car, head west on 94, and you’ll be in Ann Arbor in less than an hour (depending on traffic). If you don’t want to drive, there are shuttles from DTW to the University of Michigan campus.

Prefer to take a road trip? I-94 will take you right to and through Ann Arbor. Just look for exits 172 – 177.

In our opinion, Ann Arbor is best enjoyed with a car. Since it’s not a large city, the public transit isn’t the most robust, so having a car will allow you to explore more on your own time. If you aren’t driving into the city, pick up a car at DTW for ease of access.

Where should I stay in Ann Arbor?

Since Ann Arbor is home to a large university with a passionate football fanbase, there are plenty of hotel options around the city.

If you’re most interested in staying near campus, The Graduate (by Hilton), the Residence Inn Ann Arbor Downtown, and the Bell Tower are all relatively close to the Central Campus.

There is a group of hotels south of campus near Briarwood Mall, including the Sheraton Ann Arbor, Hilton Garden Inn Ann Arbor, and the Hyatt Place Ann Arbor.

If you prefer AirBnb or VRBO, there are plenty of choices around the city.

When should you visit Ann Arbor?

The best time to visit Ann Arbor really depends on what you’re looking to experience. Each season in Ann Arbor offers a unique way to enjoy this charming college town, from blooming flowers in the spring to football-filled fall weekends and cozy winter activities. Whether you’re into outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or sports, Ann Arbor has something special for every time of year.

Fall

The purest of Pure Michigan. Fall in Ann Arbor is synonymous with University of Michigan football. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just looking to experience the game-day atmosphere, there’s nothing like the energy of a Wolverines football game at Michigan Stadium, also known as “The Big House.” If you’re not into football, take a walk around Kerrytown, where you can enjoy the fall foliage and explore the local shops and farmer’s market.

In the fall, go to a nearby cider mill, like the Dexter Cider Mill, the longest continuously operating cider mill in Michigan. Sip on cider while eating a donut and soak in the beauty of fall in Michigan.

Summer

If you’re interested in Ann Arbor when it’s a little quieter, consider visiting in the summer months. While some students are on campus for classes, it’s decidedly less busy around the city. Head to Top of the Park, an outdoor festival hosted on Ingalls Mall at the University of Michigan. During the summer months, this free event draws both students and locals with movies under the stars, live music performances, and activities like trapeze and yoga. It’s a great way to enjoy the summer evenings with food trucks, a laid-back vibe, and Ann Arbor spirit. If you’re in town in July, don’t miss the Ann Arbor Art Fair, one of the largest in the country, where you can explore thousands of artworks, crafts, and performances throughout downtown.

Spring

Due to Michigan’s climate, Spring in Ann Arbor can be hit or miss. If you’re planning a springtime visit, shoot for later in the season so you don’t encounter any unexpected snow. As the weather warms up, the city’s parks, gardens, and green spaces come to life. You can enjoy cherry blossoms at Nichols Arboretum, see the campus in full bloom, and take part in outdoor activities like hiking and biking.

When the weather begins to warm up, Ann Arbor’s Nichols Arboretum, affectionately called “The Arb,” comes to life. As flowers bloom and trees regain their vibrant greenery, the Arb offers a peaceful escape with miles of walking trails, gorgeous views of the Huron River, and beautiful botanical gardens. Be sure to check out the Shakespeare in the Arb performances in May, a fun tradition that blends theater with the natural beauty of the Arboretum.

Winter

Winter in Ann Arbor can be tough, particularly if you aren’t used to the cold. But if you’re prepared, there’s lots to do around the city. During the winter, Yost Ice Arena offers a winter experience with open skate sessions. The historic arena, located near the University of Michigan campus, often hosts college hockey games as well, providing an extra dose of excitement for sports fans. Afterward, warm up with a hot drink from a local spot.

Our recommendation: the best time to visit Ann Arbor

For a balance of great weather, beautiful scenery, and lots of activities, late spring (May to June) and early fall (September to October) are the best times to visit Ann Arbor. These seasons offer mild temperatures, outdoor activities, and the opportunity to experience the city’s beauty at its peak.

October is possibly the best month to visit Ann Arbor. It is a particularly magical month to visit, when the foliage is at its peak and the energy of football season fills the air.

Things to Do in Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor is truly a special place to visit or live. There are plenty of unique experiences to check out – big or small – to enjoy all that the city has to offer.

Visiting Campus

A huge draw of visiting Ann Arbor is the University of Michigan, so we’d recommend spending at least a little time on campus. The University of Michigan Museum of Art has over 20,000 pieces along with some rotating features. Walk through the Diag nearby – but don’t step on the Block M! It’s superstition that if you step on the Block M as a student, you’ll fail your first blue book exam.

