Ann Arbor is a picture
postcard city with a rich history. It is also a city that is eternally young
at heart. Ann Arbor has been home to the University of Michigan, one of the
country's most prestigious public universities, since 1837. As a college town,
it combines the best of both worlds. The traditions and intellectual pursuits
of academia blend seamlessly with cultural activities, athletic events, music
venues, and family fun.
Ann Arbor is located in
southeast Michigan, just 45 miles west of Detroit and 35 miles north of the Ohio
border. At any time of the year, there are events that will help to make your
visit complete. An array of performances, festivals and activities (both
outdoor and indoor) are part of what makes Washtenaw County a family friendly
place.
Downtown Ann Arbor’s twelve
blocks of colorfully painted shops and cozy sidewalk cafes attest to its vitality and
youthful spirit. Of course, over forty bookstores are nestled among the
various shopping regions.
Shopping in Ann Arbor is a
delight. Highlights include: the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market with fresh produce,
baked goods, and an Artisan’s market selling handcrafted items, furniture,
clothing, and pottery; the Main Street restaurant and gallery area; the Nickel
Arcade’s assortment of quaint shops; and the bustling State Street area that
connects town and campus.
Dine at any one of the fine
restaurants and spend the evening listening to jazz or laughing with one of the
nation's top comedians. State Street is the "entertainment capital" of Ann
Arbor, with most of the big performance venues, as well as two movie theaters.
Music is everywhere in Ann Arbor. The music scene has enjoyed a national
reputation ever since the Stooges, MC5 and Bob Seger made their names there.
There is, in fact, music to suit every taste. Symphony orchestras such as the
Philadelphia and Berlin Philharmonics, and the Cleveland and Leipzig Orchestras;
internationally acclaimed performers including Wynton Marsalis, Dame Kiri Te
Kanawa, Jessye Norman, Yo Yo Ma, kd lang, and BB King; and the renowned dance
companies of the Joffrey Ballet and Alvin Ailey, are all regular visitors to Ann
Arbor.
Annual festivals include
the Ann Arbor Folk Festival in January, the Ann Arbor Pow Wow in March,
Springfest chamber music Festival in May, the Ypsilanti Frog Island Festival in
June, and the fantastic Ann Arbor Art Fairs in July. Ann Arbor's
gigantic annual art festival actually consists of four separate fairs that
occupy the city, drawing more than 1,000 artists and close to half a million
visitors to downtown and the campus area over a four day period in July. Free concerts
are featured, and hundreds of vendors offer their wares for sale. The Blues and
Jazz festival in downtown Ann Arbor is a fall highlight.
With 23 courses, 387 holes
and 135,369 yards of great golf to play in Ann Arbor, golfers have the perfect
opportunity to enjoy the superb Michigan scenery while shooting for that birdie.
Hiking, horseback riding, and cycling can be enjoyed in season. Fishing and
canoeing are great on the Huron River. In the winter, there is cross country
skiing, snowboarding, downhill skiing, and Alpine racing at Huron Hills. “Go
Wolverines! Go Blue!” is the rallying cry of faithful fans of varsity baseball,
football, and basketball as the University of Michigan teams compete.
A drive through the
countryside will lead to Ann Arbor’s neighbors: the small towns of Chelsea,
Dexter, Manchester, Saline, and Milan. In Chelsea, the first prepared baking
mix, Jiffy Mix, was manufactured. Currently, it is the home of The Purple Rose
Theater, a popular regional playhouse founded by Jeff Daniels. Adjoining Ann
Arbor is the picturesque, smaller college town of Ypsilanti, home of the
original Dominos Pizza, the Chevrolet Corvair, and at present, a world-renowned
antique auto show.
Ann Arbor (also known
locally as A2) awaits your arrival and provides opportunities
for a memorable visit to the place most often voted the Best College Town.
Worldwide Hotels
