The best things to do in Ann Arbor

35 things to do we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Entertainment · 35 places · showing the latest additions first

Rouge Park Golf Course is that classic Detroit muni with wide fairways, an 18-hole par 72 layout, and a river that gets involved on nine…

11701 Burt Rd (Detroit)

Rouge Park Golf Course is that classic Detroit muni with wide fairways, an 18-hole par 72 layout, and a river that gets involved on nine holes. Warm up at the driving range this week, then see if you can survive the notoriously tough No. 2 and still brag at dinner.

From the Redford newsletter, September 20, 2026

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Chandler Park Golf Course is your low-stress Par 71 with rolling fairways, contoured greens, and a roomy practice putting green. Recognized…

12801 Chandler Park Dr (Detroit)

Chandler Park Golf Course is your low-stress Par 71 with rolling fairways, contoured greens, and a roomy practice putting green. Recognized by Golf Digest as a top women-friendly course, it’s a go-to this week for a relaxed round, leagues, outings, or a quick swing tune up.

From the Detroit newsletter, September 20, 2026

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Redford Theatre

Entertainment

Redford Theatre is Detroit’s historic movie house where films are the way they were meant to be seen, complete with a working Barton pipe…

17360 Lahser Rd (Detroit)

Redford Theatre is Detroit’s historic movie house where films are the way they were meant to be seen, complete with a working Barton pipe organ and serious vintage vibes. This Friday, August 7, they’re rolling Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) with those Jim Henson Creature Shop suits...

From the Redford newsletter, September 15, 2026

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Lake Forest Golf Club is Ann Arbor’s neighborhood course, with a friendly layout, solid practice facilities, leagues, and instruction when…

3110 W Ellsworth Rd

Lake Forest Golf Club is Ann Arbor’s neighborhood course, with a friendly layout, solid practice facilities, leagues, and instruction when the wedge starts misbehaving. Sneak in a round, then refuel at The Ellsworth Food & Spirits in the clubhouse because birdies pair nicely with a good bite.

From the Ann Arbor newsletter, August 3, 2026

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Ann Lewis Mural (A2AC Murals) is a tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, wrapping a maze-like design around hidden words that nod to her dream of…

123 N Ashley St

Ann Lewis Mural (A2AC Murals) is a tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, wrapping a maze-like design around hidden words that nod to her dream of nine women on the Court. Take a quick lap this week, see how many you can spot, then let the quiet activism sink in.

From the Ann Arbor newsletter, August 10, 2026

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Chain of movie theaters, some with multiple screens, stadium seats & self-service ticketing kiosks.

4100 Carpenter Rd (Ypsilanti)

Chain of movie theaters, some with multiple screens, stadium seats & self-service ticketing kiosks.

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Ann Arbor Golf & Outing Club is a low-key private spot for members, with a sweet 9-hole track you can loop for 18, a historic clubhouse and…

400 E Stadium Blvd

Ann Arbor Golf & Outing Club is a low-key private spot for members, with a sweet 9-hole track you can loop for 18, a historic clubhouse and front porch hang, plus tennis and pickleball... and a long-running Wolverine tailgate scene when fall Saturdays roll around.

From the Ann Arbor newsletter, September 1, 2026

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BIG Best In Games - The Ultimate Event Party Venue! is the kind of all-in-one chaos worth rallying the crew for this week. Rip around on…

4095 Carpenter Rd Suite A (Ypsilanti)

BIG Best In Games - The Ultimate Event Party Venue! is the kind of all-in-one chaos worth rallying the crew for this week. Rip around on high-speed go-karts, duck through laser tag, sink glow-in-the-dark putts, then keep the energy up with axe throwing, bumper cars, obstacle courses, and a giant arcade.

From the Ann Arbor newsletter, August 17, 2026

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Fox Theatre

Entertainment

Detroit’s crown jewel is calling. The Fox Theatre keeps the calendar stacked with big-name concerts, award-winning Broadway hits, and…

Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave (Detroit) · ✓ checked Sep 18

Detroit’s crown jewel is calling. The Fox Theatre keeps the calendar stacked with big-name concerts, award-winning Broadway hits, and interactive stage shows, all inside a historic stunner with unique views from the main floor, suite level, and balcony that make any night out feel a little extra.

