Summer in Ann Arbor comes with a big responsibility: enjoy it! Take advantage of entertainment, nature’s beauty, and delicious food in this one-of-a-kind city. As a seasoned Ann Arbor-ite with over 25 years of Ann Arbor summers, here are my must-do Summer in A2 activities. Make your way through this list to maximize summer fun – you won’t regret it!
Float or Kayak down the Huron River:
Tube down the beautiful Argo Cascades. This route offers 20 minutes of fun! Other routes range up to 3 hours.
Cool off with a trip down the Huron River. Rent a canoe, kayak, or tube at Argo Park and paddle your way downriver to Gallup Park. This 3.7-mile trip gives paddlers about 1.5 hours of water activity. Visitors can also bring a tube and float lazily down the river. However you choose to enjoy this activity, the view will be worth it — Ann Arbor combines city life with beautiful natural scenery. A word of caution: this place gets packed on the weekends, so plan your trip wisely.
Attend A2 Summer Fest a.k.a Top of the Park:
Enjoy live music at Rackham Stage!
Ann Arbor’s outdoor Summer Fest features live shows from local artists, musical guests, and stand-up comedians. You might hear locals refer to it as ‘Top of the Park,’ as it used to be held on top of a parking garage. At night, you can enjoy movies projected on a big screen. And of course, it wouldn’t be Ann Arbor without delicious food and drinks!
The free admission festival runs manually throughout the month of June. View the calendar to see which of over 200 events you want to attend. The festival takes place at the Ingalls Mall, and parking structures are located on Maynard Street, Thayer Street, and Fletcher Street.
Visit the Natural History Museum:
The new building is located at 1105 North University Ave
Take advantage of U of M’s awesome museums this summer! The Natural History Museum is one of my favorites with exhibits like ‘Exploring Michigan’ and ‘Prehistoric Whales‘. The new building even features a state-of-the-art planetarium that has shows on the weekends. It will thrill your little ones, but it’s not just for kids. Open Wednesday through Sunday, admission to this U of M gem is FREE!
Go On A Nature Walk:
Gallup Park Walking Trail
Ann Arbor is nicknamed Tree Town for a reason! The area is full of parks and trails to explore. Explore the Border to Border trail for an accessible hike, with over 40 miles of paved pathways connecting destinations across Washtenaw County. Nichols Arboretum, more commonly known as “The Arb”, is a nature area adjacent to downtown Ann Arbor. With lovely gardens, landscapes, and hiking trails winding through a complex glacial topography, this place is a nature sanctuary. Another gem is the Bird Hills Nature Area. Bring your binoculars for wildlife watching!
Attend The Ann Arbor Art Fair…or Not:
The country’s largest juried art fair happens here in Ann Arbor, Michigan! Don’t miss this annual event taking place in late July. Hosting nearly 1,000 artists, this event draws tons of people from around the country. Downtown stores also hold annual sales during the Art Fair, so it’s a good time to go shopping. Many locals also plan to be out of town this weekend to avoid the tourists and crowds. So if you’ve already attended the art fair many times, it could be a good opportunity to go on a Lake Michigan weekend getaway.
Enjoy Sweet Treats:
The walk from Hyperion to Blank Slate is just 3 minutes
Who doesn’t love coffee and ice cream? Take a trip to Hyperion Coffee then head to Blank Slate Creamery. Hyperion is a top contender for the best cup of coffee in Ann Arbor, and Blank Slate has delicious homemade ice cream flavors like Lavender Lemon Honey and Blackberry Riesling. Again, the lines get crazy at these places, but it’s worth the wait!
The attractions certainly don’t stop here! This list could go on and on with a city as unique as Ann Arbor. There are places to learn a new crafty skill or pick up local produce and meat. How will you spend your Ann Arbor Summer?
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