There are so many fun things to do in Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan is that mitten-shaped state in the Midwest region of the United Sates. The distinctive mittened hand shape is created by 4 of the 5 Great Lakes that border the state.
Michigan has a very different feel depending on the area you choose to visit! There is the largely untouched natural beauty of the Upper Peninsula, the quaint rural towns scattered throughout the northern part of the Lower Peninsula, and the lake lifestyle of the Western part of the state along Lake Michigan.
Today, however, we are going to explore the Southeastern part of the state (just picture the area at the base of the thumb). If you prefer city life, action, nightlife, sports, or entertainment, then this is the area of Michigan for you. Just 40 miles apart lie the 2 most lively cities in the state of Michigan; Detroit and Ann Arbor.
Leah from Leah Little Travel and Fashion is going to share her favorite things to do in Detroit and Ann Arbor, so your next trip to Michigan will be unforgettable!
5 Things To Do In Detroit
1. Visit the Top of the Renaissance Center
Detroit has a beautiful skyline set along the edge of the Detroit River. The Renaissance Center, or RenCen as the locals call it, is the most distinctive point in the Detroit city skyline.
The Renaissance Center is a collection of seven cylindrical and interconnected skyscrapers that are home to everything from office buildings, to the General Motors Showroom, to a Marriott Hotel.
The best view of the city of Detroit is at the very top of the Renaissance Center at its world class restaurant. Coach Insignia graced the top of the Renaissance Center for may years, however a new restaurant is moving in, which Detroiters eagerly anticipate, Crain’s Detroit.
Enjoy a meal or a cocktail at this restaurant and take in the gorgeous views of the city and the river from up high.
2. Peruse Eastern Market
Eastern Market is an open-air market that draws thousands of visitors every weekend. Depending on the month of the year and the day of the week, the goods being sold at Eastern Market will vary.
In May, Eastern Market holds Flower Day, which is a type of nirvana for gardeners. Flowers of every color and variety, and plants of all kinds are sold, giving gardeners a jump start on their summer gardens.
On other days at Eastern Market, you can find local produce, artisan goods, live music, and even a huge used book sale. When visiting Eastern Market, you must walk around and take in all the street art. There are dozens of can’t-miss murals painted by both local and internationally renowned artists.
3. Catch A Show
What kind of show, you ask? Any! Detroit is home to the Detroit Opera Theatre, The Fox Theatre, and The Fischer Theatre, three venues that house many types of live entertainment.
Touring Broadway musicals (including Hamilton!), operas, and ballets, as well as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra regularly sell out these theatres. Detroit is also home to The Majestic Theatre, The Fillmore, and The Masonic Temple, which are primarily venues for music concerts.
Detroit has a rich musical history that started in these and many smaller music venues throughout the city, including huge names like Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Jack White, and Eminem.
Other shows you can catch around town include stand up comedians, ice skating, and even the Radio City Rockettes each December.
4. Watch A Game
Detroit is home to three major sports venues; including Comerica Park: home of the MLB Detroit Tigers, Ford Field: home of the NFL Detroit Lions, and Little Caesar’s Arena: home of the NHL Detroit Red Wings.
No matter what time of year you choose to visit Detroit, you will be able to watch a major sports game live. If major sports are not your thing, and you would rather watch lesser known sports, the Detroit City FC semi-professional soccer club has some of the most fun and entertaining games in the city!
Detroit has sporting events that will satisfy anyone from the most die-hard of fans to those who don’t know the difference between a touchdown and a home run.
5. Take in the Detroit Institute of Art
No major metropolitan city would be complete without a state-of-the-art museum. The Detroit Institute of Art, or the DIA, is the premiere art museum in the city of Detroit!
This beautiful art museum built in 1927 is considered among the top six museums in the United States. The museum is home to over 100 galleries that include works from Picasso, Andy Warhol, Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, and Diego Rivera.
The DIA also hosts touring exhibitions, so you don’t need to travel far to see some of the most famous works of art ever made.
5 Things To Do In Ann Arbor
1. Attend a University of Michigan Football game at The Big House
The University of Michigan’s football stadium, aptly nicknamed, The Big House, is the largest stadium in the United States, and the second largest in the world.
