Day 1
The campus’ beautiful sculpture garden and renovated and expanded Museum of Art merit a couple of hours looking at pieces that span 150 years of collecting.
University of Michigan
For lunch, hit up Mark’s Carts, a collection of ethnic food trucks and carts parked in a landscaped courtyard on Washington Street.
The Big House packs 109,901 fans into the largest football stadium in America.
Not a fan? Downtown has dozens of classy, independently owned shops, and there’s a weekend farmers market in the Kerrytown neighborhood.
Reasonable prices and impeccable preparation make Logan a solid fine-dining destination.
Located on campus, the Inn at the League 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 (from $135).
Day 2
Tour and shop Motawi Tileworks, which produces Arts and Crafts-style tile that’s popular nationwide.
See the best of Kerrytown, downtown and campus while diving into the food scene during a two-hour Savor Ann Arbor Tour—a flavor-packed, eye-and-button-popping odyssey.
Or for an all-encompassing look at food, shop the many Zingerman’s spots: a creamery, coffee roaster, bakery, deli and more. Get hands-on during one of the many baking classes at Zingerman's Bakehouse.
Zingerman's
And if you still need a meal, try the killer mac and cheese at Zingerman’s Roadhouse.
More information: (800) 888-9487; visitannarbor.org
Day trip
Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth (78 miles north of Ann Arbor) celebrates the holiday year-round in a 2.2-acre superstore packed with 50,000 ornaments, 500 Nativity scenes and a Christmas cookie cafe.
Traditional fried-chicken dinners draw crowds to nearby Zehnder’s, a family-style restaurant celebrating Frankenmuth’s heritage as Little Bavaria.
More information: (800) 386-8696; frankenmuth.org