What are Some Tourist Attractions in Ann Arbor, Michigan?

Ann Arbor, Michigan is known for its beautiful trees, so not surprisingly two of the top tourist attractions here are the Nichols Arboretum and the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Ann Arbor also has an established arts and cultural identity. The Michigan Theater, the Ann Arbor Art Center and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library are just a few of the excellent attractions in Ann Arbor.

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library includes the files and documents of President Ford and other White House staff. The Library is located at the University of Michigan as President Ford attended this school and played football here. You can view film footage that relates to Ford's life as well as look at photographs. Documents include Ford's pardon of Richard M. Nixon and papers that relate to the fall of Saigon and the Vietnam War.

The Ann Arbor Art Center is one of the oldest attractions in Ann Arbor as it dates back to 1909. The Art Center focuses on contemporary art and is known for art education as well as art exhibition. There are usually art classes available for adults and children. The Ann Arbor Art Center features Michigan and Ann Arbor artists and the gift shop has artist's works for sale such as sculptures, pottery, paintings and jewelry.

The Michigan Theater was chosen by the League of American Historic Theaters as the Outstanding Historic Theater of 2006. It's one of the most popular attractions in Ann Arbor and many visitors go to the Michigan Theater just to see it's old-fashioned elegance. However, the theater also presents stage shows and independent films and seats 1,700 people. The Theater's original 1927 pipe organ is still played before some performances.

The Matthaei Botanical Gardens is located at the University of Michigan and is known for it's beautiful plants that have educational markers. The Gardens have nature trails and a conservatory. The Nichols Arboretum is one of the oldest tourist attractions in Ann Arbor. It was created by landscape Ossian Cole Simonds in 1905. The "Arb" as it is sometimes called by residents, has more than 500 species of trees and is home to many creative events such as performance art shows.