I LOVE this trip! And I truly apologize if I just spew too many recommendations. I second Zingerman's being worth it even though it's so notorious! Just went to The Vanguard in Milwaukee a couple weeks ago and loved it. It's bar/sausage restaurant (it works, trust me) and the whole time they were playing this trippy Chuck E Cheese training video on mute on their TVs. Amazing energy. In Columbus, I would also recommend Dirty Franks. Both places have vegetarian dogs too. For non-cylindrical options in Columbus, Melt which is a grilled cheese bar. Another great Columbus spot is The Book Loft in German Village (and either Schmidt's or Lindy's to eat in that area). The River Walk downtown is beautiful too. My fiancee is from Columbus so tons of recs there. Also! Not sure if Madison Children's Museum will be doing Adult Swim (no actual swimming involved, but you get to play on all the equipment) while you are there but I had SO much fun at one of their past Adult Swims. Another random fun thing, in Detroit, I enjoyed seeing Hamtramck Disneyland. You can't play on anything but it's so cool to see what someone was able to build in their backyard. Okay! I'm done now. Have so much fun gathering inspiration on this trip! Can't wait to read your freakin' book!
Ann Arbor has hella eateries and coffee shops. If you're downtown, Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea (123 W. Washington St., Ann Arbor) is away from the student population. For eats, the Kerrytown area has many options, Zingerman's being the most notorious (and a bit cliche) but their food is awesome (418 Detroit St., Ann Arbor). There's also a Sweetwaters Coffee in Kerrytown; it would have a higher student thing going on.
I LOVE this trip! And I truly apologize if I just spew too many recommendations. I second Zingerman's being worth it even though it's so notorious! Just went to The Vanguard in Milwaukee a couple weeks ago and loved it. It's bar/sausage restaurant (it works, trust me) and the whole time they were playing this trippy Chuck E Cheese training video on mute on their TVs. Amazing energy. In Columbus, I would also recommend Dirty Franks. Both places have vegetarian dogs too. For non-cylindrical options in Columbus, Melt which is a grilled cheese bar. Another great Columbus spot is The Book Loft in German Village (and either Schmidt's or Lindy's to eat in that area). The River Walk downtown is beautiful too. My fiancee is from Columbus so tons of recs there. Also! Not sure if Madison Children's Museum will be doing Adult Swim (no actual swimming involved, but you get to play on all the equipment) while you are there but I had SO much fun at one of their past Adult Swims. Another random fun thing, in Detroit, I enjoyed seeing Hamtramck Disneyland. You can't play on anything but it's so cool to see what someone was able to build in their backyard. Okay! I'm done now. Have so much fun gathering inspiration on this trip! Can't wait to read your freakin' book!
Ann Arbor has hella eateries and coffee shops. If you're downtown, Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea (123 W. Washington St., Ann Arbor) is away from the student population. For eats, the Kerrytown area has many options, Zingerman's being the most notorious (and a bit cliche) but their food is awesome (418 Detroit St., Ann Arbor). There's also a Sweetwaters Coffee in Kerrytown; it would have a higher student thing going on.