Visit and have fun while soaking up the sun
Blooming cherry blossom trees at the Prairie on the East side of Nichols Arboretum’s trails, where 0.5 square miles of prairie lies, let visitors see a prairie visual, allowing them to walk through a huge field of grass flowing on windy days, like Kansas in Ann Arbor’s backyard. Kaleb Wieland | The Washtenaw Voice
Teresa Quinones | Contributor
As the sun starts to shine, flowers begin to bloom and schedules free up, many of us find ourselves eagerly anticipating summer. Here are a few ways to help you explore the local Ann Arbor area this season for free.
Staying active and reconnecting with nature
There is no better time of the year to introduce physical activity into your daily routine than in the summer.
Some iconic Ann Arbor spots that are worth sightseeing are the Kerrytown Market & Shops, Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Conservatory, Gallup Park and the Border-to-Border Trail.
Kerrytown Market & Shops is a shopping area in Downtown Ann Arbor, offering a variety of unique local markets and restaurants. It also features a farmer’s market on the weekends. This is the perfect place to go on a walk, experience the historic district, or invite a friend!
If you haven’t yet explored the Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Conservatory, this is the summer to do it. With a diverse set of plants and gardens developed by the University of Michigan, it’s also a great place to hone your photography skills. They offer many free events, such as a shuttle to the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden at the end of May as well as Wonder Walks, which are guided walks held twice a week.
The May 14 and May 18 Wonder Walks will focus on hunting for spring ephemerals. Registration is not required and the walks are held on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. and Sundays at 1:00 pm. The gardens and conservatory are located at 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48105.
A bench next to a willow tree overlooking the Huron River at Gallup Park, providing 69 acres of trails and open fields, bringing great ways for families, students, and couples to interact with nature next to the city. Kaleb Wieland | The Washtenaw Voice
For walkers, runners, cyclists, rollerbladers, and more who are looking for scenic and well-maintained trails, check out the Border-to-Border Trail and Gallup Park. The Border-to-Border Trail spans six trail corridors throughout Washtenaw County, ranging from 2.1 miles to 11.67. At Gallup Park, you will find walking trails and paths with a beautiful view of the Huron River.
The library: Home to community fun
The Ann Arbor District Library is a resource for Ann Arbor residents and it is free for any other Michigan residents as well. They host a number of great events in the summer including events with local authors, sewing labs and gardening workshops.
Some upcoming highlights include “Star Wars” Day (May 4), which is a huge celebration featuring screenings, crafts and more! Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will be visiting the library on May 12 to talk about her book, “The Purposeful Warrior.” For comic fans, the Ann Arbor Comic Arts Festival will take place June 14-15.
Check out many more events and activities by calling the library at 734-327-4200 or viewing their website.
Ypsilanti Community Library’s District Library downtown has reopened to the public after a long hiatus. Downtown residents have been waiting to get their hands on a book where they can walk to the library, and relax at their desks. Kaleb Wieland | The Washtenaw Voice
The Ypsilanti Community Library is a great social gathering for book lovers, and for those who want to look for new ways for communities to learn or entertain themselves with events and opportunities provided over the summer. Kaleb Wieland | The Washtenaw Voice
The Ypsilanti District Library’s downtown location has also reopened just in time for summer! There will be many recurring activities this summer like their intergenerational chess club and a guitar club, where you can practice guitar skills and play new songs.
Mark your calendar for Saturday events at the downtown Ypsilanti District Library like the Spring: All Ages Clothing Swap (May 24), where people of all ages and sizes can exchange clothing with their community, and the Maker Afternoon: Pasta (May 31), an opportunity to make homemade pasta and experiment with different pasta shapes.
Feeding the mind
For those looking to enrich their knowledge this summer, the University of Michigan offers several free museums in Ann Arbor.
Visit their Museum of Art to enjoy new collections and rotating exhibitions or their Museum of Natural History, which combines past and latest scientific research to provide an interactive experience with fun exhibits, such as the Planetarium & Dome Theater for all ages.
Register online for free events hosted by the university’s museums such as the Exhibition Tour of La Raza art on May 11 from 2-3 p.m.
