Sights and landmarks in Ann Arbor

134 sights worth seeing in Ann Arbor: landmarks, galleries, monuments and viewpoints.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 134.

Photo: Pentawing, CC BY-SA 3.0 (licence)

SeeHistoric site
Detroit Observatory
The oldest astronomical observatory in Michigan and 2nd oldest building remaining on campus. Take a free tour of the observatory and learn how it set the stage for The University of Michigan to become a center of science and research. The telescopes at this observatory served to set time for the entire city and keep the trains running on schedule until the development of more reliable timepieces and telecommunications.
Closed · opens noon Thursdayfree · Built 1854
SeeArt museum
University of Michigan Museum of Art
UMMA
Collections of African, American, Asian, European, and Middle Eastern art; modern and contemporary artwork; prints, drawings and photographs; and frequent rotating collections. Gift shop on-site.
Building hours: daily 8AM-midnight; gallery hours: Tue-Wed 10AM-5PM, Thu Fri 10AM-10PM, Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PMFree ($5 donation suggested) · Free entry
SeeArchaeological museum
Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
Galleries featuring nearly 100,000 artefacts from Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Near Eastern civilizations.
Tue-Fri 9AM-4PM, Sat Sun 1PM-4PM, closed MondaysFree (donations gratefully accepted) · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible
See
Michigan Stadium
The Big House
Nicknamed the "Big House", the U-M stadium is the largest football stadium in America, with a seating capacity of 109,901. Home games are played in autumn on the well-known "Football Saturdays", when thousands of visitors clog the Ann Arbor streets to watch the Wolverines (or their opponents) play.
SeeNature museum
University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
Exhibit Museum of Natural History
Exhibits on natural sciences and anthropology, including prehistoric life, Michigan wildlife, Native American and other cultures, and rock and mineral specimens.
Mon-Sat 9AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PMFree (donations gratefully accepted) · Free entry
SeeLibrary
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
The Gerald Ford Library collects and preserves the papers from Gerald Ford's presidency, including over 20 million pages of memos, letters, and personal papers. The collection also includes photographs, videotapes, audiotapes, and film. While these materials are by appointment only, there are free exhibits in the lobby on the life of President and Mrs. Ford, as well as a 20-minute film, narrated by President Ford. The Library hosts free evening events - author talks and programs by notable individuals.
Mon-Fri 8:45AM-4:45PM (closed Federal holidays)Free · Free entry
SeePublic art
The Cube
A 15-foot-tall (5 m), 2400-lb glossy black cube created by Tony Rosenthal; there's a similar one in the East Village of New York City. The Cube spins on its axis when pushed. Although Tony Rosenthal cubes often appear identical, the late artist always varied design elements on each of his cubes. Alamo has a distinctive curve element whereas Ann Arbor is more geometric.
See
Nichols Arboretum
It's in a secluded plot just east of the University of Michigan Hospital. "The Arb" is a favorite place to enjoy peace and quiet in a setting removed from the bustle and traffic of everyday Ann Arbor. The Arb has no signage, no parking lot of its own, nor any restroom facilities. What it has is an impressive peony garden, many different species of native trees, shrubs, and grasses, and the Huron River runs through it. A gem that's worth seeking out.
sunrise-sunsetFree entry
SeeScience museum
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
Nine galleries with more than 250 interactive science demos and exhibits, on topics from physics to health to nature to mathematics. Kids will like it a lot; adults will be fairly entertained.
Closed · opens 10 am tomorrow$9 (donations gratefully accepted)
See
Michigan Theater
A restored 1928 cinema, complete with two organs, one of them a vintage 1927 pipe organ. The theater shows mainly independent and foreign films, with special classic-film showings throughout the year. The organ is often played before performances, and during the Michigan Theater's special silent-film showings. The main auditorium also hosts other events throughout the year, particular musical groups and comedy shows, many fairly well-known.
Built 1928 · Wheelchair accessible
SeeLocal history museum
Kempf House
A restored Greek Revival house museum from 1853; once home to Reuben and Pauline Kempf, prominent Ann Arbor musicians, now offering guided tours and a glimpse into Victorian life in Ann Arbor.
Tours offered 1PM-4PM on Sundays, September through December and March through June, or by appointment$1 · Free entry · Built 1853
SeeMuseum
Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry
Over 10,000 artifacts focused on the history of dentistry, with particular interest in dental practice and technology in the United States and Michigan since the 18th century.
