Downtown Shopping & Dining (Self Guided), Ann Arbor

Downtown Ann Arbor is an ideal place to go if you want to indulge in some retail therapy. Whether you want souvenirs, fashions, food, jewelry, books or gifts, this is a wonderful locale to explore. The historic heart of the city is South Main Street, a collection of old and new shops, boutiques, galleries and restaurants.

The majority of shops and eateries are to be found along South State Street, East Liberty Street and South Main Street. As you move closer to South Main Street the quality of offerings becomes noticeably more upscale. Shopping is the principle obsession here and small wonder when you consider that there is so much variety. Among the many finds in the downtown area are eco-friendly home furnishings, toys, funky jewelry pieces made by skilled artisans, folk art, garden items, vintage and upscale clothing for men and women and cosmetics. Pick up some everyday essentials, indulge yourself with some luxury treats and purchase unique gifts.

Come back to the downtown shopping streets in the early evening for a delicious meal in one of the restaurants. After dinner, you can spend some more time browsing the stores. Many of the retail outlets stay open until 9 or 10 p.m.