24 Hours in Ann Arbor
- Jaclyn Nagel
- Feb 19, 2017
- 3 min read
Whether you have friends visiting for the weekend or your parents are coming up for the day, you want the show them the very best that Ann Arbor has to offer. From happy hours to Ann Arbor’s hipster culture, this will be one of your best A-squared days yet.
7 a.m.: While this is too early for most people, including myself and my permanent 10 a.m. alarm, you have to make the most of the time you have. Enjoy the crisp Michigan air on a walk in the Arb and make sure to walk along the river! This is also a great squirrel feeding opportunity so bring a couple of crackers to catch the perfect pic.
9 a.m.: Walk down to Café Zola, located on W. Washington Street. Their brunch menu is stacked with delicious options from crepes to omelettes, and if you’re ready to start your morning with a kick, you can’t go wrong with their Bellini.
11 a.m.: Head over to the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market, open from 8 a.m. through 3 p.m. every Saturday. The market hosts over 100 different local businesses, selling everything from plants to coffee, and a myriad of fruits, vegetables, and baked goods.
1 p.m.: Lunch is a trade-off. If your visitors are completely new to Ann Arbor, take them to the famous Zingerman’s Deli and order one of their head-sized sandwiches. Also, make sure to pick up some fresh bread and cheese while you’re there! However, if your friends/family have been to Zingerman’s before, skip the line and eat at Monahan’s Seafood Market. Located in Kerrytown, this hidden gem serves lunch every Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. through 3 p.m. My favorites include the fish and chips and fried calamari, but I love the custom fish fillets as well.
2 p.m.: Stop into Literati, Ann Arbor’s favorite independent bookstore. With events and speakers multiple times a week, you know Literati is the place for book-lovers. Grab a book and settle in at their coffee shop upstairs for a relaxing afternoon.
4 p.m.: It’s finally time for drinks (my favorite time of day, obviously). With bottle-flipping bartenders and a welcoming ambiance, Aventura is one of the best drink spots in Ann Arbor. If there’s only a few of you, make sure to snag seats at the bar where you can order off the bartenders’ personal menu. My current favorites include 99% Love, Otoño Gin and Tonic, and, of course, their goblet-sized sangria.
6 p.m.: With Ann Arbor’s incredible food culture, dinner is something you would have to try to do wrong here. If you’re feeling fancy and pricey, there’s always The Chop House. If you’re feeling noodley, Slurping Turtle makes its own ramen and their pork belly bao are to die for. Or if you’re feeling critically acclaimed, Spencer has been written up in the New York Times and offers a rotating weekly menu.
8 p.m.: If you’re in the mood for some culture, check out a show at Hill Auditorium. They host events almost every weekend, including symphony performances, jazz shows, and even Glee concerts. Open since 1913, Hill Auditorium is known worldwide for its “monument to perfect acoustics,” making it a bucket-list necessity for any music aficionado.
11 p.m.: Finish your night off with schmoozing and drinks at Babs’ Underground. Located on South Ashley Street in the Schwaben Building, you will have to pay attention not to walk right past this place. Look for the doorman (usually a man standing alone in the lobby) and follow the path downstairs. With incredible drinks, pool tables, and loud music, the speakeasy vibe is hard to miss. So find a seat, explore their cocktail menu (my current favorite is The Estate), and soak up some of the best vibes Ann Arbor has to offer.
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