Indoors-ish

The Ark. Good place to see touring Alt-Country and Americana acts. Also popcorn. Alas, no dancing, talking.

Argus Farm Stop. All-local produce, nice people, corn growing on the roof. We’re here several times a week during the growing season.

Mash. Good local live music venue; small combos early evenings, full bands after 10. Not that we’re often up and out that late, but good to know it’s there.

Museum of Natural History (U Mich). Two words: dinosaur bones.

NeeHee’s. Vegetarian Indian street food in Canton. Makes the schlep to Ikea worthwhile. Or just skip Ikea.

Neopapalis. Much-beloved but alas now-defunct cheap and cheerful pizza joint. Margherita with fresh mozzarella was arguably the best in town.

Washtenaw Dairy. Old-school ice cream shop, home-made doughnuts. We’ll often stop here after a long day hike or bike ride, because ice cream. Kid’s size is ginormous.

Ypsilanti Auto Heritage Museum. Located in a former Hudson dealership, this is a great piece of MI history.

 

Outdoors-ish

Ann Arbor Kayaking. City-run canoe and kayak liveries at Argo and Gallup parks, along the Huron River in town. Great way to cool off on a summer day.

B2B Trail. Continually growing paved walking & biking pathway along the Huron River; easy access in Ann Arbor at Bandemer, Fuller, and Gallup parks, as well as sections in Dexter and Chelsea. I’ll be the one layered up like the Michelin Man while everyone else is out jogging in shorts.

DTE Energy Trail. Beautifully-maintained mountain biking trail in Chelsea, with something for every skill level. Only downside is the over-biked middle-aged guys who ride too fast on the kid’s/family trail and refuse to call out when passing.

Olson Park. Great spot for mountain biking, close to downtown. My kid is now faster than me. So it goes.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Beautiful section of Lake Superior shore with exposed sandstone cliffs (a bit like the California Central Coast), great for hiking, kayaking.

Pinckney State Recreation Area. Easy-to-get-to park for day hikes, mountain biking, about 30 minutes from A2. Beach area at Silver Lake is a good family spot.

Sidewalk Festival of Performing Arts. A true community festival, with an amazing array of young talent, from hip hop and spoken word to experimental theater and modern dance. Held late July/early August.

Soo Locks. Who doesn’t love locks? Or museum ships? Zorba’s in downtown Sault Ste. Marie is nice little family-run Greek place.

Timber Ridge Skiing. Old-school family resort near Kalamazoo. Hill is small, but it’s an easy day trip from A2.

White Lotus Farms. Great bread and dairy products. Eat homemade pizza, pet a baby goat. Life is good.