We have listed here some unique places in and near Ann Arbor and Detroit. These places are close enough, such that you could plan to go there for an evening or a day. For sight-seeing/ vacationing/ camping opportunities, please refer to the In and Around Michigan page. Of course, there are many more places that you don't need ISA to tell you about :-).
Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti region
Ice Skating at Yost Arena
1000 South State Street
phone: (734)764-4600
Yost Ice Arena is the place where U of M hosts its ice hockey and figure skating competitions. For public skating times, skate rental price and directions, visit the Yost Arena website
A2 Ice3
2121 Oak Valley Drive
phone: (734)213-1600
Private ice rink that offers daily public skating and drop-in hockey. In addition, you can also play broomball. For more information, visit their website.
Putt-Putt Golf & Games
2675 Washtenaw, Ypsilanti
phone: (734)434-2838
This place has three 18-hole golf course in the trademark Putt-Putt(r) format (It is an carpeted course, where you putt around artificial obstacles. You can complete an entire course in half an hour even if you haven't played golf before.). It also has a baseball/softball batting cage (where you can bat against a pitching machine). More information is available on their website.
Canoeing on the Huron River (Argo Park/Delhi Metropark)
Argo Canoe Livery
1055 Longshore Dr
phone: (734)668-7411
Season April thru October
Sat & Sun 9am-8pm; Mon-Fri closed
AND
3902 E. Delhi
phone: (734)426-8211 OR (800)477-3191
The Delhi metropark has a canoe livery (Skip's Huron River Canoe Livery - ph. 734-769-8686), where you can rent canoes for 8 mile or 3 mile courses. It is a good idea to call in and reserve a canoe. Some information is available at the following website.
Rock Climbing at Planet Rock
82 Aprill Dr.
phone: (734)827-2680
The Planet Rock Climbing Gym in Ann Arbor (as also the one in Pontiac) is amongst the tallest and largest climbing gyms in the world. The unique terrain caters to complete novices and seasoned pros alike. To know more about timings and prices, please visit the Planet Rock website.
Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
314 E. Liberty
phone: (734)996-9080
This place features shows by some of the best stand up comedians in the country. To know who's performing this week, please visit the Comedy Showcase website.
Gallup Park
phone: (734)662-9319
The city's most popular park, it has arched footbridges connecting a series of small islands along the Huron river. Canoes, paddleboats, and bikes can be rented. A bike trail, heavily used by joggers and in-line skaters, runs along the south bank of the river all the way to Dixboro Rd. For a complete listing of the parks in Ann Arbor, with maps and features, please visit the City of Ann Arbor website.
Nichols Arboretum
1610 Washington Hts.
phone: (734)998-9540
website
University of Michigan's Nichols Arboretum is a 123 acre "living museum" nestled in the hills adjacent to UM's Central Campus. One entrance to the arb is near the medical college buildings. The arb is a nice, tranquil place especially in spring, when all the flowers are in full bloom.
Natural Sciences Museum
1109 Geddes Ave.
phone: (734)764-0478
The 'U-M Exhibit Museum of Natural History' features an astounding variety of exhibits; such as galleries on prehistoric life, Michigan wildlife (one of the few places you can see a stuffed wolverine), native american life and culture, etc. It also has a planetarium with shows on weekends. The museum's website can be reached here.
U-M Museum of Art
525 S. State
phone: (734)763-8662
The permanent collections of this museum, considered to be one of the finest university art museums in the country, encompass both Western and Asian art from early times through the present. There is also a wide range of special exhibitions, often several at a time. The museum's website can be reached here.
Outside Ann Arbor
Detroit Science Center
5020 John R Street, Detroit, MI 48202
phone: (313)577-8400
This new science center in Detroit (slightly south of I-94 near I-75) boasts of a Planetarium and an IMAX theater. It has many exhibits and also has labs set up by Dow, GM, DTE, etc. More information can be obtained from the center's website.
Mt. Brighton Ski Resort
4141 Bauer Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
phone: (810)229-9581
This is a nice place for skiing for beginners and pros alike. Its only 45 minutes north of Ann Arbor (take US23 N and then I96 W upto exit 145). There are 26 slopes with varying difficulty. Training is also available. Artificial snow making machine allows some slopes to be open even when there is less snowfall. It is a good idea to call them and check whether slopes are open. More information can be obtained from their website.
The Henry Ford museum and Greenfield village (and IMAX theater)
20900 Oakwood Blvd.,Dearborn, MI 48124
phone: (313)271-1620
America's largest indoor/outdoor museum celebrates the spirit of invention. The 12 acre Henry Ford Museum features world-renowned treasures such as the limousine in which President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, Edgar Allan Poe's writing desk, and George Washington's camp bed. The Greenfield village acts like a vast outdoor museum, with parlours, workshops, farms, etc. reminiscent of America's past. The place also has an IMAX theater playing the latest IMAX movies (tickets - 313-271-1570). More information is available on their website.