If you ask any college student across the nation, most of them will tell you that they love their college town. It's part of the reason why we chose to attend our school. And as college students, we know all the best places to live, eat, and study in that city. We've explored every inch of it, and there's nothing like being there. It becomes our new home, the place we'd rather be over anywhere else. Ypsilanti is my town, and I love it.

1. The Water Tower

The Water Tower, also known as "The Brick Dick," was built in 1889 by William R. Coats. Standing at 147 feet tall, it has the capacity to hold over 250,000 gallons of water. In 2003, the water tower was named The World's Most Phallic Building by Cabinet Magazine. More recently, in 2014, Gizmodo named it one of seven of the Weirdest Water Towers in the World. The Brick Dick = home.

2. We're really close to Ann Arbor and Detroit

Ypsi is only a 20-minute drive to downtown Ann Arbor and a 45-minute drive to downtown Detroit. There's always time for a road trip or adventure.

3. The Ugly Mug

College students are experts on sniffing out a hipster coffee place. The students at EMU are no different. Locally owned, the Ugly Mug has been known as "Ypsilanti's living room", and rightfully so. Their signature drinks are made from fresh coffee beans by professional baristas. The cozy atmosphere is always bustling with activities: art shows, chess games, and live music and radio shows. The Ugly Mug also has their own roastery so you can take home some of their yummy coffee for your late night study sessions.

4. The Diversity

Ypsilanti is a giant melting pot of races, nationalities, ages, sexualities, classes, and genders. Because of Eastern Michigan Univeristy, people from all over the country, and even all over the world, come together. There are young students and old Ypsi-lifers, high middle class and below-the-poverty-liners, extremely conservative and totally liberal thinkers, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

  5. Historic Depot Town

Downtown Ypsilanti is also known as Depot Town. Originally built around the train tracks, the colorful buildings remind us of where we came from.

6. Dom Bakeries

You haven't had a donut until you've had Dom. The bakery, complete with a 24-hour, 7-days a week drive-thru, makes fresh donuts, cinnamon rolls, and cakes every day. It has been located in its current building since the 1970's. While Dom has taken on new owners in the 1990's, baker, Jim Norman, has been there the whole time and knows exactly what it takes to make that melt-in-your-mouth donut.

7. Sidetrack Bar and Grill

Snugly sitting in the heart of Depot Town, Sidetrack has a unique atmosphere, making it one of Ypsilanti's favorite. It was converted from a train station to a restaurant. Knickknacks and antiques from the original time period litter the building. The food is always delicious, which is a bonus.

8. Michigan Firehouse Museum

The restored firehouse has a collection of antiques that were used to fight fires over the decades. Visitors can walk through the expansive collection and soak in the history.

9. The Wurst Bar

Serving up delicious homemade sausages, burgers, and craft beers, the Wurst Bar is sure to become one of your favorites. Because they're right across from Eastern Michigan University, they offer deals and specials Tuesday through Sundays, along with happy hour from 4 pm - 6 pm every day.

10. #Ypsilicious

Ypsi and the surrunding areas are large supporters of the arts. As shown, here even graffiti is considered art.

11. Stufd