Hillside Blog: Enjoy Your Visit!

It’s been a long time coming. Like most people, when I first saw it, I thought the bamboo was very cool and exotic. Guests in the spring, summer, and fall often asked about it with curiousity. Guests arriving in the winter, often had to deal with the hail or snow weighing the bamboo trees down (see below for falling bamboo trees), and landing the branches on their vehicles. 

1. Ypsi’s Depot Town is a well-known hot-spot. From great dining and drinking spots, to venues with live music, the Saturday Farmer’s Market, the train depot venue, it’s a fun place to spend time. Try out Sidetracks, the newer restaurants in the Thompson Building, The Corner Brewery, Maiz Mexican Cantina, or 734 Brewing (photo below)! It’s easily walkable, great for couples and families. You really can’t go wrong. (8 minutes)

If you’re here for a few days on vacation, you may be looking for day trips you can take from Hillside Manor. Listed below are trips that are less than a 90-minute drive from Hillside Manor. Let’s explore a few of your options:

1. A DAY IN DETROIT - At only a 45-minute drive, this is one of the closest day trips to visit the nearest big city. Detroit is rather legendary. Some from out of town will question its safety. Significant revitalization efforts began with the reopening of the Book Cadillac Hotel in 2008, and Detroit has been on an upward trajectory since then. Here are several options for your itinerary: 

• Visit the Detroit Institute of Arts - it’s

I get this question a lot. Yes, it is. I bought Hillside Manor in August of 2021. It had over 100 bamboo trees at that time

The Golfside Heights neighborhood has a lot of friendly neighbors who have lived here for a long time, sometimes for several generations. This means I get tidbits of history on my home from various sources: 

1. The original owners were gardeners and planted the three Japanese Maple trees in the front. At one point, the yard was filled with plants. 
   
   
2. They also liked to sit looking out the kitchen window to watch everything that happened in the neighborhood. That was their perch - at the top of the hill - overlooking the neighborhood. 
   
   
3. The crew I hired to blow the leaves

Just as with my recommendations for food, I am only sharing places where I have personally enjoyed drinks. This list includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic favorites. (Coffee suggestions will be a separate post altogether!) 

Homes Brewery - 2321 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor
Admittedly, Homes could also be on the food list. They offer unique and tasty options, much better than a typical brewery. But, it is a brewery, and they’re known for their outstanding beer selection. I’m not a lover of IPAs, so there only a few beers I choose between each time, usually a lager or a sour beer of some sort. You can do a flight to try more of their options, and they’re generous with samples. They

I’ll just admit it right now: I love great food. 

I’m happy to make recommendations to my favorite spots in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor. Please note, I’m only including restaurants where I have eaten and really enjoyed the experience. I’ll add to this list as I continue to explore. For everything else, feel free to ask me if you’re choosing between options on Yelp!

1. Bellflower Restaurant - 209 Pearl Street, Ypsilanti
Stealing the head photo spot of this blog post is a phenomenal fish dish I enjoyed in the summer of 2021. The Bellflower has an excellent wine list, and meal after meal of unique deliciousness. I haven’t yet had an entree that I haven’t loved. In

There are many reasons other guests have decided to stay at Hillside Manor:

1. They’re attending Eastern Michigan University’s Homecoming Weekend activities 
2. They’re meeting halfway between Kalamazoo (or other western areas) and Detroit for a cooking dinner date
3. They’re attending University of Michigan football games
4. They’re attending Detroit Lions or Red Wings games
5. They’re visiting family in either Ypsilanti or Ann Arbor (so. many. people.)
6. They’re skiing at Mt. Brighton (30 minute drive)
7. They need to be near U of M Health for an upcoming procedure
8. They’re hosting a small wedding or baby shower (10-15 people) when wanting to stay out of restaur

1. It is conveniently located 10 minutes from Ypsi’s Depot Town, and 15 minutes from downtown Ann Arbor
2. There is a lovely grocery store within a 5 minute drive (Fresh Thyme Market)
3. There is a fully stocked kitchen with anything you might want for simple or fancy cooking
4. The memory foam mattresses and pillows get rave reviews (as does the really hot water in the shower!)
5. There are local coffees to sample from Ypsi and Ann Arbor in the morning
6. The two-level space with high ceilings offers great options for sitting around and talking and feeling right at home
7. It easily sleeps 6 (3 Queen beds