Ann Arbor
Serious art, a winter farmers market and several persuasive arguments for a second lunch.
Townies, students and alumni share a busy central city.
Museum timeLook at art
Build the afternoon around a museum visit.
Buhr skating ideaTry the ice
Choose an operating session, then plan a warm-up afterward.
KerrytownLunch & browse
Make lunch and a little wandering part of the day.
Downtown cinemaStay for a film
Pick a scheduled screening, then keep the conversation going.
A few laps. A long lunch.
Choose a public-skating session at Buhr, then head to Zingerman’s Deli at 422 Detroit Street. Keep the meal unrushed; the point is having something to talk about together.
Art first. Credits later.
Spend the afternoon at the University of Michigan Museum of Art, then choose a scheduled film at the Michigan or State Theatre. Let the film time anchor your evening.
Isabel said she was only browsing.
Mina had heard this before. Twenty minutes later, they were still standing in front of the same work of art, arguing affectionately about its color. Outside, snow was collecting on their scarves. Neither of them mentioned the next stop.
Buhr Park Outdoor Ice Arena
A refrigerated outdoor rink gives you a winter outing without relying on a frozen lake. Select a public-skate session; hockey sessions and ice rentals have different schedules. The city describes a weather-dependent November–February season.
Before you lace up
Check the dated public-session schedule, admission and skate-rental availability. Outdoor rink operation still depends on conditions.
City rink informationA shorter park walk
Buhr Park has connecting pathways, so the non-skating part of the crew can choose a short outdoor stretch. Keep the walk flexible around footing and daylight; snow does not mean every park path has been cleared.
Path and winter access notes
City winter maintenance informationZingerman’s Deli
Build a Kerrytown food stop around the deli at 422 Detroit Street. A proper lunch makes the transition between skating and a downtown afternoon feel like part of the adventure.
University of Michigan Museum of Art
Give the galleries their own chapter, rather than squeezing them into a weather backup. The museum is on South State Street; choose exhibitions and visitor arrangements before arriving.
Michigan & State theatres
A scheduled film or live event gives the evening a destination. These are two distinct downtown theaters: check which venue your ticket names.
Three climates, one coat
Visit Matthaei's three conservatory climates, then have lunch at Frita Batidos and decide which stop most improved everyone's expression.
A careful campus crossing
Find the Diag's brass M, preserve your imaginary exam results with a respectful detour, then inspect Nickels Arcade's roof on the way to Comet Coffee.
Comet → UMMA → Frita Batidos → Matthaei on an open day → reserved Miss Kim dinner.
Saturday: winter market, Zingerman's, UMMA and a booked Blind Pig show, staying downtown. Sunday: Fleetwood breakfast and Matthaei; walk the Arb if footing permits. Folk Festival weekend calls for two booked Hill Auditorium evenings.
- 01
Zingerman's Delicatessen
The Kerrytown sandwich institution; allow time for the queue.
422 Detroit Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 · 734-663-3354 · Website ↗
- 02
Miss Kim
A destination Korean dinner; reserve an indoor table.
415 N. Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 · 734-275-0099 · Website ↗
- 03
Frita Batidos
Fritas and batidos improve a gray lunch hour considerably.
117 W. Washington Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 · 734-761-2882 · Website ↗
Coconut batido
Home idea: blend vanilla ice cream, coconut milk and a little toasted coconut until thick. Serve in small glasses; a home-inspired shake, not the restaurant's formula.
Three things most people walk past.
- Cream terra cotta at the State Street entrance
- Metal-framed glass panels in the gabled roof
- Yellow-brick Maynard Street facade with terra-cotta trim
- 01
The Blind Pig / 8 Ball Saloon
A long-running live room and downstairs saloon; age limits vary by show.
208 S. First Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 · 734-996-8555 · Website ↗
- 02
The Last Word
Cocktails and whiskey in a tucked-away room; Sunday closed.
301 W. Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 · 734-585-5691 · Website ↗
- 03
Grizzly Peak Brewing Company
A central brewpub that can become either first stop or last.
120 W. Washington Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 · 734-741-7325 · Website ↗
- 01
Comet Coffee
A tiny coffee stop under the arcade's glass roof.
16 Nickels Arcade, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 · 734-222-0579 · Website ↗
- 02
RoosRoast Rosewood
A neighborhood roastery stop south of the campus circuit.
1155 Rosewood Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 · 734-222-9202 · Website ↗
- 01
Explore free art galleries
Free admission; closed Monday and listed holidays. Check gallery access.
- 02
Change climates indoors
Tropical, temperate and arid houses; free admission, metered parking. Conservatory closed Mondays.
- 03
- Enjoy the careful footwork around the Diag's brass M; academic superstition has excellent staying power.
- Dress for an outdoor shop at the winter farmers market.
- Kerrytown's food shops and market form a district north of campus.
- Maize and blue are useful local colors; November football can still shape a hotel bill.
- The Diag's brass M carries a student exam superstition.
Local customReserve Miss Kim and leave time for Zingerman's; enthusiasm does not shorten the line.
January 29–30, 2027; both evenings 7 p.m.
50th Ann Arbor Folk Festival
The Ark's two-night fundraiser reaches fifty; book tickets and rooms early.
December 4, 2026; participating store hours vary, some until midnight.
Midnight Madness
Late shopping and entertainment give early darkness something useful to do.
December 4, 2026, 5–10 p.m.
KindleFest
An outdoor German-style holiday market with makers, food and Glühwein.
Usually January, confirm 2027 dates; organizer still displays January 18–23, 2026.
Ann Arbor Restaurant Week
An excellent reason to reserve several tables over a few days.
- 01
Graduate by Hilton Ann Arbor
Downtown rooms with the university atmosphere fully installed.
615 E. Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 · 734-769-2200 · Website ↗
- 02
Bell Tower Hotel
Close to Hill Auditorium; particularly useful on Folk Festival weekend.
300 S. Thayer Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 · 734-769-3010 · Website ↗
- 03
Weber's Boutique Hotel
Local full-service comfort with indoor recreation; drive downtown.
3050 Jackson Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 · 734-769-2500 · Website ↗
Bring a little Ann Arbor homeThe statement sweatshirtFor winning arguments about who had it worse.Have a look ↗
For the person who looks twice.
Print, texture, a small object. A winter edit for a very good shelf.
Browse the considered collection →Collection preview / Designs in development
Blended Family
“EVERYBODY COME. WE WILL FIGURE IT OUT.”
The Rahman-Garcias cannot agree on Christmas dinner, decorations, or even a holiday playlist. Somehow three generations end up in Frankenmuth together, surrounded by snow and twinkling windows. Their version of family harmony looks a little different from the greeting cards.
Read their story →