The Wheelchair Accessible Guide to Ann Arbor, Michigan

There is so much to do here. Ann Arbor has more than 160 parks and a downtown full of local restaurants, independent shops, and live music. It's anchored by the University of Michigan, and the Huron River and its trail network give you a lot of outdoor options within easy reach.

The accessibility details in this guide come from Wheel the World's verified program. Trained mappers physically visited each location, took real measurements, and documented surface types, slopes, restroom specifics, and a bunch more. This means you get trusted info you can use to plan around your needs.

Accessible events in Ann Arbor in 2026

Here are some events worth planning around this year:

Ann Arbor Art Fair — July

One of the largest juried art fairs in the country, spread across several downtown blocks. The main streets are paved and flat, which makes it manageable in a wheelchair, though it gets very crowded at peak times so plan accordingly.

Ann Arbor Summer Festival — June and early July

Outdoor concerts, films, and performances at Top of the Park and around downtown. It runs for several weeks, so there's a good chance something lines up with during your visit.

Morgan Wallen at Michigan Stadium — Two nights in July

Calling all concert lovers! If you're a country fan, you know who Morgan Wallen is. He'll be playing the Big House, which has accessible seating and entrances. Just make sure to select an accessible seat when you book.

USRowing RowFest — Ford Lake, Ypsilanti, July

Never watched competitive rowing before? This is a fun one. National championships on the water, plus food, music, and you can actually get in a boat and try it yourself.

Ann Arbor Film Festival — Late March

It's been running since 1958, which makes it the oldest experimental film festival in North America. If experimental and independent cinema is your thing, you'll love it!

Ann Arbor Folk Festival — January

Indoor folk music festival that draws a great lineup every year, ranging from... If you're visiting in winter, it's worth timing your trip around it.

Midnight Madness — December

If you're looking for a proper holiday evening, this is it. Every first Friday in December, all three downtown districts (Main Street, State Street, and Kerrytown) stay open until midnight. There's a German-inspired holiday market in Kerrytown with local artisans, hot mulled wine, and live music. A holiday cocktail crawl runs through the Social District and Santa is on Main Street for the little ones.

Accessible transportation options

Ann Arbor provides convenient transportation options that are accessible to travelers with disabilities.

Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide)

The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AAATA) provides public transportation services, including buses and paratransit options. Every bus has lifts or ramps to assist passengers using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. There are also securement spaces for two wheelchairs per bus, ensuring a safe and comfortable ride.

WAVE Bus

This service offers transportation specifically for seniors and individuals with disabilities, ensuring safe and accessible transportation across town. They have different services for different areas, so visit their official website to learn more.

Accessible hotels in Ann Arbor

There are many amazing places to stay in Ann Arbor. If you stay downtown, you'll be nearby many of the local attractions, restaurants, and shops. Here are four of the top accessible hotels in Ann Arbor.

Residence Inn Ann Arbor Downtown

Located in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor, the Residence Inn offers convenience with its proximity to restaurants, shops, and the University of Michigan campus. It's a great option for extended stays due to the spacious suites with kitchens and living areas. Accessible rooms are equipped with roll-in showers, wide doorways, and grab bars in bathrooms. With an indoor pool (with a lift) and accessible parking, this hotel is perfect for a comfortable stay.

Accessibility Features Available in Your Room

Weber’s Hotel & Restaurant

A short drive from downtown, Weber’s Hotel & Restaurant offers a full-service experience with accessible accommodations. Known for its upscale dining and live entertainment, Weber’s has an onsite restaurant, bar with live music, and a breakfast and coffee shop to fuel your mornings. The hotel has a heated indoor pool with a lift and rooms that feature roll-in showers or lowered bathtubs. It’s ideal for a relaxing getaway or business trip.

Accessibility Features Available in Your Room

Bell Tower Hotel

Nestled on the University of Michigan campus, Bell Tower Hotel offers a boutique hotel experience with easy access to campus attractions and downtown Ann Arbor shops, restaurants, and theaters. This charming hotel features accessible rooms with wide doorways, roll-in showers, and grab bars in the bathroom. Guests enjoy hotel complimentary breakfast each morning and valet parking for $25/day. If you wish to stay close to the lively, vibrant areas of downtown and UM campus, this is your stay!

