Ann Arbor has an almost cult following of people who adore it, despite the shitty winters. If you’re from anywhere outside Michigan, you probably wonder why.
Here’s a quick list of my favorite things about Ann Arbor:
- Zingerman’s Deli: It’s an institution. So much so that even New Yorkers will have a Zingerman’s Reuben Kit FedExed to them for $120 plus shipping. I wouldn’t be willing to spend that for a sandwich I need to build myself, but I gladly fork over $15.99 for Binny’s Brooklyn Reuben whenever I’m in town.
- Top of the Park: What a great venue – Ann Arbor hosts a Music/Movie festival outside on top of a downtown parking structure every summer. Free entertainment and a great use of space.
- The Fairy Doors: Yep. Ann Arbor is the home to urban fairies, and if you look carefully, you will find access points – or Fairy Doors – all around town:
- Odd People: If you can look past the undergrads (who are undeniably obnoxious and believe pedestrians have the right of way everywhere), you’ll find a lot of interesting people on the streets of Ann Arbor. Like Joe Jangles, the one man band:
- The Art Fair: Well, to be accurate, I should say Fairs because there are actually four distinct fairs that are held concurrently, so that pretty much all of Ann Arbor’s downtown streets are packed with hundreds of artists. Think I’m exaggerating? Check Wikipedia – it claims that over 500,000 people attend the fair year.
- The U-M Marching Band: I know, I’m a Spartan to my core, but I can’t help but get excited when I hear the band play. Unless, of course, its during the Michigan-Michigan State pregame. Tell me this doesn’t get you going:
- The Washtenaw Dairy: Yum. If you love ice cream, you haven’t lived until you’ve had a chance to sample from their list of amazing flavors.
- The Annual Hash Bash: I’m no stoner, but I have to respect a town where people gather annually to smoke weed in public, and the most that police do is issue $25 fines. That screams of its hippie roots.
pithypants 
Wow! Being a U of M fan, I know it must have taken some guts to admit all of that, since you bleed green! 🙂 May I also add that I find the “naked mile” to be an INTERESTING event in Ann Arbor! I never fully understood the necessity to get mostly naked (they usually wore a backpack and their shoes) in front of hundreds of people! Still, like a train wreck, I couldn’t take my eyes off it! I think the majority of the people had to be partaking in some of the herbals as well!
Linda… you know what’s funny? I had the Naked Mile as an item on this list, but then went to Wikipedia to verify a few facts and found out – gasp! – that it has been discontinued?! WHAT? It was such a ritual – but apparently has gone the way of the dodo. I’m glad there are people out there who can keep it alive in the retelling!