There is truly nothing like wintertime in the Midwest. While the winter solstice is December 21st for the Northern hemisphere, the cold comes early here in Michigan. The first snow greeted us Michiganders on November 9th, with even a few snow creations spotted on the Law Quad. Michigan is notorious for its brutal temperatures and icy winds. With November coming to a close, winter really is coming. However, don’t let the frigid temperatures get to you just yet. There are several fun winter activities to do here in Ann Arbor, so let’s talk about them!
First recommendation: Go outside! Okay okay, I know it sounds shocking to advise people to go outside in the winter, but there is something so magical about this time of year. Even though most of the season is spent indoors, staying active is still important for both your physical and mental health. Ann Arbor has several beautiful parks to explore during the wintertime and discover a little winter wonderland. U-M’s Nichols Arboretum, most commonly known as the Arb, is the ideal place for a nice winter walk. It has numerous paths for people to stroll and gaze at the snow glimmering in the sunlight. There is a certain peace and quiet that the Arb entails, which offers a lot of comfort and serenity for the community. An important piece of advice: if you want to face the winter weather, wear an excessive amount of layers!!! There are NEVER enough layers when it comes to Michigan winter, and if you end up getting a little warm on the walk, you will always have the option to remove an article of clothing.
To stay active, there is nothing better than hitting the ice on a pair of skates. The University of Michigan Yost Ice Arena hosts public skating sessions for free and very affordable skate rentals. While ice skating isn’t always up everyone’s alley, it definitely something everyone should try once. You might fall one or twice (or if you are like me, maybe 15 times), but the second you get the hang of skating, there is something so rewarding about gliding on the ice without holding the railing. Additionally, Buhr Park has an outdoor rink that makes the perfect date with your partner or just your friends! A nice little add-on to ice skating is the guaranteed excuse to grab a cup of hot chocolate to warm you up post-skating.
Need something filling and comforting? There are tons of amazing warm soup places scattered around campus and Ann Arbor. Panera and Noodles & Co are both easy to get to, with Panera in the Union and Noodles & Co on State Street, and each offers plenty of soup options. Fan-favorite and classic is the chicken noodle soup. Is it the exact same as your mom’s chicken noodle soup? No. Is it basically just as good? Yes. There are also some great ramen spots that definitely hit the spot on a harsh winter day. Tomukun and Slurping Turtle are serving up hot-to-go ramen noodle bowls that are hearty and more than comforting. And if you aren’t up to spending, the U-M dining halls always have a nice selection of soups for students that are just as delicious as the other options.Â
If you already ate, a cozy drink is still a necessity. Students run on iced coffee, but as the temperature drops, there has to be a slight adjustment to their schedules. The cold plastic cups transition to cardboard cups with sleeves to prevent sippers from burning their palms. There are tons of hot and popping coffee places throughout Ann Arbor. Roos Roast, located on East Liberty, has locally roasted coffee that is some of the best in town. Zingerman’s Coffee Company is a staple for any Ann Arbor resident, and you might as well pick up a sandwich for later if you are already there. If you aren’t a coffee person, there are many places serving hot matcha like Unitea and even Sweetwaters. In such a densely populated caffeine city, it is hard not to find one beverage that will warm you up.Â
Since Michigan has world-class athletics, go enjoy one of the winter sports games! U-M Men’s Hockey and Basketball are some of the school’s best teams the school has to offer. Both games are extremely engaging and overall such a fun time that everyone must experience at least once in their time spent in Ann Arbor. Even if you aren’t the biggest athlete or sports fan (like me), there is something for everyone. The community of Michigan sport is incomparable and the crowds always emit the best vibes. Students can visit the Michigan Athletics Ticket Office for tickets or purchase them off MaizeTix, a certified U Mich student ticket-reselling site.
Lastly, stay inside! Although a lot of this article is dedicated to getting people out there, there is a high chance people will get snowed in. But maybe that is a good thing? Staying inside in the winter is next-level coziness, it might just beat staying inside when it is pouring out. Put on a nostalgic movie, get a fun activity going like a coloring book or a puzzle, grab your tea and a blanket, and enjoy your restful day. Sometimes rest and relaxation are just what you need to combat the Michigan misery that is the wintertime.Â
While I could go on and on suggesting how to spend your winter time in AA, hopefully these suggestions inspire students and residents to explore more of the city even in its darkest days. If you can learn to love Ann Arbor in the winter, that means you can love this city through all its seasons. So don’t let the winter nip at your nose this year; instead, embrace the ice and find something to enjoy despite the chill in the air.Â