Ann Arbor is the best day trip from Detroit, and a very different place from the city you have left. It is a university town, home to the University of Michigan, and it has the pleasant, walkable character that goes with that: a compact downtown of independent bookshops, cafes and restaurants, tree-lined streets, a lively farmers market and a calendar full of events. The drive from Detroit takes roughly forty-five minutes, which makes a day trip easy even if you are staying downtown. The main sights are the campus, with its mix of old and new buildings, the university art museum, which has free admission, and the huge football stadium, one of the largest in the country. Nearby you will find the botanical gardens and the arboretum for a walk, and the Kerrytown area, which has food shops and a market. Ann Arbor is known for its food scene, including a famous deli that draws visitors from across the region. It is the right choice if you have a spare day and want a change of pace from Detroit.
Planning the day
Leave Detroit in the morning, park in a downtown deck and walk. The central campus and Main Street are within easy distance, and you can cover the highlights in four to six hours. A sensible plan is a stroll on campus, a look at the art museum, lunch on Main Street or in Kerrytown, an afternoon in the shops or the arboretum and an early dinner before the drive back.
On football Saturdays in autumn the town fills with fans and traffic is heavy, so avoid those dates unless the game is your reason for going.
Seasons
Spring and early autumn are the best times, when the campus is green or colorful and the weather is mild. Summer is pleasant but quieter when students are away, and winter can be cold, though the cafes and museums are welcoming. Many events are listed on the visitor bureau's calendar, including art fairs and festivals, so check it for your dates. Opening hours of museums and shops vary, and some attractions close on Mondays, so look before you go.
Getting there
Driving is the simplest option, along the main highway west from Detroit, and parking in the downtown decks is straightforward outside event days. There are bus and train options for those without a car, but they take longer and are less flexible. If you are flying through Detroit Metropolitan Airport, which lies between the two, Ann Arbor also works as a first or last stop on a trip.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided day in a walkable university town: campus, museum, shops, restaurants and parks, reached by a drive of about forty-five minutes.
Best time
Spring or early autumn on a weekday, avoiding home football Saturdays unless the game is the point.
How long
Four to six hours in town, plus the drive.
Tips
Park downtown, walk between sights, check the visitor bureau calendar for events and plan lunch around Main Street or Kerrytown.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors with a spare day who want a change of pace from Detroit, with food, shops and a university campus.
- Families
- Good: the campus, the parks and the ice cream and food options suit children.
- Couples
- A relaxed day of strolling, eating and browsing independent shops.
- Pair with
- A morning at the Detroit Institute of Arts before or after, or a stay near the airport.
- Time needed
- Most of a day.
Good questions
How far is Ann Arbor from Detroit?+
About forty miles west, roughly a forty-five minute drive in normal traffic.
What is there to see?+
The University of Michigan campus, the university art museum with free admission, a walkable downtown, the arboretum and gardens and a lively food scene.
Is it worth a day trip?+
Yes, if you have a spare day. It offers a different, walkable college-town atmosphere from the city.
When should I avoid going?+
Home football Saturdays in autumn, when the town is crowded and traffic is heavy, unless you are going for the game.
Can I go without a car?+
Yes, with bus or train connections, but driving is simpler and faster.