From the Detroit newsletter, August 10, 2026

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Taylor White Mural (A2AC Murals) is a downtown work where skillfully rendered hands meet bold abstract slices, exploring how humans and…

192 S 1st St

Taylor White Mural (A2AC Murals) is a downtown work where skillfully rendered hands meet bold abstract slices, exploring how humans and technology tangle. On the Clinc building in the Creative District, it’s a quick detour for a fresh brain spark between coffee and your next meeting.

From the Ann Arbor newsletter, September 3, 2026

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This park offers forested trails, seasonal tours of its old grist mill & a museum in a cider mill.

4650 Geddes Rd

This park offers forested trails, seasonal tours of its old grist mill & a museum in a cider mill.

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Amusement center featuring trampolines, a rock wall, a ninja course, and an arcade.

800 W Eisenhower Pkwy

Amusement center featuring trampolines, a rock wall, a ninja course, and an arcade.

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Belle Isle Aquarium

Entertainment

Swim the globe without leaving the island at Belle Isle Aquarium, the country’s oldest original aquarium opened in 1904. Open during…

3 Inselruhe Ave (Detroit)

Swim the globe without leaving the island at Belle Isle Aquarium, the country’s oldest original aquarium opened in 1904. Open during construction and full of fish from around the world, it’s an easy, low-key this-week reset when you want a little wonder with your waterfront.

From the Detroit newsletter, August 30, 2026

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Washtenaw Golf Club

Entertainment

If you crave classic golf that rewards accuracy over brute force, Washtenaw Golf Club delivers with narrow tree-lined fairways and quick,…

2955 Packard St (Ypsilanti)

If you crave classic golf that rewards accuracy over brute force, Washtenaw Golf Club delivers with narrow tree-lined fairways and quick, undulating greens on a storied track opened in 1899, the third oldest in Michigan. Book nine or eighteen this week, then debrief on the bar and grill patio overlooking the course.

From the Ann Arbor newsletter, August 28, 2026

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Michigan Stadium

Entertainment

Michigan Stadium lives up to its Big House nickname as the largest stadium in the U.S. Built in 1927 and seating 109,901, it’s home to…

1201 S Main St

S. Built in 1927 and seating 109,901, it’s home to Michigan Football, those crowd-pleasing flyovers, and the kind of electric Saturdays Ann Arbor quietly schedules life around.

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Leslie Park Golf Course is Ann Arbor’s award-winning muni with rolling hills, a classic E. Lawrence Packard layout tuned by Arthur Hills,…

2120 Traver Rd

Leslie Park Golf Course is Ann Arbor’s award-winning muni with rolling hills, a classic E. Lawrence Packard layout tuned by Arthur Hills, and multiple tees for every level. Consistently ranked among Michigan’s best public courses, it’s perfect for leagues, junior golf, or a quick after-work 18 with friends.

From the Ann Arbor newsletter, September 11, 2026

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Give your next coffee run a tiny art field trip with the Jacob Dwyer Mural (A2AC Murals), a bold, graphic ode to Michigan’s red-bellied…

115 N 1st St

Give your next coffee run a tiny art field trip with the Jacob Dwyer Mural (A2AC Murals), a bold, graphic ode to Michigan’s red-bellied woodpecker and Eastern bluebird in full seasonal motion. It’s part natural history lesson, part eye-popping color therapy, all Ann Arbor energy.

From the Ann Arbor newsletter, August 21, 2026

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WC Bevan Mural (A2AC Murals) splashes downtown with high-contrast rhythms and wild architectural echoes, built from stencil shapes sourced…

152-198 W Ann St

WC Bevan Mural (A2AC Murals) splashes downtown with high-contrast rhythms and wild architectural echoes, built from stencil shapes sourced from Bryant neighborhood students with Community Action Network. It’s a quick mood lift on your daily loop, proof that collaboration can color a whole block.

