THE TOUR GUIDE’S GUIDE TO
What Our Students Say About Ypsi
“I love all of the different scenes around Ypsilanti. Between Depot Town’s ‘small town’ feel, the typical city shopping centers and activities, the beautiful historic buildings, and the parks — there is a place in Ypsi for every mood and time of day!”
REESE, ROYAL OAK, MI
“The community here is so vibrant and welcoming; all kinds of people coming together. One of my favorite memories is the amazing Pride festivals during the month of June from the drag shows to the pride flags being displayed in the local shops. There’s something here for everyone no matter who you are.”
JADEN, AURORA, IL
“Ypsi is a melting pot of cultures. Everyone from every background is in Ypsi, always making you feel at home! The dining options are always endless with any type of authentic food you can think of.”
ANISEH, PALESTINE
“Moving out of state for school was intimidating at first but I couldn’t have found a more supportive and welcoming community than Ypsi. With events like First Fridays, the art/craft fairs, farmers markets and all of the local businesses there is always something to do or see. Living and working in town I have met so many great people and made so many great memories, I am proud to call Ypsi my home!”
MEG, CANBY, OR
“I love how connected Ypsi is to the EMU community. Getting to Ypsi and back to campus is so natural and easy. The community’s willingness to partner with EMU and students makes EMU feel like a campus within the Yypsi community, rather than the campus next to it.”
ABDURRAHMAN, CANTON, MI
“When I first visited Ypsilanti, I remember immediately feeling like it reminded me of home, while still being completely unique to anywhere I had visited before. Ypsi is the best of both worlds for me — it has its own charm and community, while still being well-connected to EMU and the surrounding metropolitan area.”
KATHRYN, CHICAGO, IL
Stay for a day.
Start in historic Depot Town and grab a coffee or a bite to eat!
MAIZ Mexican Cantina
36 East Cross St
Modern Mexican cuisine prepared from scratch daily. A great place for tacos!
Aubree’s Pizzeria and Grill
39 East Cross St
A staple since 1972, this laid-back joint serves the best pizza in town.
Hyperion Coffee Co
306 North River St
A local roaster in Ypsilanti. Grab a drink and relax in their cozy corner.
Vertex Coffee Roasters
307 North River St
Local coffee roaster committed to zero waste practices and providing space for community events.
Afterwards, grab a pastry and do some shopping in Downtown Ypsi:
Bird Dog Baking
100 West Michigan Ave
Bakery serving up organic sourdough breads and grain-forward pastries.
Ypsi Art Supply & Atelier
42 North Huron St
An independently owned spot for art supplies and gifts for creative types.
The Rocket
122 West Michigan Ave
A novelty gift, toy, and bulk candy store.
Find fun, funky, and nostalgic things here.
World of Rocks
32 North Huron St
Home to crystals, minerals, fossils, and beads, from all over the world, for 25 years.
Wyrd Byrd
“I love Ypsilanti because of the community. From the amazing local restaurants and businesses downtown, to the beautiful nature trails and lakes, you can always find something to do and meet some wonderful people along the way.”
OLIVIA, HARTLAND, MI
9 South Washington St
Find new and used vinyl, books, and interesting zines in this shop that also hosts movie nights and open mics.
Stay for a night.
Visit emich.edu/visit for overnight accommodation recommendations. During your stay we recommend visiting some of our favorite local attractions! Start your day with a delicious meal:
Bomber Restaurant
306 East Michigan Ave
Voted “Best Breakfast in Washtenaw County” — look no further for the greatest french toast around!
Thompson & Co
400 North River St
Located in Depot Town and serving up Southern cuisine inspired by comfort food including Nashville hot chicken, brisket pizza, and more.
Enjoy some time outside on the B2B Trail, which has 35 miles of trail running through the scenic Huron River valley. Start at our local Frog Island Park and travel through to Gallup Park for beautiful views close to campus. If you’re interested in a more relaxing day, check out Riverside Park instead!
Frog Island Park
699 Rice St
A 5 acre park on the Huron River, connected to Riverside Park via a three-point bridge. Riverside Park
2 East Cross St
A 13.8 acre park on the Huron River in the center of town, linking downtown and Depot Town. Home to many annual festivals.
Stay for awhile.
While you’re here, check out some of our favorite places in Ypsilanti and beyond! Our corner of South Eastern Michigan has so much to offer.
Eastern Athletics
Attend a D1 Sporting event at The Factory or the George Gervin GameAbove Center! Tickets can be purchased at emueagles.com. (EMU Students attend all events FREE!)
Ypsilanti Historical Society
220 North Huron St
Ypsilanti is full of rich history. Visit the Ypsilanti Historical Society Museum & Archives house to see why we love our community.
BIG Best in Games
4095 Carpenter Rd, Suite A
From laser tag and go karts to axe throwing and adventure courses to classic arcade or VR games, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy.
Eastern is within 45 minutes of downtown Detroit, so take a quick ride to see a pro-sporting event, walk around the Eastern Market, or visit Belle Isle and wave to Canada!
Eastern Market
2934 Russell St
A 19th-century market in the heart of the city with vendors selling everything from tacos to colorful produce every Saturday, along with a wider district of shops, resturants, and murals.
Belle Isle Park
99 Pleasure Dr
A 982-acre island park including beaches and historical monuments. Enjoy great views of the Detroit skyline and the Ambassador Bridge. You can rent a bike or a kayak to explore even more.
