Location: Ann Arbor
Top Things to do in Ann Arbor
The 10 Best Free Things to do in Ann Arbor, Michigan (MI)
Backpack-strapped students permeate the streets of Ann Arbor, home to The University Of Michigan. But there's more to the city than academia. A popular destination for families, Ann Arbor boasts child-friendly museums with exciting hands-on exhibits and art museums with prestigious collections. Couples and single travelers enjoy the eclectic shops, ethnic restaurants and hip night clubs, while book lovers are wowed by the more than 30 independent bookstores. From mysteries and crime to holistic healing and yoga, each store has a unique personality and area of expertise. Most of the major attractions are located in the same area, making it easy to hop from one to the next and enjoy all this vibrant city has to offer.
Restaurants in Ann Arbor
1. The M Den
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By Sun305 - Miami, United States
The place to stop before and after the big game! Lots of merchandise! Something for everyone and more.
2. Argus Farm Stop
3. University of Michigan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 613 reviews
The University's beautiful campus includes many fine museums and facilities for its enrollment of 36,000.
Reviewed By BillN540 - Ann Arbor, United States
From the beauty of the views in the quad to the hushed calm of the law school to the chaos of south (athletic) campus during a sporting event and you have everything you could want in a college town. Highlights to visit on campus include: - The natural history museum - The grad library reading room - The law library reading room - The "Big House" - Listen to the carillon outside of Rackham school or grad studies - catch a performance at Hill Auditorium or the Power Center for performing arts. - A stroll through the Arboretum (The Arb). So much to do. GO BLUE!
4. Dixboro General Store
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By PAColl1 - Toledo, United States
Very cute gift shop with lots of quality seasonal decor. Furniture that items are displayed on are also for sale. Near interstate 23.
5. University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History is temporarily closed due to the global pandemic. The museum doesn't just preserve the past; it also shows off the latest in scientific research with interactive exhibits, new programming spaces, and a state-of-the-art Planetarium & Dome Theater! New exhibits include: On the Trail of Mastodons; Evolution: Life through Time; Under the Microscope; Exploring Michigan; and People and the Planet.
Reviewed By sisterida - Onsted, United States
Many times taking kids to a museum is overwhelming because there is too much to do. The University of MIchigan Museum of Natural History has great exhibits with great information posted and a good variety to help everyone enjoy the experience. This was a great Sunday afternoon trip.
6. University of Michigan Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
Among the best university art museums in the U.S., this on-campus museum has a particularly fine collection of Asian art through the ages.
Reviewed By TravelFan48105 - Ann Arbor, United States
We enjoyed a wonderful evening visit to the UM Museum of Art. First, we were treated to a Kabuki dance performance and lecture. This was extremely interesting and we learned a lot about the history of this dance form, the gestures, costumes and make up. Following this event, the exhibition "Copies and Invention in East Asia" was open for viewing. We learned that copying in Asian art is something to be appreciated. We viewed examples that involved copying e.g. burial goods, sculptures, paintings and a variety of contemporary works. The UM Museum of Art has greatly improved and extended its outreach to the public in recent years and definitely deserves a visit.
7. Kerrytown
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 304 reviews
Ann Arbor's best shopping area is full of small boutiques and restaurants, and features a Farmers' Market on weekends.
Reviewed By debbiemE1094FZ - Windsor, Canada
Wednesday’s and Saturday’s have farmers market selling home made leather goods, home grown fruits and vegetables, organic meats, art and flowers. The people are so open and friendly it’s as though you’re in the middle of a small town rather than a major metropolis.
8. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tearoom
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Browsers can sip tea and meander through this new age bookstore that carries an array of mind, body and spirit books and accessories, from acupuncture to Zen and affirmations to yoga.
Reviewed By karenj424 - Lansing, United States
Books, candles, incense, gifts, statues...you name it and they have it! Looking for that "alternative book"--they probably have it! Gifts, jewelry and a tea room! They also offer classes.
9. Main Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 249 reviews
A classic "college town" neighborhood street for strolling. Shops and restaurants line the street and offer abundant variety to meet every taste.
Reviewed By 665ruths - Scarsdale, United States
Ann Arbor is a beautiful college town with lots of interesting stores and restaurants to visit. You can easily walk around the neighborhoods without getting lost and feel safe even late at night.
10. Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
The Kelsey Museum houses a collection of nearly 100,000 objects from the civilizations of the Mediterranean.
Reviewed By 271JohnB - Cincinnati, United States
Ann Arbor was a long time ago for me. I remember the wonderful collection of the Kelsey being displayed in an old museum way in an old museum building. Times have changed: the glorious old building facade now guides the visitor to a modern and remarkable space that gives the collection the room it needs to speak to the visitors. It is very much worth your time.