From the Ann Arbor newsletter, September 8, 2026

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Whether you're sneaking in nine after work or chasing birdies with the crew, Stonebridge Golf Club is a public 18-holer from Arthur Hills,…

1825 Clubhouse Dr

Whether you're sneaking in nine after work or chasing birdies with the crew, Stonebridge Golf Club is a public 18-holer from Arthur Hills, with water, woods, and multiple tees that actually welcome all skills.

From the Ann Arbor newsletter, September 4, 2026

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Decode Ann Arbor builds immersive escape rooms with smart puzzles and high production value, so your group chat actually works together for…

3170 Packard St

Decode Ann Arbor builds immersive escape rooms with smart puzzles and high production value, so your group chat actually works together for once. Try The Mezzanine or Around The World In 80 Days, and if you want something different, Finding Stella is a drive-in adventure that keeps the puzzles rolling.

From the Ann Arbor newsletter, September 10, 2026

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Pat Perry Mural (A2AC Murals) brings Detroit-based artist Pat Perry’s intricate, world-traveled storytelling to a big Ann Arbor wall, a…

117 S Ashley St

Pat Perry Mural (A2AC Murals) brings Detroit-based artist Pat Perry’s intricate, world-traveled storytelling to a big Ann Arbor wall, a thoughtful piece that rewards slow looking and mid-errand detours. Stroll by, then let the details sneak up on you.

From the Ann Arbor newsletter, September 14, 2026

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This week, Detroit Film Theatre serves up classic and contemporary films, indie docs and shorts with the kind of thoughtful curation that…

5200 John R St (Detroit)

This week, Detroit Film Theatre serves up classic and contemporary films, indie docs and shorts with the kind of thoughtful curation that turns a night at the movies into a mini festival. When your streaming queue feels like homework, this is where Detroit goes to actually be surprised.

From the Detroit newsletter, August 25, 2026

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The State Theatre

Entertainment

The State Theatre is Ann Arbor’s Art Deco icon since 1942, screening indie gems, classics and the occasional blockbuster across four cozy…

233 S State St

The State Theatre is Ann Arbor’s Art Deco icon since 1942, screening indie gems, classics and the occasional blockbuster across four cozy screens. Head upstairs for the films, then browse the retail below... a community staple that still nails the big-screen magic.

From the Ann Arbor newsletter, September 5, 2026

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Detroit-based illustrator Jesse Kassel brings his Americana-inspired style to the Jesse Kassel Mural (A2AC Murals), a clever, vintage-ad…

112 E Liberty St

Detroit-based illustrator Jesse Kassel brings his Americana-inspired style to the Jesse Kassel Mural (A2AC Murals), a clever, vintage-ad nod you catch new details in every time you pass. Initiated by A2AC and backed by local supporters, it makes your everyday downtown laps feel a little cooler.

From the Ann Arbor newsletter, September 21, 2026

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Pinball Pete's

Entertainment

Pinball Pete's is that downtown standby where pinball, pool, air hockey, and skee-ball still rule, tickets never expire, and receipts work…

500 E Liberty St

Pinball Pete's is that downtown standby where pinball, pool, air hockey, and skee-ball still rule, tickets never expire, and receipts work at both Ann Arbor and East Lansing. Easy drop-ins, legit prize counter, and no-fuss party bookings, whether you're flying solo or corralling a crew.

From the Ann Arbor newsletter, September 20, 2026

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Bel Air Luxury Cinema keeps it simple and fun with new releases, easy advance tickets, and a solid coming-soon lineup to plan around. Line…

10100 8 Mile Rd (Detroit) · ✓ checked Sep 18

Bel Air Luxury Cinema keeps it simple and fun with new releases, easy advance tickets, and a solid coming-soon lineup to plan around. Line up a movie night this week, sink into the story, and let your brain reboot for a couple hours.

