I was attending a student organized social event when a colleague of mine, a fellow international student, learned that I was living in Ypsilanti and asked how I could stand living in such a boring place with a curious expression on his face. His question left me puzzled until he told me his Ypsilanti story — a failed attempt of a day trip outside Ann Arbor. Apparently, my friend got curious about Ypsilanti one day and got on TheRide bus on route #4. He got more and more depressed as he got further away from Ann Arbor, watching the seemingly never-ending rows of strip malls along Washtenaw Avenue. He got off the bus at a random location, grabbed a bite at somewhere random, and got back on the bus in the opposite direction back to Ann Arbor. His anecdote made me realize how many Ann Arbor based students (both U.S. residents and international students) are simply sleeping on Ypsilanti and everything it has to offer. Forget about the Washtenaw Avenue (which indeed is depressing) and the world-record breaking water tower that provokes awkward conversations. Here is your brief guide to Ypsilanti to inspire your next day trip and to recommend great study spots when you need a break from Ann Arbor.
Best Bakery: Bird Dog Baking
There are two areas in Ypsilanti which are the focal points: the Depot Town (Ypsilanti's answer to Ann Arbor's Kerrytown) and Downtown, where the Bird Dog Baking is located. Bird Dog started during the pandemic but it was not a regular bakery or café open to customers… It was a mysterious door located at an alleyway, open only during the weekends for a pick-up service of their baked goods and legendary Sunday brunches. I was completely unaware of this hidden location until another Ypsilanti-based friend gave me the heads up. The brunch was made even more special by the fact that you felt like a member of a secret club waiting for your order. They opened their café section in March 2024 and now you can delight in their delicious baked goods during the week as well. Try their brunch on a Sunday, or take your laptop and have an early morning work session during the week. No specific recommendation here, everything they make is absolutely delicious.
Best Café: Vertex Coffee Roasters Ypsilanti
You will probably be familiar with Vertex Coffee Roasters in Ann Arbor on S. University Avenue, not too far from the Central Campus. If you like this spot, you should visit their new Ypsilanti location as well. The interior space is much bigger and soon it will have a gorgeous outdoor space as well, all inherited from Cultivate, a very popular café/beer garden which used to be the favorite spot of many Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti based people. Unfortunately Cultivate shut down during the pandemic, leaving many of us heartbroken. Needless to say, we are all excited to see Vertex Coffee Roasters opening at its place. I can't wait until the garden reopens and gets back to its former glory before the summer is over.
Best Café for Winter months: Café Liv
One thing you should know about Michigan: Winter will last six months. Just when you think spring is around the corner, a new snowstorm will come along at full blast and plunge you deeper into the winter blues. My remedy for those difficult months is to find a study spot full of daylight, or some kind of a greenhouse. Before Café Liv opened, this meant taking my work to the Matthei Botanical Gardens, or waiting for a spot to open at the Argus Farm stop or the courtyard of the Michigan Union. Café Liv does not have a glass roof structure but it has a glass garage door (the building used to be a car repair shop) that creates a light-filled cozy space to offer much needed respite in the dark months of winter.
Best restaurant: Bellflower
Bellflower is located in downtown Ypsilanti and this is where I would go for birthdays, celebrations, special dates… Their menu changes on a daily basis and always keeps you guessing, but it never disappoints.
Weekend Spot: Ypsilanti Freighthouse
The Freighthouse is Ypsilanti's old train station turned multifunctional space — the venue of many special events including UMS shows and concerts. It really comes to life on Saturdays with the Farmers Market where you can buy plants and produce from local farmers and meet local bakers, beekeepers, or mead-makers. You can also bring your bike for a free tune-up or repair to the Ypsilanti Bike Co-op's station (donations are welcome). On Sundays, you may find a pop-up flea market and browse through old magazines, household items, and vintage clothes.
For outdoor activities: Riverside and Frog Island Parks
Ypsilanti features two parks along the Huron River: Frog Island Park, designed as an open-air amphitheater and soccer field, and the Riverside park which provides ample green space and a children's playground. These two parks come alive in the spring, summer, and early fall months with amateur soccer matches, picnic lovers, dog-walkers, and recreational fishing enthusiasts… Riverside park also features open air movie night during the summer months. You can check their schedule here.
Other Gems (physical and metaphorical):
Ypsilanti can be a magical place…in a literal sense. You may have a hard time finding a tailor to get your pants fixed, but you have so many options for occult objects and tarot readings for some reason. These shops are scattered all around the town, but you can find a magical corner right across the street from Bird Dog Baking with three stores right next to each other. Check out World of Rocks if you are into crystals and gemstones. If magic is not your jam, you should visit the Rocket Toys, Gifts, and Candy — a hidden wonderland in the middle of Downtown Ypsilanti. You can also check out Bobcat Bonnie's for happy hour specials and listen to live music at Ziggy's. Check their events schedule here.
In Depot Town, you can have a burger at the Sidetrack Bar & Grill and watch the train pass through Depot Town at full speed. This is, without doubt, the truest Ypsilanti experience — your Ypsilanti right of passage. If you are around for the summer months, try their giant strawberry shortcake which is another unforgettable experience. For other Depot Town activities, you can have Mexican food at Maíz or play pool across the street at Aubree's. Also check out Hyperion Coffee's Ypsilanti location right behind the Ypsilanti Food Co-op.
Events:
Ypsilanti has a tradition called First Fridays: The first Friday of each month, lots of businesses organize special events and offer discounts. See their calendar here. You can also check out Riverside Arts Center for exhibitions, classes, and workshops (including Swing Dance classes). Visit their website here.
No comments:
Post a Comment