The 10 Things You Must See and Do on Campus

 After being in Ann Arbor for three years, I have learned that there are certain things you have to experience here, unique to this city and to our campus. These include places that will take your breath away, and activities that might be once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Below, and in no particular order, are a list of 10 things to see and activities to do on campus. 

 Wave Field - Located on North Campus next to the Francois-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Building, the Wave Field is a fascinating piece of earthwork (also known as landscape art). Designed by Maya Lin, who is best known for her work on the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial, this piece is a prominent work of art. However, the Wave Field has more than just artistic value. The rolling hills provide a perfect place to have a picnic, initiate a snowball fight or star gaze on a clear night. 

 Football Game - You cannot be a UM student without going to at least one football game at the Big House. Whether you enjoy football or not, watching one of these games live is a tradition, and cheering with 10,000 other people, watching the halftime performance and seeing Michigan win against its opponents are moments you will never forget.  


The Rock - The Rock is the enormous, colorful boulder located on the corner of Hill and Washtenaw. Originally moved to Ann Arbor by Eli Gallup in 1932, The Rock was a memorial honoring George Washington on his 200th birthday. But now, it has become an icon of UM and the voices of the people nearby. Most painters are college students; however, younger students from nearby schools and older townsfolk also frequent this rock. The messages vary from Greek letters to political slogans. Consequently, The Rock is representative of the diversity of the student body and the city of Ann Arbor.

 

Fairy Doors - The fairy doors in Ann Arbor were first discovered at the house of Jonathan B. Wright. A lifelong resident of Ann Arbor, when Jonathan started renovating his house, his kids began discovering tiny doors strewn all over, in their fireplace, in their kitchen and under the stairs. Since then, these fairy doors have started appearing all over downtown Ann Arbor and are just waiting to be found by locals and students.  

 

  Yost Ice Arena - A "cool" place to hang out with a group of your friends is Yost Ice Arena. While the arena is usually used for training and hockey games, it is also open to the public at certain hours for public skates. Times are available throughout the week, with pretty low costs for students sporting UM IDs.

 Gum Wall - Located by Liberty and State, the Gum Wall is in an alley covered with spray paint and filled entirely with gum. If you're daring, feel free to make a contribution and leave your mark permanently on this campus.

Bell Tower - The Burton Tower, commonly referred to as "The Bell Tower," is a landmark on central campus. Erected during the 1935-36 school year, the tower was designed to be both functional and aesthetic. Thus, not only is it a site visible from almost any point on central campus, but it chimes during the day, playing tunes and melodies ranging from Lady Gaga to the UM Victors song. If you aren't satisfied with viewing The Bell Tower from the outside, stop by between 12:00 and 12:30 on weekdays to take a tour of the tower and see the view from the tenth floor.

UM Planetarium - The UM Planetarium offers a variety of live and pre-recorded programs for students, taking advantage of the new digital projection technology that is part of the facility. The Full Dome Experience, for example, usually consists of a 25 minute movie that immerses students in a different environment, turning the entire planetarium into a projection screen. These shows are fascinating and they allow students to experience worlds they couldn't have imagined.

Ann Arbor Hands on Museum - For those of you who like to ignore the “Do Not Touch” signs at museums, the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum is the perfect place to go. Specializing in interactive

exhibits, the museum is a unique place for people of all ages to experience museums like never before and learn about various subjects, including physics, geology and music.  

Written By: Aashana Sunderrajan,
UM Bachelor Student in: Sociology; Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience