While
winter in Ann Arbor and Michigan in general can be a harsh, horrendous time
that will encourage you to never leave your house or apartment to traverse the
long or short route to work or class, the spring and summers here at Ann Arbor
are surprisingly pleasant and beautiful. Granted, there is the occasional light
snowfall (gasps!) or chilly days that occur throughout the spring and summer,
so don’t stow away your jackets just yet, and always, always be prepared for
the weather in Ann Arbor! Other than that, experiencing spring/summertime in
Ann Arbor feels like you’ve been transported to a different state/country
altogether, and you’ll be blessed with warm, sunny days most of the time. In
this article, I attempt to discuss and share with you several activities and
fun things to do during the spring and summer that I have been fortunate enough
to be a part of.
1.
Outdoor sports!
One
of the most exciting experiences I had during my first spring at Ann Arbor was
kayaking down the relaxing Huron River. It was my first time kayaking, so you
bet I was feeling nervous and anxious, however, the route was surprisingly
easy, and it was definitely a fun and exciting experience! The Argo Canoe Livery and Gallup Park Canoe Livery provide different routes of
varying difficulties and charge similar prices that I think are very reasonable
for such an exciting experience. Definitely consider kayaking or canoeing if
you’re into trying something new or if you’re trying to cool off on a hot sunny
day! This wonderful weather also offers opportunities for various outdoor
sports that you can enjoy, such as playing Ultimate Frisbee in the Arb or
Palmer Field, playing tennis at the courts provided at Palmer Fields, or even
playing soccer at Mitchell Field and many more! Whatever you choose, I’m sure
that you’ll have a great time as I did when you enjoy the nice weather and
camaraderie with your friends or people you meet with during this time of year!
2.
Outdoor activities!
The good
weather brings countless opportunities to experience and enjoy being
outside of your apartment not bundled up in countless layers of clothing. One
of the things I highly recommend doing is taking a trip down to the Nichols Arboretum, colloquially known here on
campus as the Arb. Being shrouded in greenery and flowers during the
springtime, it’s a great place for a jog, playing Frisbee, having a picnic or
just taking a leisurely stroll to enjoy the beautiful scenery and landscapes.
They also often have events here such as the Peony Garden Bloom Season,
where you are able to experience the beautiful flowers that bloom in the
flowerbeds in the Arb during this time of year. Another interesting event that
happens during the spring/summertime in the Arb is Shakespeare in the Arb, where you’ll be able to
experience a mobile play by Shakespeare performed by University of Michigan
students that moves audiences through the Arb for different scenes. It will
certainly be a very unusual and interesting experience. Another thing that’s
worth going to during your time here at Michigan is the Ann Arbor Summer Festival.
It’s a huge event that occurs throughout the summer, and features many musical
performances, food, movie screenings and more! It’s definitely something to
look forward to if you’re here in Ann Arbor during the summer.
3. Food
Fiesta!
If you’re
a huge foodie like me, you’ll certainly enjoy these events! During late
May/Early June, the Ann Arbor Main Street Area Association hosts Taste of Ann Arbor that is a community event that
highlights most restaurants located in the downtown Ann Arbor area. Many
restaurants located near the main street area take part in this event to
promote their food products, and enables visitors to have a quick bite and try
many different kinds of food for a reasonable price. Another event that many
people (especially students!) enjoy is Ann Arbor Restaurant Week
that takes place twice a year, once during January and another time during (you
guessed it!) June. Restaurant week allows visitors to try food at various
participating restaurants for a fixed price, and offers a one to three course
menu, depending on the restaurant and if you’re going for lunch or dinner. I
find that restaurants participating in restaurant week offer really good deals
for the meals that they provide, and it also provides you with an opportunity
to try out several fine-dining restaurants without burning a hole in your
wallet! So, save a date in your calendar for restaurant week if there’s a
restaurant that you’re dying to try out but it’s too expensive! Lastly, don’t
forget to check out the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market in Kerrytown for fresh food and
local produce!
I hope
that you’ll find my suggestions and ideas useful and that you’ll be able to
occupy your summer with these exciting events! Don’t forget to keep exploring
and discover more fun and exciting things to do, and welcome to Michigan!
Teck
Sheng Tan
Summer
Orientation Peer Adviser
Major: Psychology
Country
of Origin: Malaysia
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