Ypsilanti, MI Road Trips

Ypsilanti is Ann Arbor's smaller, poorer, uglier, and infinitely cooler sibling. Surrounded by pretentious neighbors, Ypsi residents tend to see their city as more relaxed and less yuppified. Ypsilanti was the birthplace of Iggy Pop and home of the Ypsilanti Water Tower, dubbed the most phallic building in the world. It's been said that Ypsi is the Brooklyn to Ann Arbor's Manhattan, and many artists have relocated to Ypsi after being priced out of Ann Arbor. This has resulted in a thriving art scene, most visible at the Shadow Art Fair each summer. Although Eastern Michigan University's enrollment of 23,000 students is more than the permanent population of the city (less than 20,000), and the school is the city's largest employer, with roughly 1,700 faculty and staff members, Ypsilanti is not culturally dominated by the university in the way Ann Arbor is by the University of Michigan. Ypsilanti has long played an important role in the automobile industry. From 1920-1922, Apex Motors produced the "ACE" car. It was in Ypsilanti that Preston Tucker, whose family owned the Ypsilanti Machine Tool Company, designed and built the prototypes for his Tucker '48. In 1945, Henry J. Kaiser and Joseph W. Frazer bought the nearby Willow Run B-24 Liberator bomber plant from Ford Motor Company, and started to make Kaiser and Frazer model cars in 1947. The last Kaiser car made in Ypsilanti rolled off the assembly line in 1953, when the company merged with Willys-Overland and moved production to Toledo, Ohio.

1 Michigan Firehouse Museum, 110 W Cross St, ☏ +1 734-547-0663. Museum that houses many pieces of firefighting equipment and vehicles, promotes fire safety and prevention. Dedicated to the history of firefighting in Michigan. (updated Apr 2019) 2 Ypsilanti's Automotive Heritage Museum and Miller Motors Hudson, 100 East Cross St, ☏ +1 734-482-5200. Tu-Su 1-4PM. A varied collection of automobiles as well as the last Hudson dealership in the United States. $5 for adults, with children 12 and under free, when accompanied by an adult. (updated Feb 2020) 3 Ypsilanti Historic District. Ypsilanti, despite being a relatively small city (fewer than 20,000 as of the 2010 census), boasts the second-largest contiguous historic district in Michigan. (updated Nov 2019) 4 Ypsilanti Historical Society, 220 N Huron St, ☏ +1 734-484-0080. Tu-Su 2-5PM. A local historical museum featuring a large collection of antiques and historical documents. Free. (updated Nov 2019) 5 Ypsilanti Water Tower. A historic water tower completed in 1890, it has the curious distinction of having won Cabinet magazine's competition to find the "world's most phallic building." With apologies to squeamish readers: it's 147 feet (45 m) high, has a base diameter of 85 feet (26 m), and is known locally as "the brick dick." A bust of the city's namesake, Demetrius Ypsilanti, a hero of the Greek war of independence, stands just west of the water tower.

1 Eastern Michigan Eagles, 799 N. Hewitt Rd. Eastern Michigan University fields 19 varsity sports teams competing in the Mid-American Conference. Although they do compete in NCAA Division I -- the top tier of collegiate athletics -- the atmosphere at EMU athletic events is closer to lower-level colleges than to the professional-like atmosphere at the University of Michigan, 7 miles (11 km) to the west. The Eagles play American football games at Rynearson Stadium, men's and women's basketball games in the EMU Convocation Center, and baseball games at Oestrike Stadium, all on the northwest side of Ypsilanti. Event parking is free and plentiful, and tickets are usually easily available ranging from free to $10, depending on the event. Up to $10. Bike Ypsi. A casual group of local cyclists organize several weekly rides as well as larger periodic rides (e.g., Spring Ride). Free. 2 Wasem Fruit Farm, 6580 Judd Rd, ☏ +1 734 482-2342. Hours vary by season. Just south of Ypsilanti, Wasem Fruit Farm is a second-generation family-owned orchard offering apples, tart cherries, currants, gooseberries, peaches, pears, plums, rasberries, and pumpkins, in season. All fruits are available as U-pick or pre-picked. In the fall they also make and sell apple cider, apple butter, jams and jellies, and donuts. Free. 3 Wiard's Orchards and Country Fair, 5565 Merritt Rd, ☏ +1 734 390-9211.

1 Sidetrack Bar and Grill, 56 E Cross St. Great selection of beer and bar food, accompanied by the occasional rumble of Amtrak trains (hence the name). Burgers have received national acclaim from GQ Magazine and Oprah Winfrey. Service may leave something to be desired, but the food is always good. (updated Apr 2019) 2 Aubree's Saloon, 39 E. Cross St, ☏ +1 734 483-1870. Another Depot Town favorite, probably best known for their pizza. 3 Dom Bakeries, 1305 Washtenaw Ave, ☏ +1 734 485-3175. M & W-Sa 6AM-7PM, Su 6AM-5PM. Although they offer cakes and other baked goods, "Dom's" is really known for their donuts. Cash only. 4 Haab's, 18 W Michigan Ave, ☏ +1 734 483-8200, fax: +1 734 483-9676, [email protected]. Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM. Known for their steak and seafood, Haab's had been an Ypsilanti institution since 1934. Every year, on the third Monday in October, they celebrate their longevity by offering several menu items at their original 1934 prices: chicken dinner for $0.50, spaghetti dinner for $0.40, and barbecue sandwich with french fries for $0.20! 5 Red Rock Downtown Barbecue, 207 W Michigan Ave, ☏ +1 734 340-2381. Barbecue and sides, with a variety of craft beers. Pulled pork, chicken, and beef brisket are the main feature, but the sides are excellent. 6 Roy's Squeeze-Inn, 1315 E. Michigan Ave. This tiny diner is known for having one of the best burgers in town. 7 The Bomber, 306 E Michigan Ave, ☏ +1 734 482-0550. The Bomber's name and decor celebrates the region's role in World War II, when B-24 bombers were built at the Willow Run factory.