Mon-Fri 8AM-6PMFree
SeeMuseum
Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments
Housed in the School of Music, the Stearns Collection holds over 2500 pieces of historical and contemporary musical instruments from all over the world.
Mon-Fri 10AM-5PMFree
SeeMuseum
Argus Museum
The Argus Museum, located on the second floor of 525 West William, Ann Arbor, Michigan, features products manufactured by the Argus camera company and tells the stories of the company, the people involved and showcases unique collections connected to Argus. The museum is housed in the Argus I Building, which was one of the facilities where Argus products were manufactured. The mission of the Argus Museum is to collect and preserve Argus Camera Incorporated products (including those manufactured under its prior names), publications and history of the company and its employees, to research the products and the people who were involved in the development and manufacturing of these products, to…
Free · Free entry
See
Gallup Park
A 69-acre (28 hectares) park along the Huron River and Geddes Pond, and Ann Arbor's most popular recreation area. Walkways with pedestrian bridges over the water, two playgrounds, picnic areas, open fields, over of asphalt trails. Canoe, kayak and paddleboat rental (canoes can also be taken from the Argo Park livery, 1055 Longshore Drive, +1 734-668-7411, to the Gallup livery).
Open now · closes midnight tomorrowWheelchair accessible
SeeHistoric site
The Ann and Robert H. Lurie Tower
Lurie Tower
A 165-foot (50 m) tall structure which houses an operational carillon. The tower is open to visitors when the bells are being played, with two floors accessible by elevator. The top floor allows the visitors to see the carillonneur playing, while the lower floor provides a view of the carillon bells, and a skyline view of the Ann Arbor area. The current operational hours are posted at the base of the tower.
See
Matthaei Botanical Gardens
A 300-acre (120 hectares) site with outdoor display gardens, a conservatory filled with tropical plants, and miles of nature trails.
The grounds are open daily from 8AM-dusk. Conservatory and gift shop open Tue & Thu-Sat 10AM-4:30PM, Wed 10AM-8PM, closed MondaysFree (gardens), $5 (conservatory, but free on Fridays from noon-4:30PM)
See
State Theater
An art-deco cinema from 1942, the State Theater works in conjunction with the Michigan Theater, and often plays films that have stopped showing at the Michigan.
Open now · closes 10 pm
SeePublic art
The Wave Field
Created by Maya Lin, the Wave Field is an earth sculpture, 90 feet (27 m) by 90 feet (27 m) square, consisting of a series of fifty grass waves in eight rows.
See
Buhr Park
A 39-acre (16 hectares) park with picnic areas, children's play area, softball diamond, soccer fields, outdoor tennis courts, 25-yard (23 m) swimming pool, children's wading pool, outdoor ice arena for public skating and ice hockey, cross-country ski center, and snowmobile trails. Skate rentals available.
See
Matthei Botanical Gardens
Just east of Domino's Farms, on Dixboro Road, Matthei Botanical Gardens is operated by the University of Michigan and open to the public. There are trails to stroll, a greenhouse to visit, and plantings to enjoy. Every spring, Matthei hosts a plant sale that is very popular with gardeners.
Free
See
The Ark
A nonprofit, intimate music club with 400 seats, which usually hosts folk/rock performers. Private club liquor license (membership required for liquor purchase).
See
University of Michigan Diag
The heart of the University of Michigan's Central Campus, the Diag is the main quadrangle around which most of the key buildings on campus are arranged. Its name comes from the primary walkway that runs from the northwest to southeast corners of the Diag. In the middle of the Diag, just in front of the graduate library, is a brick courtyard with a brass M in the center; according to student legend, if you step on the M during your first semester at the university, you are doomed to fail your first exam. The Diag is often used for demonstrations, booths or student fairs, and is a popular hangout in warm weather.
See
Cobblestone Farm Museum
An 1845 two-family home, notable for its façade made of cobblestones in herringbone rows, now restored and interpreted to give a view of past rural life in Washtenaw County.
Tours offered 10AM-1PM on the last Sat of the month, beginning in May. On-site gift shop open during tours or by appointment$2
See
University of Michigan School of Art and Design
Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design
Exhibitions by art students and faculty in two galleries on North Campus: the Warren Robbins Graduate Center and the Slusser Gallery. Also check out their small downtown gallery "Work".
Mon-Fri 9AM-5PMFree
See
Ave Maria Fine Art Gallery
The largest art gallery in Michigan, specializing in early 20th century and Old World art.
