Ann Arbor, Michigan: More Than a College Town

Having been born and raised in the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan, I was provided with a lifetime of experiences from its many features making it a great place to live. As home to the University of Michigan, a top-notch health system, and private homes in lovely suburban communities, Ann Arbor offers the opportunity to grow up in a nurturing, supportive environment.

It is a small, friendly town with all the advantages of a big city rich in culture and local events. However, most of the features that make Ann Arbor a great place to live can also turn it into a wonderful and refreshing tourist destination.

Overview

As of 2009, Ann Arbor's population is 350,003 people. The population growth has increased 6.55 percent since the year 2000. It is the fifth largest city in Michigan. Ann Arbor has many cultural attractions and events - many sponsored by the University of Michigan. It is also a major setting for college sports, with several athletic facilities contained within the city including the famous "Big House" football stadium (one of the largest in the US).

History & Setting

Ann Arbor originated in 1824, when John Allen (formerly of Virginia) and Elisha Rumsey (formerly of New York) arrived with their wives, Ann and Ana, at a place named Allen's Creek in the southeastern Michigan Territory. City-Data.com reports that the men built an arbor for the wild grapevines they found there and named their settlement Anns' Arbor in honor of their wives.

By 1827, that settlement became the seat of Washtenaw County after the opening of mills, a tannery, and general store. Six years later, it was incorporated as a village and, in 1851, it was chartered as a city.

Ann Arbor's close proximity to the Huron River, the Territorial Road, and the Michigan Central Railroad helped it to evolve as a trading center. The city's most significant historical event was in 1841, when the U of M was relocated from Detroit. This public university, considered one of the nation's best, has many multi-cultural influences on the local shops, restaurants, and arts offerings.

Sperling's BestPlaces writes that on average, there are 185 sunny days per year in Ann Arbor. During the month of July, the highest average temperature is about 84 degrees, and during the month of January, the lowest average temperature is 17 degrees. Every year, it receives 32 inches of rain, a snowfall of 40 inches, and 128 days with any measurable precipitation. The city's landscape is composed of hills and valleys, with steeper terrain near the Huron River. There are more than 50,000 trees along the charming streets of the city, with an equal number contained inside its 157 municipal parks, ranging in size from small neighborhood green spots to large recreation areas.

What to Do

As a tourist, one can find many things to see and do within this city. The U of M supports many performing arts groups, which perform in nearby facilities also supported by the university. You can find a list on the website at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. There are also groups and facilities not belonging to the university, such as the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre, the Arbor Opera Theater, the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, the Ann Arbor Ballet Theater, the Ann Arbor Civic Ballet, and the Performance Network Theatre. These professional performances are a great way to spend an evening in the city.

If you are in town during the summer, the Ann Arbor Art Fairs (held the third week of July) consists of four on-the-street art fairs displaying and selling art, with concession stands, live entertainment, and booths representing local businesses. Wikipedia reports that taken collectively, the Ann Arbor Art Fairs is one of the largest art fairs in North America.

During the autumn, the University of Michigan's football stadium holds home games on what is called, "Football Saturdays." With a seating capacity of 107,501, attending a game in the famous "Big House" is a memorable experience for college football fans. To check out the U of M football schedule, please visit www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/mich-m-footbl-sched.html.

Where to Eat

Ann Arbor area is renowned for its diversity of tastes. Thanks in part to a large population of students, it contains an incredible variety of restaurants that are both inexpensive and charming. The cuisine ranges from familiar to unique, with the possibility of different nationalities. If you are looking for quick and delicious, one place you can't miss is campus staple BTB Burrito.

If you're looking for a great place to watch sports games, grab a good beer on tap, or enjoy some excellent bar food, take a walk down South University and stop off at Good Time Charley's, a town favorite during football season: http://www.good-time-charleys.com.

When you are not downtown 'on-campus,' be sure go off the beaten campus path and hit Main Street for a variety of different tastes that include: The Chop House, Real Seafood Company, Gratzi, Gandy Dancer or the famous hibatchi and saki-bomb student favorite, Champion House.

For information on places to eat inside the city, check out http://www.visitannarbor.org/index.php/place_to_eat/

Where to Stay

Wikitravel writes that, "There are four main hotel districts in Ann Arbor: near campus; in the southern part of town, where State Street meets I-94 (including Boardwalk St, Briarwood Cir and Victors Way); in the southeastern part of town, near the intersection of Washtenaw Rd and US-23 (including Carpenter Rd); and in the northeastern part of town, by the intersection of Plymouth Rd and US-23 (including Green Rd). In addition, a few hotels are located near the intersection of Jackson Ave. and I-94, in the northwestern part of town."

Ann Arbor hotel rates vary, providing accomodation for the budget-conscious, mid-range spending, and tourists who want to splurge. The area contains the usual assortment of franchise or partner-related establishments, but there are also some premier hotels offering lodging and services in a more individualized setting.

For example, The Lamp Post Inn, located at 2424 E. Stadium Blvd., and reachable by phone at (734)971-8000, boasts on its website (www.lamppost inn.com), "A family-run establishment since 1992, the Lamp Post Inn offers guests to beautiful Ann Arbor, Michigan an affordable place to stay in a convenient location." Its positive reputation is not built on a brand or franchise, but making its guests happy. The clean, newly renovated guest rooms offer basic necessities, including a microwave, refrigerator, local telephone service and free Wi-Fi Internet access.

Another good choice is Weber's Inn (webersinn.com), on 3050 Jackson Rd. and by phone at (734)769-2500 states, "Founded in 1937 by Herman Weber, Weber's is still owned and operated by the Weber family, committed to guest satisfaction." VISITANNARBOR reports that it features stylish surroundings, comfortable beds with down comforters, and deluxe amenities in all of their guest rooms.

Sources

1.)Kempf House Center for Local History, and the U of M Bentley Historical Library, "Ann Arbor: History-Easterners Found Settlement; Industry Attracts Immigrants" City-Data.com

2.)Sperling's BestPlaces, "Ann Arbor, Michigan (MI)-Sperling's BestPlaces" Sperling's BestPlaces

3.)University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, "School of Music, Theatre & Dance - About Us - Facilities - Alphabetical" University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance

4.)Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, "Ann Arbor Art Fairs-Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

5.)University of Michigan, "University of Michigan Official Athletic Site-Football" MGOBLUE

6.)BTB Burrito & BTB Cantina, "BTB Burrito & BTB Cantina" BTB Burrito & BTB Cantina

7.)Good Time Charley's, "GTC" Good Time Charley's

8.)Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, "Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau-Find a Place to Eat" VISITANNARBOR

9.)Bob, Drew Lietzow, Ryan Holliday and Peter Fitzgerald, Wikitravel user(s) Eco84, Biggie54 and Inas, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others, "Ann Arbor travel guide-Wikitravel" Wikitravel

10.)LAMP POST INN, "Ann Arbor Hotels * Ann Arbor Hotels and Lodging * Ann Arbor Hotels Michigan * Ann..." LAMP POST INN

11.)WEBER'S RESTAURANT&HOTEL, "Weber's-Boutique Hotel, Restaurant, Ultralounge-Ann Arbor, Michigan" WEBER'S RESTAURANT&HOTEL

12.)Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, "Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau-Find a Place to Stay-Weber's Inn" VISITANNARBOR