Known locally as "the Arb," this 123-acre arboretum along the Huron River is one of Ann Arbor's finest assets. The terrain is rolling and wooded, with trails winding through native plant collections, prairie restorations, and old-growth trees. It connects to the university's central campus at its western edge, making it an easy walk from downtown.
The Arb is lovely in every season but peaks twice: in June when the peony garden explodes with color, and in October when the hardwoods turn. The river trail at the bottom of the ravine is a good running route. Bring a book and a blanket in summer — students and residents treat the hillside meadows as an outdoor living room.