Baking class in Ann Arbor without a car
September 10, 2014 9:42 AM Subscribe
My mom and I are planning on taking a weekend baking class at Zingerman's Bakehouse in Ann Arbor. She could fly to Chicago and we could drive together, which will introduce some inconveniences, or she could fly to Detroit and I could take Megabus to Ann Arbor, which will introduce other inconveniences. Will we regret not driving?
We have reasons for not wanting to drive, mostly because I have a lot of anxiety surrounding the Chicagoland and North Indiana expressways. I'd just as soon take alternate routes of transit. However, Zingerman's Bakehouse is in an industrial park, and while it's physically close to hotels, there's an expressway in the way, and no pedestrian bridge.
I figure if we get ourselves there, we could taxi to the baking class and be ok. However, the people at the Bakehouse she's talked to kind of imply that we really want to have a car because we'll want to do [things]. I don't know exactly what [things] she's talking about.
So. Can anybody who's been to a baking class there, or knows Ann Arbor weigh in?
We have reasons for not wanting to drive, mostly because I have a lot of anxiety surrounding the Chicagoland and North Indiana expressways. I'd just as soon take alternate routes of transit. However, Zingerman's Bakehouse is in an industrial park, and while it's physically close to hotels, there's an expressway in the way, and no pedestrian bridge.
I figure if we get ourselves there, we could taxi to the baking class and be ok. However, the people at the Bakehouse she's talked to kind of imply that we really want to have a car because we'll want to do [things]. I don't know exactly what [things] she's talking about.
So. Can anybody who's been to a baking class there, or knows Ann Arbor weigh in?
I live in this area. You can easily get by using taxi services here in the area. I second phunniemee's recommendations to take the train, if you can - it's about 4 hours and a great trip. There are usually taxis waiting when the train gets in, so you don't even need to call ahead.
The Bakeshop is in an industrial park, and I'm assuming the Zingerman's spokesperson was alluding to the fact that people living in the area think that Ann Arbor's downtown is AMAZING. It is pretty cool, but not something you will be SO SAD TO MISS if you'd rather just go back to the hotel and hang out with your mum. It's mostly known for independent shops and some really good (but often pricey) restaurants.
If you are interested in seeing more of the town while you're here, if you can share some other things you're into, I'd be glad to make some recommendations. Feel free to memail me.
posted by RogueTech at 9:56 AM on September 10, 2014 [4 favorites]
The Bakeshop is in an industrial park, and I'm assuming the Zingerman's spokesperson was alluding to the fact that people living in the area think that Ann Arbor's downtown is AMAZING. It is pretty cool, but not something you will be SO SAD TO MISS if you'd rather just go back to the hotel and hang out with your mum. It's mostly known for independent shops and some really good (but often pricey) restaurants.
If you are interested in seeing more of the town while you're here, if you can share some other things you're into, I'd be glad to make some recommendations. Feel free to memail me.
posted by RogueTech at 9:56 AM on September 10, 2014 [4 favorites]
I've been to the Bakehouse, and walking there would be kind of a pain, even from the hotels. But [things] in Ann Arbor are mostly concentrated downtown, and taxis/buses move between the Bakehouse/hotel/mall area and downtown pretty freely.
I'm with RogueTech and phunniemee's coworker -- take the train from Chicago and take cabs while you're in town. Or, if you're a ZipCar member, they have a lot in AA.
posted by Etrigan at 9:59 AM on September 10, 2014
I'm with RogueTech and phunniemee's coworker -- take the train from Chicago and take cabs while you're in town. Or, if you're a ZipCar member, they have a lot in AA.
posted by Etrigan at 9:59 AM on September 10, 2014
I also forgot to mention - we do have a fairly decent bus system, but taxis would be more convenient.
posted by RogueTech at 10:00 AM on September 10, 2014
posted by RogueTech at 10:00 AM on September 10, 2014
Oy, one more thing and I promise I'll stop threadsitting. Two things: make train ticket reservations in advance, as they can sell out. Also, if you're coming in on an autumn weekend, be sure to check if it's a University of Michigan home game (you can check here). If it's during a weekend and there is a home game, the hotels in the area fill up quick, so you'll want to make a reservation.
posted by RogueTech at 10:03 AM on September 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by RogueTech at 10:03 AM on September 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
The train might be how I'd do it too but first try to find some information on the on-time record for that route--it used to sometimes have long delays, but maybe it's improved.
The bakehouse is within the operating area of both Uber and Lyft; I've used both in Ann Arbor with good results. None of the zipcar locations are nearby (they're all near downtown or north campus).
Check google maps or theride.org for the bus schedules. A quick check says that's a 35 minute trip downtown on an every-half-hour bus (probably less frequent in the evening).
posted by bfields at 10:21 AM on September 10, 2014
The bakehouse is within the operating area of both Uber and Lyft; I've used both in Ann Arbor with good results. None of the zipcar locations are nearby (they're all near downtown or north campus).
Check google maps or theride.org for the bus schedules. A quick check says that's a 35 minute trip downtown on an every-half-hour bus (probably less frequent in the evening).
posted by bfields at 10:21 AM on September 10, 2014
I live in A2 and have heard nothing but good things about the Zingerman's baking classes. Sounds like a fun trip!
Train from Chicago if you can do it. It's a pleasant trip and beats driving in my opinion. Do plan on it taking longer than the stated time on the ticket. It's sometimes a few hours late due to passing other trains.
Taxis will work as will Uber/Lyft. The bus will get you there, but catching one outside of M-F during the day is trickier, although can be done. If you're going to try by bus keep in mind that Google Maps is great for getting a general idea, but you'll want to confirm with The Ride's website. There's rerouting happening due to construction on a few routes:
http://www.theride.org/
There's an Enterprise car rental place downtown if that would make your life easier. They're super nice and weekend rentals are pretty cheap.
And triple check the football schedule. If you're in town during a game it gets much much harder to cut through the middle of town if you need to.
Have fun! I'll assume that RogueTech is all over recommendations for what to do in town, but feel free to MeMail me as well if you'd like a few more!
posted by beep-bop-robot at 11:02 AM on September 10, 2014
Train from Chicago if you can do it. It's a pleasant trip and beats driving in my opinion. Do plan on it taking longer than the stated time on the ticket. It's sometimes a few hours late due to passing other trains.
Taxis will work as will Uber/Lyft. The bus will get you there, but catching one outside of M-F during the day is trickier, although can be done. If you're going to try by bus keep in mind that Google Maps is great for getting a general idea, but you'll want to confirm with The Ride's website. There's rerouting happening due to construction on a few routes:
http://www.theride.org/
There's an Enterprise car rental place downtown if that would make your life easier. They're super nice and weekend rentals are pretty cheap.
And triple check the football schedule. If you're in town during a game it gets much much harder to cut through the middle of town if you need to.
Have fun! I'll assume that RogueTech is all over recommendations for what to do in town, but feel free to MeMail me as well if you'd like a few more!
posted by beep-bop-robot at 11:02 AM on September 10, 2014
In re the football schedule, be careful of October 18th as well -- it's not a UM football game, but Slippery Rock is playing, and they've drawn 60,000 people to Michigan Stadium in the past (long story).
posted by Etrigan at 11:23 AM on September 10, 2014
posted by Etrigan at 11:23 AM on September 10, 2014
I've been to Bake-cations at Zingerman's three times now, the last time this past July; the Bakehouse gives the best classes EVER. You'll have a great time. Tell Arie and Lauren I said hi!
As for the transport, the thing about taking a Bake-cation is that you'll very likely decide you want to go to Zingerman's Deli and also the Roadhouse in addition to the Bakehouse. (You'll also probably want to go the Creamery, but that's just a couple doors down from the Bakehouse.). For the Deli and the Roadhouse, it will be significantly easier if you have a car. (I assume that's what the lady at Zingerman's meant, although who knows.)
One other thing to keep in mind, and it's kind of a big one: you'll have a fair amount of baking to take with you, because you make full batches of everything and you get to keep all of it. If you take public transport, you'll likely have to either give away or throw away the vast majority of it. I learned this one the hard way, alas -- I flew to my Bake-cation from NYC and had to sacrifice most of my stuff to the hotel staff. I was very, very sorry I didn't live closer and have a car. So do keep that in mind.
posted by holborne at 12:25 PM on September 10, 2014
As for the transport, the thing about taking a Bake-cation is that you'll very likely decide you want to go to Zingerman's Deli and also the Roadhouse in addition to the Bakehouse. (You'll also probably want to go the Creamery, but that's just a couple doors down from the Bakehouse.). For the Deli and the Roadhouse, it will be significantly easier if you have a car. (I assume that's what the lady at Zingerman's meant, although who knows.)
One other thing to keep in mind, and it's kind of a big one: you'll have a fair amount of baking to take with you, because you make full batches of everything and you get to keep all of it. If you take public transport, you'll likely have to either give away or throw away the vast majority of it. I learned this one the hard way, alas -- I flew to my Bake-cation from NYC and had to sacrifice most of my stuff to the hotel staff. I was very, very sorry I didn't live closer and have a car. So do keep that in mind.
posted by holborne at 12:25 PM on September 10, 2014
Ann Arborite here. I'd suggest taking the train and getting a Zipcar once you've arrived - that way you avoid the Skyway but have way more flexibility getting around locally although holborne's point about the fruits of your labors might make it worth re-thinking - or at least encourage you to pack extra luggage to haul your goodies home.
Will add that the Megabus is more reliably on time at the moment between Ann Arbor and Chicago but less comfortable and more restrictive re luggage. It also deposits you in a less convenient location unless you want to cab to a hotel near Briarwood in which case you're fairly close. You don't mention where you're staying and that might have some bearing on your preferences. Ann Arbor does have good buses but the Bakehouse is a long ways out from pretty much everything else you're likely to want to do.
posted by leslies at 5:10 PM on September 10, 2014
Will add that the Megabus is more reliably on time at the moment between Ann Arbor and Chicago but less comfortable and more restrictive re luggage. It also deposits you in a less convenient location unless you want to cab to a hotel near Briarwood in which case you're fairly close. You don't mention where you're staying and that might have some bearing on your preferences. Ann Arbor does have good buses but the Bakehouse is a long ways out from pretty much everything else you're likely to want to do.
posted by leslies at 5:10 PM on September 10, 2014
« Older Is it possible to be with someone who has friends... | Vintage Record Player Whisperers Wanted Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by phunniemee at 9:48 AM on September 10, 2014 [3 favorites]