Guidebook for Ann Arbor
Drinks & Nightlife
The Jolly Pumpkin is a delicious, farm-to-table style local brew pub. They serve Belgian Style sour beers, incredible french fries and a bunch of other soulful bar food (I used to work there and definitely recommend for lunch, dinner, or drinks)
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Jolly Pumpkin Café & Brewery
311 South Main StreetThe Jolly Pumpkin is a delicious, farm-to-table style local brew pub. They serve Belgian Style sour beers, incredible french fries and a bunch of other soulful bar food (I used to work there and definitely recommend for lunch, dinner, or drinks)
Fortunately, the best bar in town is across the street from the house. It's an old-style speak easy tucked away behind an inconspicuous since entrance. Best cocktails for miles, hands down. Cheap whiskey on Wednesday nights, live music on Thursday nights. Perfect nightcap on your way back to bed :)
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The Last Word
301 West Huron StreetFortunately, the best bar in town is across the street from the house. It's an old-style speak easy tucked away behind an inconspicuous since entrance. Best cocktails for miles, hands down. Cheap whiskey on Wednesday nights, live music on Thursday nights. Perfect nightcap on your way back to bed :)
Alley Bar is the perfect dive - dark, private, and intimate. Great drinks and great atmosphere. Live DJ on Wednesdays.
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Alley Bar
112 West Liberty StreetAlley Bar is the perfect dive - dark, private, and intimate. Great drinks and great atmosphere. Live DJ on Wednesdays.
This relatively new distillery has quickly become a neighborhood staple. Serving house made spirits only, the bar is small, intimate, and original. The walk from the house to the distillery and back takes you through a very special little neighborhood called Water Hill.
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Ann Arbor Distilling Company
220 Felch StThis relatively new distillery has quickly become a neighborhood staple. Serving house made spirits only, the bar is small, intimate, and original. The walk from the house to the distillery and back takes you through a very special little neighborhood called Water Hill.
Braun Court is a fabulous spot with all the best things: drinks, food, and books. This little nook has an outdoor patio that connects Common Language Book Store and Aut Bar, which are LGBTQ friendly spaces with the best reads, best brunch, and best happy hour. The court also has The Bar, a romantic attic bar with stylish cocktails. Great spot, day or night!
Braun Court
Braun Court is a fabulous spot with all the best things: drinks, food, and books. This little nook has an outdoor patio that connects Common Language Book Store and Aut Bar, which are LGBTQ friendly spaces with the best reads, best brunch, and best happy hour. The court also has The Bar, a romantic attic bar with stylish cocktails. Great spot, day or night!
The Blind Pig is a music venue that features local and touring groups nearly ever day of the week. They are situated above a dive bar called The 8 Ball. Check it out if you are looking for a good show and a PBR.
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The Blind Pig
208 S 1st StThe Blind Pig is a music venue that features local and touring groups nearly ever day of the week. They are situated above a dive bar called The 8 Ball. Check it out if you are looking for a good show and a PBR.
The Raven's Club is one of my favorite bar/restaurants in town. The food is so thoughtfully prepared, and the cocktails always deliver. Dark and cozy spot to get comfortable with some food and drink. Live music on Sunday nights!
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The Ravens Club
207 South Main StreetThe Raven's Club is one of my favorite bar/restaurants in town. The food is so thoughtfully prepared, and the cocktails always deliver. Dark and cozy spot to get comfortable with some food and drink. Live music on Sunday nights!
The Beer Grotto has a long and ever changing list of small-batch brews on tap. Indoor and outdoor seating. Perfect for a casual drink, especially for beer lovers.
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The Grotto - Watering Hole
303 South Ashley StreetThe Beer Grotto has a long and ever changing list of small-batch brews on tap. Indoor and outdoor seating. Perfect for a casual drink, especially for beer lovers.
Bills Beer Garden is open in the summer. Ideal space for an outdoor drink, and good for groups because the garden has several long tables.
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Bill's Beer Garden
218 South Ashley StreetBills Beer Garden is open in the summer. Ideal space for an outdoor drink, and good for groups because the garden has several long tables.
Parks & Nature
Bandemer Park is a must-see place. There are hiking and biking trails on both sides of the river, a canoe livery where you can rent canoes, and a great dock for swimming on hot days. Beautiful destination any time of year!
Bandemer Park
1352 Lake Shore DrBandemer Park is a must-see place. There are hiking and biking trails on both sides of the river, a canoe livery where you can rent canoes, and a great dock for swimming on hot days. Beautiful destination any time of year!
"The Arb" is an expansive nature reserve curated by the University of Michigan. Fields, woods, trails, river - great place to walk or run (or picnic!). In the summer, The Arb is famous for its Peony gardens. In the Fall, it's a great place to see the colors change. For a long adventure, you can walk to to The Arb from the house, but there is also parking at two different trail heads.
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Nichols Arboretum
"The Arb" is an expansive nature reserve curated by the University of Michigan. Fields, woods, trails, river - great place to walk or run (or picnic!). In the summer, The Arb is famous for its Peony gardens. In the Fall, it's a great place to see the colors change. For a long adventure, you can walk to to The Arb from the house, but there is also parking at two different trail heads.
