An amazing town, Ann Arbor.
- Small enough to see five friends on the way to the Farmers’ Market.
- Big enough to host world-renowned folks at the University of Michigan.
- La-di-da enough for mansions and ooh-la-la restaurants.
- Gritty enough for student slums and spray-paint graffiti.
- Funky enough for the Hash Bash and the Art Fairs.
- Suburban enough for PTOs, soccer moms and dads, and minivans—many of them hybrid, of course.
“Ann Arbor does it up different”
If you’re new to the city, know these things:
- Yes, we *are* liberal. And progressive. And proud of it.
- Yes, we *do* wear Birks. Brazenly.
- Yes, we care about being green.
- Yes, we love diversity—in many flavors.
- Yes, we’re smart. More people here have graduate degrees than undergrad.
- Something’s happening every day and night. See the calendars at right.
- Don’t plan on going anywhere on football Saturdays. Except during the game.
- No, we’re not snobby. We’re deep in thought.
Ooooh
Local Faves
Hmmm
Music
Night Spots monthly calendar of bands playing in Ann Arbor
Shhhhh
Local Secrets
Fairy Doors:
Urban Fairies website
“Fairy Doors and Wanderlust”
Driving
Here’s how you learn how to negotiate Ann Arbor’s one-way streets without a map or GPS: just head in the direction where the place is. Eventually, you’ll get there—and you’ll learn the streets on the way.
Parking
After 6 p.m., it’s free.
Rrrrrr
Reduce / Reuse / Recycle / Resources
Drop-off Station: Here’s a recycling guide.
Odd Green Fridays: Trillium’s blog and enewsletter about living and building green
PTO Thrift Shop: All proceeds from this resale shop go to the Ann Arbor Public Schools.
ReUse Center: A gazillion great recycled things, including housewares, tools, furniture, artwork, appliances. You gotta go. You can donate your junk, too.
Yeee haw
Organizations
Slap on a saddle and ride into the many organizations Ann Arbor hosts, from the Ann Arbor Observer’s City Guide.
Be sure to see our Way Cool Communities section.
Yaaaay
Kid Stuff to Do
Yummmm
Farmers’ Market / Foodies / CSA
Community Gardens: Here’s a story from one of our clients, Katie Whitney, about her first year of tending a community garden plot.
Community Supported Agriculture: What it is and where it is in Ann Arbor
