Cultural Hubs:

Austin, TX  |  Ann Arbor, MI  |  Flagstaff, AZ  |  Knoxville, TN 

 Provo-Orem, UT  |  Tuscaloosa, AL 

Ann Arbor, Michigan:

Population: 113,567

Median Home Price: $261,000

Your Hangout: Sweetwaters Cafe (www.sweetwaterscafe.com)

The Scene: Home to the University of Michigan and birthplace of Borders Books, Ann Arbor also boasts proximity to the Pinckney Recreation Area, which offers some of the best singletrack biking in the Midwest.

OPTIONS: Mountain bike the Potowatami Trail in Pickney State Recreation Area, or hike among the wooded hills. The Waterloo-Pickney Trail travels three days from Big Portage Lake and Silver Lake Beach, a great camping trip and easy route. Find information at www.michigan.gov/dnr.

OUTFITTER: Paddle the Huron River at Delhi Metropark a 53-acre (21-hectare) park five miles (8 kilometers) north of Ann Arbor ($27; www.metroparks.com/parks/pk_delhi.php).

GOOD EATS: Ravioli stuffed with truffles and Yukon gold potatoes and award winning Weizenbock beer at Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. (+1 734 741 7325).

30 More Places to Live and Play: 
 
Boise or Bust!

Outdoor Meccas  |  Adventure Cities  |  Small Towns

Cultural Hubs  |  Beach Towns 

Adventure's September 2006 issue features 31 amazing adventure towns; chaos at the top of Mount Everest; an inside look at surfing California's Lost Coast; 11 fall weekend getaways near you; the best high-tech footwear, world class adventure travel; hiking the Alps, and more!