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ABOUT ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN

Three young women pose smiling in the center of Nickels Arcade in Ann Arbor. The woman in the center sits in a manual wheelchair wearing a patterned skirt and white cardigan. She is flanked by two friends; one in a pink sweater and jeans, and another in a cream puffer jacket and black cargo pants who has one arm playfully raised. The historic corridor features glass ceilings and yellow "100 Year" anniversary banners.

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Welcome to Ann Arbor, Michigan! You are invited to experience a mix of energy and charm in this bustling college town filled with art, entertainment, great food, nature, and vibrant local culture.

As the first Wheel the World Verified Destination in the state, visitors with physical, cognitive, or invisible disabilities can explore the Ann Arbor area with confidence. Through accessible attractions, inclusive outdoor activities, and sensory-friendly things to do, Ann Arbor welcomes travelers of all abilities to move at your own pace.

Stay downtown at highly rated hotels that prioritize service and comfort for every guest. Discover renowned museums, stroll through the iconic University of Michigan campus, dine at award-winning restaurants, and meet the people who make this destination so special.

A graphic logo featuring the words "DESTINATION ANN ARBOR" in a stylized, blocky font. The text is lime green with deep navy blue drop shadows, set against a bright light-blue geometric background.

Find inspiration for your Ann Arbor trip and start building your itinerary with these accessible hotels, restaurants, attractions, and sensory-friendly spaces.

Featured Accessible Hotels

A woman in a manual wheelchair and a companion carrying a blue suitcase enter the glass doors of Weber's Boutique Hotel. The building features modern dark wood paneling and a glass canopy overhead. A parking lot with several cars is visible in the background under a bright sky.
Weber’s Hotel

“Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County are places where accessibility is not an afterthought. It is a shared value that shapes how we build, welcome, and include. We know that our community is at its best when everyone can participate fully, and I am proud to be part of a region that not only recognizes this truth but actively works to make it reality.”  —  

A headshot of a man with a full brown beard and short hair, smiling warmly. He is wearing a light purple button-down dress shirt and a dark patterned tie. He has his arms crossed and is positioned against a simple white paneled background.

Popular Things to Do

A high-angle panoramic view of a large, interactive water gallery at a children's museum. Several blue, water-filled tables of various shapes are spread across the room, where children and adults are playing with floating toys, hand pumps, and water jets.
Hands On Museum

Wheelchair Accessible Attractions

Inclusive Parks, Trails, and Gardens

Two young toddlers, a girl in pink and a boy in blue, walk hand-in-hand down a gravel path toward a large green educational sign titled "Spread Your Wings!" The sign shows a colorful diagram of bird wingspans. In the background, there is a wooden raptor enclosure nestled among lush green trees.
Leslie Science and Nature Photo Credit: Chris Ahern

Food and Drink

Inside a bustling deli, a woman in a manual wheelchair looks up at a staff member wearing a blue hat and white apron. The staff member holds a large menu and gestures with her hand while explaining options. The background shows shelves stocked with specialty food products and a "Pickup Area" sign.
Destination Ann Arbor

What makes Ann Arbor stand out as an accessible and inclusive destination?

A family of four enjoys a walk on a wooden boardwalk through a sun-drenched forest. A young girl uses an all-terrain tracked wheelchair, followed by a man and woman, while a young boy walks ahead of them. The sunlight filters through the dense green canopy, creating a bright, peaceful atmosphere.
Gerald Eddy Discovery Center Photo Credit: Pure Michigan

Wheel the World Verified Destination

The Ann Arbor area is proud to be a Wheel the World Verified Destination, with currently more than 50 local hotels, attractions, and restaurants that have been evaluated across 200+ accessibility data points, providing transparency and confidence while planning a trip that best fits your needs.  Accessibility features include mobility-related provisions like wheelchair access and step-free entrances, as well as considerations for travelers with sensory, cognitive, or hearing-related needs.

Inclusive Outdoors  

Whether you are into kayaking, water parks, or seeking a trail chair to explore hidden paths, choose your own adventure with plenty of outdoor options to add to your itinerary. Explore the Border to Border Trail, a county-wide, ADA accessible 10-foot-wide paved pathway winding through nature and towns. Visit area parks and trails offering inclusive amenities created with intentional design and guests in mind.  

Sensory-Friendly Experiences

Ann Arbor offers engaging activities designed for visitors with sensory processing needs and consider factors like lighting, noise, and interaction. From art and history museums offering sensory-friendly kits to movies playing in well-lit theaters with lowered volumes, these attractions create a comfortable way to explore more of Ann Arbor.  

Close to Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)

For air travel, the nearest major airport is the Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), about 30 miles east of downtown Ann Arbor. DTW assists all passengers and visitors with wheelchair and mobility assistance, stimulus sensitivities, and additional accessibility assistance. From DTW, choose from several transportation providers that best meet your requests when traveling to Ann Arbor.  

Transportation Providers

Ann Arbor offers a range of accessible transportation options to make your visit feel as smooth as possible. Downtown Ann Arbor provides accessible public parking areas close to galleries, restaurants, and local shops. Take TheRide, Ann Arbor’s public bus system for reliable, fixed routes across town. A-Ride is a reservation-based service accommodating wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility devices. Rideshares like Uber and Lyft add flexibility for quick pick-ups, and in western Washtenaw County, the WAVE bus connects riders to bus stops and frequently visited or hard to reach destinations.

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