Ann Arbor Sights and Sounds for Visiting Alum group
As we are in a lull in active sports, I would like to post a request to the always opinionated Mgoblog population.
I am in a long time Rotisserie Baseball league that started back in the 80s with all Michigan Alum. We have evolved over the years and now are still mostly M grads but have a few unaffiliated members. As we are now all over the country, we get together for the draft at a location of the previous year winner's choice. This year is the end of March in Ann Arbor. Looking for suggestions for things to occupy a couple days. So far we have the obvious, Stadium Tour, and the baseball game against Maryland. Any other things (sports related is great, but also, things which have changed int he past 20 years that might bring joy, or tears, to an old Alum)
I would consider HOMES brewery for draft location or just lunch/dinner one day. Great food, great beer, and plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating. When I visit AA these days HOMES is usually my go-to for post-golf or post-event food and drink.
Or maybe podcast sponsor Venue by 4M? I don't know if it'd fit the bill for a fantasy draft since I live VERY far away and have never been to Venue, but supporting a sponsor seems kewl.
Hello, owner of Venue. Hope it works out!
Thanks for the love, MGoBlue-querque.
Clarence. I am the owner of venue….not that there’s anything wrong with that.
....and I'm Batman! +1 for Venue, love the burgers, among other things.
Logged back in to upvote
If group has not been back for 10+years I would include a Tour of Campus. UM has continually grown and changed - CCRB, North Campus, New dorms where Fingerle’s was… A2 has also brought in and lost numerous restaurants. The new ones have brought in an increased ethnic vibe for some great but previously underserved food experiences. Some of the venerable are gone or being repurposed (Angelo’s, Cottage Inn, Prickly Pear, Middle Kingdom, Full Moon, Mongolian, Ann Arbor Brewery) but the food scene is more diverse and as exciting as ever. Enjoy - Go Blue!!
Arbor Brewing is still going strong, you just have to venture to Ypsi or Plymouth to sit in one of their pubs. But the beer and food is better than ever
Agreed. Love Ypsi's Corner Brewery. It's pretty much the same vibe with the same outstanding beers even after the buyout. Not a huge fan of the Plymouth one but that's probably cuz i'm an old timer now.
Oh, Middle Kingdom, how I mss thee.
Some of the venerable are gone or being repurposed (Angelo’s, Cottage Inn, Prickly Pear, Middle Kingdom, Full Moon, Mongolian, Ann Arbor Brewery) but the food scene is more diverse and as exciting as ever.
Hot take. I was just having this conversation with my daughter (a senior at Michigan) that AA right now might have the best bar/restaurant scene — perhaps in its history. I’ll miss Cottage Inn and Angelo’s to be sure. And I know it doesn’t get much love, but back in the day, Maude’s was my favorite restaurant in AA. But overall, the kids have an amazing situation, though more expensive comparatively than when I was a student.
The wife and I, and maybe our daughter are coming up to AA on the 27th, and decided we'll come up a couple days early and just go to Detroit for the NFL Draft (since it's free and outside and easily accessible). I am also interested in all the fun things. Was going to do the stadium tour - but don't really need to do that now unless it's just to show our daughter.
You can tour the cranes and skips up and down South University and a few other campus-adjacent areas, at least if you want the truly modern Ann Arbor experience.
Obviously, if you've been away for that long, the South Main area might be worth a walk if you want a mix of old shopping / dining faves plus several new experiences. The museums on campus have been updated over the years as well, and those are a whole day of wandering right there.
Post-game gatherings? Jolly Pumpkin, Wolverine State....you're not short on breweries, if that's your thing.
The film festival is worth a look. The A2obsever event calendar has most all events, including UM sports:
https://annarborobserver.com/calendar/?yr=2024&month=03&dy=29&time=day&mcat=all
It's almost 70 degrees and sunny, play the U golf course.
