If you’re craving city life or a university setting, Ann Arbor, Michigan is the place to be. Ann Arbor is the seventh largest city in the state of Michigan, with a population of 114,386, of which more than 30% are college or university students. Since its founding in 1824, Ann Arbor has flourished into a city of intellect and culture that has influenced the nation and the world. In the mood to relive your college days? Visit the University of Michigan campus; go to the Big House, experience a tailgate, or just wander through the Diag. But maybe you’re in the mood for a night in the city. Try the array of restaurants and bars that make up downtown Ann Arbor, ranging from martini bars like the Black Pearl, jazz venues like the Firefly Club, to world renowned concert halls like Hill Auditorium. No matter what kind of mood you’re in, Ann Arbor has a way of satisfying every craving. Check it out.
The University of Michigan
Home to over 50,000 students at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is undoubtedly a college town. The school boasts the largest alumni network in the world, with famous graduates including President Gerald Ford, acclaimed author Arthur Miller, actress Lucy Liu, and even world famous singer Madonna. Students on campus are known for their school spirit, which is especially evident during the college football season. If you’re ever lucky enough to get a ticket to a home game, you will join about 106,200 other people in the “Big House” and cheer for the winningest team in all of college football. Football season culminates with a game against The Ohio State University, a rivalry that dates back to the late 1800s.
On a nice day in Ann Arbor, nothing beats a visit to some of the University’s outdoor locations. Start off walking through the crisscrossing paths of the Diag, which marks the center of campus and is always abuzz with student activity. Beware, though, tradition states that if you step on the brass “M” before taking your first University exam, you will fail. Across the street is the Michigan Union, on the steps of which John F. Kennedy founded the Peace Corps in 1960. Next, visit the Nichols Arboretum, a vast expanse of nature trails, river walks and picturesque scenery, the perfect setting for a picnic, game of Frisbee or a jog. On North Campus, location of much of the University’s engineering labs and performing arts buildings, visit the Wave Field. This landscape sculpture is made out of just grass and dirt and was created by Maya Lin, the designer of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Washington D.C.
TECHNOLOGY
Ann Arbor has long established itself as a pioneer in the technology industry. Co-founder of Google Larry Page called Ann Arbor home during his undergraduate years. Bill Joy, co-founder of Sun Microsystems also spent time at the University honing his technological capacities in the College of Engineering.
Today Ann Arbor continues to encourage the cultivation of technological minds, especially via programs available through the University of Michigan. The Office of Technology Transfer at the University of Michigan has made their mission to transfer University technologies to the marketplace. It does this through patenting, legal support, licensing and start-up assistance. One of the University of Michigan’s and Ann Arbor’s newest initiatives is a student start-up incubator called the TechArb, which is currently funded by RPM Ventures. Located in the basement of the Ann Arbor Google offices, TechArb houses a variety of Web-based ventures. MyBandStock, a funding tool for artists that sell virtual stock to their fan base in exchange for access to their music, videos, blogs and other personal benefits to raise money for album production shares the space with. Mobil33t, a team of iPhone application developers who recently launched DoGood, and CrowdClarity, an innovative sales forecasting solution, among several other budding student start-ups.
Ann Arbor has a variety of organizations that promote entrepreneurship and technology, including TechBrewery and A2Geeks. At the University of Michigan, student groups like Maize Ventures and MPowered Entrepreneurship provide a foundation for creative student initiatives.
SHOPPING
Too much technology and want to take a break? You won’t be at a loss in Ann Arbor when it comes to shopping. Peruse the shops on Main Street and you’ll come across quirky bookstores, independent art galleries and unique boutiques. A local favorite is Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tea Room which specializes in holistic health books and fine teas. Also, don’t miss the Selo/Shevel Gallery, one of the top craft galleries in the country. There, you can find functional art pieces that will make a statement in any home. Down the street, check out the original Border’s bookstore which plays host to frequent readings, concerts and author visits. Across the street is Urban Outfitters, a popular apparel store specializing in the latest urban trends and located across campuses nationwide. For those on a student budget, South University Street is the ideal place to shop. There you will find the bohemian Middle Earth, a trinket shop selling funky gifts, quirky jewelry and witty stationary. If you really want to get in the Ann Arbor state of mind, visit Stairway to Heaven, a head shop with a great selection of smoking paraphernalia.