If you visit the Michigan Union, you can look for a plaque outside honoring the spot as where President John F. Kennedy first introduced the idea for the Peace Corps in 1960. You can also look at the statues on either side of the front door – the Scholar faces Central Campus, where classes are held, and the Athlete faces South Campus, home to the University of Michigan’s athletic teams.

Enjoy the day at the Law Quad and make sure you stop into the Law Library – students like saying it reminds them of Hogwarts! The recently renovated Museum of Natural History is worth a visit if you have an hour or two. Entry into the University museums is free, but donations are appreciated.

Get outside

If you want to enjoy the outdoors, add Nichols Arboretum and Matthaei Botanic Gardens to your list. Affectionately known as the Arb, is located on campus next to the Huron River and has several miles of trails with over 100 species of trees. Bonus – if you’re in Ann Arbor in the summer, Shakespeare in the Arb is a fun activity to add to your list. Looking for a water activity? Go tubing or kayaking down the Huron River.

If plants and flora are more your speed, the Matthaei Botanic Gardens feature bonsai, medicinal plants, an indoor conservatory, and the campus farm. Entry to both Nichols Arboretum and Matthaei Botanic Gardens is free, but you will have to pay for parking at Matthaei (and possibly the Arb).

Shopping and Strolling

Spend some time walking around Main Street and enjoy the local spots. One of our personal favorites is Rock Paper Scissors, a stationary and general home goods store. They have lots of pop culture-themed items, Michigan staples, and plenty of items you never even knew you needed. The store also frequently hosts themed events – we recently visited when they were hosting “a Saturday in Stars Hollow” as an ode to Gilmore Girls on a sunny Saturday in October.

After you’ve picked up a few items at RPS, go to Cherry Republic and sample the best of Michigan. Grab some gifts for your friends and family back home – we’re partial to the sour cherry candies. Stop by Shinola, a Detroit-founded watch company with a store on Main Street and pick up some Michigan-themed watches. Walk a few blocks east to Literati, a local bookstore. Write a message on the typewriter downstairs and add it to the wall with the other messages from your fellow bibliophiles.

Search for sidewalk chalk art

David Zinn is an artist that has been drawing sidewalk chalk pieces around the city since 1987. He does a lot of animals or monsters that pop out in 3-D style on sidewalks around Ann Arbor. While you can check his Instagram (@davidzinn) for recent drawings, it’s also fun to stumble upon a piece as you’re walking around town. Keep your eyes peeled! On one of our most recent visits to Ann Arbor, we happened to see David drawing a giant purple monster piece coming out of the middle of Main Street.

Walk around Kerrytown

Kerrytown is home to lots of Ann Arbor gems. Visit local stores like Thistle & Bess and pop on over to the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market. The Farmer’s Market operates year-round and welcomes more than 100 vendors.

Look for fairy doors

Several local businesses have tiny doors placed inside or out that are known as Fairy Doors. There are even little “Fairy Villages” in a few places around the city. Keep your eyes peeled for these mini marvels.

Go to a Michigan sporting event

The University of Michigan has a proud athletic tradition. Football is a way of life in Ann Arbor in the fall, but going to a football game isn’t the only option if you want to cheer on the Wolverines. Many athletic events have free entry and give you a chance to say Go Blue! Swimming & Diving, Tennis, and Water Polo are just some of the sports you can watch for free.

Ann Arbor Art Fair

If you’re visiting Ann Arbor during the summer, you might want to have your dates line up with the Ann Arbor Art Fair. Every July, the city welcomes nearly half a million visitors for three days to check out more than 1,000 artists over 30 blocks in downtown Ann Arbor. Admission to the art fair is free, but you could have to pay for parking if you drive in.

Top of the Park

Another summer event that draws students and townies alike is Top of the Park. Hosted on Ingalls Mall on the campus of the University of Michigan, this free admission event shows movies, host concerts, and has other attractions (like trapeze) throughout the summer.

Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

If you’re traveling with kids, add the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum to your list. There are 10 different exhibits for you and your family to explore. Take a visit to the STEAM Park, an old country store, or learn about the human body. Tickets are $16 a visit, with free entrance for those 23 months and under.

Catch a Live Show at The Ark or The Blind Pig

Ann Arbor has a vibrant live music scene, with two legendary venues that are a must-visit for music lovers: The Ark and The Blind Pig. These spots have been central to the city’s music culture for decades, offering everything from intimate acoustic performances to high-energy rock shows. The Blind Pig has played host to bands like Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Pearl Jam.

Places to Eat

For a somewhat small, non-major city, Ann Arbor actually has pretty good food options. Granted, I say that as someone who is admittedly NOT a foodie so take it as you will.