Accessibility Features Available in Your Room

Accessible things to do in Ann Arbor

University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens

Matthaei Botanical Gardens sits on 300 acres on the northeast edge of Ann Arbor and includes a conservatory, themed gardens, and natural areas you can actually spend a few hours in. The conservatory alone has tropical, warm temperate, and desert sections under one roof.

Accessibility: The grounds are accessible throughout with very gentle slopes (about 2 degrees, hardly noticeable) and there are 4 accessible parking spaces close to the entrance. The entrance has steps with a ramp alongside, but there are no handrails on the ramp, so keep that in mind if you need that support. There is an accessible bathroom stall on site with grab bars and a 19-inch high toilet. View full accessibility details.

University of Michigan Nichols Arboretum

Known as "The Arb," the University of Michigan Nichols Arboretum is a 123-acre natural area with trails along the Huron River, a famous peony garden, and woodland paths that run through one of the prettier stretches of land in Ann Arbor.

Accessibility: The grounds have a ground-level entrance with very gentle slopes (grade 3, about 3%) throughout. Accessible paths are available in the main outdoor areas but not all of the paths may be accessible as some are not wide, have dirt or gravel, and some slopes. The arboretum offers a trail chair (a terrain wheelchair for uneven surfaces) worth reserving if your standard chair struggles on gravel or grass. Just make sure to call ahead as availability is limited. No designated accessible parking on site, but accessible spaces are available at the nearby Matthaei Botanical Gardens entrance. The bathroom has a 33-inch outward-opening door, lever handle, 60+ inches of turning space, grab bars, a toilet at 19 inches, and a sink with clearance underneath for rolling up. View full accessibility details.

Decode Ann Arbor Escape Room

Decode Ann Arbor is ranked one of the top escape rooms in the country, with themed rooms like Around the World in 80 Days and Trouble in Paradise. It's a genuinely fun few hours whether you've done escape rooms before or not.

Accessibility: The entrance is step-free via ramp with handrails, slope grade 3. Floors are smooth cement throughout and the front desk is seated height. All games are wheelchair accessible except the Library room, so just mention that when you book if it's relevant. Closed captions are available for some games, and the staff are experienced with physical, visual, hearing, and cognitive disabilities. The private accessible bathroom has a 35-inch door that opens inward, lever handle, grab bars, and a toilet at 18 inches — turning space is 48 inches rather than the full 60+, so worth knowing if you have a larger chair. View full accessibility details.

Blue Llama Jazz Club

Blue Llama Jazz Club on South Main Street has live jazz five nights a week (Wednesday through Sunday) with a seasonal New American menu and a stage designed so every table in the room has a direct sightline. There are no bad seats here! There is a $10 cover Wednesday through Friday, and Saturday is a ticketed multi-course dinner show. Be sure to reserve a table ahead of time.

Accessibility: The entrance is at ground level with a manual door at 35 inches wide. There are smooth hardwood floors throughout with 60+ inches of turning space in the dining room and bathroom. Staff can also assist. The private accessible bathroom has a 33-inch door that opens inward, lever handle, grab bars, and a toilet at 16.5 inches. View full accessibility details.

Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum has over 250 interactive exhibits built around science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Honestly it's one of those places where you go in thinking you'll spend an hour and end up staying way longer. It's a great activity for the whole family because kids love it but adults get sucked in too.

Accessibility: The entrance is step-free at ground level with a 60-inch door and tactile paving running from the street all the way to the entrance, which is a nice touch for visitors with visual disabilities. Inside there's a seated front desk and thin carpet throughout. The elevator is 72 inches wide and 55 inches deep, so it can handle larger mobility equipment comfortably. Buttons have raised numbers and Braille, though there's no auditory guidance in the elevator, so worth knowing if that's relevant. The accessible bathroom stall has a 34-inch outward-opening door, grab bars, a toilet at 17 inches, and an automatic sensor faucet. View full accessibility details.

Gallup Park

Gallup Park is 69 acres right on the Huron River and one of the best free things to do in Ann Arbor. You can kayak, canoe, fish, bike the paved trails, have a picnic, or just sit by the water and watch the swans. There are also large-scale animal sculptures scattered through the park and a butterfly and hummingbird garden that peaks in fall.