Tue-Fri 9AM-6PM, Sat 10AM-2PM, closed Sun-Mon
See
Domino's Petting Farm
15 acres (6 hectares) of land with farm animals from around the world, including rare and near-extinct species, like the French Poitou donkey (only 200 reportedly in existence), African watusi cow, Horned Dorset ram, and Tibetan yak. The barn was once part of a working 1925-era farm, but was opened as a petting zoo in 1984. Tours, hay rides and educational presentations available.
Mon-Fri 9:30AM-4PM, Sat Sun 10:30AM-5PM$5 adults, $4.50 children and seniors
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Leslie Science Center
50 acres (20 hectares) of fields, woods and prairie, featuring outdoor, hands-on and discovery-based educational programs. Features an environmentally-friendly Nature House; a Critter House with frogs, turtles, snakes, and rabbits; live birds of prey, including owls, falcons, kestrels, hawks, vultures, and a bald eagle; and a mile-long trail through the Black Pond Woods.
Park open daily sunrise to sunset; Critter House open Sun noon-3PMFree (donations gratefully accepted)
See
Herbarium
Collections of algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms, monocots, dicots, fungi and lichens.
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Museum of Anthropology
Archaeological collections of pottery, flaked and groundstone tools, animal bones, ethnobotanical and sediment samples, and accompanying field notes, site and survey maps, photographs, and other relevant documents and records; ethnographic collections of pottery, basketry, textiles, wood, and many other materials; and extensive photographic collections.
See
Museum of Paleontology
Collections of paleobotany, micropaleontology, invertebrate paleontology and vertebrate paleontology.
See
Museum of Zoology
Collections of birds, fishes, insects, mollusks, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
See
The University of Michigan Law School Quadrangle
The Law School's "Quad", nationally renowned for its serene environment and beautiful Gothic-style architecture, is just south of the center of campus. Built in the early 20th century, the Quad consists of Hutchins Hall — the main law school building — the reading room and the U-shaped Lawyer's Club. The reading room (open to visitors) is an enormous cathedral-like building with stained glass windows featuring the colors of major universities in the US and around the world. The underground law library is naturally lit by enormous windowed shafts just beyond the Quad. The Quad is a grassy open space ringed by trees and seasonal flower beds. During the warmer seasons, students relax and toss the ball around, or sit and study in the Quad, making it an integral part of the Law School. Many locals consider the Law Quad to be the most beautiful part of Ann Arbor.
See
Alley mural
The alley mural began as a one-man project in the 1980s and became a popular spot for graffiti artists. The city took the spot over in 1999 by hiring artist Katherine Tombeau Cost to paint over the original mural and graffiti with a new 5,000-square-foot (460 m2) mural. The graffiti artists haven't entirely relinquished their claim to it, meaning that Cost's mural has been partially defaced with large bubble lettering, but it's still an interesting (and out-of-the-way) sight. Be sure to seek out the "trippers'" bubble gum wall toward the back. During warmer weather, you'll often find musicians or dancers putting on solo performances in the alley entrance, hoping to glean donations.
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Bookstore mural
Painted in 1984, when the corner location was still occupied by David's Books, this mural depicts the five authorial visages of Woody Allen, Edgar Allan Poe, Herman Hesse, Franz Kafka, and Anaïs Nin.
See
Downtown Ann Arbor
Most of the shops and restaurants line State, Liberty, and Main streets, with the quality becoming more upscale as you approach Main. The other popular student hangouts are along South University street. A few blocks north of downtown is the historic Kerrytown district, full of remodeled old homes and pleasant shopping.
See Not mapped
Domino's Farms
A large office park in a pastoral location, home to the world headquarters of Domino's Pizza. Visitors will go mostly for one of two attractions:
See Not mapped
Fairy Doors
Keep your eyes near the ground for fairy doors-- miniature colorful doors through which fairies can enter local businesses. According to Jonathan B. Wright of urban-fairies.com, the doors began appearing around town in the early 1990s.
See Not mapped
Painted fixtures
Fire hydrants and transformers, painted in bright colors by local artists and schoolchildren.
SeeHistory museum
Museum on Main Street
The Kellogg-Warden House is a single-family house located at 500 North Main Street in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. It now houses the Washtenaw County Historical Society's Museum on Main Street.
Hours unclear (By appointment only)Free entry

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Ann Arbor (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps. Some descriptions from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).