My Musts on How to Spend a Weekend in Ann Arbor

As an avid traveler, visiting Michigan from Denver (my hometown) for the first time was an opportunity for me to really get creative when it came to planning what to do and see. With such a big campus and so much to explore, it can be hard to see everything in just one weekend. I created this guide so you can get the most out of your trip. Hopefully, after this weekend, you will see yourself as a student here because U-M is truly amazing. This is a guide to the good stuff to eat, do, see, and where to stay in the best college town in the world! 

FRIDAY

Get into Ann Arbor and check into your hotel. I recommend renting a car for the weekend, it makes getting around a little easier. 

WHERE TO STAY

I recommend: 

The Graduate: Great if you want to be right in the heart of Ann Arbor. This hotel has a lot of charm and history. The rooms are super cute, and you are close to State Street and downtown Ann Arbor if you want to shop or explore local restaurants. This is also a great option if you don’t plan on driving during your stay and want to experience the campus like a student: by walking everywhere. 

Hyatt Place: I like that this hotel is more modern (and has free breakfast). While it is a little farther from campus, this is a great option if you have a car. 

The Sheraton: With spacious rooms and a pool, this is a great option if you plan on bringing a big group to explore Ann Arbor. 
 

WHAT TO SEE

Walk around Central Campus. This is where all the action happens — most of our central campus buildings are centered around The Diag, and you’ll always see something happening there. But, don’t step on the Block M or else you might fail your first blue book exam, or so the rumor goes. What to check out:
 

- The Diag 
- The University of Michigan Museum of Art: Our free art museum on campus — I love the rotating displays and extensive modern art collection. 
- The Union: This is where students congregate. There are a bunch of restaurants, our student bookstore, and more in the basement! Make sure to spin The Cube outside for good luck!

- The Law Quad: The law buildings are right next to Michigan Ross. Be sure to check out the iconic Law Library. Another rumor: some say Harry Potter was inspired by this part of campus.

-Ross School of Business: Walking into Ross for the first time is an unmatched feeling. We have tours most Fridays! Come discover what it looks like to be a BBA and hear from Ross students.  

WHERE TO EAT

Grab dinner downtown. Main Street is where Ann Arbor transitions from feeling like a college town to feeling like a city. With street performers, boutiques, and a ton of restaurants, this is a popular place for students to spend their weekends. You really can’t go wrong with any of the restaurants in this area, but some of my favorites are:
 

-Frita Batidos: Cuban-inspired burgers. This might be every student at Michigan’s favorite restaurant. Don’t forget to order an egg to top your burger, and the passion fruit batido is the best, in my opinion.  

-Black Pearl: A little bit more of a surf-and-turf vibe. You can’t go wrong with their fish tacos but everything on the menu is great. I like that this restaurant has much more of a “city” vibe.  

-Taq: Amazing tacos — don’t skimp on dessert here. Depending on when you visit, grab a seat outside or in the taco houses lining the street. 

-Pretzel Bell: An Ann Arbor institution. I love the interior design of this place and the pretzel theme is pretty fun too.   
 

SATURDAY

WHERE TO EAT
 Grab breakfast. If there’s one thing Michigan does well, it’s breakfast and brunch. 

-Jagged Fork: One of my favorite breakfast places in the entire world. You always seem to see student-athletes here (especially during football season). I get the huevos rancheros, and they are second to none! 
-Stray Hen: This place always has a line out the door. Get here early and hungry, the food is great! 

-Cannelle: My Ann Arbor hidden gem. A French pastry shop with a great menu. If you want to take the road less traveled, this is the place for you. Even some students don’t know about this bakery and they are missing out!

-Avalon: Putting you back in downtown Ann Arbor for this one. I recommend making a reservation, but this restaurant is always full of energy, and the food and drink menu is extensive.  

If you’re a book lover, Cannelle is right next to Literati – Ann Arbor’s bookstore. They have great Ann Arbor souvenirs and are always hosting events.

WHAT TO DO

Explore the Ann Arbor area. You’ve seen the campus, so now you should explore even further. Ann Arbor has some great neighborhoods — the most popular for Michigan students is Kerrytown. If you’re here during football season, then you should go to a game, but if not (or you’re not a football fan), I recommend feeling like a townie for the day. 
 

-Kerrytown Farmers Market: Every Saturday Kerrytown hosts a farmer’s market with fresh produce and handmade items. You’ll always see students here shopping around. 

WHERE TO EAT

Grab lunch. After all the walking and exploring, you’ll probably be hungry. Kerrytown has some great options. 
-Miss Kim: Korean food with a small-town twist. This place has garnered tons of awards and for good reason. I’ve been a few times and am always looking for an excuse to go back (invite me, please!). 

-Zingerman’s: The ionic sandwich shop that even has presidents raving about it. Did you really go to Ann Arbor if you didn’t go here? They also have a great cafe with coffee and light snacks if that’s more your vibe. 
 

-No Thai!: This is a student classic. With locations all around Ann Arbor, it’s a great one to try.

WHAT TO DO

-Take a campus-wide tour: Sign up for a student-led tour of U-M. It’s another way to hear from students and see yourself on campus.
-Walk down State Street: Time to shop! Whether you want to grab some gifts for your family back home, see what’s trendy, or see if the online pictures of Ann Arbor meet the reality of being in the city, it’s always great to walk around and explore. 
-Nickels Arcade: A little street with a ton of cute shops from local creators. 

-Graffiti Alley: An alley with a lot of graffiti, which is actually pretty cool.

For that Michigan gear:   
-Rally House (on State Street) 
-Underground Printing (locations on Main Street and South University Avenue)

WHERE TO EAT

Get dinner and a sweet treat. For your last dinner in Ann Arbor, why not end it with something sweet. If you’re on State Street, you’re pretty close to everything. Here are some of my favorites:  

-Mani: Great Italian food — get here early because it fills up fast! 

-Isalita: Mani’s sister restaurant serving up some Spanish cuisine.

-Speido: Mediterranean food with a twist. This place is relatively new and a restaurant I’m always craving.

-Milk and Froth: THE BEST ice cream in Ann Arbor. This place has super unique flavors, and the people working there are the sweetest (no pun intended).

-Bon Bon Bon: A bon bon shop in Nickel’s Arcade off of State Street. I love their branding, and the chocolates are top-notch. 
Bakehouse 46: I bring these cupcakes home to my family every break, and they love me for it. 

SUNDAY

WHAT TO DO

Get out of Ann Arbor! You’ve gotten the lay of the land, but I think it's important to see what’s beyond the U-M bubble. The state of Michigan has some great things to offer. Go to a cider mill: there are a bunch in the area and grabbing a doughnut with hot cider is one of the biggest perks of living in Michigan. A lot of Ross clubs and student organizations host cider mill trips during the fall, and for good reason!
-Three Cedars Farm
-Parmenter’s Cider Mill
-Wiard’s Orchard   

Walk around Plymouth. Plymouth is a town just east of Ann Arbor. It is super cute and is a great way to end your trip.

-Dixboro Project: Grab some food for the trip back — this place rocks.  

Head back home. Go home and submit your U-M application!

I hope you enjoyed visiting U-M and seeing everything Michigan Ross and Ann Arbor have to offer! These are just some of the highlights. The list would be too long to include everything, but this guide is a good starting point for all of the “musts.” There is so much more to explore once you become a student, too!

Go Blue!