The Big House officially seats 107,601 fans, however it has seen crowds even top 115,000! You do not need to be a fan of the school, or even of the sport of football to enjoy an outing at this stadium. The spectacle of 100,000 people decked out in Maize and Blue all walking in the same direction toward the stadium is magical!
Football Saturdays in Ann Arbor are nothing short of a spiritual experience with electricity in the air and the sounds of cheers and old-fashioned marching band songs.
2. Enjoy The Natural Beauty
Ann Arbor is more than a bustling college town, it is home to some stunning natural beauty. The town was originally named Ann’s Arbor for all the trees dotting its landscape. Ann Arbor has also been nicknamed Tree Town for this much-admired characteristic!
The Huron River winds through the city and provides an unbeatable view of these eponymous trees. The weather is good for kayaking early spring through late fall, depending on your preference.
If you prefer to stay out of the water, you can visit Nichols Arboretum, aka The Arb, which is a protected wildlife area. The Arb has trails for hiking, a meadow for enjoying a picnic or Shakespearean play, and a nationally acclaimed peony garden.
3. Visit White Lotus Farms
If you get tired of the hustle and bustle of the university campus or busy downtown areas, you can find a place of pure zen on the west side of Ann Arbor. The west side of the city is markedly more rural.
White Lotus Farms is a small organic farm that is managed with Buddhist principles. The farm is open to the public Saturdays spring through fall. White Lotus Farms is home to milking goats and Nigerian dwarf goats that every member of the family will enjoy watching.
You can peruse the grounds taking in their flower fields, relax by the koi pond, and shop at the farm cart. At the farm cart, you can buy fresh baked bread or donuts, goat cheeses in a variety of flavors, locally grown organic produce, and other various treats. You can even spread out a picnic blanket and enjoy a brick oven pizza delivered to you hot and fresh!
4. Eat a sandwich at Zingerman’s Deli
While Ann Arbor is home to countless incredible restaurants at every price point, including Frida Batidos (cuban inspired street food), Blimpy Burger (classic sliders), Dominick’s (seasonal sangria), Mani Osteria (wood oven pizza), and Pacific Rim (American and French inspired), only one restaurant stands out as the official Ann Arbor food joint; Zingerman’s Deli.
Visited by everyone from President Obama to Oprah, Zingerman’s Deli serves up the most delicious deli sandwiches and fresh baked desserts you can imagine. If visiting on a weekend, be prepared to wait in a line that wraps around the building. The wait will be worth it though!
Once inside, if you become quickly overwhelmed with their menu, that includes well over 60 sandwich options, just get the #2 Zingerman’s Reuben, their most famous sandwich.
5. Shop And Dine On Main Street
The downtown area of Ann Arbor is situated on and around Main Street. During the warm months, you can enjoy a meal or cocktails al fresco. During the long winter, grab your mittens and a hot cocoa and stroll along Main Street while all the trees are illuminated in Christmas lights.
This old hippy town is home to a very diverse population which makes for some entertaining people watching. If you are lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of Violin Monster, a street performer violinist who dresses like a werewolf and is an Ann Arbor staple.
Once you have had your fill eating and drinking, you can enjoy shopping up and down Main Street for everything from books, University of Michigan clothing, camping gear, jewelry, housewares, and more!
Michiganders who are native to the Southeast area of the state are incredibly fortunate to enjoy both Detroit and Ann Arbor. For visitors, who are not native to this area, there are many hotel options in both cities.
If ever in the area, use this article as a travel guide and enjoy one, or two, or all of the top ten things to do in Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan!
More About Leah
Leah Little has a full time job as a social worker, and has managed to travel the world while wearing beautiful clothes by knowing how to score deals in travel and fashion. Her blog and social media accounts are dedicated to inspiring and teaching YOU to enjoy champagne taste in travel and fashion, while on a beer budget.
Leah resides in Michigan with her husband and their dog, where she can be found planning her next vacation and spending way too much time watching animal videos. Learn more about her journey here.
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