Overview
Ann Arbor is a picturesque city surrounding the University of Michigan, with a strong bent toward the arts and an attractive, pedestrian-friendly downtown. Visitors enjoy sidewalk cafe dining, unique shops, lots of bookstores, and abundant cultural opportunities.
Budget Travel · Day Trips · Festivals · Museums · Nightlife
Why go?
Ann Arbor is a picturesque city surrounding the University of Michigan, with a strong bent toward the arts and an attractive, pedestrian-friendly downtown. Visitors enjoy sidewalk cafe dining, unique shops, lots of bookstores, and abundant cultural opportunities. The university hosts events and venues like the Michigan Theater, and the Ann Arbor Art Fair draws over half a million visitors each summer.
Getting in
Ann Arbor is accessible by Amtrak train service from Detroit and Chicago via the Ann Arbor station at 325 Depot St. Greyhound buses also stop at the Amtrak station, with one-way tickets to Detroit around $7–8 and to Chicago $34–37. The Michigan Flyer coach service offers $22 round-trip from Detroit Metro Airport to the Blake Transit Center. The city's airport handles private and charter flights.
Getting around
Downtown Ann Arbor is compact and easy to explore on foot. The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AATA) runs buses with adult fares of $1.50 each way, and university buses are free. Street parking meters cost $0.80–$1 per hour on weekdays and Saturdays. Taxis and rideshares are also available.
When to go
Summers are hot and humid, with average highs around 85°F and occasional heat indices near 99°F. Winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures often below freezing. Fall is pleasant and famous for football Saturdays, while spring brings unpredictable weather. The Ann Arbor Art Fair in late July is a major event, but hotels fill up early.
Where to stay
Accommodation is most expensive near campus. Budget options include the Red Roof Inn ($50–70), Days Inn ($60–100), Embassy Hotel ($39–49), and Microtel Inn ($56–76). Hotels are clustered in southern, southeastern, and northeastern districts along I-94 and US-23. Many offer free parking and continental breakfast.
Food & drink
Ann Arbor has a large variety of cheap eateries catering to students: BTB Burrito ($3-9), Fleetwood Diner ($4-7, 24 hours), Jerusalem Garden falafel ($4-6), and No Thai. ($8 mains). The local specialty is the fragel—a deep-fried raisin bagel with cinnamon sugar. For a treat, Zingerman's Deli offers high-quality sandwiches. The downtown area has many sidewalk cafes and an eclectic mix of international restaurants.
Things to do
Explore the University of Michigan campus, including the Law Quad, the Diag, and the Nichols Arboretum (free). Visit the Michigan Theater for independent films, or catch a Michigan Wolverines football game at the Big House (109,901 seats). The Ann Arbor Art Fair in July features four juried fairs. Free museums include the U-M Museum of Art, Museum of Natural History, and the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology.
Stay safe
Ann Arbor is generally very safe. Theft is the most common crime, especially unattended bags and unsecured bikes. Occasional muggings occur after dark, but downtown remains busy late. Alcohol violations like open containers are actively enforced. Winter can cause ice burns from touching metal without gloves. Emergency phones are located across campus.
Connectivity
Free Wi-Fi is available at the Ann Arbor District Library (main branch). Many coffee shops like Sweetwaters also offer free Wi-Fi. Cell coverage is strong throughout the city.
Day trips
Nearby destinations: Ypsilanti (15 min east, bus accessible), Dexter (15 min west), Saline (15 min south), Chelsea (20 min west). Detroit is 45 min east via I-94, offering museums, dining, and the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. Lansing (1 hour west) and Toledo, Ohio (1 hour south) are also easy day trips.
Go next
From Ann Arbor, continue to Detroit (45 min), Lansing (1 hour), or Frankenmuth (1 hour north). Nearby towns in Washtenaw County include Ypsilanti, Dexter, Saline, Chelsea, and Manchester. Amtrak and Greyhound connect to Chicago and other cities.
Guide text adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to start
Do
African American Downtown Festival
Held the first Saturday in June since 1995. Crafts, merchandise, food, live music.
Do
Ann Arbor Art Fairs
Held throughout downtown, four juried art fairs that display and sell art: the original Ann Arbor Street Art Fair along N University; the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair along Main, Liberty, William and State; the State Street Area Art Fair; and the South University Art Fair. In practical terms, it's all one great big fair that takes about a full day to explore if you move quickly and don't look at every booth. Prices are generally rather high, as befitting an art show of this calibre, but there are definitely bargains to be found, as well as some less expensive non-juried booths that tag along for the ride. Loads of concessions, live entertainment, and booths with great sales from local businesses are scattered throughout. During the Art Fair, hotels are generally booked up and parking can be difficult to find, so book a room early (by February or March) and find a spot at one of the park-and-ride stops to catch a bus into downtown.
Do
Ann Arbor Bicycle Club
Ann Arbor Bicycle Club is a weekly bike cruise that happens from the early spring until the late fall. It is made up of many 'Townies' and U of M students. Enjoy the fresh night air and see the town from a different angle. On this pleasantly paced ride you will visit local parks and other public hangouts that most overlook. Bring your bike, bring your beer, and bring your friends. But don't bring yo' kids.
Price when recorded: Free
Do
Ann Arbor Book Festival
Held in mid-May. First organized in 2004 to promote reading, heighten awareness of literacy challenges, and showcase the rich culture of the written word in Michigan and beyond. The festival features a bookstore crawl, antiquarian book fair, author readings, symposiums and panels on literacy and writing, tours of the U-M library conservation and preservation lab, and a street festival.
Buy
Ann Arbor Farmer's Market and Artisan Market
Local farmers bring fresh produce, baked goods, and plants to the Farmer's Market for sale at excellent prices, while the Artisan Market features the work of local craftspeople.
Do
Ann Arbor Film Festival
Held during six days in late March at the Michigan Theater (603 E Liberty Street). The oldest festival of its kind in North America, showcasing over 100 independent and experimental films and videos annually, since 1963. Over 20 prizes are awarded to the best films. Passes are available for single screenings, single days, weekends or the entire week.
Do
Ann Arbor Ice Cube
With three permanent indoor ice rinks under one roof, this is the perfect place to practice your hockey or figure skating skills, or just go for recreational skating.
Do
Ann Arbor Summer Festival
Held from mid-June to mid-July. An annual event since 1983 with different nightly indoor cultural performances: singers, musical bands, dancers, comedians, plays, and other acts including acrobats and animal handlers.
Before you go
Connectivity
Free Wi-Fi available at the Ann Arbor District Library (main branch) and many cafes. Cell coverage is excellent.
Culture
University town with a liberal, artsy vibe. Cannabis use is common at Hash Bash but subject to fines.
Health
No specific health concerns; tap water safe. University of Michigan hospital is excellent.
Local transport
AATA buses $1.50 per ride; University of Michigan buses free for everyone. The Blake Transit Center is the main hub.
Money
Cash is useful for street vendors and some small eateries; most places accept credit cards. ATMs are widely available.
Safety
Ann Arbor is very safe, but watch for bike theft and stay aware after dark. Winter brings risk of ice burn.
Transport
AATA bus fare $1.50; free university buses. Parking meters $0.80–$1/hr.