From the incredible restaurants to the stellar nightlife and everything in between, Ann Arbor is an amazing college town. Its vivacious atmosphere enables a community of artists, academics, and athletes to come together as one whole. Check out a few examples of what makes Ann Arbor truly outstanding.
· Alley on East Liberty. The alley on East Liberty Street is just one example of how creative Ann Arbor truly is. Graffiti artists and musicians flock to the alley to share their creative flair with the entire community.
· Big House. The Big House is the epicenter of Ann Arbor. With over 109,000 seats, it is the largest college football stadium in the nation and is definitely a site to behold.
· Cube. The Cube is one of the most popular pieces of art on campus. Its bold and interactive design makes the sculpture a wonderful part of the campus community.
· Diag. The Diag is the center of campus at UMich. It is the heartbeat of activity on campus with its hundreds of events each year and is home to our beloved brass M.
· Espresso Royale. Not only is the coffee at Espresso Royale amazing, but its dedication to sustainable and organic farming makes the coffee shop even better.
· Film Festival. The Ann Arbor Film Festival occurs each spring and showcases works from independent filmmakers every year. According to the festival’s website, it is known as “the longest-running independent and experimental film festival in North America.”
· Good Time Charley’s. Whether you’re in the mood for a great burger or an even better drink, Good Time Charley’s is the place you’re looking for. The restaurant holds popular traditions among the staff and students of UMich, especially when it comes to their “Ultimate Shooter List.”
· Hill Auditorium. The Hill Auditorium is the largest performance space on campus. With past performers such as Bruce Springsteen, Indigo Girls, and Chris Rock, it always has some awesome performances for the community.
· Ingalls Mall. Ingalls Mall is the beautiful area between the Hill Auditorium and the Michigan League. It is home to “Sunday Morning In Deep Waters,” the famous fountain that incoming freshmen walk through during their orientation to the university.
· Jim’s (or Krazy Jim as he’s better known) Blimpy Burgers. Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burgers are a legend in Ann Arbor. Their size and juicy deliciousness even landed them a spot on the Food Network’s show, “Diners, Drive-Ins, & Drives.” We’re sure their new location on South Ashley won’t disappoint!
· KerryTown. From handcrafted gifts to fresh produce and groceries, KerryTown serves as a home for local cool shops and businesses. The different stores and markets always allow for some fun and trendy shopping.
· Law Quadrangle. Hogwarts may come to mind when you see the stunning architecture of the Law Quad. With its gothic look and gorgeous library, it astounds every passerby.
· M-Den. Ever dreamed of wall-to-wall wolverine apparel? Look no further; the M-Den is your place. It’s home to all your UMich spirit-wear necessities and any maize and blue accessory you could ever ask for.
· Nichols Arboretum. Whether you’re studying, riding your bike, or having a picnic, the arboretum is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon outdoors.
· Orion. “Orion” is another popular sculpture on the UMich campus. Unlike its traditional surroundings, the sculpture adds some modern artistic flair to the creative campus.
· Pizza House. Craving something delicious for a late-night snack? Pizza House is calling your name. Its deep dish can put even the best Chicago slices to shame.
· Queer Social Work Alliance. This club at UMich is just one example of how LGBTQ-friendly Ann Arbor is. The Queer Social Work Alliance helps make campus a safe environment for LGBTQ students, and is one of the reasons why UM is consistently ranked as one of the most gay-friendly colleges in America.
· Ragstock. Scouring the streets for the perfect vintage apparel? Then head on over to Ragstock, an awesome thrift store that sells all of your themed-party necessities.
· State Street. Trying to find a great place to eat? Need a new outfit for Friday night’s party? Head to State Street where trendy stores and restaurants provide you with fun shopping and your essential collegiate necessities.
· Theatre, as in the Michigan Theatre, is one of the most beautiful landmarks of Ann Arbor. With its immaculate vintage details and grandiose atmosphere, the Michigan Theatre provides a lovely and historic setting to view a film.
· University of Michigan. Ann Arbor is home to the best university in the world: the University of Michigan. With its stellar academics and impressive athletic program, the University of Michigan adds so much to the community of Ann Arbor.
· Victor’s Bar and Restaurant. When burgers and pizza aren’t up to par for the night, head over to the Victor’s Bar and Restaurant for an upscale night out. It’s a great place to take your parents, significant other, or your friends on special occasions.
· Washtenaw Dairy. Home to some of the best ice cream around, Washtenaw Dairy provides tasty frozen treats to the community of Ann Arbor. The only problem with Washtenaw Dairy is that they have too many amazing flavors!
· eXhibit Museum. The Exhibit Museum is part of the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History. The museum has dinosaur remains, mastodon fossils, and much more on display.
· Yost Ice Arena. Home to the Wolverine’s ice hockey team, the Yost Ice Arena is a spectacular site to see, especially after its recent $16 million renovation.
· Zingerman’s Deli. With its delicious sandwiches, awesome brownies, and even better pickles, Zingerman’s is the by far the best deli in Ann Arbor. Don’t believe us? Just ask President Obama what he thought of his Zingerman’s Reuben.
All of these establishments and items illustrate just how wonderful the city of Ann Arbor truly is. It allows the students of the University of Michigan to interact with the community in a creative, spirited, and intelligent way, which is why Ann Arbor is the perfect college town.
Pictures courtesy of: edpflager.com, www-personal.umich.edu/~jensenl/visuals/album/, snre.umich.edu/cardinale/portfolio/postdocs/, michigandaily.com, michigan.org, annarbor.com, esm.rochester.edu/ewe/plogger/index.php?level=picture&id=110, thegoldpalette.blogspot.com, aht.seriouseats.com, localharvest.org, awesomemitten.com, public-art.umich.edu, pizzahouse.com, spectrumcenter.umich.edu, fraukeuch.blogspot.com, flickriver.com, wikipedia.org, studentlife.umich.edu, roadtrippers.com, mlive.com, southmountain.com.