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MARVAC
South-Central
Driving Tour: Tour Historic and Beautiful Ann Arbor
Region
Driving Time: 26 minutes, driving Mileage: 7.4 miles MARVAC Staff Recommendation from Marenia Rabi,
MARVAC Controller The Parlour in Jackson needs to be on every ice cream lover’s list. More than 100 years old, stepping into The Parlour is like going back in time to a 1950s diner. Last time we were there, I counted 45 flavors of old fashioned, hand-dipped ice cream. The scoops are HUGE – and if you can, try the “Dare to be Great” challenge.... eat 21 scoops in an hour and it’s free!
Stop ➊
Leslie Science and
your time exploring! It’s easy to walk around and meander into shops as you please.
Stop ➌
Nickels Arcade
Next up is another shopping district, Nickels Arcade. It’s a covered shopping district that stretches more than 250 feet along a mosaic-tiled corridor – and it houses some of the town’s oldest spe- cialty retail shops.
Stop ➍
University of Michigan, www.umich.edu
Continue walking down State Street toward the campus of the University
of Michigan. This historic institution
is known for more than its nationally recognized football team. It has one
of the best law schools and medical schools in the country, not to mention international recognition across multiple other disciplines. The campus, though extensive, is very walkable, as it’s situated within the city limits. You’ll
find exquisite architecture all around, including the Law Quad (think “Harry Potter”), the library, and Hill Auditorium. Visit the Natural History Museum,
which is free to the public, or take
a walk around the beautiful Nichol’s Arboretum. Of course, you don’t want to forget to see Michigan Stadium, and tours are available if you set them up beforehand. It’s easy to spend an entire day exploring this “mini city” that nearly 50,000 students call home.
Stop ➎ Lillie Park You’ll need to get in a vehicle again to reach our final destination. Lillie
Park is a hidden gem on the south side of Ann Arbor. There’s a playground
for the kids as well as a network of short, interconnected hiking trails, including some with wooden bridges and boardwalks that cross ponds. If it’s around mealtime, eat at the pavilion
or picnic area. Bring the fishing poles and try your luck at one of the scenic overlooks. There are two entrances off of Platte Road. You can look at the map online for complete details at: www.pittsfield-mi.gov/Document Center/View/361/Lillie-Park- Map?bidId=.
Nature Center www.lesliesnc.org
Located on the north side of Ann Arbor and with most of the center open to the public year-round, the Leslie Science and Nature Center has been a gift for all since before its formal establishment in the 1980s. One of the most popular attractions is the raptor enclosures, and there are programs throughout the year to introduce you to the occupants. In every season there is something new
to see and hear along the one-mile loop of the Black Pond Woods Trail. Geocachers can search for three official geocaches hidden on-site. The Critter House, the home for a variety of native reptiles, amphibians, and more, allows you to get up close and personal. In short, it’s a wonderful location to spend some time outdoors and learn a thing or two, as well as conveniently located to the heart of Ann Arbor. Our next three stops are within a one-mile walking distance from one another, so hop in your vehicle of choice and drive down to...
Stop ➋ Kerrytown www.kerrytown.com
Ask locals where to go and they
will likely direct you to the Kerrytown portion of Ann Arbor that many feel is distinctive and reminiscent of an earlier time. In addition to the unique shops and eateries (Zingerman’s, anyone?), handcrafted wares, and friendly shop owners, Kerrytown is also home to the 103-year-old Ann Arbor Farmer’s Mar- ket, which is open for on-site shopping on Saturdays from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Take
If you’re in the area
this summer...
If you love fairs and festivals, then you can’t beat lively Ann Arbor in the summer. The nearby quaint towns of Saline, Dexter, and Chelsea also host their share of summer events, so make sure to peek at an event listing before you get into the area!
Ann Arbor Summer Festival | a2sf.org | A2SF is an independent, non-profit dedicated to presenting a world-class celebration of arts and entertainment that enriches the cultural, economic, and social vitality of the region. June-July.
State Street Area Art Fair
| statestreetdistrict.org/fair | The Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair is one of the three nationally recognized and award-winning art fairs, collectively known as the Ann Arbor Art Fair. For 3 days in July, downtown Ann Arbor is transformed into the nation’s largest juried art fair with over 400,000 attendees.
Sights & Sounds Festival
| chelseamich.com/annual-events/ssf/ | Sounds & Sights Festival is an annual summer weekend event in historic Chelsea, Michigan. The event started over four decades ago and is a high- light of summer that draws visitors from all
over the state and beyond.
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