Discover Ann Arbor Scavenger Hunt
Discover the university city of Michigan with a scavenger hunt across Ann Arbor. Cross the brass M on the Diag at the heart of the University of Michigan, stand outside the Big House (the largest football stadium in the country), browse the stalls of Kerrytown and the bookshops of State Street. Ann Arbor mixes college-town buzz, leafy streets and a serious food and arts scene, made for a great group photo on every corner.
Stops on this hunt
The geo-tagged checkpoints that anchor this route. You can rearrange, replace or remove any stop after using the template.
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1
The Diag
Navigate to the Diag, the central crossroads of the University of Michigan campus, and check in by the brass M.
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2
Michigan Stadium
Walk or rideshare south to Michigan Stadium, the Big House, and check in by one of the entrance gates.
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3
Kerrytown
Walk north to the Kerrytown district and check in by the market sheds.
Challenges (17)
Ann Arbor kick-off
The hunt begins! Find a classic Ann Arbor backdrop (a maize-and-blue banner, a leafy campus building, a State Street storefront) and take a group photo with the whole team in shot.
Checkpoint: The Diag
Navigate to the Diag, the central crossroads of the University of Michigan campus, and check in by the brass M.
Brass M on the Diag
A brass block M is set into the pavement at the centre of the Diag (campus legend says stepping on it before your first exam is bad luck). Take a group photo gathered around the M.
Trivia: Ann Arbor named
The two founders of Ann Arbor named it partly after their wives, who shared the same first name, and partly after the stands of oak trees (the "arbor"). What was that shared first name?
Answer: ann
The Cube spin
Near State and North University stands "Endover", a black steel cube balanced on a corner that spins when you push it. Take a group photo with the team mid-push, spinning the Cube.
Trivia: University of Michigan moved
The University of Michigan relocated from Detroit to Ann Arbor on land the town offered it. In what year did the university come to Ann Arbor?
Answer: 1837
Checkpoint: Michigan Stadium
Walk or rideshare south to Michigan Stadium, the Big House, and check in by one of the entrance gates.
Big House pose
Michigan Stadium is the largest football stadium in the country, holding over 107,000 fans. Take a group photo at the gates or a tunnel with the stadium behind you.
Trivia: Big House capacity
Michigan Stadium is famous as the biggest stadium in the US. Its capacity is just over how many thousand (answer the round number above 100, i.e. 107)?
Answers: 107 / 107000 / 107,000 / 107601 / 107,601
Checkpoint: Kerrytown
Walk north to the Kerrytown district and check in by the market sheds.
Kerrytown market pose
Kerrytown is a cluster of market stalls, shops and the famous Zingerman's Deli. Take a group photo among the market sheds or in front of a colourful storefront.
Ann Arbor foodie classic
Find an Ann Arbor favourite (a Zingerman's sandwich, a slice from a campus pizzeria, a local craft beer, a scoop of Michigan ice cream) and take a group photo with everyone tucking in at the same time.
State Street bookshop
The State Street district is full of bookshops, cafes and student life. Find a bookstore or cafe and take a fun group photo celebrating Ann Arbor's bookish, brainy side.
Burton Tower spot
The Burton Memorial Tower, the campus carillon, rises above central campus and chimes the hours. Find a view of the tower and take a group photo with it behind you.
Maize and blue moment
Ann Arbor bleeds maize and blue for the Wolverines. Find anything in those colours (a flag, a shirt, a storefront) and take a group photo with the whole team showing team spirit.
Local Ann Arbor tip
Convince a local Ann Arbor resident or student to share a tip about the city (a cafe, a campus secret, the best game-day spot). Take a photo with your impromptu guide and remember the tip.
Ann Arbor finale
Final challenge. Find a beautiful Ann Arbor spot (the Diag in autumn leaves, the Big House, a State Street corner) and take an amazing closing group photo. Go Blue, and cheers from Tree Town!
Frequently asked questions
Three to four hours covers the University of Michigan central campus (the Diag), the State Street and Main Street districts and Kerrytown at a relaxed pace. The core route is flat and walkable; Michigan Stadium is about a mile south of campus, a short walk or rideshare to add the Big House.
The Diag on the University of Michigan central campus is the natural starting point. It sits between State Street and South University, with the brass M, the bookshops and the libraries all around, and parking structures a block or two away in either direction.
Yes. The route works for any age. Kids enjoy the Kerrytown market, the cube sculpture that spins on State Street and the giant Big House stadium. The campus and downtown are flat and walkable, with plenty of cafes and ice-cream stops to regroup.
Yes. Michigan Stadium, nicknamed the Big House, is the largest American football stadium with a capacity over 107,000. It is about a mile south of central campus. On a non-game day you can walk right up to the entrances and tunnels for photos; on game days the whole city turns maize and blue, so plan accordingly.
It is "Endover", a black steel cube balanced on one corner near the corner of State and North University, known to everyone simply as "the Cube". With a push, a small group can spin it. It is a beloved campus landmark and an easy, fun stop on the hunt.