Frita Batidos

Probably my favorite place to eat in Ann Arbor is Frita Batidos. And it looks like I’m not alone in this, because as of my writing this post, it was rated the #1 restaurant in Ann Arbor on Trip Advisor. Frita Batidos is a Cuban-inspired restaurant that is named after two staples in Cuban cuisine – the Frita, a burger served with fries on top in a light egg bug, and a Batido, milkshakes made with fresh fruit. Eve Aronofff, a former Top Chef contestant, opened Frita Batido’s in Ann Arbor in 2010. They’ve since expanded to a larger space in Ann Arbor, and also now have a Detroit location.

Back to the food. So if you’re going to visit Frita Batidos, you need to order a Frita of course. My personal favorite is the black bean frita, served with chipotle mayo and shoestring fries on a soft egg bun. They also have chicken, fish, chorizo, or beef fritas. Each frita comes with mayo – sweet chile, chipotle, or lemon-scented, and you can also add topics like a sunny-side up egg, salsa, bacon, or avocado to your burger. Complete your order with a batido – flavors include hibiscus, coconut cream, and chocolate espanol. If you’re still hungry, add Best Snack Ever (coconut ginger rice, black beans, Muenster cheese, and cilantro-lime salsa) or a churro to your meal.

Zingerman’s

It’s hard to talk about food in Ann Arbor without talking about Zingerman’s. For many people, Zingerman’s Deli is synonymous with Ann Arbor. If you tell someone (especially someone who isn’t a Michigan alum) that you’re going to Ann Arbor, there’s a good chance they’ll mention Zingerman’s Deli. Over 40 years ago, two Michigan alums opened up Zingerman’s in the Kerrytown neighborhood.

Their specialty is sandwiches (obviously) made with finely-sourced ingredients piled high on their hearth-baked breads. In addition to sandwiches, they have sides like potato salad, applesauce, latkes (so good – definitely order one), coleslaw, and roasted vegetables. While picking up a sandwich, you can also shop their shelves – the truffle salt and olive oil are some of our favorites.

Most people associate Zingerman’s with the deli, which is a great place to eat, but there are several other places in the Zingerman’s family worth adding to your list.

Zingerman’s Roadhouse

We love eating at Zingerman’s Roadhouse, located just off exit 172 on I-94. They serve what they call “really good American food”, and we’d have to agree. Similar to the deli, they focus on sourcing high quality ingredients and incorporating them into familiar favorites.

My go-to at Zingerman’s Roadhouse is the smothered grits, which include corn, red peppers, and caramelized onions sautéed in Zingerman’s cider vinaigrette on top of Anson Mill’s grits with Cabot cheddar cheese and scallions on top. Make sure you save room for their macaroni and cheese – it’s unlike any you’ve ever had before. They have a few different types, all covered with their house-made béchamel sauce. Get their traditional macaroni & cheese or try the Pimento & Bacon, Chicken & Monterey Jack, or Fried Chicken options.

We also like getting a side of their thick-cut sweet potatoes fries with a side of spicy mayo to share – and I say this as someone who isn’t that big on sweet potatoes. You can also build your own chicken basket, try a meat & three, or even sample oysters at the Roadhouse.

If you’re looking for a quick morning fix, stop by Zingerman’s Coffee Company. This is also located near their Bakehouse where you can pick up some fresh baked goods.

Additional food options

• Washtenaw Dairy – try some ice cream or enjoy a cider donut to satisfy your sweet tooth
• No Thai – a staple for students, grab some Thai food for a quick bite to eat. Keep in mind you’ll want to order “Weak Sauce” if spicy isn’t your thing
• Afternoon Delight – stop here for traditional breakfast items or their signature Muffin Delight – a blueberry muffin topped with frozen yogurt
• Aventura – a delightful tapas place near Main Street
• Jolly Pumpkin – known for their craft beer and truffle fries
• Grizzly Peak – brewing company with pub staples
• Sava’s – located on State Street, a favorite of students for brunch. They also have delicious lunch and dinner offerings
• RoosRoast – grab a coffee at RoosRoast Liberty when you’re wandering around Main Street. Or, visit RoosRoast Coffee Works a little bit further from campus.
• MD Bagel Fragel – take part in an Ann Arbor tradition and pick up a fragel, which is a deep-fried raisin bagel covered in cinnamon sugar. They’re made to order, so you can get your delicious fragel warm from the oven. They’ve been doing this for 55 years!
• The Produce Station – located on South State Street across from the Michigan golf course, The Produce Station sells fresh produce (obviously) as well as prepared foods. My go-to is their pesto pasta salad while P2 likes their butternut squash burrito.

Summary

Ann Arbor is a vibrant destination that blends culture, cuisine, and community, making it perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer stay. From exploring a variety of museums to savoring local eats and strolling charming streets, there’s something for everyone in this lively city. Start planning your Ann Arbor adventure today to experience its unique charm firsthand. Ann Arbor is well worth a spot on your Midwest destination list. Just a few days in this wonderful city will have you understanding the appeal of Pure Michigan.