City Guide
Shopping - Sporting Goods & Outdoors
Sport & Outdoors
Ann Arbor is packed with young, athletic people--and older folks determined to keep up with them. There are stores for virtually every sport. Running Fit on E. Liberty specializes in running wear, as does Tortoise and Hare (on E. Liberty and in Traver Village), and both can expertly fit you with the right shoes. Cayman Sports on Boardwalk does the racket sports; Soccer Plus, in Colonial Plaza, covers the beautiful game. Backpackers go to Bivouac, on State. Huron Scuba on Jackson sells snorkel and scuba equipments, teaches classes, and runs trips. Sun & Snow Sports in Westgate specializes in snow skiing and waterskiing. There are Miles of Golf on Carpenter Road, for golfers; Kim's Sports & Martial Arts Supplies, on E. Liberty, for would-be black belts; and Allstate Billiards & Patio Furniture, on Washtenaw, for dart players and pool sharks. Launch Board Shop, on South University, and Red Belly Boardshop, on Plymouth, cater to skateboarders. Colton Bay Outfitters, on Jackson, carries one of the best selections of fly-fishing tackle in the state. Also on Jackson, 4 Seasons Archery has bows, arrows, and archery supplies. The Dancer's Boutique in Lamp Post Plaza sells leotards and leg warmers for kids and grown-ups and specializes in pointe shoe fittings.
Ann Arbor's abundance of sophisticated customers makes it a great place for bike shopping. There are several fine stores in town, including Ann Arbor Cyclery, on Packard, where cyclists can get free bike checkups, one-day service, and 24-hour repairs; Great Lakes Cycling & Fitness on West Stadium; the Campus Student Bike Shop, whose locations on South Forest and Maynard bracket the U-M Central Campus; Two Wheel Tango, whose two stores on Packard and Jackson sell everything from sexy Italian bikes to no-frills beginner models; and Wheels in Motion, just west of Arborland, specializing in mountain, racing, and touring bikes. If you want to look sweet up on the seat of a bicycle built for two or more, Midwest Bike & Tandem on Plymouth has multiple-seat bikes.
For bikers who prefer motorized rides, Jackson Road is a mecca. Nicholson Enterprises offers a huge selection of Japanese motorcycles, scooters, and leather gear, while connoisseurs of American metal frequent the nearby Harley-Davidson /Buell dealership.
