So, I’ve been extremely fortunate with a few colleges in the bag and my family and I have decided to come to UMich Campus Day form California to get a feel for Ann Arbor and the university as it’s currently my top pick. I am favoring it over UChicago, Hopkins, Northwestern and a few UC’s for computer science.
If the great UMich folks here would recommend great places to eat, places to drive to for its beauty and other things to do in Ann Arbor it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Zingerman’s Deli is iconic, great for a simple lunch. Blank Slate Creamery is good for ice cream, also Washtenaw Dairy. If the weather is nice, walk through Kerrytown to get a feel for what the immediate-off-campus area is like. Lots of great restaurants there for dinner.
If you like museums (and especially if you are traveling with younger siblings), the UM Museum of Natural History is relatively small but a nice gem. Also the Museum of Art. If you have much younger siblings with you, the Hands on Museum will be great for them to recover from the boredom of hanging out with you.
Being early spring, the scenery won’t be that great yet. If your tour doesn’t include the Law Quad, make sure you go there before leaving campus (it probably will include it). There may be some things to see at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens since there’s a conservatory there.
Wow! This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the suggestions.
We are heading out for Campus Day, too, but from the other coast.
Thanks for the deli suggestion Choski
You’re welcome. And I didn’t bother to mention seeing the Big House because I assume you will see it on your tour. 
Warning: If you do go to Zingerman’s during a busy time, be prepared to wait. I would not think you could just rush over for a quick bite and then rush back to campus. Lines can be VERY long and it’s rather expensive for a deli, too.
Where students go to watch a game… Game keepers, The Brown Jug… Both good hamburgers, pizza etc. Very crowded and loud on game days. Pizza Bob’s for hot fudge chocolate shakes or any other combination you would like and they make a chipati which like like a salad in a pita with their special dressing… Yum…
Best part of Michigan and Ann Arbor is just to walk around and explore. Plenty of places to see and eat.
I am from Chicago… Closest to Michigan is Northwestern but it’s a different vibe and feel. U of Chicago is a great school but you are in Hyde Park which is great during the day. Students don’t really go to downtown Chicago and they canceled their bus that used to take them since nobody ever used it.
Ann Arbor really has it all. Enjoy your visit.
Definitely go to Zingerman’s. As @Choski94 said, it’s iconic. (I love the Georgia Reuben on 7-grain.)
Walk on South University and on State Street just on the edges of the campus (different sides of campus). Those are the two commercial areas adjacent to campus. While on State Street stop into the M-Den, where you’ll find all the MIchigan bling you could ever want. The two other nearby commercial areas are downtown Ann Arbor and Kerrytown (where Zingerman’s is). My kids love Sava’s on State Street. Downtown you can check out Frito Batido’s and Isalita. I also happen to love the Zingerman’s Roadhouse, which is a sit-down, casual restaurant a few miles from campus.
Spend time sitting on a bench on the Diag just to get a feel for the students walking around. When we were looking at the campus we hopped on a few of the free blue buses and just rode the routes. It’s free to everyone. No need for a university ID.
Also, Angelo’s near the medical center is popular for brunch.
Awesome! Thank you everyone so much for the great suggestions…hot fudge chocolate shakes?..This field trip is going to be a lot of fun.
@KES2022… You can do that but I meant to say… Hot fudge chocolate “chip” shakes!!! :))
Big House isn’t on the tour. Walk around a bit by the stadium and Schembeckler Hall nearby
Pizza House, MDen for some cool apparel, Savas (posh restaurant) are nice too… adding to your list.
Thank you to all of you. Please keep the suggestions coming if there are any more. I think we’ll be there for several days.
Meijer would have cheap UM gears than MDen.
Funny, Zingermans was recommended to us but we didn’t love it. Great sandwiches but kinda off the beaten path and with only 2-3 days in Ann Arbor, I would suggest staying closer to campus to get a feel for kids and buzz. Sava is great! Bar Louie, Mani. Then on the other side of campus, we went to Brown Jug and Pizza House— both student hangouts! And go to the coffee shops for a glimpse of how students hang and study. UMichigan does a great job! Super impressive kids presented at Campus Day!
@Living61 Which Zingermans did you go to?
Best place to get an Iced Coffee or Iced Mocha ? NOT Starbucks
How can you not love zingermans 
Bearclaw Coffee
http://www.bearclawcoffee.com/
Zingerman s is a must for lunch! Mani Osteria for dinner was fun, as well as the Jolly Pumpkin!
It’s exactly one mile from the Michigan Union (I just checked the map). You can walk that route in 15 minutes or drive it in five minutes.