FOOD
You can get a true sense of Ann Arbor’s diverse culture through the wide assortment of cuisine that is available. If you’re in the mood for some Latin or Cuban treats, check out Café Habana. Add a little spice to your life by visiting Café Habana on Thursday nights where you will find couples indulging in a night of Salsa dancing. The Chop House, a cornerstone restaurant of Main Street Ventures, provides a slightly more local approach, offering some of the finest Midwestern grain-fed meats and exceptional premium wines. If seafood is what you’re craving, wander across the street to The Real Seafood Company, and enjoy a menu teeming of seafood–simply prepared and fresh. If you’re looking for some northern Italian cuisine, Ann Arbor’s Gratzi will titillate your taste buds. Everyone loves pizza, so how about visiting the original Cottage Inn established in 1948.
Feeling ethnic? The Blue Nile is an exciting Ethiopian restaurant famous for its variety of meat and vegetable dishes. Perhaps you’re interested in some Indian food. Then Shalimar is the place for you, offering a wide host of Indian dishes served with spices that are cooked to your preferences, whether it is medium, mild or hot. Wander around the corner and you’ll find Champion House, offering not only Chinese and Japanese food, but a home for student sake bomb celebrations. For some Middle Eastern cuisine, check out Jerusalem Garden where you’ll find hummus and pitas galore. In the mood to enjoy a simple, yet tasty sandwich? Ann Arbor’s very own Zingerman’s Delicatessen can satisfy any craving. But how about something fried and delicious? Nationally famous for its world famous burgers and welcoming atmosphere, Blimpy Burger a the place to experience truly distinguishable excellence of Ann Arbor cuisine.
A NIGHT OUT
What would a city be without a major nightlife circuit? From college dives to classy city bars, Ann Arbor has it all. If you’re walking down Main Street, a number of bars will catch your eye. Drink from a glass boot at the Heidelberg, have some martinis at Rush Street or enjoy a night of Irish car bombs at Connor O’Neils. Arbor Brewing Company may be the answer to your prayers if you’re looking for some authentic Ann Arbor beers that are homebrewed and bottled. Had enough of the local bars on Main Street? Wander a couple blocks towards campus and you can experience a night out for any U of M college student. South University Street has it all. In the mood to dance? Head to Rick’s American Café where you can enjoy their infamous fishbowls, filled with vodka, gin, rum, tequila and your bartender`s choice of juices and soda. Craving a fiesta, you may want to wander over to BTB Cantina to enjoy Coronas, margaritas and burritos. Perhaps you’re looking for the typical “place to be” on campus. Grab a seat at Good Time Charley’s, a local bar where faculty and students take a break from the stresses of college and enjoy some great food and drinks.
ENTERTAINMENT
Ann Arbor is also filled with a variety of events and entertainment that students, locals and tourists all enjoy. The city is well known for its lively music scene and timeless venues. Check out the Blind Pig, where famous artists like Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and Nirvana once played. In this small, intimate setting, the experience of music is unlike any other. Another musical venue is The Ark, Ann Arbor’s nonprofit home for acoustic music. Considered one of the top music clubs in the world, The Ark is renowned for the quality and breadth of its programming and acoustics. If live jazz and blues is your thing, attend Ann Arbor’s Firefly Club or Goodnight Gracie’s, which both feature live music coupled with great martinis.
Beyond music, Ann Arbor also hosts a number of annual events. If you’re visiting Ann Arbor in the summer, be sure to experience the month-long festival called Top of the Park, which features musical acts and nightly movies. The event takes place right in front of the Rackham Graduate School in Ingalls Mall on the campus of U of M. Later in the summer, Ann Arbor becomes home to the annual Art Fair, featuring art from all over the nation and the world. The entire city is lined with booths filled with artistic pieces, ranging from abstract to surrealism. You can take part in Hash Bash, an annual event held in Ann Arbor on the first Saturday of April at “high noon” on the University of Michigan Diag. A collection of speeches, live music, street vending and some occasional civil disobedience are centered on the goal of reforming federal, state and local marijuana laws.
Ann Arbor is only about 5 hours from Chicago, 4 hours from Toronto, 3 hours from Columbus/Cleveland, and 30 min from Detroit. It’s one of the biggest small cities in the Midwest, so Geeks, be sure to add it to your list of “must see” cities in the United States.
Thanks to Mybandstock.com, an online funding tool for independent musicians based out of Ann Arbor, MI for putting this guide together.
Who wrote this, the Michigan Board of Tourism?
What’s for tomorrow, TC? Greek Weekend Faber College?
WTF is up with this spam??? This website is dying rather rapidly.
