Monday, September 23, 2019

HOW TO SPEND AUTUMN IN ANN ARBOR

There’s something magical about autumn. The leaves turn vibrant colors, the wind picks up around your legs, and the weather is just cool enough to give your cheeks a pleasant nip. And Ann Arbor is a magical place to be in autumn. You may be visiting as the University of Michigan school year starts, or you may just want to explore the city in the crisp fall weather. Whatever the reason, here are a few of our suggestions for autumn activities in Ann Arbor.

Sip Some Cider

Apple cider is the trademark taste of fall, but Dexter Cider Mill offers far more than just cider. In fact, here you can find all kinds of apple treats that are perfect for fall: caramel apples, apple turnovers, and of course, delicious apple cider. They even have doughnuts that come in plain or the delicious autumnal flavor of cinnamon sugar. On Saturday and Sunday, you can enjoy apple fritters. And if you’re looking for something a little more adult, consider their hard cider.

Hike or Bike or Walk

Ann Arbor is beautiful in autumn, and you may want to get outside to simply soak in those stunning sights of bright reds and yellows. Fortunately, it’s also an excellent place to hike or bike. Consider taking a bike on your trip to Dexter Cider Mill, biking along Huron River Drive to Dexter, surrounded by gorgeous autumn trees. The Old West Side Historic District, with its historic homes, also encourages passersby to slow their steps and enjoy the beauty. Bird Hills Nature Area is a great place to go hiking and lose yourself in nature.

Catch a Football Game

Autumn means the start of football season, and you’ll find that Ann Arbor residents can be quite passionate about their favorite sport. It’s not for nothing that the University of Michigan is home to the “Big House,” the largest football stadium in the United States. By now, the season has already started so if you plan your trip with football in mind, you should easily be able to catch a game at Michigan Stadium.

Grab a Brew

A cool beer is also a perfect way to really put you in the mood for fall, and Ann Arbor is proud of its brew scene. You can start with the Jolly Pumpkin, with a name that just screams autumn. The Jolly Pumpkin is a cafe as well as a brewery, where you can find a sandwich, salad, or even a pizza to go along with your brews. When it comes to the drinks themselves, the taps even have the faces of white jack-o-lanterns, adding to the autumn atmosphere. Be sure to try their truffle fries while you’re here, too. The Session Room is also a great option, including an outdoor beer garden and a lounge for live music.
Looking for a place to stay for your autumn trip to Ann Arbor? Consider University Inn, conveniently located near the college campus. And don’t forget, we offer a 10% discount to students or families visiting the University of Michigan college campus as well as families of student-athletes. Contact us today for more information.
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COLLEGE SPORTS IN ANN ARBOR

Ann Arbor is not only home to the University of Michigan and the Wolverines but is right next door to Ypsilanti and Eastern Michigan University’s Swoops. The combination makes Ann Arbor a popular destination for fans of college sports. Whether you’re an avid fan traveling to support your team or you have a student-athlete interested in attending one of the two universities, make sure to visit University Inn in Ann Arbor, conveniently located near University of Michigan, to start your sports-themed Ann Arbor trip.
What You’ll Find
The University of Michigan Athletic program plays in the NCAA Division I as well as the Big Ten conference, making the Wolverines a formidable bunch. There are 27 varsity sports, ranging from football to water polo, basketball to gymnastics. But here are some of the sports you’ll most commonly see.
  • The U-M Wolverines are best known for their football team, and for good reason. With 929 wins and 11 national championships, the Wolverines have the highest winning percentage of any college football team in history.
  • U-M has both men’s and women’s basketball teams. The men’s team has appeared in the NCAA Playoffs Final Four as many as 8 times.
  • Some of your favorite major league baseball players may have started with the Wolverines. As many as 138 players have gone on to the major leagues. Just this year, the baseball team made it to the College World Series.
  • If you’re visiting in the summer, men’s and women’s soccer is another popular Wolverines sport, both for spectators and potential future athletes.
  • Ice Hockey. The ice hockey team is a member of the Big Ten conference, and they’ve won nine NCAA championships.
  • Women’s rowing is a more recent varsity sport in U-M’s athletic program. It started as a club sport in 1991 and became a varsity sport in 1996.
In neighboring Ypsilanti, you can also enjoy sports from the Eastern Michigan University Eagles, including football, baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, track and field, and wrestling. The Eagles also play in Division I so you may catch a game of the Wolverines vs. Eagles while you’re here.
Where to Watch
Are you a spectator or a student-athlete hoping to check out the field where you might play in the coming year? Here are some of the facilities you’ll find at the University of Michigan:
At Eastern Michigan University, there’s also:
  • Rynearson Stadium
  • Convocation Center
  • Oestrike Stadium
  • Jones Natatorium
  • Scicluna Field
  • Joe’s Sports Dome
  • Wasik Tennis Center
  • Eaglecrest Golf Club

