Ann Arbor

Detroit Observatory

The oldest astronomical observatory in Michigan and 2nd oldest building remaining on campus. Take a free tour of the observatory and learn how it set the stage for The University of Michigan to become a center of science and research. The telescopes at this observatory served to set time for the entire city and keep the trains running on schedule until the development of more reliable timepieces and telecommunications.

Closed · opens noon Thursday·free · Built 1854

University of Michigan Museum of Art

UMMA

Collections of African, American, Asian, European, and Middle Eastern art; modern and contemporary artwork; prints, drawings and photographs; and frequent rotating collections. Gift shop on-site.

Building hours: daily 8AM-midnight; gallery hours: Tue-Wed 10AM-5PM, Thu Fri 10AM-10PM, Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM·Free ($5 donation suggested) · Free entry

Kelsey Museum of Archaeology

Galleries featuring nearly 100,000 artefacts from Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Near Eastern civilizations.

Tue-Fri 9AM-4PM, Sat Sun 1PM-4PM, closed Mondays·Free (donations gratefully accepted) · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

Michigan Stadium

The Big House

Nicknamed the "Big House", the U-M stadium is the largest football stadium in America, with a seating capacity of 109,901. Home games are played in autumn on the well-known "Football Saturdays", when thousands of visitors clog the Ann Arbor streets to watch the Wolverines (or their opponents) play.

University of Michigan Museum of Natural History

Exhibit Museum of Natural History

Exhibits on natural sciences and anthropology, including prehistoric life, Michigan wildlife, Native American and other cultures, and rock and mineral specimens.

Mon-Sat 9AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM·Free (donations gratefully accepted) · Free entry

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library

The Gerald Ford Library collects and preserves the papers from Gerald Ford's presidency, including over 20 million pages of memos, letters, and personal papers. The collection also includes photographs, videotapes, audiotapes, and film. While these materials are by appointment only, there are free exhibits in the lobby on the life of President and Mrs. Ford, as well as a 20-minute film, narrated by President Ford. The Library hosts free evening events - author talks and programs by notable individuals.

Mon-Fri 8:45AM-4:45PM (closed Federal holidays)·Free · Free entry

The Cube

A 15-foot-tall (5 m), 2400-lb glossy black cube created by Tony Rosenthal; there's a similar one in the East Village of New York City. The Cube spins on its axis when pushed. Although Tony Rosenthal cubes often appear identical, the late artist always varied design elements on each of his cubes. Alamo has a distinctive curve element whereas Ann Arbor is more geometric.

Nichols Arboretum

It's in a secluded plot just east of the University of Michigan Hospital. "The Arb" is a favorite place to enjoy peace and quiet in a setting removed from the bustle and traffic of everyday Ann Arbor. The Arb has no signage, no parking lot of its own, nor any restroom facilities. What it has is an impressive peony garden, many different species of native trees, shrubs, and grasses, and the Huron River runs through it. A gem that's worth seeking out.

sunrise-sunset·Free entry

Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

Nine galleries with more than 250 interactive science demos and exhibits, on topics from physics to health to nature to mathematics. Kids will like it a lot; adults will be fairly entertained.

Closed · opens 10 am tomorrow·$9 (donations gratefully accepted)

Michigan Theater

A restored 1928 cinema, complete with two organs, one of them a vintage 1927 pipe organ. The theater shows mainly independent and foreign films, with special classic-film showings throughout the year. The organ is often played before performances, and during the Michigan Theater's special silent-film showings. The main auditorium also hosts other events throughout the year, particular musical groups and comedy shows, many fairly well-known.

Built 1928 · Wheelchair accessible

Kempf House

A restored Greek Revival house museum from 1853; once home to Reuben and Pauline Kempf, prominent Ann Arbor musicians, now offering guided tours and a glimpse into Victorian life in Ann Arbor.

Tours offered 1PM-4PM on Sundays, September through December and March through June, or by appointment·$1 · Free entry · Built 1853

Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry

Over 10,000 artifacts focused on the history of dentistry, with particular interest in dental practice and technology in the United States and Michigan since the 18th century.

Mon-Fri 8AM-6PM·Free

Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments

Housed in the School of Music, the Stearns Collection holds over 2500 pieces of historical and contemporary musical instruments from all over the world.

Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM·Free

Michigan Wolverines

Ann Arbor is a college town, and this fact is perhaps no more prevalent than on game day (particularly football where the stadium fills to the largest capacity in the entire nation). UM has one of the most accomplished and competitive athletic programs in the nation. No visit is complete without taking in at least one Michigan sporting event. The football program has won more games in its history than any other Division I FBS program, and sells out every game at "The Big House", capacity 109,901. The men's ice hockey program is a national powerhouse, winning an NCAA record 9 national championships, and packing a boisterous 6,377 sellout crowd into historic Yost Ice Arena. Michigan also has a strong tradition in men's basketball, swimming, baseball, softball, field hockey, gymnastics, cross country and track. Other teams include women's basketball, golf, men's and women's lacrosse, rowing, soccer, diving, tennis, volleyball, water polo, and wrestling.

