{"id":86852,"date":"2022-01-10T00:00:12","date_gmt":"2022-01-10T00:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.reinhartrealtors.com\/blog\/?p=86852"},"modified":"2022-01-10T00:00:12","modified_gmt":"2022-01-10T00:00:12","slug":"things-indoors-winter-ann-arbor-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/9251cardwell1.reinhartrealtors.com\/blog\/things-indoors-winter-ann-arbor-area\/","title":{"rendered":"13 Things to Do Indoors This Winter in the Ann Arbor Area"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve been around awhile, you know that Michigan winters can be\u2026intense. And after the busyness of the holiday season has come and gone, many of us are looking for some indoor activities to keep us busy \u2014\u00a0and warm.<\/p>\n

There is no shortage of things to do indoors in Ann Arbor during the winter, from cuddling with cats at a cafe to solving clues in an escape room. See how many of these winter-proof activities you can cross off your bucket list before the start of spring!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Go Ice Skating at Yost Ice Arena<\/a><\/h2>\n

Skate on the same ice as the University of Michigan Varsity Hockey Team at Yost Ice Arena, one of the most recognized and iconic rinks in college hockey. After a brief hiatus, Public Skate returned this December! Admission is just $6 for adults and $4 for students, kids, faculty and staff \u2014\u00a0and for an extra $3, you can rent skates. Check the schedule<\/a> to see upcoming dates and times for Public Skate, and make sure you get to the rink early so your size skate doesn\u2019t run out!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Relax at a Cat Cafe<\/h2>\n

\"Tiny<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo Courtesy of Humane Society of Huron Valley<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Brought to you by the Humane Society of Huron Valley, the Tiny Lions lounge and adoption Center (TLC)<\/a> provides a place for humans to interact with lovable felines, all of which are available for adoption. But there is no obligation to adopt a cat; you can simply visit the cafe to get some work done using their free wifi, drink a cup of coffee from the cafe, or meet up with friends \u2014\u00a0with cuddly cats wandering all around. To help pay the cats\u2019 rent, there is a nominal admission fee of $7 for an hour and $4 for a half-hour \u2014\u00a0and admission is free for babies who are not yet walking!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Visit a Museum<\/h2>\n

Escape a snowy or rainy day inside one of the city\u2019s many amazing museums, as you immerse yourself in a world of art, history and science. Explore the University of Michigan Museum of Art<\/a> for collections of art representing 150 years, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum<\/a> for interactive exhibits for kids and adults alike, the U-M Museum of Natural History<\/a> for jaw-dropping natural history exhibits, and the U-M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology<\/a> for Classical, Egyptian, and Near Eastern archaeology. Or travel a little further to discover the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum<\/a> or Michigan Firehouse Museum<\/a> in Ypsilanti!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Discover a Speakeasy<\/h2>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo Courtesy of\u00a0The Last Word<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Shh\u2026 we\u2019ll let you in on a little secret. Marked only by a red light and a small plaque that reads \u201cThe LW,\u201d The Last Word<\/a> is a speakeasy tucked away in the basement under LIVE Night Club \u2014\u00a0providing a true Prohibition Era experience. The drink menu<\/a> includes high-quality wines and craft beers, but the bartenders specialize in cocktails, all prepared with fresh ingredients and house-made syrups and bitters. Their cocktails are sorted by palate, going from light and fruity drinks to more heavy, booze-forward drinks. Hungry? The Last Word also serves an impeccable food menu<\/a> with small appetizers and shareable plates. Don\u2019t miss the live jazz music on select nights!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Learn a New Recipe at Zingerman\u2019s BAKE!<\/a><\/h2>\n

Winter is for baking! Pick up a new recipe at Zingerman\u2019s BAKE!<\/a>, a hands-on teaching bakery with a variety of classes, from cake baking to cheese pairing. Check out the schedule<\/a> to find an upcoming baking or cooking class that piques your interest, whether you\u2019re craving pizza, doughnuts, soup or brownies. They also offer the ability to customize your experience with private classes<\/a>, both in-person and virtual. The best part? Zingerman\u2019s takes care of all the cleanup and you get to take home your leftovers!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Eat Ramen<\/h2>\n

\"Ramen<\/a><\/p>\n

Nothing quite warms you up like a bowl of hot ramen on a cold day. This time of year, we can\u2019t get enough of those hand-pulled noodles, salty homemade broth, and fresh, hearty vegetables. And thankfully, there is no shortage of ramen spots in Ann Arbor! The real trick is narrowing down your choices \u2014\u00a0but we can help with that. We mapped out the best in the city<\/a> so you can find the ramen eatery nearest you for dine-in or carry-out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Try a New Coffee or Tea Shop<\/h2>\n

Coffee and tea shops are a refuge on a cold, winter day \u2014\u00a0providing a space to read a book, catch up with a friend, get some work done, and of course, sip on a warm seasonal latte. Branch out of your routine and try a coffee shop you haven\u2019t been to yet! Need some direction? Here are a few of our favorite coffee shops<\/a> and tea shops in Ann Arbor<\/a> you need to check off your list.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Go Rock Climbing at Planet Rock<\/a><\/h2>\n

\"Planet<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo Courtesy of\u00a0Planet Rock<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Whether you consider yourself a beginner or a pro climber, you are welcome at Planet Rock. As Ann Arbor\u2019s premier indoor rock climbing gym, Planet Rock provides more than 25,000 square feet of climbing surface to explore, a full training area, and a giant bouldering mushroom. Their location in Madison Heights also offers a 15-meter official competition speed climbing wall and an ice climbing training area. If it\u2019s your first time<\/a> at Planet Rock, fill out a waiver<\/a> and purchase a starter lesson to get acquainted. And if you love your experience, you might just want to buy a monthly or annual membership or 5\/10-punch passes for future climbs!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Escape From Decode<\/a><\/h2>\n

Voted the #2 escape room in the U.S. and #1 in the state, Decode<\/a> provides complex, unique escape rooms in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti \u2014\u00a0and coming soon to Detroit! In Ann Arbor, join your pilot, Milo, on a once-in-a-lifetime journey across the globe in \u201cAround the World in 80 Days.\u201d This 60-minute challenge was constructed over the course of two years in a formerly abandoned 1,000-square-foot warehouse, which is twice the size of any game before it. Each game is private and can accommodate up to 15 people! Call to book your temporary stay in this escape room for an hour of mystery and problem solving.<\/p>\n

Want to stay in your car? Try Decode\u2019s Drive-In Adventure, an outdoor game you complete from your car that runs nightly at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Go to the Matthaei Botanical Gardens Conservatory<\/a><\/h2>\n
\n

\n<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

A post shared by Matthaei Gardens & Nichols Arb (@matthaeinichols)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n