Top Things to Do in Ann Arbor, Michigan | Midwest Living
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Top Things to Do in Ann Arbor, Michigan

A trio of outstanding art museums (16 Hands Gallery, Ann Arbor Art Center, University of Michigan Museum of Art), the continent's biggest stadium, paprikash from Amadeus restaurant, nearly a dozen omelets from Cafe Zola, and Wolverine-loving hotels are all highlights of this college town.

What to do

16 Hands Gallery The tempting selection includes watches made from silver spoons. 16handsannarbor.com

Ann Arbor Art Center The nonprofit hosts exhibitions and classes. annarborartcenter.org

Matthaei Botanical Gardens See diverse floral environments, as well as sculptures, mosaics and fountains, on the University of Michigan campus. mbgna.umich.edu

Perennial Garden

Perennial Garden. Photo courtesy of Scott Soderberg/Matthaei Botanical Gardens

Motawi Tileworks Window shop or purchase Arts and Crafts-style tiles for homes, as well as clocks, pendants and other goods. Tours offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. motawi.com

Michigan Stadium The Wolverines play football in “The Big House,” the largest sports stadium in North America—and second largest in the world—with a capacity of more than 107,000. mgoblue.com

Savor Ann Arbor Dig into local history, art, architecture or shopping during a customized two- to three-hour city tour. savorannarbor.com

University of Michigan Museum of Art A stunning glass collection from Louis Comfort Tiffany is among the highlights of this free college museum, which has a permanent collection of more than 18,000 objects. umma.umich.edu

Where to Eat

Amadeus Custard-filled pastries cap off an old-world feast of kielbasa and paprikashamadeusrestaurant.com

Aventura Refuel with Spanish tapas, flatbreads, paella and drinks, including a bloody mary bar and sangrias on weekends. aventuraannarbor.com

Biercamp's Order a small-batch beer and a house-made brat or brisket sandwich to enjoy in the beer garden. Take home the deli's artisan sausages. bier-camp.com

Cafe Zola The French-inspired brunch menu includes 10 omelets. Our pick: goat cheese and asparagus. cafezola.com

Frita Batidos Top Chef contestant Eve Aronoff serves gourmet burgers with a Cuban twist. Load up a chorizo-based burger with cilantro-lime salsa, avocado spread and tropical slaw. fritabatidos.com

Gandy Dancer Enjoy fine dining on steak and seafood in a restored 1886 train depot. muer.com

Ginger Deli Try fresh and healthy Vietnamese classics, including summer rolls, banh mi made with on-site French bread, and pho. gingerdeli.com

Grange Kitchen and Bar It's all about farm to table here; local ingredients include wine, shrimp (farm-raised in Okemos), morels and just-picked ramps. Try the five-coure tasting menu. grangekitchenandbar.com

The Jolly Pumpkin This brewery on Main Street turns a pint into a food adventure with dishes such as oven-dried-tomato pizza and truffle-oil fries.  jollypumpkin.com

The Jolly Pumpkin. Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The Jolly Pumpkin

The Last Word Find an extensive wine and cocktail menu and creative small plates, such as Thai poutine, shishito peppers and smoked trout, at this spot known for its speakeasy ambience. thelastwordbar.com

MANI Osteria and Bar Near the University of Michigan campus, this restaurant is known for wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta and small plates. At Sunday brunch, enjoy a coffee cocktail or blood orange margarita. maniosteria.com

MANI Osteria and Bar

MANI Osteria and Bar

Mediterrano Taramousalata—a garlicky potato-caviar spread with the texture of whipped butter—starts every meal. mediterrano.com

Paesano Restaurant-Wine Bar Forget red sauce. A seasonal menu offers innovative, upscale Italian dishes. If it's on the menu, make sure to taste the chestnut risotto. paesanosannarbor.com

Spencer The casual wine-and-cheese bar features French flavors made with local ingredients. spencerannarbor.com

Weber's Restaurant and Hotel An Ann Arbor institution since 1937, the restaurant serves tender prime rib, steaks and seafood. Stay at the boutique hotel, too. webersinn.com

Zingerman's Not just a name, but an institution, this family of businesses includes the original deli, a bakery, a creamery and the Roadhouse restaurant. Together, they form the backbone of the city's culinary scene. zingermans.com

Zingerman's Deli

Zingerman's Deli

Where to Stay

Graduate Ann Arbor The 204 rooms in this hotel capture Wolverine pride. The academic-look lobby features a long library-style table and equation-covered blackboards as well as hand-painted murals behind the reception desk. graduatehotels.com/ann-arbor

Graduate Ann Arbor

Graduate Ann Arbor

Inn at the League Stay on campus in a hotel that carries the academia theme through its lobby of oak and walnut paneling, polished slate and stained-glass windows. The 21 comfortable rooms look out on courtyards and fountains. uunions.umich.edu/league/inn

For more information, visitannarbor.org

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