Hotels in Ann Arbor, MI

The best time to visit Ann Arbor

If you want to see the most local festivals and enjoy pleasant temperatures, summer is the best season to come to Ann Arbor. However, summer also brings many tourists exploring the University. Autumn or late spring will usually see fewer tourists, and the temperatures are still agreeable. Winters can be severe in Ann Arbor with low temperatures, ice and snow. Avoid visiting from December – February if you are not a fan of snowstorms. Festivals typically start in May and continue through September.

Areas of Ann Arbor to avoid

Most of Ann Arbor is safe, especially being a quaint university town. The safest areas are the north and north-western sections. The closer you get to Detroit, the more cautious you must be about the neighbourhoods you enter. The Ypsilanti neighbourhood has a higher crime rate and is not best for tourists; therefore, avoid the area if you can, especially at night.

Getting around Ann Arbor

TheRide is Ann Arbor’s public transportation system. It runs throughout the city centre and to the suburban neighbourhoods surrounding the universities. A single cash fare is $1.50 USD per person and gives you 90 minutes of ride time. A 1-day pass offers you the best deal for just $4.50 USD per person for unlimited rides.

Best places to stay in Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor is a hidden gem of Michigan located around 50 miles east of Detroit. Locals know the endless potential of their quaint city, and once you visit, you will too. From the famous Ann Arbor Art Fair to the boutique shopping and world-class dining experiences, Ann Arbor is home to amazing sights and experiences. Many visitors come to Ann Arbor to tour the local universities, including the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University. Others come here to escape their busy metropolitan lifestyles. No matter the reasons why you are here, you might realise soon that a single day in Ann Arbor is not enough. The neighbourhoods of Ann Arbor are what make it so unique. From the historic avenues to the small towns on the outskirts to the progressive cities full of artsy vibes, find the neighbourhood that catches your fancy.

Central Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor is quite small, but it is connected with other small towns and cities that make up the Ann Arbor area. In the downtown area, you have arts, culture and international cuisine that offers a unique twist on traditional dishes. You will also find dozens of art galleries, including the University of Michigan Museum of Art. If you want to stay in the heart of it all, book a room at the Residence Inn by Marriott Ann Arbor Downtown or the Sheraton Ann Arbor Hotel.

Chelsea

Chelsea is a quaint little town that offers boutique shops, great dining and a robust selection of outdoor activities. Chelsea is part of The Big 400, which is a gateway to Michigan’s largest park, known as the Waterloo Recreation Area. You do not have tons of hotels out in Chelsea, but an antique, eclectic option is the Chelsea House Victorian Inn.

Dexter

Dexter is home to the Huron River and Mill Creek. It is a friendly, cute little town on the northwest side of Ann Arbor. While quaint, and consisting of just 4,000 residents, this is a fun place to visit for the day, catch a show at The Encore Musical Theatre Company and visit the parks. You are also down the street from the University of Michigan, in case you are here to visit the campus. Stay at the Wyndham Garden Ann Arbor or the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ann Arbor West.

Southeast Ann Arbor

Southeast Ann Arbor has 5 neighbourhoods, including Carpenter, which is the ideal place for a scenic drive. If you want to enjoy outdoor activities, Mitchell offers hiking trails and views from the mountains. Good hotel choices in Southeast Ann Arbor include the Residence Inn by Marriott Ann Arbor North and the Sheraton Ann Arbor Hotel.

Cheap hotels in Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor sees hundreds of visitors each year coming to explore the University campus. Therefore, local hotel chains compete for their business by offering budget-friendly prices that you can take advantage of – even if you are not here to tour the campus. Most hotels in Ann Arbor in the budget category have rooms for under $80 USD per night. Good choices for affordable hotels include the Red Roof Inn Ann Arbor – University of Michigan South, which offers free breakfast every morning. The University Inn Ann Arbor offers simple rooms, free Wi-Fi and breakfast each morning too. Lastly, you have the Days Inn Ann Arbor on Carpenter Road. The Days Inn Ann Arbor has fewer rooms compared to other budget-friendly hotels in the area; therefore, you must try to book early and ensure you get a room.

Ann Arbor offers festivals, events and numerous attractions. Bringing in thousands of visitors each year to see the university, the city is more than accommodating to tourists. Unlike other destinations, Ann Arbor does not readily advertise the best attractions. In fact, the city is ripe with hidden gems that only the locals know about. While you are planning your itinerary, discover some of these unique finds that help you soak up the history and culture of Ann Arbor:

• Go on a fairy door hunt. If you did not know they existed, you would pass by them without realising. However, Downtown Ann Arbor shops have small doors on their storefronts that are just big enough for a fairy to squeeze through. Go on a hunt and see how many you can find. Some are easy to spot, while others are hidden well into the front of the café, store or restaurant.
• Make a trip to the Dexter Cider Mill, which is just over 10 miles southwest of downtown. The mill is still in operation today and it is the oldest operational cider mill in the United States. Here you can pick up some locally made apple cider and treats like the homemade cider donuts.
• Take a tour of the Huron River by canoe or paddleboard. In the summer, you can rent boats and go down this calm waterway that has small pools for a quick swim.
• Breweries in Ann Arbor are everywhere, and when you take a brewery tour, you can taste your way through the microbrews of the city. Some of the top breweries include Arbor Brewing Company, Grizzly Peak Brewing Company, Wolverine State Brewing Co. and Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewery. Most have tap rooms for tasting and free tours, or you can book a brewery tour to visit the main breweries of the area.
• Ann Arbor’s food scene is quite impressive. Here you find culinary experts whipping up unique creations, include classic deli dishes, pizza and Turkish cuisine. Avoid the big name chains and stop in at local eateries to see what you can find.
• Ann Arbor has museums throughout the city, including the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum for children, the University of Michigan Museum of Art, the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History and the Leslie Science & Nature Center. Do not forget to tour the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum, which has historic artefacts on display and some very uniquely interesting exhibits.