11 Activities
Day Trip in Ann Arbor: Arts, Culture, and Eats
Starts from
Detroit
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
11
Duration
12 hours
Length
1 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Detroit
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
12 hours
Length
1 mi
Alana Valko
Travel Expert
- Visit the castle-like Law Quadrangle and hunt for hidden gargoyles.
- Discover some of the finest art and artifacts at Ann Arbor's free museums.
- Walk the tree-lined Main Street for shopping and award-winning eats.
Whether you are a Wolverine fan or not, Ann Arbor has much to offer beyond its beautiful campus grounds. The town thrives on its renowned cultural offerings, abundant green spaces, and its gorgeous, walkable streets. On this day trip, you'll indulge in some of the finest art and food in Michigan.
In the morning, you'll start your day at the gardens in Nichols Arboretum, which boasts the largest collection of peonies in North America when in full bloom. You'll make your way downtown for breakfast then walk famous streets to the neo-Gothic law quad, and the fine art and archeology museums that sit at the heart of the city. In the afternoon, you'll eat at Zingermann's Delicatessen, an Ann Arbor institution known for its generous sandwiches and bread. Once you've eaten, venture through Kerrytown to Main Street, the city's food and shopping haven, and stop at Literati, a carefully-curated independent bookstore and café. You'll end the day with award-winning Cuban-inspired street food and a twinkling beer garden.
In the morning, you'll start your day at the gardens in Nichols Arboretum, which boasts the largest collection of peonies in North America when in full bloom. You'll make your way downtown for breakfast then walk famous streets to the neo-Gothic law quad, and the fine art and archeology museums that sit at the heart of the city. In the afternoon, you'll eat at Zingermann's Delicatessen, an Ann Arbor institution known for its generous sandwiches and bread. Once you've eaten, venture through Kerrytown to Main Street, the city's food and shopping haven, and stop at Literati, a carefully-curated independent bookstore and café. You'll end the day with award-winning Cuban-inspired street food and a twinkling beer garden.
Whether you are a Wolverine fan or not, Ann Arbor has much to offer beyond its beautiful campus grounds. The town thrives on its renowned cultural offerings, abundant green spaces, and its gorgeous, walkable streets. On this day trip, you'll indulge in some of the finest art and food in Michigan.
In the morning, you'll start your day at the gardens in Nichols Arboretum, which boasts the largest collection of peonies in North America when in full bloom. You'll make your way downtown for breakfast then walk famous streets to the neo-Gothic law quad, and the fine art and archeology museums that sit at the heart of the city. In the afternoon, you'll eat at Zingermann's Delicatessen, an Ann Arbor institution known for its generous sandwiches and bread. Once you've eaten, venture through Kerrytown to Main Street, the city's food and shopping haven, and stop at Literati, a carefully-curated independent bookstore and café. You'll end the day with award-winning Cuban-inspired street food and a twinkling beer garden.
In the morning, you'll start your day at the gardens in Nichols Arboretum, which boasts the largest collection of peonies in North America when in full bloom. You'll make your way downtown for breakfast then walk famous streets to the neo-Gothic law quad, and the fine art and archeology museums that sit at the heart of the city. In the afternoon, you'll eat at Zingermann's Delicatessen, an Ann Arbor institution known for its generous sandwiches and bread. Once you've eaten, venture through Kerrytown to Main Street, the city's food and shopping haven, and stop at Literati, a carefully-curated independent bookstore and café. You'll end the day with award-winning Cuban-inspired street food and a twinkling beer garden.
Alana Valko
Travel Expert
- Visit the castle-like Law Quadrangle and hunt for hidden gargoyles.
- Discover some of the finest art and artifacts at Ann Arbor's free museums.
- Walk the tree-lined Main Street for shopping and award-winning eats.
Day Itinerary
11 Activities
Day 1
1 mi3 mi
Exploring a Vibrant Downtown
Spend the day walking through tree-lined streets filled with culture and culinary hot spots.
08:2045 min
Nichols Arboretum
Park
Open Details
Start your morning walking through the peony gardens at Nichols Arboretum, the largest collection of heirloom peonies in the country, some of which are antiquities and no longer grow anywhere else in the world. If you can make it, catch the garden at peak season, which lasts for a bittersweet period from late May to mid-June. If you miss the gardens, don't fret—Nichols Arboretum boasts plenty of walking trails lined with many collections of historic and native flora.
1.1 mi
10 min
09:1510 min
Parking Lot
Parking
Open Details
Park your car at a parking garage in the center of town. You can leave it there for the entirety of the day—the rest of your trip will be on foot!
0.3 mi
5 min
09:301 hr
Afternoon Delight
Café
Open Details
Once parked, walk over to Afternoon Delight for breakfast, a homestyle diner serving a classic eggs benedict and homemade bran muffins, with the option to have it served hot and filled with frozen yogurt. You'll leave filled, happy, and prepped for your day exploring the town. Note the restaurant is closed on Mondays—for an alternative stop-in at Avalon Café and Kitchen located just down the street.
