Superior Township, MI Area Guide

Much of the township's residential development took shape after a major industrial expansion at nearby Willow Run in the mid-1900s. That wartime factory drew workers to the area, and the southern portions of Superior Township filled with modest cottages and ranch-style homes that still stand today.

The Conservancy Farm preserves a tangible link to the township's earlier agrarian roots, including an original settler log cabin on the grounds. Farms continue to operate across the landscape, and the Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy maintains its main office there, keeping the agricultural heritage alive in a hands-on way.

Dining out means heading down the road -- Superior Township has no commercial restaurant district of its own. Ann Arbor is the closest major culinary destination, with everything from polished fine dining to casual neighborhood spots, while Ypsilanti carries a more eclectic, arts-adjacent food culture with a mix of pub fare and independent eateries. The drive to either city runs between five and twelve miles, making a weeknight dinner or weekend brunch easy enough to plan.

A car is essential in Superior Township -- the layout and limited transit infrastructure make driving the practical default for nearly every errand. US-23 is the primary highway, connecting residents to Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan's North Campus quickly from most parts of the township.

For longer trips, the Ann Arbor Amtrak Station on the Wolverine line to Detroit and Chicago is about 15 minutes away by car, and Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport is roughly a 30-minute drive. Bicycle trails link LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve to the Conservancy Farm, though on-road cycling options along the township's roads are limited.

LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve anchors the township's outdoor offerings with 325 acres of trails suited for hiking, birdwatching, and dog walking. Bicycle and hiking paths connect LeFurge Woods to the Conservancy Farm, where the Community Organic Garden lets residents reserve individual plots and engage with the land directly.

Kosch Headwaters Preserve adds another 160 acres of prairie, woodland, and wetland terrain with miles of winding trails. A short drive away, Matthaei Botanical Gardens -- affiliated with the University of Michigan and about eight minutes from the township -- features tours of indigenous plant species, and Parker Mill Park offers a scenic county park setting along Fleming Creek.

Retail in Superior Township is built around proximity rather than a walkable downtown. Dixboro Village Shops, about five minutes away, delivers a locally flavored small-shop experience, and Dixboro Shops at the Green is just a minute or two farther down the road.

For everyday grocery runs, the nearest major option is Kroger in north Ypsilanti. Ann Arbor's retail corridors open up considerably more choices for larger shopping trips.

Hundreds of acres of preserved land -- including LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve and Kosch Headwaters Preserve -- give Superior Township a countryside character that few communities near Ann Arbor can match, all with quick highway access to the University of Michigan, Ypsilanti, and Detroit Metro Airport.