Best Hikes in Ann Arbor (And Where to Eat After)

Updated December 13, 2025

If hiking makes you hungry, you’re in the right place. Here are five amazing places to get outside in Ann Arbor and where to go eat after.

Disclaimer - This is a sponsored blog post by Destination Ann Arbor. As always, my opinions are unbiased and my own. I want to thank Ann Arbor for their generosity! For more information on planning your trip, visit AnnArbor.com

Ann Arbor is a delightful city that has the outdoors baked into its DNA. It’s super walkable and sustainability initiatives are visible everywhere. The foodie scene in Ann Arbor is also unmatched for a city of this size. I’d put Ann Arbor’s food scene up against giants like Chicago and Philadelphia.

The combo of an amazing food town plus great outdoor spaces make Ann Arbor an awesome place to hike and then eat. Because nothing is better than a hike than chowing down on something delicious!

Read on for the best places to hike and then go for a bite to eat in Ann Arbor!

As always, follow the principles of leave no trace when you're out exploring! Pack out all trash, leave wildlife alone, and generally leave it better than you found it - for more information visit the Leave No Trace Center.

Best Places to Hike and Eat in Ann Arbor

Table of Contents
- Nichols Arboretum & Peridot
- Bird Hills Nature Area & Zingerman's Deli
- Furstenburg Nature Area & Detroit Street Filling Station
- Matthaei Botanical Garden & Arbor Brewing (Ypsilanti location)
- Hudson Mills Metropark & Jenny's Farm Market 
- Places to Stay in Ann Arbor

Nichols Arboretum & Peridot

Unique gardens 🤝 Vietnamese inspired small plates

Check out the unique gardens and trails at the Nichols Arboretum. Known to locals as “The Arb”, explore almost 3.5 miles of trails and gardens maintained by the University of Michigan. It’s open from sunrise to sunset. The Arb is most famous for its peony gardens, whose peak season is late May to early June. I went to Ann Arbor in October so unfortuntately missed out but I want to go back for this bucket list experience.

Go to The Arb later in the day and pair the sunset glow with a delicious dinner at Peridot. You can either walk 45 minutes or drive ten minutes from the Arboretum to the restaurant. (I’d personally recommend walking so that you can make a stop at the Dawn Treader Book Shop on your way!). The Vietnamese-inspired small plates combined with award winning cocktails hit the spot after an adventurous day.

Peridot’s small plates are perfect for adventurous eaters who want to try a bunch of different things. I loved the fried chicken wings and the spicy cucumber salad. Their mocktails were amazing and as someone who doesn’t drink, it was nice that they had more than just a couple options. I loved sitting at the bar and watching the talented bartenders craft the perfect drink for other patrons.

Bird Hills Nature Area & Zingerman’s Deli

Hilly trails 🤝 a sandwich bigger than your head

Bird Hills Nature Area is the largest nature area in Ann Arbor and is great for a longer hike. At 146 acres, this park is the largest natural area in Ann Arbor. I went first thing in the morning and had the park to myself for all of thirty minutes before it was filled with locals jogging, hiking, and walking their dogs. If you’re visiting in stick season, you’ll probably get a great view of the river. During my fall visit, I saw some beautiful foliage.

Work up an appetite because five minutes away, Zingerman’s Deli serves up giant New York style sandwiches. This Ann Arbor staple is a traditional deli that is worth the wait. (I waited about 45 minutes for a sandwich on a Saturday during Fall Break so go early if school is in session!) I enjoyed Rick’s 50/50 Mix (half corned beef/half pastrami) with spicy mustard with a side of coleslaw. Make sure you know before you order whether you’re team “new pickle” or team “old pickle” before ordering (IYKYK).

If you're looking for more to do in Ann Arbor, check out my massive three-day weekend itinerary!

Furstenburg Nature Area & Detroit Street Filling Station

Boardwalk trails along the river 🤝 the best tots of all time

Furstenburg Nature Area’s beautiful boardwalk trails make it a great place for a casual walk next to the river. This was a place that wasn’t originally on my itinerary, but I saw the sign for it and was glad I made the decision to stop as it was my favorite hike in Ann Arbor!

The park is great for beginner hikers, families with young ones, or those with mobility issues, as much of the trail is on boardwalks or is very flat. I spent about two hours here wandering over the bridges and boardwalks, looking at swans and other birds.

Then drive less then ten minutes to vegan Detroit Street Filling Station for great mocktails and the world’s best tots. While I am not vegan and generally avoid vegan food because I love dairy, I would have had no idea that DSFS was vegan. This vegan restaurant offers funky food with fresh ingredients.

I highly recommend the tots were perfectly crispy, served with a spicy aioli. In warm months, the outdoor patio is a great place to get fresh air and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere (pride flags galore!) and great soundtrack. If you only do one hike + meal combo, this is the one I recommend.

Matthaei Botanical Garden & Arbor Brewing

Indoor and outdoor gardens 🤝 casual bite and brews

On the outskirts of the city, check out the Matthaei Botanical Garden. Wander through the indoor and outdoor gardens and three miles of trails, making sure to check out the impressive collection of bonsai trees. Free to visit (minus parking fees), this beautiful botanical garden offers indoor and outdoor gardens as well as three miles of trails through the property. My personal favorite garden was the bonsai garden.

Then grab a casual bite and brew at Arbor Brewing Company. The Ypsilanti location is less than a fifteen minute drive from the Botanical Garden. It’s super casual, so no pressure to change into a nicer outfit post hike.

Beer drinkers will enjoy their extensive tap list, where I was stoked that they had a delicious non-alcoholic hop water. I enjoyed my ability to customize a ton about my meal, even down to adding extra “horsey mayo” for my crispy fries. While I was solo, this would be a great place for a larger group of friends or family because of all the board games available to play.

Hudson Mills Metropark & Jenny’s Farm Stand and Cider Mill

Iconic trail 🤝 local homemade farm market

A 25 minute drive outside the city, Hudson Mills Metropark is a great park to escape downtown Ann Arbor. I chose this park to be able to explore a section of the Border to Border trail, a 42 mile long trail that runs through Washtenaw County. This trail was beautifully paved and in great condition. I loved walking through the Hudson Mills section along the river.

Note that the Metroparks require an entry fee to get in, but you can get into any park in the system the day that you pay your entry fee. The daily entry fee is $10, but residents can pay $40 for a yearly pass (a GREAT deal).

After your hike, check out Jenny’s Farm Stand. This family owned farm and cider mill is a five minute drive away on your way back to the city. In the fall, grab a half dozen fresh-baked apple cider donuts. I’m not even a huge donut fan, but these warm and crispy donuts tasted like fall. I also enjoyed apple cider. They had pickle samples out in the market section of the farm and their hot pickles are insanely good.

Places to Stay in Ann Arbor

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If you’re looking to make a trip out of it, check out my recommendations for where to stay in Ann Arbor!

Best Ann Arbor Hotels

If you’re looking for other places to stay, check out this map below!