Where to Stay

The University Inn in Ann Arbor is located near the University of Michigan campus, making it the perfect place to stay for Wolverines fans. We also offer a 10% discount if student-athletes or families of athletes with either U-M or Eastern Michigan University book their stay with us directly. Contact us today for more information.
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Sunday, September 22, 2019

6 FUN FACTS ABOUT ANN ARBOR

Ann Arbor is a college city full of character. It’s the kind of city that’s best “kept weird.” From the quirky, vast food chain Zingerman’s to multiple music venues and even local lore, you’re sure to find things that set Ann Arbor apart from anywhere you’ve ever been. Need more incentive to visit? Here are a few fun facts about Ann Arbor:

Argus Camera Company

Argus Camera Company was founded in Ann Arbor in 1936 and sold off until about 1969. Its cameras, however, remain part of popular culture, particularly the popular C3. You may have seen one in several famous movies, including Abbott and Costello’s In the Navy, The Philadelphia Story, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. In Harry Potter, muggle-born Colin Creevey carries with him a beloved C3 to eagerly take wizard photos.

Ann Arbor

An arbor is defined as a garden grove shaded by trees, and it’s a fitting name for Ann Arbor, home to 158 parks and 14.5 million trees. In a world where deforestation is a massive environmental issue, it’s reassuring to know that Tree Town is still going strong.

“Recycling Pioneer”

These days, going green is an important issue in many cities, but Ann Arbor is a little ahead of the game. It was named a “Recycling Pioneer” by the EPA as early as 1998. In fact, it’s known to be one of the top 20 cities when it comes to waste reduction in the United States.

Path to the Academy Awards

The Ann Arbor Film Festival is not just a place to catch a cool new film. It’s also one of the only Academy Award qualifying festivals in the United States. It’s been host to a number of famous guests over the years, including Andy Warhol, Gus Van Sant, Yoko Ono, and George Lucas.

Fairy Doors

One of the most whimsical things about Ann Arbor is the series of fairy doors you may find throughout the city. These tiny doors are built into walls both inside and out throughout the city. You may even find a goblin door. Fortunately, you can make a scavenger hunt out of it by checking out the tour map provided by self-proclaimed “virologist,” Jonathan B. Wright.

Fragel

Until a year ago, Ann Arbor was home to something of a local delicacy: the fragile. It started with with a mere raisin bagel. From there, MD Bagel Fragel deep-friend the dough and rolled it in cinnamon and sugar. The end result was perhaps an acquired taste but certainly fun and distinctly Ann Arbor. Unfortunately, MD Bagel Fragel closed last fall after 25 years, but many locals still look fondly on the fragile.
These are only a few of the characteristics that make Ann Arbor as funky and fun as it is. The best way to learn more is to visit and experience it for yourself. Looking for accommodations? University Inn of Ann Arbor offers a 10% discount to students and families visiting the University of Michigan, as well as U-M or Eastern Michigan University student-athletes and families of student-athletes. Contact us today to book directly.
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