Gorgeous trails, gorgeous trees. Great for a slightly longer hike. Can walk or drive to the trailhead.
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Bird Hills Nature Area
1850 Newport RdGorgeous trails, gorgeous trees. Great for a slightly longer hike. Can walk or drive to the trailhead.
Pickerel Lake is a 30-minute drive out of town. It is a secluded swimming hole surrounded by hiking trails. The water is incredibly clear, but there's not much of a beach so be sure you're ready to swim when you get to the water's edge.
Pickerel Lake
Pickerel Lake is a 30-minute drive out of town. It is a secluded swimming hole surrounded by hiking trails. The water is incredibly clear, but there's not much of a beach so be sure you're ready to swim when you get to the water's edge.
Sightseeing
Huron River Drive is a beautiful street that takes you right from downtown Ann Arbor out into the country side. Gorgeous anytime of day, any time of year, for biking or driving. Definitely hit it on your way in or out of town :)
Huron River Drive
Huron River Drive is a beautiful street that takes you right from downtown Ann Arbor out into the country side. Gorgeous anytime of day, any time of year, for biking or driving. Definitely hit it on your way in or out of town :)
Food Scene
My favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. Ramen + Sushi. Most delicious flavors, you can't go wrong!
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Slurping Turtle
608 East Liberty StreetMy favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. Ramen + Sushi. Most delicious flavors, you can't go wrong!
This adorable farm stop sells local fruits and vegetables, jams, coffee, candles, soaps, and gifts. Everything is labelled by the maker, super slow-foods feel. They also have a great indoor patio to sit and have coffee and baked goods. 3 minute walk away from the house!
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Argus Farm Stop
325 West Liberty StreetThis adorable farm stop sells local fruits and vegetables, jams, coffee, candles, soaps, and gifts. Everything is labelled by the maker, super slow-foods feel. They also have a great indoor patio to sit and have coffee and baked goods. 3 minute walk away from the house!
Bell's Diner is a hole-in-the-wall Ann Arbor specialty. The cutesy little diner serves only two things: classic egg-and-pancake breakfast and Bee Bim Bop. This diner is located by the I-94 exit so if you are heading West when you leave town, stop through for a last minute bite!
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Bell's Diner
2167 West Stadium BoulevardBell's Diner is a hole-in-the-wall Ann Arbor specialty. The cutesy little diner serves only two things: classic egg-and-pancake breakfast and Bee Bim Bop. This diner is located by the I-94 exit so if you are heading West when you leave town, stop through for a last minute bite!
This family-owned Tunisian restaurant serves incredible food in a very comfortable, hole-in-the-wall atmosphere. This is a good spot for a quick lunch on your way out of town because it is located close to the M-14 exit. Oh, and the gelato is supreme.
El Harissa Market Cafe
1516 North Maple RoadThis family-owned Tunisian restaurant serves incredible food in a very comfortable, hole-in-the-wall atmosphere. This is a good spot for a quick lunch on your way out of town because it is located close to the M-14 exit. Oh, and the gelato is supreme.
Frita Batidos is delicious. 'Cuban style' burgers. You'll be full all day and you won't be mad about it.
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Frita Batidos
117 West Washington StreetFrita Batidos is delicious. 'Cuban style' burgers. You'll be full all day and you won't be mad about it.
This vegan restaurant is a really flavorful option for vegans/vegetarians and also everyone else who enjoys good food and pastries. Great anytime of day, but especially for brunch!
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The Lunch Room
407 North 5th AvenueThis vegan restaurant is a really flavorful option for vegans/vegetarians and also everyone else who enjoys good food and pastries. Great anytime of day, but especially for brunch!
As a serious coffee consumer, I appreciate a well made cup. Literati coffee is exactly that - specialty coffee with a little something extra: a bookstore. You could drink coffee and look at books all day here.
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Literati Coffee
204 South 4th AvenueAs a serious coffee consumer, I appreciate a well made cup. Literati coffee is exactly that - specialty coffee with a little something extra: a bookstore. You could drink coffee and look at books all day here.
Marks Carts is a casual food truck court connected to Bills Beer Garden. Great place for lunch, or dinner if you want to bring your meal into the Beer Garden.
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Mark's Carts
211 West Washington StreetMarks Carts is a casual food truck court connected to Bills Beer Garden. Great place for lunch, or dinner if you want to bring your meal into the Beer Garden.
Zingerman's Deli puts Ann Arbor on the deli map of the world. It serves some really serious deli sandwiches, with homemade bread and baked goods on the side. President Obama ate here when he visited town. It's not cheap, but it's worth it for the ultimate Ann Arbor food experience.
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Zingerman's Delicatessen
422 Detroit StreetZingerman's Deli puts Ann Arbor on the deli map of the world. It serves some really serious deli sandwiches, with homemade bread and baked goods on the side. President Obama ate here when he visited town. It's not cheap, but it's worth it for the ultimate Ann Arbor food experience.
Extremely satisfying breakfast, brunch, lunch. The line can be long because restaurant has a historic reputation for being delicious, but they do move along quickly. Worth the wait.
