Hidden Highlights: Affordable Activities Off Campus
Want more out of Ann Arbor? Explore these nearby gems, just a short drive away
—By Avery Roxbury, Katie Moore, and Max Garmisa
Calling all juniors, seniors, and students with cars! Are you bored of doing the same old things around campus? Have you gone to the gym, sporting events, and the Arb more times than you can count? Here are some fun and cost-effective ways to escape campus.
Try the Dexter Cider Mill’s 138-year-old cider recipe
Looking for a fun fall activity to get out of the city with your roommates? Dexter Cider Mill (3685 Central St) is Michigan’s longest continuously operating cider mill. The moment you step into one of the two bright red barns nestled among the maple trees, you’re enveloped in perfect fall smells — cinnamon, old wood, apples, and just the tiniest hint of nutmeg. To make their famous cider ($3.50 a cup), the mill uses the same recipe they developed in 1886, using locally grown, fresh apples that are oak-pressed into the perfect tangy fall drink. The Mill also offers caramel apples, apple fritters, hard cider, and more — and of course, their sugar-dipped doughnuts. Make the most of your fall by enjoying classic sweet treats surrounded by Michigan foliage!
- Distance from Diag: 23-minute drive (we promise it’s worth it!)
Wind down at Tiny Lions Cat Cafe
Is exam stress getting you down? There’s no better place to study — or relax — than Tiny Lions Cat Cafe (5245 Jackson Road). Run by the local Humane Society, Tiny Lions has anywhere between five to twenty adoptable cats and kittens in their three brightly painted, couch-filled rooms. From a coffee and drink selection to affordable entry prices (starting at $10 per person per hour) to the kindest receptionists and managers you’re ever likely to meet, Tiny Lions is the perfect getaway from campus stress. If you want even more, go on Sunday mornings to do yoga with cats at only $15 a person; a far cheaper (and cuter!) alternative to many downtown yoga classes. Find some furry fun — and maybe even leave with a new pet!
- Distance from Diag: 20-minute drive
Roll over to Bowlero Revel and Roll for unlimited bowling and arcade games
Was the last time you went bowling with your family for a cousin’s 6-year-old birthday party? If it was, we guarantee this will be more fun! With 27 open lanes available to rent, Bowlero Revel and Roll (1950 Industrial Hwy) offers a special 3-5 PM Monday-Thursday and 2-5 PM on Fridays that features unlimited bowling and arcade games for just $18.99. Bowlero’s bright colors and unique lighting cultivate a vibrant atmosphere with bar-style food and drinks. This casual, timeless night out will cater to your Friday plans and create a more memorable experience than a family event with dry birthday cake.
- Distance from Diag: 8-minute drive
Sip on a new Ann Arbor coffee you’ve never had
Think that the best Ann Arbor coffee is at RoosRoast? Vertex? Maybe even the Drip House? You might change your mind after a visit to Zingerman’s Coffee Company (3723 Plaza Dr #5), located south near Costco (if you think you’ve made a wrong turn into a series of dull, industrial buildings — you’re in the right place! Just keep following your map’s directions). Don’t get it twisted — Zingerman’s Coffee Company differs from their Kerrytown Next Door Café with a wide-ranging, seasonal menu. Moreover, Zingerman’s Coffee Company invests in ethically sourced beans, making it a delicious and satisfying business to support. If you’re there in the summer, try their perfectly sweet caramel frigola, which Myra Davis (LSA ‘25) says is her “go-to drink for a hot day.” However, if you’re not around in the warmer months, their Cubano and cafe con Miel are also worth the visit. While you’re there, feel free to wander around and check out Zingerman’s Candy Manufactory for another sweet treat just across from the cafe!
- Distance from Diag: 13-minute drive
Pop over to Leslie Park to play some pickleball
As the fastest-growing sport in America, pickleball is everywhere these days. If you want a cheap and easy way to hop on the trend, Leslie Park (2395-2493 Leslie Park Cir) makes a great hangout spot for you and your friends, with six pickleball and two tennis courts. If you want to do a solo trip after class, there is always a friendly community that teaches you the rules, and they are more than willing to let you play with them. You’ll only need to bring some paddles and a ball. Other than the equipment, the courts are entirely free to use. No reservations are available, but the court wait times are typically 5-10 minutes if there is a wait at all. UM student Ellie Carlisle claims the low wait times are the sole reason she chooses this location to play. So what are you waiting for? Hop on the trend!
- Distance from Diag: 15-minute drive
Chill, swim, and soak up the sun at Ann Arbor’s best riverside hangout
Looking to find the ideal place to swim, relax, or spend time with friends? An oldie but goodie, The Docks (1331 Lake Shore Drive) are the best place to look. Tucked away along the Huron River, this local gem perfectly balances unwinding, tanning, and cooling off with a swim. The Docks offer a peaceful getaway from the stress of everyday life, and, according to UM student Ben Cohen, “You need to bring a speaker to make it that much better.” It’s the perfect place to spend a sunny day enjoying Ann Arbor’s natural beauty, with enough room for gatherings or solitary relaxation sessions.
- Distance from Diag: 11-minute drive
Bounce into adventure at Ann Arbor’s best-kept secret for high-flying fun
Although a bit more pricey than the options above, Launch Family Entertainment (800 W Eisenhower Pkwy) is the perfect place to gather some friends and have a blast. Offering wall-to-wall trampolines, this venue lets you jump, flip, and soar like a little kid again. You can even compete with others while getting in an unusual workout. In addition to some of the typical trampolines, Launch offers rock climbing and dodgeball. And if you want to take a break? Dive into games at the arcade, or eat at Blaze Pizza! Launch is a place where people can hang out and form friendships, not just as a trampoline park.
- Distance from Diag: 11-minute drive
Feature photo, inside Tiny Lions; Photo Credit, Katie Moore