Wow TechCrunch, you actually put this on your website? I hope you made a lot of $$. I am from Chicago and went big 10… Never heard one thing great about Ann Harbor though… Try Madison or Iowa for a great atmosphere/town
yeah, ann arbor has THE KASH! Bloggers, if you need an extra $5 to buy dog food with, feel free to hit them up!
That’s only because you never have been there! It is a great city. When I was growing up the stadium held more than the city’s (non-student) population :-)
So big stadium = “It’s a great city”
Moron, Ann Arbor is the armpit of the big ten schools. I have been many times and wished I were in Madtown or Iowa City.
Biggs, why is this article on here?
Why would anyone want to go to Iowa? I mean granted Michigan’s economy did collapse but that just means at one time it was flourishing.
You don’t even hear country songs about Iowa…
As for Ann Arbor–the Original Cottage Inn is awesome.
I miss my good old college town!
I treasure my U of M engineering education but really could care less about Ann Arbor. It is one of the most liberal, politically correct communities in the midwest, if not in all of North America. And unlike most college towns the student body is much more conservative than the townies.
Drew – Yeah. In other words, the community is great. Unlike the reactionary bitches who populate the student body. Repubs suck.
Yeah I thought it was great when my NROTC commander asked us to not where our uniforms in town as they were concerned about the Ann Arborites attacking us. And that was in the mid eighties, way after ‘nam and way before Iraq. The anti-war and anti-military crowd there is a permanent fixture.
That’s just silly.
yea that is embarassing
I believe you meant “could NOT care less…” By saying you ‘could care less’ you are saying you care.
Go Blue!
The hazards of an engineering education. Write one thing when you mean the complete opposite. You are correct I could not care less about Ann Arbor.
Fair enough… I was born and raised in A2. Like you I am a UofM Engineering grad. I must stay that it is one of the few places I would live in the Midwest and could not disagree with you more on your characterization of A2. I live far away now but always enjoy my trips back home.
Go Blue!
…
Could you push this post to priceline.com or something? … k. thx. bye.
>>Who wrote this, the Michigan Board of Tourism?
No, Guest Author wrote it.
Michigan’s football team sucks and Ann Arbor is a whore!
GO Bucks!
Classy. Then again, what do you expect from an illiterate Buckeye.
“what do you expect from an illiterate Buckeye.”
Uh dude, it’s *ohio*. Do you expect long thoughtful conversations with people smoking pipe and talking about Kant?
and yet somehow I was able to read this lame article and your sad pedantic reply
Jeffj, this uncultured Ohio boy is currently living in London, England, spending weekends in Paris and Scotland.
One doesn’t need thoughtful conversations to explain how washed up the Michigan football team is, just check how many wins they had last season.
Only someone without a sense of history would make such comments… it’s a cycle young man, OSU has gotten the best of Michigan the recent past taking the last 7 of 8 games. Much like Michigan beating OSU 11 of the 16 games before that (thanks Mr Cooper). That’s what make this match up so great.
Go Blue!
Awe, the poor thing, just look it, lying there in the corner all washed up. Let him have his silly football game, because we all know Ohio state hasn’t been listed as a top 10 colleges for engineering, business, or medical.
He travels to london and scottland, he is better than you. And by rules of inference that makes ohio state better than michigan.
Any school that has a nut as a mascot probably sucks them.
Silly troll, go back under your bridge.
This really didn’t need to be on the TC front page. Frommer’s has my travel needs covered.
Columbus is way better
If you’re into cows.
I’ve been to Ann Arbor and Columbus. Columbus is a way better. The city and the campus both.
There’s no way you can objectively say Columbus is nicer than Ann Arbor. Columbus is one gigantic sprawling suburb with a downtown that (up until very recently) had absolutely nothing to offer. The OSU campus is fine with a lot of new buildings but doesn’t compare to the beauty of Michigan’s. And lastly there is no comparison in terms of diversity and breadth of culture.
I can’t wait until PSU destroys them in Ann Arbor this season
Top party school to boot http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/27/top-party-schools-list-pr_n_245601.html
PSU ? as in Pee-you SU ?
what do you expect from someone from the state with the fewest unique letters. ;-)
Ah, one second left on the clock and…touchdown! Rememgber, PSU? 2007, right? Best ending to any game I’ve been to in Michigan Stadium. Ahhh….
2001 Michigan vs Michigan State…best ending
Somebody must have paid to have this article placed. TC, any insight?
Ann Arbor is… meh.
Seriously??? Why???
What is that thing doing here????
Did some one hack your system and posted this?
I’ve always liked Ann Arbor, only been there a few times but there’s always something to do at night.
