Ann Arbor: Where U-M Moms Have as Much Fun as Their Kids

by Linda Konner

Are you among the parents of the 39,570 students who applied to enter the University of Michigan/ Ann Arbor this year? Only about 6000 of these smart young men and women will be lucky enough to be admitted as freshman to this top-ranked school. But if they get lucky, then so do you, Mom. Just ask the parents of any current U-M student. They’ll tell you that as much fun as it is visiting their kids for a campus tour or a game at the U-M stadium (talk about luck – just try getting Big Blue tickets), it’s possibly even more fun for the folks to simply hang out in Ann Arbor which, despite its college-town label, is jam-packed with shops, galleries, terrific restaurants (225 of them!), and entertainment of all stripes. In fact, Ann Arbor store owners and residents say that parents of U-M grads are generally heartbroken after graduation – they no longer have an excuse to visit the place they’ve come to know and enjoy so much during their occasional weekend excursions to visit the young’uns.

Well, you don’t need an excuse to explore Ann Arbor, an easy half-hour drive from the Detroit airport. The perfect Ann Arbor weekend starts on Friday afternoon, when you’ll want to do a gallery crawl. Check out some of excellent downtown art galleries, many of them showcasing the work of local talent. WSG, for example, is a cooperative gallery on Main Street, owned by 16 artists, all from Michigan and some of whom teach art at the university. The Clay Gallery down the street features the work of ceramic artists. The cream-and-black oversize bowls by Monica Wilson are exquisite, and 87-year-old J.T. Abernathy, an internationally-known ceramicist, has some of his impressive pieces on display as well.  

While on Main Street, make sure to stop in some of the fine shops you’ll see along the way, including the heavenly-smelling La Belle Maison (tabletop items, household accessories and beauty treats, mostly imported from France).  Selo-Shevel impresses with its creativity that starts with its fabulous window displays and continues inside with a wonderful array of hand-carved wooden boxes,  gemstone pieces designed by Ann Arbor jewelry-maker Ruth Taubman and other gifts.  And don’t miss Peaceable Kingdom at 210 Main, which – as you’ve surely guessed – is chock-full of animal gifts, stuffed animals and toys, everything from magnetic dog bookmarks to Hello Kitty purses to sock monkeys. And if you prefer real animals, say hello to the two friendly Russell terriers wandering about the shop (appropriately named Jane Russell and Rosalind Russell).

By this time you’ll certainly be eager for dinner. Try Conor O’Neill’s, a lively Irish pub that’s been part of the downtown Ann Arbor scene for the past 13 years. Owner Tom Murray’s Irish roots are on display throughout the place, from its slate fireplace imported from Ireland to the Gaelic football jerseys hanging on the wall to its Irish menu specialties like boxty (potato pancakes). It goes without saying that there are plenty of interesting beers available too.

Start Saturday with breakfast at Tea Haus, in the Kerrytown district of Ann Arbor. The place is cozy and adorned with teapots of all shapes and sizes, tea-making paraphernalia, books and all things tea-oriented. Don’t miss the orange-peppermint tea and the raspberry white-chocolate scones.

Whether or not you have kids in attendance at U-M, you’ll want to be sure to make a campus visit to see three things in particular. First is the Michigan Stadium, aka, “the Big House,” the country’s largest college-owned stadium, with a staggering 110,000 capacity.  Next, the Baird Carillon, aka, the bell tower, with its 55 bells, some weighing just a few pounds all the way up to 12 tons. When school is in session, you’ll hear plenty of ring-a-ding-dinging. And third, there’s the U-M Museum of Art, boasting some 18,000 works in its permanent collection (including more Picassos than any other university art museum) and an especially impressive Asian art collection (not surprising given Ann Arbor’s large Korean community). The painstakingly embroidered wedding kimono and the Zodiac screen alone are worth the visit.

Hungry? Stop by the Roadhouse, just one of the eateries and stores that comprise the empire known as Zingerman’s, an Ann Arbor institution.  Roadhouse chef Alex Young recently won the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Great Lakes Area, and his mouthwatering specialties include pulled pork with mustard sauce and a mac ’n’ cheese you won’t find in any Kraft box. His meats are prepared on a slow-cook BBQ pit outside the restaurant (he cooks up a whole hog nearly every day), and that careful preparation comes though in every mouthful.

You’ll probably want to work off some of those calories. What better – and more fun – way to do it than to head to the Huron River and try a bit of kayaking. The Argo Park canoe livery will get you set up, and from there it’s a short drive to the Barton Dam, from which you depart for a 90-minute downriver ride to Gallup Park. The scenery is unbeatable and, ladies, it’s a great upper-arm workout.  

When dinnertime rolls around, wine-lovers will enjoy Vinology, which serves some 100 different wines by the bottle and 50 by the glass, not to mention locally-sourced, seasonal “small plate” menu items. Owner John Jonna will happily make pairing suggestions for you.

The perfect Saturday night activity? The Ark, Ann Arbor’s premier showcase for music of all kinds (oops! No rock or hip-hop. Hey, it’s all for the best…) was founded in 1965. The surprisingly intimate 400-seat club serves drinks and snacks and offers folk, blues, jazz, world music 300 nights a year, and tickets can be as little as $20.  Among the artists who over the years have made the Ark their Ann Arbor home include Taj Mahal, Arlo Guthrie, David Bromberg, Leon Redbone and Nanci Griffith.   Who knows what terrific performer – well-loved or up-and-comer -- will be appearing when you’re in town?

Head back home on Sunday morning after brunch (with or without the kids). And look forward to your next trip to Ann Arbor. Don’t be surprised if you discover a whole new array of fun and activities you somehow missed the last time around.

Ann Arbor Area Convention & Visitors Bureau: 734/995-7281 or 800/888-9487; www.visitannarbor.org;   info@annarbor.org.