As a grad from many years ago, there's something magical about returning to Ann Arbor. While there are lot of new businesses in town, the old charm remains. Some of the old houses converted to run down student residences appear not to have been painted for at least 55 years. Would definitely support a campus tour. Would strongly recommend a stroll through the Arboretum, which I rarely visited during my undergrad years but remains a peaceful and changing experience.
Basically, you can't go wrong with whatever you choose to do in Ann Arbor.
I just spent an hour walking around campus while waiting for the Michigan Daily to open so I could pick my football front page order. It is crazy how much the campus has changed since the 90s. The hill and South U don't feel like the same place. Not worse just different.
Great question - and reason to visit.
There's a TON to do around campus - and, doing a bit of "homework" ahead of time can have you in places that you may not have been aware of. A lot depends on the interest of your group - and, scheduling / availability of events.
I'm an alum and parent of current students at Michigan - as well as a season football ticket holder. We have out of town guests join us often for football weekends - with a broad range of interests. So, there's been quite a bit of "fun" discovery - and, determining WHAT to do - prioritizing it - is up to you.
The Michigan Events calendar is definitely a good place to start for activities on campus.
Of the things to consider:
1. Burton Tower - you can actually go UP into the carillon itself - they have recitals on Friday's at noon - perhaps not every Friday - but, it's unique and the views are fantastic from the tower.
2. Steps of the Union - and medallion of where John F Kennedy introduced the idea of the Peace Corps during the 1960 election.
3. The Cube - just push it around a bit - it's right next to the Union - and, very easy to do.
4. Museum of Art - there might be a special collection that will pique your curiosity, or just walking through is great. IIRC - there's a small Rodin sculpture and Monet painting on the second floor.
5. Kelsy Museum of Archaeology - this is on State Street - a collection I didn't know existed until recently. They'll have a lecture / short tour - on specific topics during the weekend - usually on Saturday and / or Sunday afternoon.
6. Clements Library - this is next to the President's House - it has "older" documents which can provide context to differen themes.
7. The Graduate Library - usually presents some "small" collections. Recently, we saw two smaller exhibits there - one dealt with Orson Welles - son, husband, and father - a collection of his letters. The second - was a photography exhibit that focused on the Middle East.
8. Depending on the alums in the group - go into some of the buildings where you had classes. As others have noted - the buildings have changed a LOT.
9. If you're coffee drinkers - I prefer two spots in / around Ann Arbor - one is Black Diesel (at the corner of Packard and Stadium) - the other is Roos Roast - with a location off of Industrial and another "downtown".
10. Hill Auditorium - check it out. It could be a student recital - or something more. A great activity before / after dinner (depending on when you like to eat).
11. Power Center / Mendelsohn Theatre - there could be a student production, a lecture, or a professional arts company in town - again, it could be a very pleasant surprise.
12. Finally - if you like certain academic areas - Symposiums and Workshops happen all the time. If there's a topic of interest - reach out to the organizer and see if they'll allow you to just "sit in and listen". I've found the research around Comparative and American Politics to be quite interesting.
If I can expand on any of the above - please let me know. Ann Arbor's almost more fun as an alum / visitor than it was as an undergrad. Have a great time.
Great suggestions. There's a lot to do on the campus, which is the logical center of any Ann Arbor touring.
Amazinblu, this is an amazin blu list!
(The only thing I can see that's missing is my dorm room behind the Union loading dock. It's now an office. I guess they decided to deprive future generations of the pleasure of waking up to early morning unloading.)
Oh - there's one more - The Museum of Natural History - they have all kinds of things going on - lectures, movies, "The Stars Tonight" - just great programming.
Here's a link - it's great for adults - and, truly exceptional for children: https://lsa.umich.edu/ummnh/visitors/visitor-info.html
As a point of reference - I've visited / done everything on the list above.
Great list of things Thanks, actually thanks to everybody who responded, this group never fails to provide a huge variety of thought.
March 13th, 2024 at 11:47 AM ^
As a Rackham alum who was here in the late 80s, I have a couple of specific notes to add to your impressive list.