And this relates to techcrunch how?
What the? Is this TourismCrunch?
given the focus of the TECHNOLOGY section, I suspecting local tech luminary and skilled self-promoter Dug Song is “Guest Author” or at the sole person interviewed. There’s a TON more going tech stuff going on in Ann Arbor than the “Stuff Dug Song Has Started” list seen here.
I had nothing to do with this nerdrage-inducing article, and have no claim to anything listed except the TechBrewery and the a2geeks wiki. What gives, Trek?
For a community directory of 60+ geek/startup groups with an average 2-3 events daily in Ann Arbor, see a2geeks.org and a2newtech.org – and annarborstartups.com for a review of new developments here over the last 6 months.
Hmmm. Post written by MyBandStock who also lives in the TechArb and got a mention on CrunchGear. Sounds like a paid post to me!
P.S. Go Blue!
Last time I checked start-ups don’t have money to pay for an article not directly about them in TechCrunch
WTF? If you’re that desperate for cash, run porn ads instead of this crap. Now, for equal time, no doubt we’ll soon someone spewing about Columbus, OH!
WE WOULD NEVER WRITE ABOUT THAT HOLE!
You know the difference between someone from Michigan and Yogurt?
Yogurt is cultured. (rimshot)
not paid but i’m trying to get folks who actually live in these cities to write about them. if you have something better to add, feel free to comment.
“if you have something better to add, feel free to comment.”
Um, how about tech stories?
Ann Arbor is a whore.
Got to love Ann Arbor…..all we need now is a good football team and its paradise. :-)
Go Blue
snark attack. sheezus, the site wanted to do something about tech/travel fun. get over it — the whole site doesn’t have to zeros-and-ones.
Zingerman’s is really one of the greatest food resources in the middle west.
What…the…hell?
Ann Arbor rocks. Much better than over-priced, over-hyped Silicon Valley and SF, where I used to live. Unless you’re a millionaire like Michael Arrington…
my alma mater!
Really! I didn’t know that.
Well hopefully we did it justice, MG.
Drew
MBS
Really MG?
You came out of Michigan, but still write as you do? To be honest, I have simply started skipping your posts, because its probably going to be a pre-bashing, apple-worshiping, bing-hating rant about something mildly obscure. Please do us justice, and represent.
Not sure how this post belonged on TC, but Ann Arbor is a great place, especially if you avoid the winters.
…And while it’s nice to read the validation…this does not appear to be written by someone with training or experience in journalism.
As an Appalachian State grad, any mention of Ann Arbor makes me smile. (I wonder when we will be invited back?)
An unfortunate accident but I am sure you will appreciate the opening line of the article
BOONE, N.C. (AP) — A lawnmower has done what Michigan could not: slow Appalachian State’s Armanti Edwards.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/ncaa/08/06/app-edwards.ap/index.html#ixzz0NWQAu7EG
Zing!
Go Blue!
Go Blue!
So the App State guys are still dumber than their Big 10 counterparts…well, other than the folks from Ohio State and Penn State.
“If you’re craving city life or a university setting, Ann Arbor, Michigan is the place to be.”
Wow, really? Who wrote this, the mayor’s daughter?
If this is an ad, please disclose. You just gave link love to a lot of people.
What the article fails to tell you is that a giant cloud covers the entire city from Oct 1st to April 1st. Also, if you want real pizza in Ann Arbor, go to NYPD. Cottage Inn is disgusting.
As an Ann Arbor resident, I think this article is great and all, but it really does sound like a tourism-like post that doesn’t belong on a gadget blog.
Plus when I noticed the title of the article, I was actually expecting an actual tech Ann Arbor event to be mentioned that would be taking place over this weekend, but didn’t see anything here except tourist stuff.
BTW,
GO GREEN!! GO WHITE!! THIS IS SPARTA!! MSU!! MSU!!
you win some you lose some. this one apparently wasn’t as valuable to people.
Don’t get me wrong, I think it was still valuable, but the title Geek Weekend threw me off. I was actually hoping that the TC network was hosting an event in Ann Arbor. That would be f’ing sweet.
*cough* barcamp *cough* <—– Dug Song, make this happen.
Go Blue! This article was long overdue.
You forgot about Hash Bash (probably more relevant to Californians and their crazy ways than even other Michganders). Or the Art Fair in the summer.
Ann Arbor is amazing and UM has so many great students to offer the tech world. This piece gave some long overdue insight into the training students are giving themselves so that they can one day graduate and make our industry even better. GO BLUE!
