Traveling solo in Ann Arbor means the adventure is completely yours, and knowing where to start makes all the difference.
That's why we created our Solo Travel Series, inviting locals to share their favorite places and insider tips to help you experience Ann Arbor like a pro.
The Curious Explorer
We partnered with local lifestyle creator Emily Katheryne (@emily.katheryne) to share her experience visiting three Ann Arbor world-class museums. Emily talks new discoveries and what moved her most.
In Emily's Words:
A Day of Discovery: Three Museums, One City That Inspires
There’s a certain magic in exploring alone – in following your curiosity without hurry, lettng one quiet moment lead to the next. On a golden fall afternoon, I spent the day wandering through three of Ann Arbor’s beloved museums: the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA), the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, and the Museum of Natural History. Each one offered a different way to see the world, and somehow, a new way to see my city too.
At UMMA, sunlight poured through the glass atrium, bouncing off marble floors and modern masterpieces. I love how this museum feels like a living conversation – between eras, between artists, between the people who stop to really look. There’s a heartbeat to the space, a sense that creativity here doesn’t just hang on walls, it moves.
Just a short walk away, the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology feels like stepping through time itself. Behind its ivy-covered facade, you’ll find ancient pottery, Roman mosaics, and fragments of civilizations long gone yet somehow familiar. It’s quiet there, almost sacred, and I found myself whispering as if the past could still hear.
And then there’s the Museum of Natural History, where discovery comes alive in a completely different way. Towering fossils, sparkling minerals, and the hum of wide-eyed wonder fill every corner. Watching children and students alike trace the curve of a dinosaur’s spine reminded me that curiosity is timeless – that awe never really leaves us.
By the end of the day, I felt something that’s hard to put into words – a renewed sense of connection to Ann Arbor’s creative spirit. This city celebrates imagination in every form: art, history, science, and story. Exploring it solo reminded me that inspiration is everywhere. Waiting quietly, just around the corner.
About the Creator
Emily Klimas is a local content creator and storyteller based in Ann Arbor. A University of Michigan alum who now works for Michigan Medicine, she has spent years immersed in the heart of this community — from campus to cafés, galleries, and beyond. Through her lens, Emily captures the creative pulse of the city she calls home, highlighting the people and places that make it so special.
Her solo arts and culture highlight with Destination Ann Arbor invites travelers to experience Ann Arbor the way she does: with curiosity, connection, and a deep appreciation for creativity in everyday moments.