0.7 mi
15 min
10:5045 min
Law Quadrangle
Historic Site
Open Details
Make your way east down Liberty Street, one of downtown Ann Arbor's most iconic streets that is packed with wall art and the famous iconography of the Michigan and State Theaters. Turn right on State Street, a vibrant street filled with university buildings, museums, and frequented shops. Walk until you reach the law quad and turn left into its neo-Gothic arches and paved paths. Enter into the beautiful, castle-like grounds of the University of Michigan's law quad.
Take in the stunning architecture and pay close attention to the iconography within the arches of the rectangular building—can you find all the hand-carved faces? Dating back to the 1920s, there are multiple gargoyle-like figurines within the arches, with each passageway representing different ideals, such as the four seasons in harvests and the four seasons in sports, or the first six university presidents.
Take in the stunning architecture and pay close attention to the iconography within the arches of the rectangular building—can you find all the hand-carved faces? Dating back to the 1920s, there are multiple gargoyle-like figurines within the arches, with each passageway representing different ideals, such as the four seasons in harvests and the four seasons in sports, or the first six university presidents.
0.2 mi
5 min
11:451 hr 30 min
University of Michigan Museum of Art
Art Museum
Open Details
The University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) is one of the oldest and largest university art museums in the country, with over 150 years of collecting the finest works of art to showcase. Now, the museum boasts over 20,000 works of art in its archives and on display and is completely free to visit. The museum always has rotating exhibitions on view, as well as writing, poetry, music, interactive events, and a new café. Stop in to peruse iconic works from the museum's extensive African, Asian, Western, and Modern & Contemporary collections. You can also step outside to view an array of public art lining the building, including a towering red Mark di Suvero piece that can't be missed, or search for tree-like faceless figurines by Michele Oka Doner in the back of the building.
0.2 mi
5 min
13:201 hr
Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
Museum
Open Details
If you can make it, stop at the Kelsey Museum of Archeology, which maintains more than 100,000 ancient and medieval objects from the Mediterranean and Near East, including examples of Egyptian mummy masks and over 40,000 ancient coins. In 1924, the museum commissioned Italian artist Maria Barosso to create reproductions of the Villa of the Mysteries wall murals in Pompeii. The murals have been conserved and now sit in their own room permanently at the museum, making for a stunning panoramic masterpiece and photo opportunity.
0.8 mi
15 min
14:401 hr
Zingerman's Delicatessen
Grocery Store
Open Details
For lunch, will grab a bite at Ann Arbor's infamous Zingerman's Delicatessen, world-renowned for its thick deli sandwiches with quirky names—even former President Barack Obama has stepped in for a bite (hint, he ordered their famed Reuben). Order a sandwich and a Jewish side and enjoy your meal out on their patio. The deli also has a café next door, which sells pastries, coffee, and house-made gelato.
0.4 mi
10 min
16:5030 min
Literati Bookstore
Bookstore
Open Details
Make your way through Ann Arbor's Kerrytown district, a historic neighborhood known for its farmer's market and charming shops. If it's a Saturday, stroll through the farmer's market for fresh farm products, flowers, produce, and artisanal items. If not, continue your way down North 4th Avenue until you reach Washington Street, where you'll stop at Literati Bookstore.
One of the most iconic destinations in Ann Arbor, Literati was recognized as Publishers Weekly Bookstore of the Year in 2019 and thrives for its whimsical, independent, and curated feel. Their booksellers know what they're doing—one of the best features of Literati is its hand-written reviews, where Literati employees pour their hearts out on written index cards to share more about the books that moved them. There's also a quiet, sweet little cafe upstairs—if you find a book, you should start reading on the spot.
One of the most iconic destinations in Ann Arbor, Literati was recognized as Publishers Weekly Bookstore of the Year in 2019 and thrives for its whimsical, independent, and curated feel. Their booksellers know what they're doing—one of the best features of Literati is its hand-written reviews, where Literati employees pour their hearts out on written index cards to share more about the books that moved them. There's also a quiet, sweet little cafe upstairs—if you find a book, you should start reading on the spot.
0.2 mi
5 min
17:3045 min
Main Street Ann Arbor
City Centre
Open Details
Stroll your way through Main Street in Ann Arbor, bursting with restaurants, cocktail bars, shops, and galleries. We've allocated 45 minutes of time so that you can pursue the street and stop at any shops that catch your eye. We recommend stopping in at the Cherry Republic shop for Michigan cherry-flavored treats and jams, and the Shinola watch store, which also hosts a moody subterranean café.
0.2 mi
5 min
18:201 hr
Frita Batidos Ann Arbor
Cuban Restaurant
Open Details
After perusing downtown, find your way to Frita Batidos, an award-winning women-owned restaurant serving up Cuban-inspired dishes such as chorizo or black bean "frita," their Cuban burgers, and a tropical "batido," their fresh-fruit milkshakes. The restaurant is a favorite among locals and visitors alike for its delicious flavors and delicate dance between protein and sweetness the menu offers.
0.2 mi
5 min
19:301 hr
Bill's Beer Garden
Bar
Open Details
End your day at Bill's Beer Garden, a twinkling outdoor courtyard that offers Michigan-made brews in a pleasant, open-air setting. This is a local's haven to meet up with friends, and kids and dogs are welcome. Let the food in your belly settle and kick back and appreciate your fun-filled day in Ann Arbor.