USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” MICHIGAN

MICHIGAN: THE Great Lakes STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

We seem to be experiencing a lot of rain this summer in our country. Some people might be put off by the rain when it comes to taking a vacation and think that there is not much to do in the rain. However, if you are going to vacation in a city, rain or not there is so much to do. You can visit places you have not seen before museums, arcades, shopping malls, theaters, restaurants and movies for new experiences. So do not be put off by rain enjoy new sights on your vacations. When you need to plan a vacation contact me!

Ann Arbor , "Tree Town"

The Ann Arbor area is the state’s rare jewel: a small, friendly town with big city sophistication; a world-class educational and high-tech research center nestled in a peaceful rural setting; a close-knit community of charming neighborhoods with a rich mix of cultures.

Although geographically small, the area is perhaps most renowned for its cultural offerings. From exclusive art exhibits to performances by jazz legends, there are abundant opportunities to enjoy arts and culture. More than 30 independent bookstores, dozens of unique galleries, and a variety of top-notch museums; including the newly-renovated University of Michigan Museum of Art — are all within the downtown limits.

The Ann Arbor area also offers a bounty of recreational activities for those looking to golf, hike, or cycle, and three metroparks are within a short drive of the city center. In the warmer months, the area offers an array of street festivals and outdoor fairs. The award-winning Ann Arbor Art Fairs draw an annual crowd of nearly 500,000 as the streets of downtown are transformed into an outdoor art gallery. In the fall, football Saturdays are more than just events — they are experiences, as more than 100,000 people fill "The Big House" to watch the Wolverines. In the winter, holiday light festivals and the Ann Arbor Folk Festival are always crowd pleasers.

Dining aficionados will appreciate the nearly 300 restaurants within a 20-mile radius of Ann Arbor. Options range from old-fashioned Italian bistros to trendy, contemporary American restaurants. Many offer alfresco dining in the warmer months, which, when combined with the array of jazz and dance clubs in the area, makes downtown Ann Arbor a vibrant destination for nightlife.

FAST FACTS

• Population - Ann Arbor: 114,024, including the student population of the University of Michigan.
• Size - 28.2 square miles
• Average Age - 27.3 years (almost 25% of Ann Arborites are between 18 and 24)
• Education - 64.2 percent have four years of college or more
• Weather - averages 31.25 inches of precipitation and 37.3 inches of snow
• Avg. high 58.1 degrees Fahrenheit / avg. low 39.4 degrees Fahrenheit
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HISTORY LESSON

Ann Arbor was founded in 1824 when John Allen and Elisha Rumsey left Detroit on a one-horse sleigh and headed west to establish a new community. Originally registered as Annarbour, it is believed that the "Ann" honors their wives Ann and Mary Ann and "arbour" refers to a grove or shady opening found in the Michigan woods. Eventually the words were separated and the town became known as Ann Arbor - it remains the only city in the world with that name.

• Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

220 E. Ann St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Ignite your imagination! In the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum you explore nine unique galleries containing more than 250 interactive exhibits. Learning made fun for all ages in an informal environment where hands-on experience is the best teacher.

• Domino’s Petting Farm

24 Frank Lloyd Wright Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Domino's Petting Farm gives children and adults a chance to interact with farm animals. Hayrides, group rates and birthday packages available. Pony rides on weekends.

• Great Lakes Zoological Society Conservation & Rescue Center

6885 Jackson Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

The Great Lakes Zoological Society's Conservation & Rescue Center (A World of Discovery) in Ann Arbor, Michigan is a family destination. It's an indoor zoo experience featuring reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds, and other exhibits.

• Independence Lake Park

3200 Jennings Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48189

Independence Lake County Park offers swimming, boating and fishing, picnicking, hiking, biking and rollerblading in a natural setting. During Summer months, Independence Lake features a spray zone water playground (open Memorial Day weekend to Labor...

• Jungle Java

3900 Jackson Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Jungle Java is a jungle-themed indoor play center that caters to children and parents. Play areas are designed to accommodate parents who want to play along with their kids. Parents can also relax with a cup of coffee in the cafe while the kids play.

• Leslie Science and Nature Center

1831 Traver Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Welcome to the Leslie Science and Nature Center, once the home and laboratory of Eugene and Emily Leslie! The center is a special place where people of all ages can explore 50 acres of land and Black Pond Woods. It's also a home to many plants

• Northfield Park

Pontiac Trail west of Dixboro Rd
Ann Arbor, MI

Northfield Park offers a relatively isolated, natural setting on a busy through route.  The park contains a lowland hardwood forest, a small marsh at its western edge, a large rolling open field, and a natural oak hedgerow along its eastern border.

• Osborne Mill Preserve 

East Delhi Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI

Osborne Mill Preserve is a 39-acre nature area along the Huron River in Ann Arbor.  The land was deeded by the Nature Conservancy to the County Parks system and is kept as a natural area. There are no services. Occasionally, nature walks are led.

• Parker Mill

4650 Geddes Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI

Parker Mill is a 28-acre park featuring walking trails, a handicap-accessible wetland boardwalk, interpretive signs, picnic areas and restrooms. The Parker Mill Grist mill is functional and open for tours on weekends in September and October.

• Performance Network Theatre

120 East Huron St
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Performance Network Theatre, Ann Arbor's professional theatre, is located in the heart of downtown with an intimate space that delivers revived classics, blockbuster musicals, world premieres, and thought-provoking new plays.

• University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens

1800 N. Dixboro Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI
The University of Michigan's Matthaei Botanical Gardens is regarded as one of Ann Arbor's greatest nature destinations. The gardens are located on Ann Arbor's east side; a 300 acre property containing numerous formal gardens, a 10,000+ square.

• University of Michigan Museum of Natural History and Planetarium

1109 Geddes Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI

University of Michigan Museum of Natural History and Planetarium houses the state’s largest collection of dinosaur skeletons and displays highlighting Michigan’s prehistoric past. The Planetarium offers a 360-degree domed screen that surrounds.

• Washtenaw Community College Towsley Auditorium

4800 E. Huron River Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI

Home to college’s musical theater and dance department performances, and also serves as performance venue for renowned Wild Swan children’s theater company.

• Whirly Ball of Ann Arbor

750 Phoenix
Ann Arbor, MI

Gather a group of friends and come over to the Whirly Ball of Ann Arbor for a game of whirly ball; a combination of basketball and Jai-Alai played from an electric bumper car. It's a blast.

• Wild Swan Theater

410 South Maple
Ann Arbor, MI

Wild Swan has been delighting family audiences with performances that blend storytelling, movement and music into magical accessible experiences. Season runs from October-June at the Towsley Auditorium on campus of Washtenaw Community College.

REFERENCE SITES

http://www.visitannarbor.org/home

http://www.a2gov.org/Pages/default.aspx

Live Life and Travel to create marvelous memories!