1 Bridge Community Cafe, 217 W Michigan Ave, ☏ +1 734-896-3710. Cafe next-door to the downtown library. 2 Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, 735 W Cross St. A popular Ann Arbor cafe for 20 years, Sweetwaters is opening an Ypsilanti location by the end of January 2013. 3 Northern Grind Coffee, 317 W Cross St, ☏ +1 734 484-4684. Many of Ypsilanti's restaurants serve alcohol, and even have bar areas. Among those worth noting are Sidetrack, Aubree's, Red Rock, and the Wurst Bar. 4 Corner Brewery (Arbor Brewing), 720 Norris St, ☏ +1 734 480-2739, fax: +1 734 829-0145. M-Sa 2PM-midnight, Su 2-10PM. Beer garden open in warmer months. Free wifi, dart boards, and board games. Children accompanied by a parent are welcome until 9PM. Frequently hosts community events and gatherings. (updated Apr 2019) 5 Tap Room, 201 W Michigan Ave, ☏ +1 734 482-5320. M-Sa 11AM-2AM, Su noon-2AM. The Tap Room has been around since 1941, feeding and quenching the thirst of workers at the old bomber plant during the war. It is said that in order to do the wiring and other work in the small confines of the plane wings, the plant flew in small people that could crawl into the cramped spaces, and it is also said that Tap Room was their bar. Those who know this story affectionately call this "The Midget Bar". Is this just a "tall" tale? A visit to Tap Room might prove otherwise, as the original doorknobs for the front door and old restrooms were only 2 feet from the floor! (updated Apr 2019)

Your Motel is just outside the city. The Regent Hotel is west of Ypsilanti, just off US-23. The Marriott at Eagle Crest is just outside the city to the south, just off I-94. 1 Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest, 1275 S Huron St, ☏ +1 734-487-2000. A 238-room hotel just south of the city, the Eagle Crest includes an attached conference center, an 18-hole golf course (open March through November), and three on-site restaurants. (updated Apr 2019) 2 Ann Arbor Regent Hotel and Suites, 2455 Carpenter Rd, ☏ +1 734 973-6100, fax: +1 734 973-6142, [email protected]. Located between Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, just off US-23, the Regent offers 125 rooms, all including free hot breakfast, wireless internet, refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. The Regent has an indoor pool, whirlpool, billiards lounge, and 24 hour fitness center. 3 Your Motel, 829 E Michigan Ave, ☏ +1 734 483-9300. Located in Ypsilanti Township, to the east of the city.

The simplest way to arrive an Ypsilanti is by car. Ypsilanti is bounded by I-94 (between Detroit and Jackson) on the south, and by US-23 (between Flint and Toledo, Ohio) on the west. From Toledo and other points south, take US-23 north; from Detroit, the airport, and points east, take I-94 west; from Chicago and points west, take I-94 east; from the north, take US-23 south. The nearest major airport is Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW IATA), about 20 minutes away, from which it will probably be necessary to rent a car or have a friend pick you up. A taxi will cost you in the neighborhood of $45 one-way; alternatively, several shuttle services offer pre-booked trips for $30-35 one-way and $55-60 round-trip, with the cost per person decreasing as the size of the group increases. There are quite a lot of airport shuttle services, but the following will give you a place to start: Ann Arbor Airport (ARB IATA), (intersection of State Street and Ellsworth Road), is a small 24-hour airport that handles business, corporate, public and private flights, air ambulance service, flight instruction and charter services. 1 Willow Run Airport (YIP IATA). General aviation only. (updated Oct 2019) The Ride Airport Service, ☏ +1 734 707-7247. A service of the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, the AirRide is a bit roundabout, but probably the cheapest way to get from the airport to Ypsilanti without a car and without someone picking you up. With a reservation, standard adult fares are $12 one-way or $22 round-trip.

Ypsilanti is a small enough city that it's easy to get around on foot or on a bicycle -- bicycle racks are plentiful in the downtown, Depot Town, and campus areas -- at least when the weather is good. Free parking is plentiful throughout the city, though in some areas (downtown and campus) free parking may leave you a few blocks away from your destination. 2 Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (The Ride), 220 Pearl St, ☏ +1 734-996-0400. M-F 6:30AM-11:30PM, Sa Su 7:30AM-7PM, depending on the route. Provides bus service in and around Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor. Full price adult fares for regular AATA routes are $1.50, with free transfers within 90 minutes; various discounts and passes are also available. Ann Arbor Taxi & Airport Car Services, ☏ +1 734-330-2028.