Ann Arbor, Michigan

Nestled in southeastern Michigan, just a short drive from Detroit, Ann Arbor pulses with that perfect mix of grit and groove, a place where college-town energy meets laid-back Midwestern soul. Home to the University of Michigan, it’s a city alive with art, music, and a serious love for good food. Locals brew their coffee strong and wear their Wolverine pride like a second skin.

You’ll feel it as soon as you roll in. On game day, the whole city transforms into a sea of maize and blue. Michigan Stadium, affectionately known as “The Big House,” is the largest football stadium in the U.S. With an average attendance of over 100,000 fans, it’s pure electricity. You don’t just watch the game here; you feel it in your bones.

But Ann Arbor isn’t just loud and proud, it’s also green with a clean breeze. They call it Tree Town for a reason: there are over 50,000 registered public trees, and the city’s parks roll right into the river. Head to the Argo Cascades on a sunny day, grab a tube, and float your cares away. It’s Michigan’s lazy-river playground, but with just enough rapids to keep your heart pumping.

If you’re more into two wheels than river floats, hit the Border-to-Border Trail, a 40+ mile and growing scenic path that connects Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti and links up with Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail, the longest state-designated trail in the U.S. at over 2,000 miles. You’ll cruise past forests, rivers, and breweries because yes, this area takes its craft beer as seriously as its football.

When you’re ready to refuel, make your way to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market in Kerrytown. It’s been around since 1919, and it’s still one of the best in the state. Local honey, handmade soaps, just-picked produce, all served up with a side of friendly banter. This is where the community vibe really shines.

Then follow your cravings. No visit to Ann Arbor is complete without a trip to Zingerman’s Delicatessen, an Ann Arbor institution. The #2 Zingerman’s Reuben is legendary, and it would be hard to find an item on the menu they don’t make in-house. People drive across states to eat here, and some even order delivery from across the country. As DJ BBQ said, the Zingerman’s Reuben is “…the best sandwich in the state of Michigan… and possibly the world.”

And once you’ve eaten your way through downtown, take a short drive to Ypsilanti (locals call it “Ypsi”). Start at Bomber Restaurant, where Rosie the Riveter smiles from the wall and the plates come loaded with all-American comfort. It’s the kind of place where breakfast could feed an army and everyone’s a regular by the second visit. Fun fact: Ypsi was once home to a WWII bomber plant that helped inspire “Rosie the Riveter” herself.

When the sun dips low, Ann Arbor keeps the groove going. Slide into a seat at the Blue LLama Jazz Club, where world-class musicians fill the air with velvet tones while bartenders craft cocktails that taste like a story. The night here unfolds slow and smooth, part speakeasy, part sanctuary. Or hit up The Blind Pig, the legendary venue that once hosted Nirvana, Pearl Jam, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Soundgarden before they were stadium giants.

Ann Arbor is a city that feeds your mind, fills your belly, and fuels your wanderlust. From football roars to jazz riffs, street art to river floats, this is a town that invites you to stay curious and stay a while.

So, pack your appetite, your sense of adventure, and maybe a waterproof speaker for that float down the Huron. Because once you get here, you’ll definitely get LOST IN Ann Arbor.