Ann Arbor with Kids
Family travel guide for parents planning with children
Top Family Activities
The best things to do with kids in Ann Arbor.
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
Four floors of interactive exhibits where children can climb through a giant whale, experiment with water physics, explore a child-sized city, and engage with science through touch. The preschool gallery has a calm space for younger visitors. Located in a historic firehouse downtown with elevator access for strollers.
University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
Free admission to this excellent museum featuring planetarium shows, dinosaur skeletons, Michigan wildlife dioramas, and hands-on science labs. The 'Under the Microscope' lab lets kids handle real specimens. Located in the university's Biological Sciences Building with easy parking at nearby structures.
Gallup Park and Argo Cascades
102-acre riverside park featuring paved trails perfect for strollers and bikes, a large playground, canoe/kayak rentals, and the Argo Cascades—a series of small dams creating natural water slides for tubing in summer. Picnic shelters and restrooms available. The flat, paved 2-mile loop accommodates all mobility levels.
Leslie Science & Nature Center
50-acre nature preserve with live raptor enclosures (eagles, owls, hawks), hiking trails, and a nature playscape constructed from natural materials. The Critter House offers hands-on encounters with reptiles and amphibians. Located on the northeast side with free parking and indoor spaces for inclement weather.
UMMA (University of Michigan Museum of Art)
Free art museum with dedicated family programming, including the 'Family Art Studio' on weekends and audio tours designed for children. The outdoor sculpture garden provides space to run, and the modern building offers nursing-friendly quiet spaces. Rotating exhibitions include interactive contemporary installations.
County Farm Park and Platt Road Playground
141-acre park featuring the region's most innovative inclusive playground with wheelchair-accessible equipment, sensory play areas, and a giant climbing structure. Mature woods offer shaded trails, and the working farm heritage is interpretable through signage. Free parking at multiple entrances.
Kerrytown Market & Shops
Historic district featuring the year-round Farmers Market (Wed/Sat), toy store (The Toy House), children's bookstore (Bookbound), and casual dining. The cobblestone streets and pedestrian alleys create a European village atmosphere. Zingerman's Deli anchors the area with famous sandwiches and a kid-friendly dining room.
The Ark
well-known folk music venue offering 'The Ark Family Room' series—monthly Saturday morning concerts designed specifically for children ages 2-8. Professional musicians perform interactive shows in an intimate, seated environment. The historic venue is downtown with nearby parking structures.
Best Areas for Families
Where to base yourselves for the smoothest family trip.
Downtown/Kerrytown
The most walkable base for families wanting to minimize driving. Immediate access to Hands-On Museum, UMMA, library, restaurants, and the Farmers Market. The compact grid makes navigation easy with strollers, though parking requires structure fees or street meter feeding.
Highlights: Pedestrian-friendly streets, 15-minute walk to most attractions, abundant dining options, evening stroll safety
South University/Burns Park
Quieter residential neighborhood with tree-lined streets, historic homes, and Burns Park's excellent playground and wading pool. Walking distance to campus attractions via scenic routes. More affordable lodging options and easier street parking than downtown core.
Highlights: Burns Park playground and spray park, residential calm, university athletic facilities nearby, local cafes with kid menus
Briarwood Mall Area (South Ann Arbor)
Practical base for families prioritizing chain hotels, free parking, and highway access. Briarwood Mall offers indoor rainy-day backup with play area and food court. Short drive to downtown (10 minutes) and closest to County Farm Park.
Highlights: Free hotel parking, indoor mall activities, highway access for day trips, lower accommodation costs
Gallup Park/Northside
Ideal for outdoors-focused families wanting river access and trail systems at their doorstep. The park itself offers the city's best flat, paved recreation path. More affordable than downtown with a local neighborhood feel, though dining requires driving.
Highlights: Immediate river and trail access, canoe liveries, Matthaei Botanical Gardens nearby, quieter evenings
Family Dining
Where and how to eat with children.
Ann Arbor's dining scene punches above its weight for a city its size, with **Ann Arbor restaurants** ranging from James Beard-nominated establishments to casual family chains. The university influence means diverse international options and dietary accommodations are standard. Most restaurants welcome children, though 'family-friendly' varies—some upscale spots prefer well-behaved older kids only. High chairs are nearly universal, and many downtown spots offer outdoor seating that accommodates restless children. Expect to pay Midwest premiums: casual family meals run $40-60 for four, while nicer dinners reach $80-120.
Dining Tips for Families
- Zingerman's Roadhouse has a dedicated kids' menu and play corner—reserve ahead for weekend brunch
- Many downtown restaurants close between 2-5pm; plan lunch by 1:30pm or expect limited options
- Food trucks gather at Mark's Carts (spring-fall) and Detroit Street Filling Station—casual, outdoor, kid-friendly
- Grocery delivery (Instacart, Shipt) covers all major stores—useful for vacation rental stocking with diapers, snacks, and breakfast foods
Delicatessens (Zingerman's, Maize & Blue)
Counter-service speed with table-quality food; Zingerman's Deli has high chairs, changing table, and tolerance for noise
Pizza (NeoPapalis, Mani Osteria, Cottage Inn)
Fast, customizable, universally appealing; many offer gluten-free crusts and high-quality ingredients parents appreciate
Food halls and markets (Kerrytown, York)
Multiple options satisfy picky eaters; casual atmosphere reduces stress; York Food Court has indoor seating and kids' play structure
Breakfast/Brunch (Angelo's, The Broken Egg, Afternoon Delight)
Biggest kid-friendly meal category; most open early (7am) for jet-lagged families; extensive pancake and egg options
Tips by Age Group
Tailored advice for every stage of childhood.
