Ann Arbor, Michigan: A Weekend Trip All About You

You deserve a weekend trip that’s all about you.

Picture yourself trying on new designer outfits at chic boutiques and taking a wellness class you’ve been wanting to try. Then, settle in for dinner at a restaurant with just the right mood for the kind of evening you’re after. You end the night in a quiet hotel room, cozying up with a new book in your suite overlooking downtown. Imagine a calm Ann Arbor weekend curated just for you.

Go at your own pace and explore the welcoming downtown. Upscale restaurants, the best cocktail lounges, and world-class museums are all within walking distance.

It’s what makes Ann Arbor the perfect place for a restorative weekend.

Dine & Wine

Within Ann Arbor’s highly rated dining scene, chef menus are intentionally paired with curated wine selections, all making for one tasteful experience.

Vinology’s wine flights are worth the visit, and this Main Street restaurant also serves an extensive wine list of over 150 options. Dishes are often prepared using wine-based sauces.

Then there’s Spencer, a neighborhood wine shop and restaurant known for its prix-fixe menu and wine selection, earning James Beard recognition for its Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program.

Paella at Aventura.

Aventura, a Spanish restaurant set in a beautiful 1800s brick building, is known for its world-renowned paella. Order a glass of sangria for a classic pairing.

You Might Also Like:

• Echelon: Recognized as a Best New Restaurant 2026 James Beard Award Semifinalist, offering a refined wood-fired, vegetable-forward dining experience.

• Blue LLama Jazz Club: A swanky jazz club and restaurant with premium cocktails and fine dining. Regional, national, and international artists perform here.

Blue Llama Jazz Club and Echelon - Photo credit: Ben-Robison

Chic Shopping

Modern and vintage boutique shops, carrying designer brands and exclusive collections, line downtown Ann Arbor streets.

Fourth Avenue is the perfect place to find chic clothing and home accessory shops. Start with a few French delicacies at Le Bon Macaron, then browse the displays at Ferne Boutique and Dear Golden, or go classic at The Getup Vintage. End with a visit to Thistle & Bess for unique collections of subtle fine jewelry that fit your sophisticated style.

You Might Also Like:

• Sandy’s Boutique: Find high-quality Midwest styles and designer collections like Veronica Beard and Jenni Kayne here.

• Found: Shop for gifts handcrafted by local artists using simple lines, natural elements, texture, and pops of color, all created with care.

Thistle & Bess

World-Class Museums

Ann Arbor’s museums double as cultural hubs, filled with fine art that invites you to reflect, and thought-provoking artifacts that connect our experiences to the past.

The artwork will move you at the University of Michigan (U-M) Museum of Art. Take your time discovering exhibitions from acclaimed artists. The U-M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology displays over 1,500 artifacts sharing ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern art and archaeology.

You Might Also Like:

• U-M Museum of Natural History: Impressive displays of prehistoric and fossil collections. Visit Darwin’s Café serving La Colombe and organic, fair-trade tea.

• Matthaei Botanical Gardens: Not a traditional museum, the Conservatory contains over 1,000 plant species from three climates (tropical, temperate, and arid) from around the world, all under one roof.

Spas & Slowing Down

Prioritizing a weekend that’s all about you means pampering yourself with a customized treatment that feels just right.

Build a personalized session at K. West Skin Body & Spirit with a list of soothing options. Or sign up for a drop-in yoga class at Tiny Buddha Yoga and restore your focus. Voted best yoga studio in the area nine years running.

You Might Also Like:

• Bellanina Day Spa: An award-winning day spa offering a full spectrum of healing services including massages, facials, and body treatments.

• Zion Well: Meditation and yoga classes with floor-to-ceiling windows in their Ypsilanti studio, showing some of the best views of Ford Lake.

Downtown Hotels

When your evening ends, retreat to your quiet hotel room to unwind before getting the best night’s sleep.

Stay at The Vanguard Ann Arbor, Autograph Collection where guests stay in elevated one-bedroom suites complete with luxurious Le Labo bath products. Dine at the hotel’s French-inspired brasserie and full-service restaurant, La Serre.

Graduate by Hilton Ann Arbor is the perfect base with its proximity to the U-M campus and downtown, with rooms inspired by the university’s vibe. End your evenings with a nightcap at the hotel’s Allen Rumsey Cocktail Lounge in a familiar, old-school atmosphere.

Take time for yourself and plan your restorative weekend in Ann Arbor.

Plan your trip at AnnArbor.org