I’m wondering if people have any suggestions for what to do outside of campus social life. Most of my friends are still going to house parties, greek, etc. but since I don’t drink much I’m hoping to explore the actual city more. I’ve heard of the Blind Pig and The Ark - anything else worth checking out?
Have you looked at the events at the UM SMTD? (School of Music Theater and Dance) Go to the UM SMTD website and click on the performances and events tab at the top.
There are so many great concerts, recitals, plays, etc. on a daily basis that are mostly free, such an awesome resource and IMO underutilized and under attended by the population of students outside of the SMTD.
UMS ( University Musical Society) has great events that students can get discount tickets to. Michigan Theater and Kerrytown theater also have events. Hope this helps, I wish I lived there and could take advantage of all those resources!
Also look at the University Record. It has a list of every university event including recitals by music students, lectures, public discussion, etc. You could do 10 different things a day or more. You can volunteer as an usher at the Ark and get in free, there are concerts at Kerrytown, and tons of student organizations. Pioneer HS has an awesome theater department too. There are also lots of local participant sports, leagues, Sunday bike rides, etc. etc. Lots of cheap eats around town too.
Nichols Arboretum visits, kayaking Huron river, work on major events like Ann Arbor film festival or art Fair, Ann Arbor district libraries have terrific programming and there’s one downtown and one near North campus (schedules at aadl.org), wander farmers markets. If you have a car, explore Chelsea, Ypsi, Detroit, apple picking at local orchards. I remember years ago the language departments would show free foreign films at MLB. Art museum and Kelsey museum on campus are great wandering and may have lectures or other events. Sports other than football to watch at event. UM has an outdoor club with equipment and trips. I will think some more, what are you into?
I would go to Zingerman’s on Detroit St.and the nearby Ann Arbor market. Zingerman’s is great for sandwiches, drinks, coffee, and desserts; and I see some students studying in the adjoining house to the store. It has exotic foods, great cheeses, and olive oils. It is a great place just to explore.
The Ann Arbor Visitors Bureau has a ton of information. See https://www.visitannarbor.org/. If you go to the “Play” section, you can filter on things like farmers markets, theaters, nightlife, museums, etc.
Awesome, this is so helpful! Thank you! Planning to go to a SMTD show this weekend. And the VisitAnnArbor site has a ton on it. I wish they separated it by events more instead of having all of the businesses stuck in there too. Definitely good for finding new places though. Didn’t know like 3/4 of them.
And @treschicos into outdoor activities. Hopefully they’re still putting things on in the winter. No car unfortunately. Other hobbies are reading, knitting, hiking (this kind of falls into outdoor). Thanks again for the suggestions.
Agree with @agosto. I’ve met alot of people around town this way. You might also try taking a class of some sort. The Ann Arbor Art Center has them, and I think the library does too. Good way to get out do something on a regular basis.