Ann Arbor accommodates toddlers well with splash pads, stroller-friendly paths, and indoor options for weather contingencies. The Hands-On Museum's preschool gallery provides contained exploration, and multiple parks offer fenced play areas. However, the university-focused nightlife and dining scene means early bedtimes require strategic hotel location or white noise.
Challenges: Cobblestone streets in Kerrytown jar strollers; limited downtown public restrooms with changing tables; restaurant wait times during peak hours test patience; parking structure elevators sometimes out of service
- Stay south of campus or in Briarwood area for quieter nights
- Bring portable changing pad—public changing tables are sparse
- The Michigan Union has clean, accessible family restrooms on ground floor
- Schedule museum visits for post-nap (1-2pm) when morning school groups depart
The sweet spot for Ann Arbor—school-age children engage fully with hands-on museums, can handle moderate hiking, and appreciate the university's energy. Educational opportunities abound through museum programs, nature center activities, and informal campus exploration. Independence is possible in contained spaces like the Hands-On Museum while parents observe.
Learning: University of Michigan offers public lectures, free observatory nights, and department open houses; Matthaei Botanical Gardens has youth programs; public library's 'Summer Game' engages kids with city-wide exploration
- Purchase Hands-On Museum membership if visiting 2+ days—pays for itself
- Download 'Seek' app for nature identification at County Farm Park
- Evening campus walks are magical and crowd-free
- Many restaurants offer 'kids eat free' nights—call ahead to confirm
Teens appreciate Ann Arbor's urban sophistication, independent music scene, and outdoor adventure options. The university atmosphere provides aspirational exposure, while downtown's walkability allows safe independence. **Fun things to do in Ann Arbor at night** for families with teens include concert venues, late-night food destinations, and evening campus events.
Independence: Downtown is safe for teens to explore in pairs or small groups during daylight and early evening (before 10pm). The Main Street-State Street corridor has consistent foot traffic and police presence. Cell service is reliable throughout. Set check-in points at the Michigan Union or public library.
- Teens can handle the full Argo-to-Gallup paddle solo with proper safety briefing
- The Neutral Zone offers teen programs and events if visiting longer-term
- Record store shopping (Encore, Wazoo) engages music-interested teens
- Late-night food at Fleetwood Diner (open 24 hours) is a local rite of passage
Practical Logistics
The nuts and bolts of family travel.
Getting Around
Downtown Ann Arbor is highly walkable with curb cuts and ramps throughout. TheRide bus system covers the city with bike racks and wheelchair lifts—fares are $1.50, children under 5 free. However, most families will want a car for park access and grocery runs. Car seats required for under 8 or under 4'9"—rental companies provide for advance reservation ($10-15/day). Stroller-friendly routes: Main Street and State Street have elevators at parking structures; avoid South University stairs by using Church Street ramp. Bike rentals at Wheels in Motion include trailers and tag-alongs.
Healthcare
University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital is the regional pediatric trauma center, located at 1540 E Hospital Dr with 24-hour emergency services. Urgent care: IHA Urgent Care (multiple locations, 8am-8pm) and MinuteClinic at CVS (325 E Eisenhower Pkwy). Pharmacies: CVS and Walgreens downtown; Meijer (24-hour at 3145 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd) has the best selection of diapers, formula, and baby supplies. Breastfeeding: protected by Michigan law; comfortable nursing spots at UMMA, public library, and most mall food courts.
Accommodation
Book 2-3 months ahead for fall football weekends when rates triple and minimum stays apply. **Where to stay in Ann Arbor** depends on your priorities: downtown for walkability, south side for value and pools, vacation rentals for kitchen access and separate bedrooms. Request ground floor for stroller ease; confirm pack-n-play availability (most hotels provide free, but limited stock). Kitchenettes significantly reduce dining costs—Residence Inn and Homewood Suites include breakfast. Parking downtown averages $20-30/night at hotels.
Packing Essentials
- Rain gear for sudden Midwest storms
- Sunscreen for unshaded playgrounds
- Water shoes for Argo Cascades and splash pads
- Layered clothing for variable temperatures
- Portable phone charger for all-day campus walking
- Small backpack for museum hands-free exploration
Budget Tips
- University museums are free—plan multiple visits
- County Farm Park and Gallup Park offer full-day free entertainment
- Farmers Market samples reduce snack costs
- Hotel rates drop 40% January-March and summer weekdays
- The public library (343 S Fifth Ave) offers free children's programs and indoor play space
- Pack picnic lunches—downtown dining adds up quickly for families
Family Safety
Keeping your family safe and healthy.
- Water safety: The Huron River has deceptively strong currents—life jackets are mandatory and provided at liveries; never allow children to wade above the knees unsupervised
- Sun exposure: Michigan's summer sun is intense despite northern latitude—playgrounds at Burns Park and County Farm have limited shade; schedule outdoor time before 10am or after 4pm
- Pedestrian safety: University students often jaywalk while distracted by phones—hold children's hands at crosswalks near campus, on State Street
- Tick prevention: Natural areas including Leslie Science Center and County Farm Park have deer ticks—use repellent, perform daily checks, and shower after hiking; Lyme disease is established in Washtenaw County
- Food allergies: **Ann Arbor food** scene is accommodating but inform servers explicitly—Zingerman's and similar high-volume spots cross-contaminate easily; carry epinephrine and backup snacks
- Winter cold: Hypothermia risk develops quickly in children—limit outdoor play to 20-30 minutes when temperatures drop below 20°F; wet gloves must be changed immediately
- Parking structure safety: Older garages (Maynard, Forest) have poor lighting in stairwells—use elevators and park near attendant booths when possible, with infants