From the Detroit newsletter, August 14, 2026

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Cinema Detroit

Entertainment

Cinema Detroit is a nonprofit, community-based arthouse popping up around Metro Detroit with a curated mix of first-run indies, docs, cult…

4126 3rd Ave (Detroit)

Cinema Detroit is a nonprofit, community-based arthouse popping up around Metro Detroit with a curated mix of first-run indies, docs, cult favorites, and classics, often with filmmaker Q&As and thoughtful talkbacks.

From the Dearborn newsletter, August 27, 2026

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Detroit Golf Club

Entertainment

With two classic 18-hole Donald Ross designs and a stately Albert Kahn clubhouse, Detroit Golf Club blends pure golf pedigree with a legit…

17911 Hamilton Rd (Detroit)

With two classic 18-hole Donald Ross designs and a stately Albert Kahn clubhouse, Detroit Golf Club blends pure golf pedigree with a legit hang. The North Course restoration is underway, so if you score an invite this week, bring your best swing and soak up the history.

From the Detroit newsletter, August 20, 2026

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Barton Hills Country Club pairs a classic Donald Ross course that’s as enjoyable to walk as it is to play with a member-owned,…

730 Country Club Rd

Barton Hills Country Club pairs a classic Donald Ross course that’s as enjoyable to walk as it is to play with a member-owned, Distinguished Club of America vibe, plus lively social events and seriously good dining, so your weeknight can feel like a mini getaway this week without leaving Ann Arbor.

From the Ann Arbor newsletter, August 14, 2026

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Putt-R-Round Mini Golf & Putt Arcade keeps the fun rolling with an 18-hole indoor course, six outer-space glow holes, and seven…

130 W Michigan Ave (Ypsilanti)

Putt-R-Round Mini Golf & Putt Arcade keeps the fun rolling with an 18-hole indoor course, six outer-space glow holes, and seven ticket-spitting skill games for prizes, including goodies by local artists. Great for weeknights in Ypsi, or have them pop up at your next party.

From the Ann Arbor newsletter, August 24, 2026

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Skip the algorithm and let the Detroit Mural Project be your real-world feed, a locally built database by Viranel Clerard that maps and…

4191 W 634 Hwy (Detroit)

Skip the algorithm and let the Detroit Mural Project be your real-world feed, a locally built database by Viranel Clerard that maps and documents more than a thousand public murals with artist backstories, so you can plan a weekend wander through Eastern Market, the Grand River Creative Corridor, and beyond.

From the Detroit newsletter, August 23, 2026

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Whether you’re grooving a new move or just escaping the group chat, Belle Isle Golf Range gives you Toptracer shot tracking, a chill…

175 Lakeside Dr (Detroit)

Whether you’re grooving a new move or just escaping the group chat, Belle Isle Golf Range gives you Toptracer shot tracking, a chill practice area, and a short chip-and-putt loop right on the island. Lessons and leagues mean you can actually back up that “I’m close” talk this season.

From the Eastpointe newsletter, September 4, 2026

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X-Golf Ann Arbor

Entertainment

Clean simulators at a venue with a bar that serves food, and friendly staff who offer lessons.

333 N Maple Rd

Clean simulators at a venue with a bar that serves food, and friendly staff who offer lessons.

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Historic since 1922, Huron Hills Golf Course hugs Gallup Park with a par-67, 18-hole, 5,071-yard layout featuring dramatic elevation…

3465 E Huron River Dr

Historic since 1922, Huron Hills Golf Course hugs Gallup Park with a par-67, 18-hole, 5,071-yard layout featuring dramatic elevation changes and Huron River views, perfect for beginners, juniors, seniors and families yet sneaky fun for low handicaps. Sneak in a round, grab a lesson, and make your week feel like summer.

From the Ann Arbor newsletter, August 30, 2026

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Five Iron Golf

Entertainment

Indoor golf complex offering 13 simulators plus games like shuffleboard and foosball.

600 W Lafayette Blvd Ste 5I (Detroit)

Indoor golf complex offering 13 simulators plus games like shuffleboard and foosball.

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