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Angelo's
1100 Catherine StreetExtremely satisfying breakfast, brunch, lunch. The line can be long because restaurant has a historic reputation for being delicious, but they do move along quickly. Worth the wait.
Entertainment & Activities
The Michigan Theater is a historic building with only two screening rooms. Not only do they show independent and main stream films, but also host plenty of concerts and live events. On Thursdays at 5pm, the School of Art and Design sponsors a visiting artist to showcase her or his work. Before matinees, a live organist plays to cue the movies. It's completely charming. This house has proven to be a great stay for attendees of the Ann Arbor Film Festival and Cinetopia Film Festivals.
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Michigan Theater
603 East Liberty StreetThe Michigan Theater is a historic building with only two screening rooms. Not only do they show independent and main stream films, but also host plenty of concerts and live events. On Thursdays at 5pm, the School of Art and Design sponsors a visiting artist to showcase her or his work. Before matinees, a live organist plays to cue the movies. It's completely charming. This house has proven to be a great stay for attendees of the Ann Arbor Film Festival and Cinetopia Film Festivals.
The Michigan Stadium a.k.a 'The Big House' is one of Ann Arbor's greatest draws. Football Saturdays in Ann Arbor is something of a phenomenon. The Big House can seat 110,000 people and is frequently full. Football games in Ann Arbor are not something to be missed. Throughout the year, the venue also holds other events, including the Chelsea vs. Real Madrid Soccer Tournament every other summer and of course, Graduation. The house is about a 15 minute walk from The Michigan Stadium and has proven to be a good stay for people attending football games, graduation, and other Big House events.
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Michigan Stadium
1201 South Main StreetThe Michigan Stadium a.k.a 'The Big House' is one of Ann Arbor's greatest draws. Football Saturdays in Ann Arbor is something of a phenomenon. The Big House can seat 110,000 people and is frequently full. Football games in Ann Arbor are not something to be missed. Throughout the year, the venue also holds other events, including the Chelsea vs. Real Madrid Soccer Tournament every other summer and of course, Graduation. The house is about a 15 minute walk from The Michigan Stadium and has proven to be a good stay for people attending football games, graduation, and other Big House events.
Arts & Culture
The UMMA (University of Michigan Museum of Art) has an incredible collection of art, from classic to modern. They especially have a world famous collection of African and Chinese art from throughout the ages. My friend runs the gift shop downstairs. Great place to get your culture on.
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University of Michigan Museum of Art
525 South State StreetThe UMMA (University of Michigan Museum of Art) has an incredible collection of art, from classic to modern. They especially have a world famous collection of African and Chinese art from throughout the ages. My friend runs the gift shop downstairs. Great place to get your culture on.
The Ark is an Ann Arbor staple, a cozy theater for live music of all varieties. Lots of people who come to town for concerts find this house is a great place to stay because it is only a few blocks from the venue!
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The Ark
316 South Main StreetThe Ark is an Ann Arbor staple, a cozy theater for live music of all varieties. Lots of people who come to town for concerts find this house is a great place to stay because it is only a few blocks from the venue!
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is a month-long concert series in June that offers free nightly performances. After dark they screen movies on the lawn. This is a really special experience if you are visiting in the summer.
Ann Arbor Summer Festival
400 4th StThe Ann Arbor Summer Festival is a month-long concert series in June that offers free nightly performances. After dark they screen movies on the lawn. This is a really special experience if you are visiting in the summer.
The Ann Arbor Art Fair is one of the biggest draws to town. Every year, the entire city is over-taken by artists selling their work from booths. This 4-day event is free, unless you buy art of course. The house has proven to be a great stay for vendors and visitors of the fair.
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair Inc
721 East Huron StreetThe Ann Arbor Art Fair is one of the biggest draws to town. Every year, the entire city is over-taken by artists selling their work from booths. This 4-day event is free, unless you buy art of course. The house has proven to be a great stay for vendors and visitors of the fair.
Getting Around
The Blake Transit Center is Ann Arbor's central bus stop. It is a five minute stroll from the house (very manageable walk with a moderate amount of luggage). The Airbus and The Flyer, two bus lines that offer frequent and affordable shuttle service the airport, start and stop here.
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Blake Transit Center
The Blake Transit Center is Ann Arbor's central bus stop. It is a five minute stroll from the house (very manageable walk with a moderate amount of luggage). The Airbus and The Flyer, two bus lines that offer frequent and affordable shuttle service the airport, start and stop here.
The Amtrak Train Station is not far from the house. The waiting area has been rebuilt in the past decade, but the historic station is right near by, now an elegant restaurant called The Gandy Dancer.
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Ann Arbor
325 Depot StreetThe Amtrak Train Station is not far from the house. The waiting area has been rebuilt in the past decade, but the historic station is right near by, now an elegant restaurant called The Gandy Dancer.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car is actually in sight of our house, on our block. So, if you need to rent a car you are in luck!
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
438 W Huron StEnterprise Rent-A-Car is actually in sight of our house, on our block. So, if you need to rent a car you are in luck!