Ann Arbor's appeal is inseparable from the University of Michigan, but you do not need to be a student to enjoy what the city offers. The campus itself is worth wandering for its architecture alone, and the university's museums are genuinely excellent and free to visit. Beyond campus, the downtown is compact and walkable, with good independent shops, a historic movie palace, and a farmers' market that draws the whole city on Saturday mornings. In warmer months, the Huron River and the trails through Nichols Arboretum offer easy escapes without leaving town.