Argus Museum

The Argus Museum, located on the second floor of 525 West William, Ann Arbor, Michigan, features products manufactured by the Argus camera company and tells the stories of the company, the people involved and showcases unique collections connected to Argus. The museum is housed in the Argus I Building, which was one of the facilities where Argus products were manufactured. The mission of the Argus Museum is to collect and preserve Argus Camera Incorporated products (including those manufactured under its prior names), publications and history of the company and its employees, to research the products and the people who were involved in the development and manufacturing of these products, to…

Free · Free entry

Nickels Arcade

Shops and galleries housed in a historic indoor walkway with a glass atrium-style ceiling, built in 1915 and modelled after a European arcade.

Gallup Park

A 69-acre (28 hectares) park along the Huron River and Geddes Pond, and Ann Arbor's most popular recreation area. Walkways with pedestrian bridges over the water, two playgrounds, picnic areas, open fields, over of asphalt trails. Canoe, kayak and paddleboat rental (canoes can also be taken from the Argo Park livery, 1055 Longshore Drive, +1 734-668-7411, to the Gallup livery).

Open now · closes midnight tomorrow·Wheelchair accessible

TeaHaus

Over 160 classic black and green, oolong, white, rooibush, herbal, ayurveda, fruit, aroma and seasonal teas sold loose, as well as tea accessories. Tea tastings offered periodically.

Mon-Sat 10AM-7PM, Sun 11AM-4PM·Takeaway · Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible

Comet Coffee

Highest-quality coffees from around the world, from a variety of specialty coffee roasters, prepared by expertly-trained baristas. Not one to miss for coffee lovers.

Mon-Fri 7AM-8PM, Sat 8AM-8PM, Sun 8:30AM-8PM·Wi-Fi · Outdoor seating

Encore Records

One of the best used record stores in the country. Staff have encyclopedic knowledge.

Mon-Sat 10AM-8PM, Sun noon-5PM·Wheelchair accessible

Grizzly Peak Brewing Company

Features a number of their own brews. In addition to its brews, Grizzly Peak has excellent food and friendly wait staff. In the fall, Grizzly Peak and other area breweries host an Oktoberfest block party, and celebrate the season with drink specials and an Oktoberfest beer glass. American cuisine featuring pizza, burgers, ribs, fresh fish, pasta, sandwiches, soups, salads and desserts. The cheddar ale soup is not to be missed!

Mon-Thu 11AM-11PM, Fri Sat 11AM-midnight, Sun noon-11PM·$5-15 lunch, $10-20 dinner · Wheelchair accessible

Jerusalem Garden

Palestinian-American-owned restaurant very popular for its cheap but tasty falafel.

Mon-Thu 10AM-9PM, Fri 10AM-9:30PM, Sat 11AM-9:30PM, Sun noon-8PM·$4-6 sandwiches, $8 combination plates · Vegan options

New York Pizza Depot

Considered by some to be the best pizza in town. Pizzas (including stuffed and Chicago-style), calzones, salads, subs, chapatis and main courses. Gets crowded 1:30AM-3AM on Th-Sa nights. The South U location is now closed.

Mon-Sat 10AM-4AM, Sun 11AM-4AM·$7-$14, $10-22 specialty · Outdoor seating

The Gandy Dancer

Great seafood (check the buffet) in a former train station. Eat here and watch the tracks or, if you're broke (and you will be after the meal), walk along the tracks and watch the diners.

Mon-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri 11AM-11PM, Sat 3:30-11PM, Sun 10AM-2PM 3:30-9PM·Takeaway

Blue Nile

Ethiopian cuisine, with both meat and vegetable dishes served in their all-you-can-eat feast options. All meals are served with traditional bread called injera, and Ethiopian coffee and tea are also available. Try the honey wine. If you're on budget, ask for refills, do not order extra things. This place, though reasonable, gets expensive fast.

Closed · opens 5 pm tomorrow·$50 for 2 · Vegetarian options

Literati Bookstore

General bookstore. Beautifully designed and trendy. Regularly hosts authors and poets for readings and other book related events.

Open now · closes 8 pm·Wheelchair accessible

The Ann and Robert H. Lurie Tower

Lurie Tower

A 165-foot (50 m) tall structure which houses an operational carillon. The tower is open to visitors when the bells are being played, with two floors accessible by elevator. The top floor allows the visitors to see the carillonneur playing, while the lower floor provides a view of the carillon bells, and a skyline view of the Ann Arbor area. The current operational hours are posted at the base of the tower.

Zingerman's Next Door

Coffees, teas, ice cream, chocolates and pastries from Zingerman's Bakehouse.

Daily 7AM-10PM·Outdoor seating

Zingerman's Delicatessen

Vanity Fair called it "the best deli in America." The prices are higher than at a typical deli, but so is the quality of the ingredients, although some people find the serving sizes to be small. Sandwiches, hot dogs, soups, salads, traditional Jewish favorites, breakfast foods and desserts. Baked goods, ice cream and chocolates are also available on the premises, and you'll enjoy browsing their world-renowned selection of gourmet groceries with the help of their very knowledgeable staff. Sandwich # 55, Gemini Rocks the House, comes highly recommended by locals, and is vegetarian so nobody should miss out.

Daily 7AM-10PM·$5-14 · Outdoor seating

Ann Arbor Farmer's Market and Artisan Market

Local farmers bring fresh produce, baked goods, and plants to the Farmer's Market for sale at excellent prices, while the Artisan Market features the work of local craftspeople.

Spring through Autumn, Wed Sat 7AM-3PM (Farmer's Market), Sun 11AM-4PM (Artisan's Market)