A Perfect Fall Weekend in Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor in the fall is everything you want a Midwest getaway to be: crisp autumn air, trees glowing in shades of red and gold, and a mix of culture, food, and small-town energy wrapped in a university city vibe.

We originally headed there for the Zach Bryan concert at Michigan Stadium (history in the making as it was the largest ticketed concert in US History) and stayed for the weekend to enjoy all that Ann Arbor has to offer! We filled the weekend with bike rides, orchard adventures, amazing meals, and a little spa time in between. Here’s how it all came together.

Highlights From the Weekend

Experiencing Music History

There’s something unforgettable about singing along with 100,000+ fans in the largest ticketed concert in U.S. history. Zach Bryan and John Mayer lit up Michigan Stadium, and being part of that moment was electric.

Relaxing at the Spa

After all the excitement, we booked massages at K West Spa, which was hands down one of the best spa experiences we’ve had. Quiet, restorative, and just what we needed to reset.

Biking Through Fall Colors

We rented bikes from Sic Transit Cycles and headed for the B2B Trail. Riding under the canopy of fall leaves was one of the most beautiful parts of the trip.

Orchard Adventures

No Michigan fall trip is complete without a visit to an orchard. Wiard’s Orchards had it all: apple picking, pumpkin patches, cider donuts, and plenty of family-friendly activities.

All The Fall Bites

Ann Arbor always delivers with its variety and quality of food. Some favorites from the weekend included:

• Vertex Coffee Roasters – We really enjoyed the chai that we ordered! This spot is a super inclusive environment with a cozy vibe, great drinks, and a focus on sustainability. 

  
  

  

• The Dixboro Project – Wow! This restaurant serves elevated farm-to-table dishes and delicious pastries. My husband couldn’t stop talking about his Wagyu Corned Beef.

• Peridot – We stopped in at a Vietnamese-inspired restaurant for some late-night

  bites and drinks. We were not disappointed, their Ketchup Fried Rice was so good!

• Cannelle Ann Arbor – We really enjoyed the beautiful pastries and seasonal drinks! Their pastry selection is incredible–so much to choose from.

  

• Culantro – This was our first time trying Peruvian food, and Culantro was the perfect place to experience this cuisine! We really loved all the dishes we ate.

• Spencer – A warm, intimate wine shop serving a seasonal prix-fixe menu that highlights local ingredients.

  
  

Where We Stayed

We stayed at the Bell Tower Hotel, right on campus in downtown Ann Arbor. The location was ideal for walking to coffee shops, restaurants, and campus landmarks, and the hotel itself has a classy charm.

Our Takeaway

Ann Arbor makes it easy to fit a lot into a weekend!  You can catch a concert, explore golden trails, and still have time for coffee and cider stops.

If you’re dreaming of a Midwest fall escape that feels both vibrant and inviting, Ann Arbor is the perfect choice!

Plan your Ann Arbor getaway at annarbor.org.

* This blog post was sponsored by Destination Ann Arbor. Opinions are my own.