Burton Tower: I don't doubt that a trip to top would be very interesting and enjoyable, but anyone who was on campus in 1987 might have a less happy association -- the suicide of the UM Regent who jumped from that spot. In fact, I think it happened in late March, when this group plans to visit. I was studying in Rackham when it happened, and I still can't walk by the tower without thinking of that day.
Clements Library: I spent a couple of years working in the manuscript room at the end of the 80s, and you're right -- there are a lot of interesting things in the collections: the papers of a British general who fought the US during the Revolution (the Gage Papers); lots of soldier correspondence from the Civil War; a lot of rare book editions, etc. If I recall correctly, there is an important letter from Abraham Lincoln that they often bring out for visitors. Also, the map room has a lot of remarkable stuff, such as maps of "the New World" from the 15th and 16th centuries, which often gets overlooked. But, at least in the past, the Clements has very restricted hours, and it's really set up to accomodate researchers more than tourists. When I was there, the staff was kind of inconsistent about responding to visitors who weren't scholars. Sometimes visitors would get a very nice tour; other times they'd basically get the brush off. I know the staff is different now, but I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't the most receptive place to visitors who just want to see interesting stuff.
And I'd add one spot: the Law Library, especially the underground addition. It's a very interesting architectural contrast to go from the neo-Gothic reading room upstairs to the modern underground addition, which has windows slanting below ground to provide natural lighting for all three underground floors.
13. Go watch the creative writing MFAs read some fiction or poetry!
See who's playing at the Ark.
Nothing like having a few drinks outside in the sun during the afternoon/evening at Bill’s Beer Garden should the weather comply. Biercamp has some excellent pulled pork & brisket sandwiches, brats, smoked sausage, along with my favorite thing on the menu: the “backwoods tots” which are tater tots topped with the aforementioned pork or brisket as well as onion, sweet jalapeño mustard, pickles, and coleslaw. They’ve got some of their own beers on tap which are solid.
Definitely go grab a meal at York, which is on Packard just a mile from campus. Really great vibe and atmosphere. A few different restaurants...and lots of wine! Sort of a mini, fun food court. The BBQ place - Ricewood - is excellent.
One change is you can't buy a college student cheeseburgers in the Ann Arbor vicinity without your activities being suspended. That one will sneak up on you.
You could serve the M Community by "visiting" Warde's office.
sports notes: If UM and OSU both win their next hockey games, the championship game will be at Yost on March 23rd. Also the Wolverine Invitational Water polo tournament ( free) is Sat/ Sun March 23/24 at Canham Natatorium.
As for places to see, Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger is no longer behind West Quad, it has moved over on Ashley but still worth the wait and insults. Further north on Ashley is the Washtenaw Dairy, another Ann Arbor institution.
Aside from the Law Library and Law Quad, most of the campus university spots have been mentioned. Hill , Rackham, Michigan Theater are definitely worth seeing again. On March 28 at Rackham ( free UM Jazz Ensemble) 28 https://smtd.umich.edu/event/28-march-2024/
Main Street is still has great spots for restaurants and bars. The Blue Llama for jazz is excellent.
And a tourist can never go wrong going to Zingerman's/ Farmers Market/ Filling Station (vegan) in the cobblestone part of town on Detroit street.
If it's a Friday game, there's a good chance one of my son's best friends will be the starting pitcher for Maryland. So please give Kenny a shout out (and then proceed to root for Michigan to win)!
March 13th, 2024 at 11:57 AM ^
Wow, a Friday starter for a top-40 team? Looks like he has a sub-3.00 ERA and about 10 K/9 IP. Impressive.
Also keep an eye on the Michigan hockey regional schedule. Two of the regionals are Thursday-Saturday and two are Friday-Sunday; you might want to find yourself a place to watch if Michigan happens to be playing.
Check out Biercamp for a German style beer, an asparagus onion cheddar brat burger, and some outdoor seating. Walking distance to the Baseball stadium.
March 12th, 2024 at 10:50 PM ^
Afternoon open skate at Yost is awesome (even if you can barely skate).
March 13th, 2024 at 11:52 AM ^
Farts.