From pizza to peppermints and safe sex to sweet smoothies, Ann Arbor is full of things to do and see. l We hate to admit it.
It was hard to go into Ann Arbor looking for things we liked. After all, it is the home of those who MSU students are supposed to dislike more than anyone else — the Wolverines.
On top of that non-Spartan-friendly fact, Ann Arbor may be the most confusing city on the planet.
With what appears to be three different downtown areas and a Big Ten university tossed in with no rhyme or reason, this is one city you don't want to explore without a map.
With a population more than twice the size of East Lansing, the entire area surrounding University of Michigan's campus is comprised of restaurants, shops, homes and university-related businesses. Using "intermingled" to describe it would be an understatement.
There is one significant difference between MSU's commercial district and that of U-M. MSU's campus and surrounding district have a flow to them, making the area very easy to navigate. It's essentially a one-stop everything.
We wish we could say the same for Ann Arbor.
Students who make the journey this weekend for the big game may be in a tizzy about what to do in this foreign land. But come Saturday, whether you're looking to celebrate victory with an ice cream sundae or drink away the pain of losing, we've scoped out some of the best places to do both.
The sweet tooth
Unfortunately for the average college student, most of the opportunities for a sweet treat in Ann Arbor aren't necessarily easy on the pocketbook.
Probably the most delightful little place to satisfy the boundless candy-craving is the Sweet U candy store on South University Avenue. This little store is about the size of a walk-in closet, and you might expect to see Willy Wonka seated at the cash register when you walk in. Sweet U boasts a large selection of bulk candy, including virtually everything you could ever dream of dipping in chocolate, as well as gummy and fruity candies and all varieties of M&M's and Jelly Belly treats.
For those in search of sweets of the frozen variety, Stucchi's and Ben & Jerry's Ann Arbor Scoop Shop are both popular and well-known ice cream stops. At Stucchi's, you're more likely to find shakes and malts and assortments of ice cream, while Ben & Jerry's is more well-known for its unique ice creams and flavor names.
The novelty shopper
Just imagine a store dedicated solely to the dirty. Don't even act uninterested.
It may take a bit of courage on your part, but you need to stop in to The Safe Sex Store on South University Avenue, even if only to expand your vocabulary. Whether you play it off as a joke or are seriously in need of penis straws or a new set of fuzzy handcuffs, check it out. You won't be disappointed. This place has everything you could ask from a sex store — condoms, lotions, toys, books, unique candies and even kitchen utensils. Words really can't — and probably shouldn't — describe it. Also, the staff here knows their stuff, and they're not afraid to show it.
The cheap date
We're all about eatin' good and eatin' cheap, so you can imagine our excitement when we came across two small but favorable stops that are definitely worth noting. The Backroom Pizzeria on Church Street serves large slices of cheese pizza for $1 and slices of pepperoni pizza for an additional 50 cents. This caused us to ponder whether it's a good thing or a bad thing that a pop can cost twice as much as the meal. But we're not going to argue.
If you're looking for something less Italian and something more … hot dog, definitely find Red Hot Lovers on East University Avenue for a cheap, quick hot dog. For an even dollar, you can get a dog with two condiments, not including ketchup and mustard.
If watching Jehuu Caulcrick trample the Wolverines' secondary isn't enough for you, Ann Arbor has a multitude of activities to pass the time. "People watching" might be the most inexpensive boredom-buster you can find.
Meanwhile, some might be looking for an activity that's a little more structured. We would suggest the Michigan Theater on East Liberty Street. The theater has an old Hollywood feel — even the ticket vendor wears a bow tie. Although you won't find any movies starring Chuck Norris, the independent films it does play have something for everyone. If you like watching '80s documentaries that never "made it," you've come to the right place; if you don't, you can sit back and make fun of the cheesy plot lines and overdramatic acting. It's a great time for all.
The party animal
Whether you're drowning your sorrows or celebrating victory, Ann Arbor has plenty of watering holes to quench your thirst and have a good time.
If you're feeling a little bit homesick and need a familiar atmosphere, there's always Rick's American Café. With a stockpile of undergrads flaunting their stuff and a thick cloud of smoke floating head-high, you'll feel right at home. Although Rick's might not have the cheapest drinks in town, it's always a good time.
For those who need a place to watch the game, there is no better sports bar than Scorekeepers on Maynard Street. With more than 300 square feet of HDTV, Scorekeepers can satisfy all your digital entertainment needs. In addition to the pixel-coated walls, Scorekeepers offers more than 26 beers on tap.
Last, but certainly not least, comes the Blind Pig on First Street. Any stop in Ann Arbor deserves a drink in this dirty, yet surprisingly appealing bar. With live music nearly every night of the week, the Blind Pig has a lot to offer. Landing big names like Everclear and Del Tha Funky Homosapien, this little-engine-that-could has definitely earned its business. And hey, if you don't like the music or drinks, there is at least value in reading the smut written on the walls of the bathrooms.
