| Ann Arbor, Michigan |
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Overview Ann Arbor is a picture postcard city with a rich history. It is also a city that is eternally young at heart. Ann Arbor has been home to the University of Michigan, one of the country's most prestigious public universities, since 1837. As a college town, it combines the best of both worlds. The traditions and intellectual pursuits of academia blend seamlessly with cultural activities, athletic events, music venues, and family fun. Ann Arbor is located in southeast Michigan, just 45 miles west of Detroit and 35 miles north of the Ohio border. At any time of the year, there are events that will help to make your visit complete. An array of performances, festivals and activities (both outdoor and indoor) are part of what makes Washtenaw County a family friendly place. Downtown Ann Arbor’s twelve blocks of colorfully painted shops and cozy sidewalk cafes attest to its vitality and youthful spirit. Of course, over forty bookstores are nestled among the various shopping regions. Shopping in Ann Arbor is a delight. Highlights include: the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market with fresh produce, baked goods, and an Artisan’s market selling handcrafted items, furniture, clothing, and pottery; the Main Street restaurant and gallery area; the Nickel Arcade’s assortment of quaint shops; and the bustling State Street area that connects town and campus. Dine at any one of the fine restaurants and spend the evening listening to jazz or laughing with one of the nation's top comedians. State Street is the "entertainment capital" of Ann Arbor, with most of the big performance venues, as well as two movie theaters. Music is everywhere in Ann Arbor. The music scene has enjoyed a national reputation ever since the Stooges, MC5 and Bob Seger made their names there. There is, in fact, music to suit every taste. Symphony orchestras such as the Philadelphia and Berlin Philharmonics, and the Cleveland and Leipzig Orchestras; internationally acclaimed performers including Wynton Marsalis, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Jessye Norman, Yo Yo Ma, kd lang, and BB King; and the renowned dance companies of the Joffrey Ballet and Alvin Ailey, are all regular visitors to Ann Arbor. Annual festivals include the Ann Arbor Folk Festival in January, the Ann Arbor Pow Wow in March, Springfest chamber music Festival in May, the Ypsilanti Frog Island Festival in June, and the fantastic Ann Arbor Art Fairs in July. Ann Arbor's gigantic annual art festival actually consists of four separate fairs that occupy the city, drawing more than 1,000 artists and close to half a million visitors to downtown and the campus area over a four day period in July. Free concerts are featured, and hundreds of vendors offer their wares for sale. The Blues and Jazz festival in downtown Ann Arbor is a fall highlight. With 23 courses, 387 holes and 135,369 yards of great golf to play in Ann Arbor, golfers have the perfect opportunity to enjoy the superb Michigan scenery while shooting for that birdie. Hiking, horseback riding, and cycling can be enjoyed in season. Fishing and canoeing are great on the Huron River. In the winter, there is cross country skiing, snowboarding, downhill skiing, and Alpine racing at Huron Hills. “Go Wolverines! Go Blue!” is the rallying cry of faithful fans of varsity baseball, football, and basketball as the University of Michigan teams compete. A drive through the countryside will lead to Ann Arbor’s neighbors: the small towns of Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Saline, and Milan. In Chelsea, the first prepared baking mix, Jiffy Mix, was manufactured. Currently, it is the home of The Purple Rose Theater, a popular regional playhouse founded by Jeff Daniels. Adjoining Ann Arbor is the picturesque, smaller college town of Ypsilanti, home of the original Dominos Pizza, the Chevrolet Corvair, and at present, a world-renowned antique auto show. Ann Arbor awaits your arrival and provides opportunities for a memorable visit to the place most often voted the Be |
