Ann Arbor Along the Huron River

Michigan is located in the Great Lakes and Midwestern regions. Michigan is the largest state by total area located east of the Mississippi River. It is the only state to consist of two peninsulas. The Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula. The peninsulas are separated one from the other by the Straits of Mackinac, a five-mile channel joining Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. The Mackinac Bridge connects the peninsulas. The state has the longest freshwater coastline being bounded by four of the five Great Lakes and Lake Saint Clair.

The beautiful city of Ann Arbor is home to the University of Michigan.

The University of Michigan Museum of Art or UMMA was built in 1909 as a war memorial. It is one of the largest university art museums in the country and a top attraction. Within the museum, you will find the Alumni Memorial Hall, the Maxine and Stuart Frankel, and the Frankel Family Wing. Its extensive collection comprises more than 19,000 artworks from various periods, cultures, and mediums. Additionally, the museum provides educational programs, workshops, and classes for both students and visitors. Throughout the year, there are also unique art-focused events and the opportunity to take guided tours of the museum.

The historic firehouse in which the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is located serves as its permanent residence. This museum provides visitors with engaging and hands-on learning opportunities, allowing them to explore various fields such as science, technology, art, math, and engineering. With a wide range of interactive displays, including more than 250 exhibits, visitors can immerse themselves in a world of discovery. Notable attractions include "The World Around You," where visitors can delve into the Bubble Capsule, Climbing Wall, and Magnet exhibits. Additionally, "The Lyon Country Store" offers a unique shopping experience reminiscent of the 1930s, while "Michigan Nature" provides an interactive nature walk, a native fish lake, and an immersive soundscape showcasing the essence of Michigan.

The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History is part of the university’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. The museum is housed in the Alexander Ruthven Museum Building. There are four permanent exhibitions the Anthropology Displays, the Geology Displays, the Hall of Evolution, and the Michigan Wildlife Gallery. There is also a planetarium and a Butterfly and Pollinator Garden.

Matthaei Botanical Garden and Nichols Arboretum feature an array of botanical and display gardens. There is a conservatory, natural areas with hiking and walking trails, and several research habitats. Among the display gardens are the Great Lakes Garden, Bonsai and Penjing Garden, and the Gaffield Children’s Garden. The amazing conservatory is the largest university-operated display greenhouse in the U.S. It has a hot house, a temperate house, and a house for the world-renowned Bonsai Collection.

The Nichols Arboretum is home to the Nichols Arboretum Peony Garden. There are collections of native and historic plants.

Kerrytown, situated in Ann Arbor, is a renowned historic district recognized for its charming brick streets, lively atmosphere, and a variety of stores. This district derived its name from County Kerry in Ireland and was established as a component of the original town of Ann Arbor. Visitors can explore various markets, indulge in delightful dining experiences, and peruse locally owned shops offering an extensive range of products, including clothing, jewelry, handmade art, vintage treasures, and toys.

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum can be found on the northern campus of the University of Michigan. This facility contains significant artifacts related to the life, professional journey, and term in office of Gerald Ford, the 38th President of the United States. Additionally, it houses resources on American domestic matters and political events during the Cold War period, including correspondence, memorandum, records, multimedia, and various historical papers. The establishment also features a stage, an auditorium equipped with audiovisual technology, lecture halls, meeting rooms, and a courtyard for hosting occasional events.

The Leslie Science & Nature Center is a natural space with walking trails, birds of prey, and raptor enclosures, a critter house, and much more. The center offers programs for children like field trips, Girl and Boy Scout visits, overnight visits, and outreach programs at schools. The center also has summer camps and school break camps.

State Street is known for its shops, restaurants, and public events like festivals and fairs. The State Street Area Art Fair features the artwork of over 300 artists. There is also State Street Area Ladies Night when the ladies get discounts at many local bars, shops, and restaurants.

The Creature Conservancy is an animal rescue and educational organization dedicated to rescuing animals and educating the community about them. There are several exhibits among them Aquatic Exotic featuring apple snails, African claw frogs, and water hyacinths, McCalls of the Wild for macaws, Roo Room for kangaroos, and Vulture Club for vultures. The Conservancy also offers educational outreach programs for homeschooling groups, nature centers, and others.

The Petting Farm offers children a chance to gain knowledge about animals and the agricultural heritage of Michigan. Originally established as a functional farm in 1925, it transformed in the 1980s when it was purchased to serve as an office complex. As a result, the farm's iconic red barn was relocated across the road. The Petting Farm provides an enjoyable and educational experience for families and school groups. It is home to many farm animals including cats, chickens, cows, ducks, goats, horses, rabbits, sheep, and other fascinating creatures such as alpacas, llamas, and peacocks. Visitors can interact with the animals and even enjoy pony rides.

The Hudson Mills Metropark located 12 miles northwest of Ann Arbor is an outdoor park with dense woodlands, rolling meadows, and wetlands with wildlife and birds. You can enjoy outdoor activities like canoeing and kayaking on the Hudson River, shoreline and fly fishing, hiking, biking, and trekking. There is an 18-hole, par-72 golf course and two disc golf courses. Other sports include basketball, volleyball, softball, and soccer.

Metropark also has picnic shelters, a playground, a canoe camp, tennis and shuffleboard courts, and in the winter cross-country skiing.