Downtown Ann Arbor - Ann Arbor, MI Area Guide

In 1824, two original settlers named their community Ann Arbor because both their wives were named Ann. For the next two centuries, the city grew steadily and in the 1960s and '70s, it turned into a hub of progressive politics and political activism for the civil-rights and anti-Vietnam War movements.

The area hosts street festivals throughout the spring and summer. In the warmer months, come join the other half a million spectators at the Ann Arbor Art Fairs when the streets fill with the work of hundreds of artists. In winter, go to the Ann Arbor Folk Festival for two days of folk and roots music.

Within the borders of downtown, locals appreciate abundant opportunities to enjoy the arts. Scores of distinctive galleries and independent bookstores join theaters and comedy clubs, and the music scene includes wide-ranging performances. The array of first-class museums includes the University Of Michigan Museum Of Art.

Foodies appreciate the variety of restaurants in Ann Arbor and discover unique restaurants on every block, though the main food and beverage hub of the area can be found around Liberty and Main. Options for every taste abound, from old-fashioned delis and trendy American bistros to the eclectic range of dance clubs and music venues.

Check out the Gandy Dancer restaurant, which has a reputation for imaginative preparation of seafood and steaks. Located in a restored train depot from 1886, its historic setting creates a sophisticated atmosphere for all sorts of occasions and keep locals coming back for more. The sumptuous Sunday brunch buffet pleases families, and features 10 kinds of meat as well as Belgian waffles and made-to-order omelets. If you come for dinner, you can’t go wrong here with a classic shrimp cocktail. Regulars like the New York strip steak or cedar-planked salmon, and the wine list features carefully curated choices.

The Blue Nile serves Ethiopian food in a romantic atmosphere that makes it perfect for a memorable date. Even carnivores sometimes choose the vegetarian feast, an all-you-care-to-eat assortment of vegetable stews, though they can also come with lamb and chicken. Served on pancake-like Ethiopian bread called injera, patrons enjoy the unique Ethiopian dining experience of eating the food with their fingers.

Zingerman’s Delicatessen, an Ann Arbor tradition, serves sandwiches and soups made with exceptional ingredients. It makes traditional Jewish foods as well as deli salads, and stocks an exceptional assortment of farmhouse cheeses and other specialty food items. Locals swear by the Reuben stacks corned beef with Swiss cheese, which is topped with real fermented sauerkraut and served between slices of chewy-crusted Jewish rye bread. A true regular stops by on a cold winter's night when Zingerman’s offers a classic chicken pot pie that'll warm you to your toes. Locals and visitors consider The Ark, Ann Arbor's center for acoustic music, one of the best music clubs in the state. The club seats 400 in an intimate atmosphere, showcasing musicians who fit under the broad umbrella of folk and roots music and offering unforgettable live musical performances over 300 nights a year.

For the art afficionados out there, the Michigan Theater combines fine films and the performing arts in a historical building. Specializing in modern foreign and independent American films, it also screens documentaries in its two auditoriums: the Historic Theater and the Screening Room. The elaborate theater features great acoustics for classical music, which make the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra concerts performed here a joy to listen to.

Ann Arbor’s downtown area has a reputation for being very walkable, but many other trasnport options exist.

Operated by the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, The Ride provides a public transit system with more than 1500 stops. Eighteen routes conveniently serve the area. Over 20 taxi providers serve Ann Arbor. Summon cabs by phone or rent a Zipcar by the hour or day. Uber also serves the area.

Drivers find highway access convenient; routes 23 and 94 serve the area. Locals find metered on-street parking a hassle. However, drivers park conveniently throughout the downtown area. Many downtown businesses validate parking for their customers, and drivers enjoy free parking at all lots on Sundays. Ann Arbor has a reputation as a bicycle-friendly community, with the city maintaining a total of over 71 miles of bike lanes as well as other cycling infrastructure and resources. Ann Arbor received a silver award as a Bicycle Friendly City by the League of American Bicyclists, and a rating of the 14th most bike-friendly city in America by Bicycling Magazine in 2010.

The Ann Arbor area provides more than 200 parks featuring plenty of recreational activities for those looking to play sports or enjoy the outdoors. Small parks dot the neighborhoods, and a short drive from downtown gets you to three different metroparks.

The riverside Argo Nature Area features boating activities. The canoe livery provides canoe and kayak rentals in natural surroundings. Locals also rent individual tubes or five-person rafts. Families enjoy river trips and themed programs.

The University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum contain 20 garden spaces and display areas including a nature preserve and a bonsai garden. The conservatory houses tropical and desert collections. Children love visiting the large Gaffield children’s garden, especially the innovative play areas. Stroll the trails, take a run, walk the dog or just enjoy the scenery.

Olson Park’s 54-acre site features a pond with wetlands and woods while providing for recreational activities. Native plant communities preserve habitat for significant species of butterflies and birds. Many mountain bike trails traverse the area. Residents enjoy the soccer fields and ball courts, and can romp with their dogs in an off-leash dog play area.

It costs about 5 percent more than the national average to live in Ann Arbor, and about 23 percent more than in the city of Detroit. The average rental rate currently sits at $1,732.

A bus ride anywhere within Ann Arbor costs $1.50 for a one-way ticket, while the cost of filling the gas tank costs 89 percent of the national average. The price of a cold draft beer sets you back about $4, and a hot pizza to go with it costs about $8.

A wide assortment of specialty shops lines the bustling downtown streets. For the usual array of national chain stores, visit the nearby Briarwood Mall, Arborland Center, or Briarwood Mall.

Kerrytown Market and Shops, on the north side of downtown, contains a collection of one-of-a-kind shops. Regulars look for the unusual and unique at Kerrytown, whether it’s jewelry or toys. Peaceable Kingdom combines an art gallery with a jewelry shop and also carries gifts and toys. Locals often shop here for unique wedding or birthday presents and the assortment of wind-up toys under $5 make it a terrific spot to shop for or with children. West Side Book Shop provides used and rare books, specializing in first editions and antique books since 1975. Poetry lovers and serious book collectors appreciate the extensive collection and love to come here to browse away a rainy afternoon. Residents find a good selection of specialty food shops and grocery stores within the downtown community, and drive just a few minutes to get to several large supermarkets. People’s Food Co-op in the Kerrytown area offers local produce and a large deli. Regulars appreciate the fresh salad bar and fair trade coffee. People’s carries healthy organic and locally produced foods. As a co-op, the membership controls the business.

Shoppers looking for specialty foods go to Manhattan style Babo’s Market for an eclectic selection of cured meats, wines and artisan cheeses from around the world. The store carries exotic ingredients and pantry staples, with an emphasis on Michigan-made products, and locally sourced produce. Locals looking for excellent meat shop at Knight’s Market, a butcher also selling deli and bakery items.

The Ann Arbor Farmers Market opens Wednesdays and Saturdays year round with farmers and other vendors offering their products. Shoppers pick up organic produce and fresh eggs while listening to live music.