getDowntown - Commuting opportunities in Ann Arbor
Commuting opportunities in Ann Arbor
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at 734.214.0100
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getDowntown Program
518 E. Washington
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

ART FAIR COMMUTING IS EASY

Art Fair is an exciting time of year for those who live and work in Ann Arbor! If you’re eager to stay out of your car, here are some great alternative ways to get around:

Street Closures

The following streets will be closed beginning Tuesday July 20 at 7:00am to Sunday July 25th at 7:00am
  • Main St between William and Huron
  • Liberty between Ashley and State St.
  • State St between S. University and Washington
  • S. University between Tappan and Washtenaw (South U Between State and Tappan is open to traffic)
  • N. University between State St and Fletcher
  • E. University between Willard and S. University
  • Church Street between Willard and Geddes
  • E. Washington between State and Fletcher
  • Maynard between William and Liberty
  • Thompson between William and Liberty
  • William between Thompson and State
  • Thayer between N. University and Washington

Please Note: Within the event boundaries there will be no on-street parking, and most bicycle hoops will be not be available for sidewalk bicycle parking.
Parking Downtown

  • Have a parking permit? Park in any of the parking structures as you usually do.
  • Don't have a parking permit? Parking at the downtown public lots and structures will be $10/entry (you can stay all day) and $5/entry after 6pm. On-street metered parking spaces except in the Art Fair area are available; however, please note that posted time limits still apply.
  • Have questions about parking downtown during Art Fair? Contact the DDA at 734-994-6697 or dda@a2dda.org as staff are eager to help.

Take The Bus or Take a Shuttle

AATA’s Art Fair Shuttle

for Commuters from the South and East

  • For those that live south or even east of Ann Arbor or who want to take advantage of the express service to downtown should try the Art Fair Shuttle. The shuttles leave from the Pioneer High School Park & Ride Lot and Briarwood Mall every 10-15 minutes.
  • There are two shuttles – the Pioneer High School Park & Ride Lot Shuttle drops passengers off at the corner of Main St. and William St. The Briarwood Mall Shuttle delivers passengers to the corner of S. University and State St. See the map here for the drop off location. 
  • Word of warning: go!passes, AATA bus passes and MCards are not valid on the Art Fair Shuttle 
  • Shuttles run every 10-15 minutes Wednesday - Friday from 9:00 am - 10:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am - 7:00 pm. 
  • The cost for the shuttles is just $1.50 each way, or $3.00 for a round trip
  • The Pioneer High School Park & Ride Lot Shuttle drops passengers off at the corner of Main St. and William St. 
  • The Briarwood Mall Shuttle delivers passengers to the corner of S. University and State St.Students in grades K-12 and Fare Deal cardholders ride for $.75. Senior card holders, A-Ride card holders and children five years of age and younger ride free.

UM's North Campus Shuttle

  • University of Michigan Commuter Buses will get passengers from the North Campus Research Complex (formerly the Pfizer campus at Plymouth Road and Huron Parkway), lot NC-90, using entrance at Huron Parkway at Baxter Rd. Parking costs $5, while the shuttle is free.

for Commuters from the Northeast

Golden Westside Art Fair Park & Ride Shuttle:

for Commuters from the West and North

  • The Ann Arbor Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is sponsoring a shuttle with Golden Limousine this year, which leaves from Maple Village (155 N. Maple Rd) If you live on the west side of town, or in Dexter or Chelsea, this would be an easy way to get to Downtown during the third week of July.
  • Round-trip $4, includes A2 Art Trolley ticket (ride all day)
  • Kids 12 and under ride free
  • Shuttle stops: Links all fairs (see map for stops) Washington & Main/Washington & State/Washington & Ingalls Mall/S. Forest & South U
  • Trolley links all fairs and Golden Shuttle (see map for stops)
  • Trolley tickets (ride all day) sold separately, $1.

Other Bus Options

If you want to avoid driving downtown during that week here are some alternatives

  • Park and Ride: Leave your car at an AATA Park and Ride Lot.  The AATA operates four Park and Ride Lots throughout Ann Arbor.  From the Park and Ride Lot, it's just a ride on the bus to downtown. 
  • You might also consider parking in a parking lot that is on your way to work and taking a bus from there.  If you have your go!pass, parking and riding the bus downtown is free!
  • Live in Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti? Jump on an AATA bus and enjoy the ride downtown. If you have a go!pass the ride is free. If not, the cost is $1.50 per ride. Please Note: Review this AATA Detours during Art Fair.  Make sure to check that page to find out which routes will be detoured during Art Fair.

Park & Ride Lots

for Commuters from the South and East


Park & Ride Lots

Commuters from the West and North

Getting Around Art Fair

  • The Ann Arbor Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is sponsoring a trolley that circulates around the art fair. It runs continuously and costs just $1 to ride all day. Look at the map here

Bike to the Fairs

Summer is a great time to consider riding your bike to work.  And since you can put your bike on an AATA bus, you can even bus to work and bike home.

Bike Parking:

·         Please remember that you will not be able to park your bike at bike hoops on the streets closed off during Art Fair

·         Consider parking your bike in at a parking structure (They all have covered bike parking) or at Kerrytown. 

·         Word of warning: if you choose to lock your bike on something that is not a designated bike hoop please be considerate of the large numbers of pedestrians downtown during the event and do not block the walkway.

·         The on-street bike parking downtown will be unavailable during the fairs.  

·         The on-street rack in front of the Kerrytown Area (200 block of N. Fourth in front of the People’s Food Coop) is the only one that will be available for use.

·         For the location of downtown bike hoop parking, visit here for the Downtown Ann Arbor Bicyclist Guide.

Share a Ride with others

Other Options

If you need more information on any of these options, please contact getDowntown.