A College Kid’s Guide to Ann Arbor
My love for Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan began during my first visit when I was 11 years old. It was the day of a Michigan Ohio-State home football game and I arrived on campus with my parents, both of whom went to Michigan, and my 8 year old sister. While it was years ago, I still remember the magic on that game day morning. We had breakfast at The Brown Jug (I don’t know why my parents chose to go here for breakfast—but I would totally recommend it as a fun run-down bar to hang out at at night), and at the tables next to us were college kids downing bright blue pitchers of alcohol. My parents showed us the houses they had lived in when they were students, and each porch was filled with students screaming, cheering, and tailgating. When we arrived at The Big House (Michigan’s football stadium and the largest stadium in the US), I felt a spirit and sense of pride among the fans that I had never felt before. I had been to NFL games, but I remember the magic of the Big House and the Michigan Ohio-State rivalry feeling different. That day, Michigan beat Ohio State for the first time in three years. My family and the rest of the fans in the Big House instantly sprinted down the bleachers, stormed the field, and danced to Sweet Caroline. My sister and I cheered and sang along on our parents’s shoulders, and I knew right then that I had officially discovered the Ann Arbor magic.
While I had my fair share of experiencing the magic of regular game days as a student my Freshman and Sophomore years, my love for the city of Ann Arbor has not faltered even after being sent home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Coming back to school this fall, my friends and I were just as excited to reunite with our favorite restaurants, shops, and pandemic-safe activities.
Where to Eat for Breakfast and Lunch: As I’m sure many people would agree, brunch is easily one of the best meals. Luckily, Ann Arbor has a slew of delicious brunch spots that are perfect for a weekend morning. Angelo’s is arguably the most popular. With its omelettes, home-made bread, pancakes, waffles, and comfortable booths, you are bound to run into people you know with each visit. Another favorite of mine is Avalon Kitchen, with outdoor seating, and trendier brunch menu. Another 24-hour diner that is known for their breakfast food is Fleetwood Diner, with white walls covered in hundreds of colorful vintage stickers, and their famous Hippie Hash Browns, it is a fun spot at 2am or 11am. Zingerman’s Deli, the famous deli in Ann Arbor, is known for their sandwiches, matzo-ball soup, and desserts. Sometimes, I treat myself and get my favorite sandwich between two fresh potato latkes rather than between two pieces of their homemade bread—it’s truly a game-changer. According to Barack Obama, who is a Zingerman’s fan, “The Reuben is killer.”
Where to Eat for Dinner: There are countless restaurants that I could rave about for dinner, and so many that I are still on my list to try—even as a junior. One of my favorite Ann Arbor staples is Sava’s. The restaurant has an extensive menu with something for everyone, and it’s the perfect place for a nice dinner with friends or even a date night. I’ve never tried something on the menu that I didn’t like, but their mac and cheese and Bang Bang shrimp are my favorites. Two fancier alternatives are Mani, an Italian restaurant, and Isalita, a Mexican restaurant. The two are located right next to each other and have the same owner. Although both restaurants always have a long wait, they make up for it in quality food and fun drinks. Isalita is one of my favorite spots for a group dinner. Another fun new Mexican restaurant with 24oz margaritas, a bar with swings instead of seats, sombreros for your birthday, and great food is Chapala. Last but not least, Pizza House! Open until 4am with it’s large booths and tens of tv screens at the center of campus, Pizza House is the ultimate place to watch any sports game or go to after a night out. Between their famous cheesy bread, chapatis (salad in a pizza crust bowl), chicken wings, and mozzarella sticks, I sometimes find myself ordering Pizza House four times a week. Most students here would argue that you can’t go wrong with Ann Arbor restaurants, and if I needed to, I could list about thirty more.
What to Do: While both the food and energy in Ann Arbor are unmatched, there are also a lot of great activities that get you outside and are a great change of scenery from a typical day. When the weather is nice, a lot of people flock to “The Arb” (Nichols Arboretum) right on campus. With its miles of beautiful hiking trails through the trees, colorful flowery fields, and benches and walkway along the Huron River, The Arb is the best place to go for a nice walk, have a picnic, or just sit and relax. Another favorite is Bandemer Park, also referred to as “The Docks.” About a mile from Main Street, the docks at Bandemer are right on the Huron River. When it’s summer weather, you're bound to see about 50 students in bathing suits on the docks with speakers, drinks, and rafts—perfect for tanning, sitting by the water, bringing a picnic, or for jumping in and swimming. Another great escape is walking down Main Street. About a 10 minute walk from the center of campus, Main Street has so many nice restaurants, kitschy bars, shopping, and street performers. One of my favorite things about Main Street is that it is mostly filled with non-college students and allows for you to feel a part of the real world for a bit. During the holiday season, Main Street is covered with beautiful lights and holiday decorations. Due to the pandemic, they have been closing down the street to cars on weekends to allow for additional outdoor seating.
Where to Shop: Sometimes with all of the stress of the day to day life of college, retail therapy really does boost your mood. Ann Arbor has a few cute boutiques right on campus that are perfectly catered to the college lifestyle. Gift cards from these stores are also the perfect group birthday present. Verbena is probably the most popular. Right on campus, they perfectly cater to everything that a college girl might need. Right across the street, Bivouac also has a great selection of clothes. They also have a huge selection of winter jackets, hats, gloves, and scarves. For Michigan apparel, The M Den is the ultimate place to buy anything and everything in maize and blue. With two floors, they have some of the most random Michigan items you will ever see, and everything you could possibly imagine. About a ten minute drive from campus is the Briarwood Mall. With a food court, an Apple store, and many of the classic mall stores, it’s very nice to have nearby.
While a large part of your college experience is your academics and social life, it’s important to be able to appreciate your surroundings. This year more than ever, I think my friends and I have realized how lucky we are that we not only love the academic and social aspects of the University of Michigan, but the city of Ann Arbor too. No matter how stable my life at school is, knowing that I have good food, stores, and activities to escape to for a mental break gives me such a sense of relief.
