Why Ann Arbor
Located along the Huron River in Washtenaw County, Michigan, Ann Arbor serves as a major regional center and the fifth most populous city in the state. Recognized for its dense foliage, the community holds the nickname "Tree Town" due to tens of thousands of trees lining its streets and spread across more than 160 municipal parks. The city's terrain features rolling hills and valleys, with elevations rising higher on its western boundary away from the river.
Originally inhabited by Native American tribes including the Anishinaabe, Wyandot, and Sauk, the region was crisscrossed by converging trails before the land was ceded to the United States in 1807. Land speculators founded the settlement in 1824, naming it after their wives and local oak groves, and it was officially chartered as a city in 1851. The introduction of regional rail connections in 1839 transformed the location into a transit hub, bringing diverse groups of settlers over subsequent decades.
The presence of the University of Michigan, established in the city in 1837 as the oldest university in the state, deeply shapes local history and identity. The university fuels a strong high-technology and research-based economy and historically fostered a legacy of student activism and political movements during the 1960s and 1970s. University properties comprise a substantial portion of the downtown area, directly influencing the layout and character of the city.
Visitors can explore several distinct commercial districts downtown, including Kerrytown, State Street, Main Street, and South University. The urban center features a mix of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century architecture, modern high-rises such as Tower Plaza, public art installations like Fairy Doors, and landmarks including the Michigan Theater and The Diag. Nearby, the Old West Side neighborhood preserves historic nineteenth-century streetscapes. Seasonal downtown pedestrian zones on weekends provide open walkways for pedestrians and outdoor seating.
Ann Arbor provides extensive natural and recreational spaces. Green spaces along the Huron River include Fuller Recreation Area with its sports fields and pools, while Veterans Memorial Park hosts a large public skatepark. Visitors can also visit the university's Nichols Arboretum or Matthaei Botanical Gardens, which houses a large tropical conservatory. The climate is humid continental, featuring four distinct seasons marked by cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers influenced by the Great Lakes.
01 Weather
70°
56°
64°
57°
☔ 100% 
68°
57°
☔ 100%
60°
55°
☔ 33%
62°
50°