12 Things to Do This Summer in Ann Arbor, Michigan
The official start of summer is only a few weeks away! While we’re sad to see spring go, we are looking forward to warmer weather, school breaks, exciting events and, of course, plenty of ice cream.
From exploring Ann Arbor’s many museums to dining al fresco on Main Street, we’ve rounded up a list of our favorite summer activities in the area. How many will you get to this season?
When the weather heats up in Ann Arbor, our usual craving for local food, Michigan beer and artisan cocktails combines with our need for summer sunshine. The ideal places to satisfy that desire include garden patios, beer gardens, and patios bathed in cozy string lights or shaded by trees along Main Street. And, with social distancing still encouraged, more and more restaurants are continuing to move their business outside to give their patrons room to spread out. Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Saline are just a few local towns that have closed down streets to allow restaurants to open makeshift patios in the street. So, this summer, take advantage of all the outdoor dining opportunities! If you’re looking for recommendations, we even have a list of the best outdoor patios in Ann Arbor for you to visit.
Visit the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market
Here in Ann Arbor, you can shop the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market year-round on Saturdays. But beginning in May, market hours get longer and you can shop two days a week—Wednesday and Saturday. So don’t miss the chance to shop from some of Southeast Michigan’s best farmers and vendors this season. Currently, they are also offering preorders and curbside pickup, if you’d rather shop the market from the comfort of home!
As the can’t-miss, arts-centered event of the summer, the 2021 Ann Arbor Summer Festival will include world-class entertainment in comedy, cinema, food, jazz, pop and rock, acoustic, spoken word, public radio, and so much more. This year, due to COVID-19, they’ve decided to host several smaller popups and outdoor events, rather than the usual large shebang, all summer long. You can learn more, get information about the lineup and reserve tickets, here!
And the Ann Arbor Art Fair (July 15–18)
Kicked off by Townie Street Party and hosted in conjunction with the State Street Art Fair, Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair and Ann Arbor’s South University Art Fair, the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair has grown into quite the event. All about town, you’ll find stage performances, and street painting, an art activity zone, a youth art fair, and more. The fun will kick off on July 15th and will run through the 18th, with a variety of art, street performances, culinary treats and sidewalk sales.
Paddle down the Huron River
Ann Arbor and its surrounding communities have developed along the banks of the Huron River amid countless lakes and ponds suitable for paddle sports. So, whether you want a challenging route down the river or a peaceful float atop a lake, you’ll find the perfect setting right here.
Some of the best places to get on the river can be found in Argo Park and Gallup Park, which are connected by the Huron River and home to the Argo Canoe Livery and the Gallup Park Canoe Livery, respectively. Want to learn more? We have a complete guide to kayaking in Ann Arbor!
Tour some of Ann Arbor’s breweries
We certainly have no shortage of craft breweries here in Ann Arbor. Our town is home to Wolverine State Brewing Co., HOMES Brewery, Grizzly Peak Brewing Company, Edelbrau Brewing Company and many more. And now that the weather is getting pretty hot, there’s no better time to take yourself on a self-guided brewery tour, hitting all the above spots and even more. Luckily, we happen to have a guide for that, too!
Soak up the A/C at a local museum
When it’s just too hot outside—head inside one of Ann Arbor’s many local museums! Through the university, our town has been blessed with community and kid-friendly educational centers like the University of Michigan Museum of Art, Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum, the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, the Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments, the Museum of Natural History and so many more. Many of these are also recognized as the largest and/or most significant university collections in the country! We’re also home to the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum, the Michigan Firehouse Museum, the African American Cultural & Historical Museum of Washtenaw County and so many more.
Hit a local swimming hole
There’s no better way to cool off in the summer than by making a splash! Make it a point this season to adventure to a new swimming spot while the sun is still hot. We’ve rounded up our favorite public pools, rivers, lakes, swimming holes and more for your convenience, so what are you waiting for? Jump on in! The water’s great.
It’s worth noting that due to the pandemic, several local swimming spots are open but do not have a lifeguard standing by. We recommend being cautious and aware of your surroundings at all times, especially when swimming with small children.
Play a round of putt-putt at Putterz
Is there anything more fun than spending a warm afternoon playing a round of putt-putt at a local mini golf course? Putterz in Ypsilanti offers everything from a large game room and batting cages to a 54-hole golf course. Three miniature golf games cost just $10 per person so this is a great budget-friendly summer activity, too!
Get ice cream
You’re going to need a sweet treat to reward yourself after all this adventuring, and there’s no doubt that ice cream is the universal favorite when it comes to summer desserts. Next time you and your family are screaming for a scoop, shake or a sundae, check out our list of the top ice cream shops in the Ann Arbor area. These spots are sure to satisfy even the most stubborn sweet tooth!
Explore Ann Arbor’s many parks
City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation maintains a whopping 159 parks and 15 park facilities. Their list includes neighborhood pocket parks, larger community parks, golf courses and huge, undeveloped nature areas that are open to explore. In our blog post, Your Summer Guide to Ann Arbor’s City Parks, Mapped, we rounded up the largest and the best—offering kayaking, picnicking, disc golf and dirt bike courses, hiking trails, tennis and basketball courts, softball fields and even dog parks! And, if you are looking for some kid-friendly fun in the parks, check out our guide to the coolest playgrounds in Ann Arbor while you’re at it.
Go on a road trip
As much as we love Ann Arbor, sometimes it’s nice to get away. When you’re feeling the need to escape ASAP (or just looking to save a bit of travel dough), a road trip can be the best option. To give you a head start, we’ve gathered up some of our favorite scenic drives within easy reach of Ann Arbor. So, grab your sense of wanderlust and hit the road—adventure awaits!
Have a great summer!
What are your plans for summer 2021 in Ann Arbor? Let us know in the comments below!
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