Ann ArborOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Native Trails to "Annarbour"

Ann Arbor's story began with the region inhabited by several Native American tribes, primarily the Anishinaabe people, including the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi. The Potawatomi established two villages in the area around 1774. These indigenous peoples created several trails that converged where Ann Arbor now stands. The land, part of Washtenaw County, was ceded to the U.S. in the Treaty of Detroit in 1807.

In 1824, land speculators John Allen from Virginia and Elisha Walker Rumsey from New York purchased 640 acres for $800. They registered the town plat as "Annarbour" on May 25, 1824, naming it after their wives, both named Ann, and the bur oak groves, or "arbors," in the area. Ann Arbor became the seat of Washtenaw County in 1827 and was incorporated as a village in 1833.

The University's Enduring Influence

Ann Arbor lost its bid to become the state capital in 1836. A year later, in 1837, it secured a pivotal role by offering 40 acres of land for the relocation of the University of Michigan from Detroit. This decision linked the city's destiny with the university, which opened its classes in 1841. The arrival of the Michigan Central Railroad in 1839 further transformed Ann Arbor into a regional transportation hub, connecting it with Detroit and facilitating growth.

Throughout the 19th century, the city saw an influx of settlers, including Germans, Irish, and African Americans, followed by immigrants from Greece, Italy, Russia, and Poland in the 1880s. Ann Arbor was chartered as a city in 1851. The 20th century saw Ann Arbor become a center for progressive activism, hosting events like John F. Kennedy's proposal for the Peace Corps in 1960 on the steps of the Michigan Union, and Lyndon B. Johnson's unveiling of the Great Society in 1964 at a University of Michigan commencement. The city's past, particularly its role in the civil rights and anti-Vietnam War movements of the 1960s, shaped its identity.

• —The Diag (Central Campus) — This open space is the center of the University of Michigan's Central Campus, surrounded by many of the university's oldest buildings. It functions as a central gathering spot.
• —Law Quad — This area features Gothic architecture. Visitors can view the Law Library from here.
• —Burton Memorial Tower — This carillon tower, completed in 1936, is a landmark on the University of Michigan campus. It houses a 53-bell carillon.
• —Nickels Arcade — This shopping corridor, built in 1918, has a glass ceiling and houses local shops and cafes.
• —Ann Arbor District Library (Downtown Branch) — This downtown branch hosts community events and serves as a local information hub.
• —Kerrytown Market & Shops — This district includes a farmers market, local shops, and food producers. It is active, especially on Saturday mornings during the farmers market.
• —Nichols Arboretum (The Arb) — This green space on the University of Michigan campus offers trails along the Huron River, plant collections, and the Peony Garden.
• —Graffiti Alley — This alley off East Liberty Street displays an evolving wall of graffiti art.

Visit Ann Arbor from May through September, when the weather is warm. Summer months, particularly July and August, have average daytime temperatures of 80-83°F (27-28°C), with potential for humidity and afternoon thunderstorms. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer milder temperatures and fall foliage, coinciding with football game weekends.

Avoid visiting in the winter (December-February) if cold and snow are a concern. Temperatures often drop below freezing, with January being the coldest month, averaging lows around 19°F (-7°C) and receiving significant snowfall.

Ann Arbor is approximately 25 minutes from Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW). The Michigan Flyer shuttle provides express bus service between DTW and the Blake Transit Center downtown. Ann Arbor also has an Amtrak station on Depot Street, served by the Wolverine route, connecting to Chicago and Detroit.

The downtown area and University of Michigan campus are walkable. For longer distances, "TheRide," operated by the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AAATA), offers a public bus system covering the city and nearby Ypsilanti. University of Michigan students, faculty, and staff ride city buses for free with their MCard. Parking downtown can be difficult during university events. Ann Arbor has 79 miles of bike lanes.