Free & Cheap Things to Do in Ann Arbor

Parks & Nature

A free 123-acre living landscape on the eastern edge of the University of Michigan campus, with 3.5 miles of trails winding through native trees, meadows, river bluffs, and specialty gardens — including the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden, home to the largest heirloom peony collection in North America (peak bloom late May–early June). Open sunrise to sunset, seven days a week.

Address: 1610 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Tip: Limited free street parking on Washington Heights and Geddes Road; metered lots nearby. The James D. Reader Jr. Urban Environmental Education Center (visitor center) is open 10 AM–4 PM April–October. Best time for peonies: late May to early June. Trails connect to Gallup Park along the Huron River.

Parks & Gardens

A free 350-acre U-M botanical complex with eleven outdoor gardens (bonsai, herbs, perennials, children's, Great Lakes), a three-climate indoor conservatory (tropical, temperate, and arid houses), and walking trails through prairie, woods, and the Fleming Creek wetlands. About a 15-minute drive from central campus on Ann Arbor's east side.

Address: 1800 N Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Tip: Open Tue–Sun 10 AM–4:30 PM, Wednesday until 8:30 PM; closed Mondays. Metered parking on-site (small fee). The conservatory is best in winter when outdoor gardens are dormant. Pair with the Nichols Arboretum — both are managed by U-M and free to visit.

Arts & Culture

A free 94,000-square-foot art museum at the corner of State Street and South University, with a permanent collection of more than 20,000 works spanning 150+ years across cultures, eras, and media. Major rotating exhibitions, a free Bloomberg Connects-style audio guide, sensory kits for accessible visits, and a cafe on-site. No tickets, no reservations — walk in.

Address: 525 South State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Tip: Open Tue–Wed 10 AM–5 PM, Thu–Fri 10 AM–8 PM, Sat 11 AM–8 PM, Sun 11 AM–8 PM; closed Mondays. Free street parking is sparse on weekdays — try the Maynard or Forest Avenue parking structures. Photography is OK without flash; backpacks and snacks allowed on most of the first floor.

History & Museums

A 45,000-square-foot free natural history museum on Central Campus, with exhibits covering Michigan mastodons ("On the Trail of Mastodons"), evolution, microbiology, geology, and a Planetarium & Dome Theater that screens science and astronomy programs. The current building replaced the historic 1928 Exhibit Museum and houses the Research Museums Center collections.

Address: 1105 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Tip: Open Tue–Sun 10 AM–4 PM during the school year; 7 days 10 AM–5 PM in summer; closed Mondays. Planetarium and dome theater shows have a modest separate fee (~$8). Park in the Palmer Drive structure or use metered street parking on North University.

Walking Tours

The Diag is the diagonal crossroad and grassy heart of U-M Central Campus, bordered by Hatcher Graduate Library, the Undergraduate Library, Angell Hall, and the Chemistry Building. A free self-guided walking tour from the U-M tour site covers the Diag, Ingalls Mall, the Burton Memorial Tower (with its 53-bell Baird Carillon that chimes every quarter hour), Hill Auditorium, and the Michigan League — all free to walk through.

Address: Central Campus, East University Avenue & North University, Ann Arbor

Tip: The Burton Memorial Tower carillon plays Westminster Quarters every quarter hour, 9:15 AM–9 PM weekdays in session. Avoid the Diag's central brass "M" — campus legend says students who walk on it will fail their first blue-book exam. Park in any of the structures on Maynard, Forest, or Liberty.

Shopping & Strolling

A historic two-story brick complex three blocks north of downtown housing 20+ independent shops, the original Zingerman's Delicatessen across the street, and the Ann Arbor Farmers Market alongside on Saturdays. Free to wander; pay-as-you-eat or pay-as-you-shop. Sweetwaters Coffee, Spun yarn shop, Mudpuddles toys, and Found vintage/art gallery are local anchors.

Address: 407 N 5th Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Tip: Hours Mon–Wed 10 AM–6 PM, Thu–Fri 10 AM–7 PM, Saturday 9 AM–6 PM, Sunday 11 AM–5 PM (individual shops may vary). The original Zingerman's Deli is across N 5th Avenue from the market — open 7 AM–9 PM daily. Saturday Farmers Market runs May–December.

Shopping & Strolling

Downtown Ann Arbor's two main districts are a 10-minute walk apart and together cover most of the city's restaurants, indie bookshops, theaters, and street life. Main Street has the historic Michigan Theater (1928) and a four-block stretch of restaurants and cocktail bars; the State Street District anchors the U-M campus edge and houses both the Michigan and State theaters.

Address: Main Street & State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Tip: Look for the Fairy Doors of Ann Arbor — about a dozen tiny ornate doorways tucked into building facades downtown, started by a local artist in 2005. Best free downtown parking is after 6 PM. The Ann Arbor Art Fair (third week of July) is one of the country's largest free outdoor art fairs.

Outdoors

A 22-acre city park on the Huron River with the Argo Cascades — a free, nine-drop bypass channel of gentle Class I rapids that lets you tube, kayak, or canoe a 1.5-hour run from Argo to Gallup Park (the city's most popular paddle). Walking trails connect to the Border-to-Border (B2B) trail and downtown via the Allen Creek Berm Tunnel.

Address: 1055 Longshore Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Tip: Park open 6 AM–10 PM. Argo Canoe Livery rents tubes, kayaks, and rafts May–October. Free air compressor near the restrooms to inflate personal tubes. Note: a state PFAS "Do Not Eat Fish" advisory applies to the Huron River — don't eat what you catch and avoid foam on the water.