Things To Do
Ross School of Business
Check out the Ross School of Business, the spot where it all started for us! We first met here during our MBA program and spent more hours than we’d like to admit living off coffee. The building is huge, but one of everyone’s favorite spots is the Winter Garden, a bright open space in the center that doubles as a study hall, hangout spot, and Jane’s unofficial early-morning hideout. Yes, there’s even a Starbucks inside, which basically powered us through grad school. And if you’re more of a “quiet coffee” type, the connecting Blau Hall has another café, Seven10East, which serves Zingerman’s coffee and pastries. If a room is unlocked, feel free to pop in and see where we studied! And if you get lost, don’t worry, just ask at the front desk for directions, because this building truly is massive.
Downtown Ann Arbor
Downtown Ann Arbor is truly the heart of the city, and the heart of so many of our favorite memories. This is where we spent a lot of time during our years at Michigan, and it’s one of the big reasons we both love Ann Arbor so much. Take a walk around downtown and the University of Michigan campus, where we lived while in school, you’ll find many restaurants, coffee shops, and little boutiques to explore along the way. From late-night pizza runs to cozy date nights, downtown Ann Arbor will always be one of our favorite places, and we’re so excited for you to experience it too!
Michigan Stadium (a.k.a. The Big House)
Welcome to The Big House, home of the 2023 National Football Champions and, for us, countless Saturdays spent tailgating, losing our voices cheering, and generally pretending homework didn’t exist. With over 115,000 fans packed in every game, it’s the largest stadium in the U.S., and trust us, it feels like it. Some of our absolute favorite memories were made here, and we still make the trip back every year for Michigan football. The stadium sits right on the way into downtown Ann Arbor, so you really can’t miss it (literally, it’s enormous). Go Blue!
Zingerman's Delicatessen
Stop by the famous Zingerman's Deli located in Kerrytown in downtown Ann Arbor. The food is amazing and it is a nationally known business, it was one of our favorite spots during business school to walk to and get a sandwich. Pro Tip: The lines are normally very long if you order in person, so order ahead online and pick up your food in person and find any of the many tables inside or outside to sit at.
Kerrytown
Just a short stroll from the heart of Ann Arbor, Kerrytown is a charming enclave of brick-paved streets, eclectic shops, and great eats. If you’re visiting the iconic Zingerman’s Deli, you’re already in the heart of Kerrytown! Beyond world-famous sandwiches, the neighborhood also offers the Kerrytown Market & Shops with unique boutiques, the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market, and plenty of cozy cafés and restaurants to explore. It’s the perfect spot to wander, shop, and get a true taste of Ann Arbor.
Bill's Beer Garden
Stop by Bill's for a drink. This was one of our hot spots during our MBA. It has a great outdoor space and you are allowed to bring in any outside food to nibble on with your drinks
The Grotto - Watering Hole
Beer isn't your thing? Don't worry Grotto has similar vibes to Bill's and is right across the street. Grotto also allows you to bring in outside food from anywhere and consume it while there. Each table has a QR code on it, once at a table scan the QR code, order your drinks, and someone will bring them out to you when ready. You will close your tab via your phone on the tab you have been ordering from.
Casa Dominick's
Famously known to students and Ann Arbor locals as simply “Dom’s”, this seasonal gem is basically a Ross rite of passage. Conveniently located right across the street from the business school, it became less of a “once-in-a-while treat” and more of a “second home” for many of us. Their sangria is legendary, and their “Constant Buzz” lives up to its name, we’d often grab a half-gallon of either and split it among friends. The real magic, though, is out back on the patio, which feels like Ann Arbor’s best-kept summer secret.
Nightcap
In the mood for a nicer drink? Try Nightcap!
The Earle Restaurant
In town early and looking for a place to eat? The Earle is an underground restaurant and was one of our date spots. We would recommend booking a reservation on open table just in case.
Washtenaw Dairy
Washtenaw Dairy is one of our favorite ice cream places - our favorite flavor is Michigan Pothole (if you're a chocolate lover you'll like this one). This shop is also a local hot spot for donuts! They are delicious and made fresh every day. We used to pick up donuts very early in the morning to bring to tailgates before football games.
Nichols Arboretum
Known locally as just "the Arb" Nichols Arboretum is near U-M hospital and downtown Ann Arbor, offers trails, riverfront, picnic area, restrooms, and peony and lilac gardens. The Arb allows cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing and kayaking but does not provide rentals. It has extensive but dispersed collections of native and exotic trees and shrubs masterfully crafted into a naturalistic landscape begun by O. C. Simonds.
Matthaei Botanical Gardens
If you are in town for longer Matthaei Botanical Gardens is beautiful! Just a short drive from downtown Ann Arbor, this sprawling 300-acre botanical wonder features themed outdoor gardens, a three-climate conservatory for year-round escape, and nearly three miles of scenic nature trails. Open to all with free admission, Matthaei is a peaceful and picturesque place for guests to explore. (Tip: the conservatory is closed on Mondays—plan accordingly!)
University of Michigan Museum of Art
The University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA), a meeting place for the arts located in the heart of U-M’s campus. UMMA is home to collections representing 150 years of art collecting.
University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History, newly remodeled and re-imagined in a brand-new location that preserves the past, shows off the latest in scientific research, and offers interactive exhibits and a state-of-the-art planetarium especially great for the whole family. The mastodon power couple is back and better than ever, and this is the only place in the whole world where you can see a female and male mastodon skeleton side-by-side.
Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
The University of Michigan Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, featuring collections from civilizations of the Mediterranean and home to more than 100,000 artifacts, even two human mummies!