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It is not a secret that Ann Arbor is one of the greatest cities to live in. That being said, it can be quite costly. As a new or current member of the Ann Arbor community, it is imperative that you are aware of all the budget friendly/free activities and places readily available to you!

Enjoy the City’s Natural Beauty

Ann Arbor has a wide variety of parks and landscaping for the whole city to enjoy. First, the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nicholas Arboretum. This is one of the city’s most popular and magical places — and it is completely free! With about three miles of trails, breathtaking gardens, and an indoor multi-climate conservatory, it is easily one of the best places to go. Whether you want to lay out a picnic blanket and read or take in the scenery on a hike, this free park has something anyone can enjoy. In addition, they host events/student events such as Wonder Walks, educational opportunities, art shows, yoga, and so much more. All of which are posted on the Upcoming Events page on their website!

Ann Arbor is also home to many other parks. Staples include Burns Park, where you commonly see people playing basketball, tennis, pickleball, and more. In addition, the Diag becomes one of the most popular spots on campus as soon as students get a taste of spring. Students gather to study with friends or play Spikeball, football, and other games! Some of the most popular parks for the community include Bandemer Park, Barton Nature Area, and Island Park. All of these places have beautiful views and trails along the Huron River, also free of charge.

That being said, tubing down the Huron River is an exciting activity to partake in during the warmer months in Ann Arbor. You can take a 20 minute (about 3.7 mile) tube ride down the Argo Cascades in the river. Tube rentals are available at Argo Livery and it takes you from Argo Park to Gallup Park. Tube rentals are $14 a person for two hours or you can bring your own.

These are just a few of many parks, outdoor activities, and adventures you can go on in Ann Arbor.

Explore the Fascinating Museums and Observatory

The city is home to a variety of engaging activities, many of which are on campus! The Museum of Natural History has an endless amount of entertainment available to you, completely free of charge. They have a variety of exhibits to observe, as well as interactive and virtual exhibits too. In addition, they have changing exhibits so you can visit more than once to enjoy different features. The museum has its own Planetarium and Dome Theater where they host events such as “Sky Tonight,” displaying the sky that night and discussing what is to come in the next few weeks.

Next, there is the University of Michigan Museum of Art that also includes free admission. This is a multi-floor art exhibit, typically rotating each fall and spring. This allows it to be an engaging and unique experience to attend multiple times a year. They provide gallery guides and update their website with information about the current art displayed. Similarly, the Kelsey Museum of Archeology is another wondrous activity with free admission. This museum’s exhibit is permanent and they provide a variety of tailored events/tours frequently. Examples of themes include Roman Egypt, Ancient Glass, Figurines, and Inscriptions.

Lastly, there is the Judy and Stanley Frankel Detroit Observatory, which also has free admission. They host regular events such as tours and telescope observing. Similar to the other museums, they host rotating exhibits. “Weather of the Sky: Making and Remaking the Detroit Observatory” is currently on exhibit.

All of these historical and fascinating places make Ann Arbor such a special place and these are just a few examples!

Attend Events and Festivals

Ann Arbor is consistently home to various festivals and events, many of which are free or low cost and a perfect activity to feel more a part of the community, meet new people, and have some fun! For example, the Ann Arbor African American Festival takes place in June with food, crafts, merchandise, activities, theatre, musical performances, and more. Another incredibly popular event is the Ann Arbor Art Fair taking place in July, with pop-up stands, performances, and a large variety of engaging art/activities. Other great examples include the Ann Arbor Film Festival in March, the Ann Arbor Folk Festival in January, Ann Arbor Pride in August, and so many more! It is important to stay up to date on these events and one way to do so is by checking the Ann Arbor Observer Events Calendar. These events bring together the community and make for some of the best low-budget/free things to do in all of Michigan.