Making the Most of Ann Arbor… Before It Gets Cold
A2 fall activities to help you get some fresh air
—By Muskaan Mittal, Sofie Markle, and Yuchen Shao
Autumn is a precious season in Ann Arbor, with leaves turning crimson and students returning to the University of Michigan campus. The warmth, however, will not last. With the air soon to turn chilly, here are some ways to have fun in Ann Arbor while the sun is on your side.
Kayak down the Huron River at Argo Livery
1055 Longshore Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
What better way to experience Michigan’s reddening leaves and clear blue waters than to float through it all? The Huron River is a 130-mile-long river in southeastern Michigan that passes right through Ann Arbor. Filled with wildlife and history (and yes, safe for swimming), it’s the perfect place to be on a Saturday afternoon. Fall is ideal weather for kayaking; why not spend just 20 dollars to get out on the water before rentals end in October? U-M engineering senior Ethan Regan says, “The best part is just floating down the river. Vibes.” Vibes indeed.
Visit the Matthaei Botanical Gardens
1800 N Dixboro Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
No idea what to do with your afternoon? Tired of wandering the Diag hoping to bump into your college sweetheart? Head to the Botanical Gardens! Here, you will find a collection of exotic, beautiful, sometimes scary-looking plants that are completely free for public viewing. The indoor conservatory houses hundreds of plant species organized by climate into the Tropical House, the Temperate House, and the Arid House. Marvel at the peculiar carnivorous pitcher plants, sausage trees, and towering monstrose cacti. Wander for long enough, and you may end up in the outdoor gardens, which contain over 3 miles of meditative trails and a collection of bonsai trees that are over 100 years old! Once you see the Botanical Garden’s selection of vegetation for yourself, you’ll wonder how you went this long without it.
Build fairy housing in “The Arb”
1610 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
The Nichols Arboretum (“The Arb”) is a 123-acre section of land located on the U-M campus itself. Take a stroll through The Arb and you may find a diversity of flowers, hiking trails, and—on a sunny day—picnic blankets littered with students. An author of this listicle had their first big college break-up in The Arb, and highly recommends a walk along the serene Huron River to process feelings of confusion and heartbreak. Best of all, if you are lucky enough to find it, is a magical nook on the side of a path, called “Fairy Woods & Troll Hollow.” Here, a sign invites passersby to build a home for a neighborhood fairy or troll using natural materials like twigs and pebbles. One can see a variety of quaint houses that visitors have built.
Go apple picking at the Dexter Cider Mill
3685 Central St, Dexter, MI 48130
A classic fall activity and one that Isaac Newton would certainly have endorsed, going apple picking can be a perfect weekend stressbuster for a family or group of friends. The Dexter Cider Mill is a family-owned business and a local favorite. Founded in 1886, it is the longest continually running cider mill in Michigan. The mill still makes cider exactly how it was made over 100 years ago, using an oak rack press. The Dexter Cider Mill’s apple orchards star delectable honeycrisp apples and more. Along with cider and other apple-products, the owners also sell canned goods and fresh desserts! The cinnamon sugar doughnuts are our personal favorite—warm, nostalgic, and the perfect treat after a long week. Before you leave, make sure to pick up some jam and other goodies to take home and cherish, even as the winter creeps up on you.
Messed up apple picking? Go buy some fruit at the Farmer’s Market
315 Detroit Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
No car for the Dexter’s apple adventure? Consider strolling by the Farmer’s Market in Kerrytown to grab some fresh produce. Whether you’re looking for a local option for grocery shopping, a coffee date with a friend (or first date!), or a good book on a lazy afternoon, the Farmer’s Market is sure to meet your needs. And once you’re done picking up cute tidbits you don’t really need for your apartment, don’t forget to grab some fresh seasonal vegetables to prepare dinner. Your parents will be proud!
Tree gaze at the Diag
913 S University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Grab a picnic blanket and a notebook, lay on the Diag grass, and look up. The view of the autumn leaves, with Lana Del Rey playing on your headphones, is sure to bring you a sense of wonder and calm. Look around, and you may see students playing Spikeball, writing papers for class, or promoting their new theater organization. While you’re there, why not pick up that journal you’ve been meaning to use and get some self-reflection in? Among the rustle of the leaves, you may find a moment of serenity.
Hopefully, this gives you a starting point for ways to relish Ann Arbor and stock up on that Vitamin D before the winter blues strike. They are always closer than they appear.
Feature Photo: Matthaei Botanical Gardens, by Sofie Markle