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While it is easy to love the spirit and normalcy of being on campus, there are often times when we need a change of scenery. In the fall, it is easy to get into a rut and stay in your routine when it comes to classes and game days, but there is more to Ann Arbor than just what is on the University of Michigan campus. With both walking and taking public transportation, there are so many places off campus to explore and enjoy. Even better? U-M’s Blue Buses are free to all students and guests on campus, and TheRide buses run by the city of Ann Arbor are also free to students by swiping a valid Mcard.

Walk To Kerrytown

The first destination is Kerrytown! In just a 15-20 minute walk from the Diag, you can find so many places to explore. In Kerrytown, there is a shopping center called Kerrytown Market and Shops. This place holds the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, as well as many small businesses and restaurants. The farmers market features 125 vendors from Michigan with items ranging from produce, plants, nuts, and even handmade goods. The neighborhood of Kerrytown is very beautiful and fantastic to walk around. It is the perfect area to go with friends to hang out and explore!

Explore the Arb

Another great place to go to is the Nichols Arboretum (aka the Arb), which has free admission for all. With abundant green space, the Arb helps the university preserve nature and educate visitors about botanical growth. The Arb is open daily from sunrise to sunset. There are multiple ways to get to the Arb, either walking from campus or taking the city or U-M buses. One of the best ways to get there is to take the Commuter North Blue Bus to Markley.

If you’re up for a bigger adventure, Matthaei Botanical Gardens is also a wonderful spot to explore. Getting there via public transportation requires a bit more planning. From Central Campus, taking TheRide’s 3 bus to Parker Mill County Park (the Dixboro + Geddes stop) can get you to the end of the Matthaei Botanical Gardens Trail. From there, you can take this scenic walking trail all the way to Matthaei. Be aware that it’s about a 2.5 mile one-way walk (or bike ride) from the bus stop, though!

Go for a Strike at Revel and Roll

A popular spot to go for students is Revel and Roll. Revel and Roll is a bowling alley and arcade. It has pool tables, so many games, and a restaurant inside. This is a great place to go with friends and it is very lively with parties happening and many promotions going on throughout the week. It is super easy to get there with TheRide bus options on route number 6 or 62. Revel and Roll is open seven days a week with hours varying on the day. You are guaranteed to have a fun time here.

Soak Up the Sun by the Huron River

The last spot I will mention is “The Docks.” This is the boathouse for the university’s crew team, but during the warmer months students are known to congregate and sun tan on the docks along the Huron River. Close by is the Argo Park Canoe & Kayak rental place. There, you can get tubes and kayaks that you can use to go down the river. While this is great during the warmer months in the state of Michigan, there is also an amazing hiking trail nearby where you can see people running and walking their dogs. Hiking is a better option for the fall when it gets too cold to go into the river. TheRide can get you there with multiple routes like the 22, 23, or 65.

While this isn’t everything that Ann Arbor has to offer, it is a decent amount of places that you can go, with many free options. I hope you enjoy this post and got some good insights about where to go in Ann Arbor!