Ann Arbor is home to the beloved University of Michigan. One of the top research universities in the United States, the University of Michigan (U of M) has many outstanding sports teams — including the Wolverines Football Team, which boasts 12 National Championships, 45 Big Ten Championships, 3 Heisman Trophy Winners, and 89 Consensus All-Americans.
Every year, thousands of current students and alumni trek to Michigan Stadium AKA "The Big House" to watch the Wolverines play. The largest stadium in the United States, according to Yahoo Sports, the Big House can seat more than 107,000 fans. And with that many folks, there needs to be plenty to do around town on game days.
Only about a 30-minute drive from Detroit, it's possible to hang out in both cities on the same day. Here are some of our suggestions.
Getting to The D
D2A2 is an express bus service connecting Detroit and Ann Arbor, MI. D2A2 is a service of the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) and operated by Michigan Flyer. With an hour trip, the first bus usually leaves at 6:45 am and the last bus leaves at 11 pm during weekdays, and the first bus is at 7:30 am and the last around 8:30 pm on the weekends (with some exceptions). On the site, you can buy tickets or download the schedule.
Amtrak also provides one-way and round-trip train rides between Ann Arbor and Detroit. Amtrak can be used for day trips, as well as prolonged travel. Many of their trains have free wi-fi. The Ann Arbor station is located at 325 Depot Street, and the Detroit station is located at 11 West Baltimore Avenue.
Driving is another option. The average ride to Ann Arbor is about 30-40 minutes. Rideshare services also travel between the cities, with the price being approximately $50 or so.
Where to Stay in The D
The Inn on Ferry Street
84 E Ferry St, Detroit, MI 48202
Designed to accommodate a visit for a weekend, conduct a business meeting, or rent an entire house for a special occasion, The Inn On Ferry Street sets the standard for elegant guest quarters and dedicated service.
Shinola Hotel
1400 Woodward Ave. Detroit, Michigan 48226
Choose to stay in the big city at one of the most exclusive boutique hotels, Shinola. Guests can expect a diverse art collection as soon as they walk into the hotel, featuring art from renowned artists, or grab a classic cocktail in the Living Room or Evening Bar, taste the authentic Southern Italian dishes at San Morello, or try the brews and Detroit-style fried chicken at The Brakeman and Penny Red's.
Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Renaissance Center, 400 Renaissance Drive
This hotel has some of the best views in the city of the Detroit River and Canada. They also have a ton of savings packages and three restaurants, including the incredible Highlands.
Motor City Fun
Detroit History Tours are in-depth, meticulously researched, and expertly led tours that offer something for everyone. Their brilliant guides take you on a journey into history, to explore stunning architecture, sample delicious food, enjoy a libation, and see why Detroit has earned its place in the hearts of so many. Preservation Detroit also offers award-winning tours that share the rich architectural and cultural history of the Detroit region with residents and visitors. Black Scroll Tours features African American history tours of the city led by Detroit's first Official City Historian, Jamon Jordan.
The Detroit International RiverWalk spans more than three miles, from Rosa Parks Blvd. to the Belle Isle Bridge. This breathtaking feature offers the RiverWalk Café for guests to fuel up for an enjoyable walk, run, bike ride or just to relax.
Wheelhouse Detroit is one of the city's top-rated bike shops and they provide rentals. Adult rentals start at $17 for 2 hours. A complete list of rental rates can be found HERE. Helmets and locks are included at no extra charge. They can also provide lights for overnight rentals for no fee upon request.
Handlebar Detroit is one of the top-rated pedal bars in the city and is a fun way to see the city. Their reviewers say, "So much fun! Can't wait to do it again! Our out-of-town guests loved it. Great way to entertain at a reasonable cost." Also check out: Detroit Rolling Pub, and Pedal Bar Detroit, which also features a Detroit Cycle Boat that you and your friends and family can pedal on the Detroit River.
Hart Plaza
During the warm weather months, this Isamu Noguchi-designed plaza is the site of Detroit's summer-long riverfront festivals and the Detroit International Jazz Festival.
Hop on the Q Line and travel into the city, visiting the Museum District--home of the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and Preservation Detroit.
The Q Line is also close to Beacon Park, Grand Circus Park, and the Detroit Opera House, as well as live music venues like The Fox Theater, Garden Theater, and sports venues including Comerica Park, Little Caesars Arena, and Ford Field.
Dining in The D
Before you leave the A2, grab a sandwich from Zingerman’s Delicatessen, which opened in March 1982 in a historic building near the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. Known for their sandwiches, try the Zingerman's Reuben stacked with Zingerman's corned beef, Swiss Emmental cheese, The Brinery sauerkraut & their Russian dressing on hand-sliced, grilled Jewish Rye bread from Zingerman's Bakehouse. If you get hooked on Zingerman's delightful flavors, look into their shipping program.
FRITA BATIDOS is inspired by Cuban culture and a fantasy revolving around two staples in the world of Cuban street food – The FRITA – a burger traditionally made from spicy chorizo served with shoestring fries on top in a soft egg bun and BATIDOS – tropical milkshakes made with fresh fruit, crushed ice, and sweetened milk – with or without rum! They have an Ann Arbor and a Detroit location too!
There's still so much to see and do in both Detroit and Ann Arbor. Check out our dining guides or if you still aren't done exploring and want to get into the nightlife, check out our nightlife guide here.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
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