Accessibility: The park has a universal access boat launch with a transfer system specifically designed for paddlers with disabilities, and adapted kayaking programs are available through the livery. Check out their brochure for more information. The livery opens for the 2026 season on April 25. The Rotary Centennial playground is universally accessible. Heated restrooms are attached to the canoe rental building and open year round. The paved trails connect to the Border-to-Border Trail if you want to keep going. Worth knowing on parking: our assessment found only 2 accessible parking spaces and they are not close to the entrance, so on busy weekends that could be a challenge. There is a bus stop about 3 minutes from the boat rental office if that's an easier option. View full accessibility details.

Leslie Science and Nature Center

The Leslie Science and Nature Center is 50 acres of fields, woods, and prairie right inside Ann Arbor, and the whole thing is free. The main draws are the Raptor Loop where you can see 19 non-releasable birds of prey including owls, hawks, falcons, and bald eagles up close, and the Critter House where you can meet turtles, snakes, frogs, and small mammals. The Critter House is open only on Sundays from 12 to 3pm, so plan around that if you want to experience it.

Accessibility: From our verified assessment, the indoor activity area has a ground-level entrance, smooth hardwood floors, and 60+ inches of turning space. The outdoor areas have accessible paths, though the entrance has a steep slope so be prepared for that. There are 2 accessible parking spaces available. The accessible bathroom has a 34-inch door that opens outward, grab bars, and a toilet at 19 inches. No staff assistance is available for physical disabilities on site. View full accessibility details.

Michigan Theater & State Theatre

Ann Arbor has two historic downtown theaters, both operated by the nonprofit Marquee Arts and within a few blocks of each other. Between them they run independent films, classic screenings, live concerts, comedy shows, and symphony performances. Check out their calendar for upcoming events.

Accessibility of Michigan Theater: Ground-level entrance with a 36-inch door, thin carpet throughout, and 60+ inches of turning space. A hearing loop is available in the auditorium. Staff can push and assist wheelchair users. Important to know: the balcony is not accessible, so make sure to select a main floor seat when you book. The accessible bathroom stall has a 34-inch door, grab bars, an 18-inch toilet, and an automatic sensor faucet. View full accessibility details.

Accessibility of State Theatre: Accessible via elevator with a 36-inch door and 94-inch depth, plenty of room for larger mobility equipment. Braille and raised number buttons on the elevator panel. Thin carpet throughout with 60+ inches of turning space. A hearing loop is available. The private accessible bathroom has a 34-inch door with lever handle, 60+ inches of turning space, grab bars, and a toilet at 18 inches. View full accessibility details.

Zingerman's Delicatessen

You may be thinking, "shouldn't this be in the food and dining section of this blog?" For any standard deli, that'd be true, but Zingerman's Delicatessen is like a local landmark in Ann Arbor, so we just had to put it under some of the best things to do. Established in 1982, Zingerman's Delicatessen has grown into a must-visit deli and market for both locals and visitors alike. They serve delicious, massive sandwiches made-to-order, have a cafe next door, and a market where you can buy unique goods like aged-cheeses, estate-bottled olive oil, and much more. Don't miss this spot during your visit!

You may be thinking "shouldn't this be in the food section?" For any standard deli, sure. But Zingerman's Delicatessen has been an Ann Arbor institution since 1982 and going there is an experience. The sandwiches are massive and made to order, there's a market selling things like aged cheeses and estate-bottled olive oils, and a cafe next door.

Accessibility: The entrance has a ramp with handrails and contrast markings, slope grade 3. The door is 40 inches wide with a lever handle. Smooth cement floors throughout with 60+ inches of turning space and step-free access to all seating. Tables sit at 29 inches with 28 inches of clearance underneath. Staff can push wheelchairs and assist with reduced mobility. Audio guides are available for visual disabilities, and printed information for hearing disabilities. The private accessible bathroom has a 34-inch door with lever handle, 60+ inches of turning space, grab bars, a toilet at 17 inches, and a sink with roll-under clearance. View full accessibility details.