I’m saying this as a Spartan but Ann Arbor is the one bright light in this entire state as far as tech or entrepreneurs go.
FYI Madonna attended U of M for exactly one year and to claim her as an alumnus isn’t factually correct.
Ann Arbor is a really nice city, but I think otherwise of UofM. Lots of great restaurants and things to do for those in their 20’s, so long as you stay away from the “campus” and its pretentious students. If you want to experience an amazing campus, head a hour north to MSU. So beautiful.
You are all internet losers and idiots hugging a dead corpse. This only convinces me of the waste of talent in the Midwest and the idiots who troll websites like these and leave comments like internet tough guys are actually losers sitting in their underwear begging for attention. Get a life and make some real money you tree-hugging techno-dorks with no business model or revenue. Someone needs to smack the self-promoting Lenin out of you and teach you a lesson in capitalism. Ann Arbor is fine, but a business hub, it is not. Neither is the rest of the Midwest. Grow up and get a real job.
Hahaha, this comment was actually pretty hilarious and gave me a half chubby. Sadly you are right about the business model and revenue aspect of the start-ups. But we have to try something, the rest of this state, especially about 50 miles east of Ann Arbor is an post apocalyptic wasteland that is sucking this economy dry.
I could probably do without all the hipsters that have the butt-love for obama that live here as well.
I miss Ann Arbor.
Well Compared to a lot of the rest of Michigan Ann Arbor is Great. And if you dont like the leftys just go like 15 to 30 mins north into Livingston county and you got reps. all over
My Alma Mater too… I enjoyed my UofM education, and we (UofM Prof and three students) launched our first startup (http://www.virage.com) out of Ann Arbor… I have nothing but fond memories of the city and University, and there have indeed been many companies and technologies that have come out of Ann Arbor – other examples that come to mind are Thomas and John Knoll (who wrote a little program called Photoshop), graphics legend Jim Blinn, etc.
U of M is one of the leading research and teaching institutions in the US. It is a mish mosh of a lot of things. Sadly the examples listed above are the exception and not the rule. Michigan and UofM has an all but non-existent VC and Angel population. Whenever I come across someone seeking funding for a tech company, I tell them to move because there is about zero chance of getting funded in state.
Sad really. There is unbelievable amounts of engineering talent in Michigan but without funding and a culture of entrepreneurial success, the best minds head west (usually) leaving Michigan rusted and without an real economic diversification.
Go Blue, a great engineering school, which launched my career and glad to see it highlighted in TC! Still some great innovation with young professors Sugih Jamin, Valeria Bertacco and others from the Bay.
Ann Arbor is alright, however, I live 15 minutes away and rarely go there. Why you ask? Well, I am able to live my life without driving to downtown hippie land every day! My grocery store, post office, library, movie theater and everything else is in Brighton, MI. :)
you’re being quite biased here — downtown brighton blows. i mean, “downtown” Brighton consists of 2 areas – the mom and pops and the big box retailers out near I-96. as for the mom and pops — it’s all jewelry stores and mexican and italian restaurants and what, a Vitamin Shoppe? ann arbor is clearly > brighton, and i used to live in brighton. that being said, our taxes were much lower and we still had top 3 schools in the state (not to mention a full time gifted and talented program). but nightlife, restaurants, etc and tech clearly go to a2.
Brighton, MI!!! Yay small town love, that’s where I’m from :)
Yo!
Drew!
After graduation I spent 2 years in Dexter and Pinckney.
Then, I moved to Hell.
Does that count?
Quick factual error correction: Chicago is a 4 hour drive, Toronto is 5 hours.
Also, there is a new coworking space in Ann Arbor which supports both the tech and freelancer communities, Workantile Exchange. It’s for those of us who don’t want to be incubated – that’s so last century.
But I do wonder why this article is here. Very strangely rah-rah and completely ignores the fact that the NIMBYs who have the city council by the ear are actively thwarting new development and progress.
The photo of MIchigan Stadium is from the “Halo” era (1998-2000); that has since been removed.
http://www.michigandaily.com/content/stadium-halo-removed-2000-season
there’s a stadium construction webcam here
http://www.umaec.umich.edu/projects/Stadium/webcam7.html
to give you some idea of what has changed.
Please. Michigan is a shithole. You’re an idiot if you fall for this and leave California.
Everybody should take a deep breath and remember that there is only one club that U of M grads join by default. It’s the 4 As. And I am proud to be a founding member from the Class of ‘73.
Ann Arbor is pretty nice, I suppose. The main problem is that it’s in Michigan… ::shudders::