Ann Arbor might be a bustling college town, but it charms like a small Midwest village — think quaint houses, book shops around each corner, farmer’s markets, and little nooks and alleys just waiting to be explored. It’s also a Wheel the World Verified Destination, meaning many of its accessible offerings have been personally inspected for mobility access. You can find detailed accessibility information on attractions, restaurants, and hotels here. The city’s charm created a slow, joyful pace — the kind of trip where accessibility, family fun, and local flavor come together in the way every vacation should. Here’s everything you need to know for your wheelchair accessible Ann Arbor trip with your family!
**Our trip was hosted, but all opinions are my own**
Accessible Transportation to and Around Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor is about 30 minutes from the Detroit Metro Airport, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft with accessible options are available. For better or for worse, we drove our own vehicle up from Pennsylvania. All of the destinations we visited had accessible parking, ramps, and barrier-free entrances. Downtown was walkable and stroller or wheelchair-friendly. Some of the places we visited were outside of the walkable range, so it was nice to have our own vehicle. There are several accessible van rental options available at the Detroit airport, which may be your best option.
Fun, Wheelchair-Friendly Things to Do in Ann Arbor with Kids
Top Accessible Ann Arbor Attractions We Loved:
- All-abilities play at Gallup Park
- Llamas and goats at Domino’s Petting Farm
- Sensory-rich fun at Matthaei Botanical Gardens
- River views on the Border-to-Border Trail
- Interactive learning at the Hands-On Museum
- Fossils and dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History
- Shopping and strolling at the Kerrytown Markets
Gallup Park All-Ability Playground
I love to wrap up a long drive at a playground, so the kids can burn off all of their pent-up energy. Gallup Park was a riverside gem that was perfect for just that. The Gallup Park playground is designed for all abilities with smooth surfaces, accessible ramps, a sway glider, and two ramped play structures. If your child is able to transfer, there’s also a sand pit with water that can be pumped through. There’s a shaded picnic area and plenty of space to relax while the kids play.
Domino’s Petting Farm
Domino’s Petting Farm is the perfect example of Ann Arbor’s small town charm, in spite of being a happening city destination. The petting farm is picturesque with its big red barn and sprawling fields with packed gravel paths to feed the sheep, llamas, bunnies, and goats. There are also horses to admire, pigs to watch, and cats ready to play. There’s a small playhouse area and even that is intentionally accessible – there’s a wide opening on the side so that wheelchair users can roll right in to participate in the farm play.
Accessible parking is directly in front of the check-in building, so you can skip the gravel parking lot. Accessible restrooms available just inside the main entrance.
Matthaei Botanical Gardens
My kids don’t get too excited for a botanical garden, but Matthaei was different. While there were plenty of accessible paths through the conservatory and the beautiful flower gardens, we ended up spending most of our day in the children’s garden. The main path was a combination of pavement and packed gravel, leading through a wooded tunnel to a play meadow with building areas, frog-catching, a sand pit, a mud box, and a community garden where you’re allowed to pick something in season to bring home with you. The building area was up a small mulch incline, but my eight year old was able to power up it on his own.
Accessible parking is ramped just outside the main entrance and there are accessible restrooms off of the gift shop. Admission is free. Parking is $2.50 and hour or $6 for the day. Make sure you pick up an activity bag at the gift shop on your way in. This free loan has binoculars, a magnifying glass, and tools to help you identify plants on the go. It’s a great way to keep the grown-up areas of the garden engaging for everyone.
Border-to-Border Trail (Dexter Section)
B2B is a paved trail winding along the Huron River with scenic views and shaded stretches. With 42 miles of trail, I’m sure there are plenty of great options for views.
We parked in Downtown Dexter near Mill Creek Park – perfectly located for cooling off with a stroll through town when you’re done. We headed down stream through woods and fields, and ended with an ice cream back in town. We were fortunate enough for some wildlife spottings, including a beaver swimming and snacking along the the river.
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
If you’re visiting with kids, don’t miss this STEM-focused museum full of interactive exhibits. Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum looks small from outside, but the four floors are completely packed with mind-blowing, hands-on fun. The exhibits are thoughtfully designed with space to roll up and plenty of space to get around. Elevators and accessible restrooms make it an easy day. We only did a half-day here, but we ended up rushing and we missed a lot. We could’ve spent the full morning in the water play area, alone. There were inclusive spaces for kids of all abilities to learn and play together.
University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
Dinosaur lovers, University of Michigan’s Museum of Natural History is for you! This recently moved and revamped museum is spacious and entirely wheelchair accessible, with wide exhibits and an elevator to every floor. Start on the second floor where you can watch real scientists at work with fossils or new discoveries and then head a few rooms down to try your hand at excavating your own dig site and putting bones together.
Exhibits are engaging, staff are helpful, and the space is easy to navigate. There are accessible restrooms and a cafe on-site. Admission is free. There is a parking garage just north of the museum on Palmer Drive. I accidentally passed that, but I was able to snag an accessible space (the only one) on Wastenaw Ct, just south of the museum. This was a half-day activity for us, and that worked out perfectly.
Ann Arbor Farmers Market & Kerrytown Shops
The Ann Arbor Farmers Market should be at the center of every downtown shopping stroll. The local vendors vary with artisan souvenirs to bring home, hand crafted coffees and snacks for while you roam, and fresh produce to snag for later. The entire market is on a widened portion of sidewalk, making it easy to navigate.
