Slightly downriver from Argo Park, you can paddle or raft the manmade Argo Cascades that bypass the dam. Close to 60,000 people a year conquer the rapids, which include nine drops with recovery pools. If you’re a sucker for water theme parks and “lazy river” rides, then drop a tube in at Argo Park Canoe Livery. The park is Michigan’s largest livery and stretches for two miles along the Huron River. It’s ideal for tubing or leisure paddling.
In Ann Arbor’s culture of bars and clubs one-upping each other with “unique” themes and outlandish décor, it can be difficult to find a bar that’s, well, simply a really good bar. But The Last Word is a respite from glitzy lights, loud music, and other shenanigans distracting from superior whiskey and good conversations. Bare bulbs softly illuminate windowless walls adorned with old photos and sketches. Live jazz enriches the intimate atmosphere.
This establishment is named after The Last Word cocktail (gin, green chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, fresh lime) first crafted in 1921 at the Detroit Athletic Club. Choose from a wide selection of Michigan beers and a sampling of U.S. brews such as Brooklyn Lager and Left Hand Milk Stout — a nod to my home state of Colorado!
To try to describe The Last Word’s impressive selection of fine whiskeys would be a feat. Their extensive menu won’t disappoint. If you’re feeling wily, challenge the bartender to create an off-the-menu cocktail.
Purchase original local artwork in this art-focused town. The WSG Gallery is home to 16 contemporary regional artists who are featured on a rotational basis, in addition to visiting artists. Special exhibits alternate every six weeks, showcasing drawings, prints, paintings, sculpture, ceramics and art glass.
Admire beautifully crafted, handmade tiles at Motawi Tileworks. Founder and principal designer Nawal Motawi designs the handmade tiles to be featured as art in homes and for installation. The business creates a mosaic-like effect on polychrome for residential and commercial projects. The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and Dwell Magazine have recently spotlighted Motawi tiles.
Whether you’re reliving the glory days or you’re a die-hard Michigan football fan on vacation, don’t miss the opportunity for a guided tour of the largest college-owned stadium in America. A product of Fielding Yost’s vision, the stadium was built from 440 tons of reinforcing steel and 31,000 square feet of wire mesh with a price tag of $950,000 — a hefty sum for the 1920s.
The first game was held on Oct. 1, 1927 against Ohio Wesleyan, whom Michigan naturally destroyed with a score of 33–0. Today, the stadium seats 109,901 fans.
Nothing illustrates small town America quite like a pedestrian-friendly Main Street. On Ann Arbor’s Main Street, rub elbows with the locals to round out your vacation. Purchase a U of M shirt, sweatshirt, or countless other college paraphernalia at M Den and satisfy your inner Wolverine. (Even dog rawhides emblazoned with “M” and a tiny blue paw print are available.)
At Get Up Vintage, browse clothing and costume jewelry relics from the 1940s to the 1970s. But if you’re more of a fan of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” than “Antiques Roadshow,” Schakoland Chocolate Factory will be a dream realized. European-style chocolate is created on the premises at this boutique shop specializing in truffles.
Sample the local flavors of Ann Arbor at the 94-year-old open-air farmers market in the historic Kerrytown neighborhood. More than 160 local producers, artisans, and prepared-food vendors offer a staggering array of baked goods, meats, fresh produce, flowers, and more. Snack on ripe blueberries or hand-spun cotton candy from Brookside Blueberry farm. Energize your day with an espresso shot from Black Swallow. Learn how to eat like a local by spending a leisurely morning at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market.
Michigan Theater — a nonprofit center for films and live performances — boasts one of the only theater organs in the U.S. still played at its original location. An evening trip to this cinema includes a Barton Theatre Pipe Organ performance. The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra has held concerts here since 1984. Jazz and rock groups frequent the theater.
And less than one block away, the art deco State Theater — in operation since 1942 — offers more choices for movie lovers.
Ditch the silverware for bread and share platters at The Blue Nile restaurant for a traditional Ethiopian dining experience. Sip a cup of spiced Ethiopian tea (natural ingredients include rose hips, orange and lemon peel, cinnamon, chamomile and cloves) while using bread to scoop up doro wat (chicken simmered in niter kibbe herbed butter, onions and berbere sauce).
But if noodles are what you desire, then grab a table at the somewhat aptly named Slurping Turtle, specializing in Japanese comfort food. Their curry yaki udon dish (stir-fry udon noodles, chicken, Japanese mushrooms, broccolini, and bean sprouts) is great… unless you are savagely against sprouts.
Locally grown ingredients and fresh seasonal dishes are infused into traditional Turkish home cooking at Ayse’s Café (pronounced “eye-sheh”). Having fed the community for more than 20 years, Ayse’s has a following. Soups are a specialty at this café — start with a cup of cold yogurt soup to cool off on a sweltering summer day or warm your body by dipping pita wedges into a hot bowl of spicy red lentil soup.
Yes, you read that correctly: Fairy Doors. In Ann Arbor, it’s a thing. Tiny doors-as-installation-art show up in residential and business areas. No one knows for certain who’s the mastermind behind the whimsical doors, but locals believe it’s Jonathan B. Wright, author of the children’s book, “Who’s Behind the Fairy Doors?“ The unique fairy doors elicit reverence and intrigue. For kids, it’s an imaginative odyssey to track down all these tiny gateways into fairy life and crack the mystery surrounding the small structures.
One might make the claim that Zingerman’s has cornered the market on all things surrounding artisan food. Want a food-focused book? Check out the Zingerman’s Press book list. Have a hankering for some peanut brittle? You’re in luck because Zingerman’s Candy specializes in crafting old-fashioned American sweets. Need a strong cup of Joe to start the day? You guessed it—Zingerman’s owns its own coffee company supplying cafes, restaurants and businesses. The company owns more than 10 enterprises that cater to most every foodie whim, including a creamery, delicatessen and bake house. To truly get a handle on the great Zingerman Empire, sign up for one of their food tours.
