Michigan Act 3 — Ann Arbor

After having explored the MSU campus, we had to give some time to the U of M as well, especially since Ann Arbor is so close to Lansing (about a 70 minute drive from where we stayed west of downtown — closer from East Lansing where the MSU campus is). It is a much larger campus (more spread out) with a main and north campus area. It lies adjacent to the vibrant and cute downtown which was prepping for an art festival on the day we were there. Ann Arbor might be our favorite of the three cities based on our quick tour of each, but we were impressed with the cleanliness of each and the diversity and quality of local shops for cities with populations of about 100,000. Also, lots of green — trees everywhere.

We started on the main campus and picked up a campus map to guide our tour.

Looking across the quad (what they call the Diagonal)

Burton Tower with art festival tents going up around it

Michigan League, a multi-function facility including a hotel and theater

A statue honoring those that died during the Holocaust as well as those who risked their lives to help others

Cute building in the medical center portion of campus

Michigan football stadium — “The Big House” — official capacity of almost 108,000

We had a good (in the sense of long and hot) walk to the north campus to check out the Gerald R Ford library. On the way back we found a fun hiking/biking trail near the Huron River and also checked out some of the Nichols Arboretum on campus.

Fun Ford Fact: His birth name was Leslie Lynch King, Jr. His name was changed to his step-father’s name when his mother remarried.