Food and drink spots in Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor is known for its diverse food scene with many international cuisines. When you stroll downtown Ann Arbor, you'll notice very few chain restaurants and instead, an assortment of delicious, local establishments that'll make any foodie excited to explore. I mean, thats one of the most fun things to do on vacation, right?

Zingerman's Bakehouse

If you've been to Zingerman's Deli and loved the bread, it came from here. The Bakehouse has been baking since 1992 on Plaza Drive a few miles from downtown, right next to Zingerman's Creamery. They do everything from artisan loaves and bagels to pastries, custom cakes, soups, and weekday lunch. And if you want to learn how to actually make any of it, they run hands-on baking classes on site. It's a fun thing to do if you're spending a few days in Ann Arbor.

Accessibility: With a ground-level entrance and a 35-inch manual door, getting in is straightforward. Floors are smooth hardwood throughout with 60+ inches of turning space. The accessible bathroom has a 35-inch door, 60+ inches of turning space, grab bars, and a toilet at 17 inches. View full accessibility details.

Weber's Restaurant

Weber's has been around since 1937 and it shows, in the best way. The dining room has A-frame architecture, vintage stained glass windows, and a baby grand piano playing in the background. The prime rib and live Maine lobster are the signatures, and if you're visiting on a weekend, the attached Habitat lounge has live jazz and dancing after dinner. It's a full evening out, not just a meal. Reservations are a good idea here.

Accessibility: With a ground-level entrance via ramp with handrails at grade 1 (barely noticeable) and a 34-inch manual door, getting in is easy. There's thin carpet throughout with 60+ inches of turning space. Tables sit at 29 inches with 28 inches of clearance underneath. An elevator is on site with a 55-inch depth, plenty of room for larger chairs. The accessible bathroom has a 34-inch door, 60+ inches of turning space, grab bars, and a toilet. View full accessibility details.

Bridge Community Café

Bridge Community Café is a coffee shop and community space in downtown Ypsilanti on West Michigan Avenue, about 10 minutes from Ann Arbor. It's woman-owned, queer-friendly, and runs a pay-it-forward coffee program where you can buy a drink for someone who can't afford one. There has been over 200 drinks given away so far. The specialty drinks use house-made syrups and the food runs to hand pies, burritos, charcuterie boxes, and house-baked goods.

Accessibility: With a ground-level entrance, a 34-inch manual door, and contrast markings on the door, getting in is easy. There is thin carpet throughout with 60+ inches of turning space. The accessible bathroom has a 34-inch door, 60+ inches of turning space, grab bars, and a toilet at 17 inches. Printed information is available for guests with hearing disabilities. View full accessibility details.

Erratic Ale Co.

Erratic Ale Co. is a family-owned nano brewery in Dexter, about 15 minutes west of Ann Arbor, right off the Border-to-Border Trail. All the beer is brewed on site in small batches. The names are fun, the staff know what they're talking about, and dogs are welcome outside. If you're doing the B2B trail, this is a solid stop on the way.

Accessibility: The entrance is accessible at ground level and floors are smooth hardwood with 60+ inches of turning space. Tables are at 32 inches with 30 inches of clearance underneath. The accessible bathroom has a 36-inch door, 60+ turning space, grab bars, and a toilet at 18 inches. View full accessibility details.

The Circ Bar

The Circ Bar is on the second floor of a historic building on South First Street, and it has the only rooftop deck in Ann Arbor with unobstructed sunset views. Inside there are two bars, 13 flat screens, karaoke nights, trivia, and weekend events. The food has things like smash burgers, wings, flatbreads, and tacos. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 6pm, so it's a later night kind of spot.

Accessibility: Getting up to the second floor is via elevator with a 42-inch door and 55-inch depth. Floors are smooth hardwood throughout with 60+ inches of turning space. The accessible bathroom has a 34-inch door, 60+ inches of turning space, grab bars, and a toilet at 34 inches. View full accessibility details.

MilkShake Factory

MilkShake Factory on South Maple Road is exactly what it sounds like: milkshakes made to order with a rotating selection of flavors. Sometimes the simplest concept is the right one.

Accessibility: Entrance is at ground level and the floors are smooth hardwood throughout. The accessible bathroom has a 33-inch door, 60+ inches of turning space, grab bars, and a toilet at 17 inches. View full accessibility details.

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