Daniel Castro, Cohort 2011, Biopsychology.
Since moving to Ann Arbor, I learned a number of important lessons and factoids that I believe may be of use to the incoming students. I will begin with some places to check out:
- Good eats
- Frita Batidos (Cuban-esque fusion)
- Raven’s Club (American/fusion)
- Madras Masala (Indian)
- Iorio’s Gelateria (gelato)
- La Dolce Vita (desserts)
- Chop House (steaks)
- Also underground cigar lounge
- Lena’s (latin-fusion)
- Fleetwood Diner (American Diner)
- Mark’s Carts (Food trucks)
- Isalita (latin-fusion)
- Aventura (tapas-fusion)
- Belly Deli (Asian-fusion)
- Totoro (sushi)
- Ginger Deli (Vietnamese)
- Good drinks
- Raven’s Club (cocktails)
- Lena’s (cocktails)
- Isalita (cocktails)
- Aventura (cocktails)
- Ashley’s (beer)
- Vinology (wine)
- Mash (whiskey)
- Bab’s Underground Lounge (ambiance)
- Grizzly Peak (beer)
- Last Word (cocktails)
- Bill’s Beer Garden (beer)
- World of Beer (beer)
- Bar 327 Braun Court (cocktails)
- Dominick’s (sangria, beer)
- Comet Coffee (coffee)
- Espresso Bar (coffee)
- Movies
- State Street Theater (indi, foreign, midnight, festivals)
- Michigan Theater (indi, foreign, festivals)
- Rave (box office)
- Dance Clubs
- Live (23-40)
- Rush Street (21-45)
- Ricks (just no. Undergrads only)
- Parks
- Arboretum
- Gallup Park (canoe/inner tubes)
- Argo Park (canoe/inner tubes)
- Music/Live Show Venues
- Circus (karaoke, moth readings)
- Blind Pig (touring bands)
- Ark Theater
- Comedy Club
- Most big name stuff in Detroit
Here are some helpful hints for orienting yourself to the city:
- AATA (local bus system) is very limited
- Specific hours of operation (all buses DONE by 11pm, 6pm on weekends or not at all)
- Low frequency (unless you are on a major line)
- Poor mobile phone compatibility
- Decent bus lines: 2, 4
- You can also rent bikes
- Zipcar is an option
- Small city (relative to Seattle, L.A., NYC, Miami, Chicago)
- Most arts/events are driven by university
- Lots of events put on by city, though (e.g., Top of the Park in the summer)
- Close proximity to Detroit for anything else (e.g., DIA)
- Most arts/events are driven by university
- Weather can be tricky (except Fall; Fall is amazing)
- Humid in summer
- Prepare for super intense, 20 minute storms (umbrella = necessary)
- Generally hot, feels hotter because of humidity
- Cold in winter
- Semi-sunny during winter (relative to Seattle)
- Really cold (negative teens with the right amount of wind chill)Coldness can be combated by:
- Winter coat (wind resistance a +++)
- Snow boots (Seriously makes a world of difference)
- Scarf (easy and effective barrier between wind and your face)
- Humid in summer
- Spring is meh
- Depending on intensity of winter, can start by February, or not until late April
- Rainy-ish
- Fall
- Wonderful
- Beautiful
- Cozy
- Looks like a movie set