At the end of the Farmers Market line is Kerrytown Market & Shops. If there was anything you didn’t find in the farmers market, you’ll find it here! From fresh fish and fine wine to imported treats and handmade pottery, it’s a perfect place to explore. Don’t miss the elevator inside to the book shop downstairs – all items are $1.50! There are accessible restrooms and most shops were easy to navigate with a wheelchair. Grab lunch at accessible local favorites like Pizza Pazza and Monahan’s Fish Market — both located on the easy-to-navigate first floor.
Accessible Restaurants in Ann Arbor: Where to Eat with a Family
The delights of the market lead me to the other culinary delights of Ann Arbor. This was where the city-side of Ann Arbor was clear – there was no shortage of incredible food options. All of the restaurants we visited had step-free entrances, accessible restrooms, friendly service, and next-level food. I would love to go back with more time to explore the dining scene.
The Session Room
Every good trip should begin with a good meal – and The Session Room was the winner for us. Craft food and beverages following a pub style of pizza and burgers. I highly recommend the brick oven pizza. It’s everything you could want a pizza to be.
Weber’s
Weber’s is a classic Michigan staple and where all the celebrities go. They’re famous for their prime rib, and I can verify that it’s for a good reason. Weber’s is a little more upscale than our typical family restaurants, but it’s also one of those places that you absolutely can’t skip while you’re in the area. The kids will enjoy feeling fancy for a bit with your candlelit dinner enjoyed over live music, and your palates will thank you.
The accessible restrooms are down the elevator and to the right – the opposite direction of the restroom signs.
The Songbird Café
The Songbird Caf̩ is a cozy breakfast and lunch spot with easy off-street accessible parking and spacious seating. They have a full menu, but the pastries in the glass all looked so tasty that we never made it to the food menu! There are books, games, activities, and coloring pages Рmaking it an easy place to relax and stay awhile.
Moonwinks Café
Moonwinks Café is a charming café near Domino Farms, perfect for lunch with the kids after visiting the animals. They serve seasonal, local ingredients in fresh salads and sandwiches. They also have a big case of baked goods and hand scooped ice cream, making it the perfect place for a special treat. This is another one where you can stay and play. They have multiple games available, but we spent most of our time on the foosball table outside.
Dixboro Project
The Dixboro Project gives you the choice of luxury dining in a restored barn, or taking it outside for a chill vibe by the creek. They share the same kitchen, and the menus have some overlap, but the outdoor cafe offers mostly pizzas and baked goods for an easy, relaxed meal. The indoor space was beautifully accessible, but we opted to roll through the grass for a picnic table with space. There were lots of other kids there, and it was a great chance to burn off energy and make new friends.
Zingerman’s Next Door Café
Zingerman’s Café is the one place that everyone I know who’s been to Ann Arbor said I had to try. It’s famous for a reason — and we really only experienced small part of it. Zingerman’s has their own deli, creamery, coffee shop, bakehouse, and even a roadhouse. We had breakfast at their Next Door Cafe. The massive case of baked goods made it impossible to choose and the hand crafted espresso drinks lived up to the Zingerman’s name.
What really made me happy was their clear attention to inclusion. There’s an accessible table that’s slightly higher than the rest. The cafe walls are covered with paintings of people eating and the people were as diverse as the pastries. I was happy to see all the wheelchair users in the mix. The entrance was ramped and there was an elevator to the upstairs restrooms.
Sava’s
Sava’s is known for its diverse menu that blends American classics with global cuisine. It’s a chic vibe balanced with a robust children’s menu. It’s upscale but family-friendly with plenty of easy seating.
Frita Batidos
Frita Batidos serves up Cuban-inspired street food in a vibrant, casual environment. The menu was foreign to me, so I asked the man at the counter to make me something delicious. I can only suggest you do the same because I’m still not sure what I ate, but it was amazing!
The seating is at picnic tables with built-in benches, but there’s enough space to roll up to the table end and not block customer traffic.
Dexter Creamery
Dexter Creamery is the perfect stop after the Border-to-Border trail. Build your own frozen yogurt masterpiece, enjoy a hand-scooped sundae, or refuel with a latte.
Michigan Creamery
Yes, two ice cream joints – because they’re both fabulous! Michigan Creamery is in the heart of downtown with perfect city-view vibes and creamy hand-scooped ice cream that makes the perfect treat while sitting and people watching.
Where to Stay: Accessible Hotels in Ann Arbor
We stayed at the Residence Inn Ann Arbor Downtown, and it checked all our boxes: wheelchair-accessible suites, roll-in showers, wide doorways, roll under sinks and cabinets, low beds, accessible breakfast areas, and a working chair lift at the pool. The location was absolutely perfect for exploring downtown. We were able to leave our car in the lot for many of our adventures and just stroll through town, in and out of all the bookshops along the way.
If Residence Inn doesn’t work out, check out Wheel the World for other accessibility verified options.
Final Thoughts
Ann Arbor is the full vacation package with all of the charming streets and shops; outdoor trails, gardens, and playgrounds; fine dining and fun eats; and plenty of interactive fun for the kids. As a Wheel the World destination, there’s an added ease in planning. You can find specific amenities for attractions, hotels, and restaurants without having to spend the day on the phone tracking down someone to answer your questions.
It’s the kind of place that can make a fun-packed weekend getaway, or a full week of exploring new things. I’m already working on a list of foods I want to try the next time we’re out that way!
If you’re planning a wheelchair-friendly getaway with kids, Ann Arbor should be on your list — and we hope this guide helps you get started. Save it for later or share with someone who’s ready to explore!