Flowers bloom, patios open & the city comes alive! Find the best spots for springtime adventures, from gardens to scenic hikes.
That first mild day in March when the winter coat stays home? That’s when Ann Arbor shows its true colors. As someone who’s photographed every spring bloom in this town for the past five years, I’ll let you in on the local secrets that make spring in A2 pure magic.
Best Places to See Spring Blooms
1. Nichols Arboretum (The Arb)
The Arb isn’t just any park in spring – it’s a treasure map of blooms. Skip the main entrance and enter through Geddes Avenue for the best magnolia views. The hillside path reveals different flowers each week, like nature’s own advent calendar. Time your visit for 7 AM on weekdays – you’ll have the cherry blossoms all to yourself.
2. University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Matthaei Botanical Gardens holds the real spring secrets. The rock garden bursts with tiny alpine blooms most people walk right past. Sign up for their Tuesday morning volunteer sessions – you’ll get behind-the-scenes access to the greenhouse and first dibs on plant sales. The staff knows every flower’s story by heart.
3. Kerrytown Market & Shops
Kerrytown’s flower scene hits different in spring. The Wednesday market brings in local growers with varieties you won’t find anywhere else. Make friends with Rose at the corner stall – she saves the best peonies for her regular customers and shares growing tips that work specifically for Ann Arbor soil.
4. Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Gardens
The Ford Library gardens fly under the radar, and that’s exactly why you should go. The rose collection includes varieties from past presidential gardens, and the morning light makes them glow. Bring your camera – the reflecting pool creates perfect mirror images of the spring blooms.
Spring Outdoor Fun
5. Picnicking at Bandemer Park
Bandemer Park holds the perfect picnic secrets. The wooden platform overlooking the river gives you front-row seats to spring’s return. Pack your lunch from The Lunchroom nearby – their spring rolls taste even better outdoors. The frisbee field dries out first after rain, making it prime real estate for afternoon games.
6. Hiking at Gallup Park
Gallup Park in spring? Pure bliss. The riverside trail comes alive with wildflowers by mid-April, painting the paths in purples and yellows. Rent a kayak from the boathouse before 10 AM – you’ll catch sight of turtles sunbathing on logs and maybe even a blue heron fishing for breakfast. Pack your binoculars too – the wooden observation deck near the butterfly garden offers perfect spots for watching spring migrants return.
7. Biking the Border-to-Border (B2B) Trail
The Border-to-Border Trail shows off in spring. The stretch between Argo and Parker Mill gives you a greatest hits collection of Ann Arbor’s spring scenes, from budding maples to trilliums peeking through last year’s leaves. Rent bikes from Sic Transit Cycles – they know which paths have bloomed and will map out your perfect spring route.
Pro tip: Their Wednesday group rides include stops at hidden riverside picnic spots.
8. Tennis at U-M’s Outdoor Courts
U-M’s Palmer Courts come alive in spring. Court 6 has the best views of the sunset, and the evening crowd loves to mix up doubles games. Show up around 5 PM with a racket – you’ll always find friendly faces looking for a hitting partner. The courts near the campus bus stop typically host the more casual players, perfect for rusty returning players or beginners looking to improve.
Spring Events and Festivals
9. Ann Arbor Farmers Market
Spring fever hits the Kerrytown market hard – and we’re not just talking about the tulips throwing their annual color party. Between hunting for morels with the foraging crowd and watching urban farmers unload their first harvests, you’ll rack up more steps than a weekend hike. Grab a coffee, join the treasure hunt, and let your feet follow the fun. The people-watching alone counts as outdoor entertainment.
10. The Ann Arbor Art Fair
Spring breathes new life into the art scene. Local artists set up pop-up shows in Kerrytown courtyards, and street musicians return to Liberty Street corners. The Graffiti Alley behind Liberty Street gets fresh murals – artists love working in the perfect spring light.
11. SpringFest at the University of Michigan
SpringFest at U-M turns the Diag into a carnival. Food trucks line up along State Street, and local bands compete for summer festival slots. The engineering students usually build something crazy – last year’s human-powered ferris wheel was legendary.
Outdoor Dining and Drinks
12. Dining on Patios
Zingerman’s Roadhouse patio opens the minute temperatures hit 60°F, and locals know to grab the corner tables near the herb garden. Their spring menu brings back the asparagus fries – worth every penny and perfectly paired with their house-made ranch dip. The Earle‘s hidden courtyard feels like a secret garden, complete with string lights and herbs growing along the walls. Watch for their weekly “Garden Parties” where local musicians play acoustic sets during happy hour.
13. Craft Beer on Patios
Bløm Meadworks‘ rooftop deck might be Ann Arbor’s best-kept spring secret, especially on Thursday evenings when local honey vendors host tasting events. Their honey-lavender mead pairs perfectly with sunset views of the downtown skyline, and their seasonal flight includes experimental flavors you won’t find elsewhere. Grab a spot by the herb planters – they infuse fresh mint and basil into special spring cocktails, and the staff loves sharing their mixology secrets.
Outdoor Sports and Team Activities
14. Intramural Sports at U-M
Spring intramurals at U-M welcome everyone, not just students, and the evening leagues have become Ann Arbor’s favorite after-work social scene. The co-ed softball league at Fuller Fields turns into a weekly social club, complete with themed team uniforms and friendly rivalries. Teams often head to HOMES Brewery afterward – they reserve the patio tables for players on game nights and offer special team discounts on their seasonal brews.
15. Running Clubs and Races
The Ann Arbor Track Club‘s Thursday evening runs start at the Arb’s peony garden, where runners of all levels gather to explore the city’s most scenic routes. They break into pace groups naturally, and nobody gets left behind – veteran members always volunteer to lead the “sunset pace” group. The post-run hangout at Sweetwaters has turned into a weekly tradition – they create special running-themed drink specials and reserve their cozy corner seats for sweaty, happy runners trading route stories.
Final Thoughts
The secret to spring in Ann Arbor? Be ready to jump in the moment the weather turns. Pack a light jacket and sunscreen in your bag – Michigan spring can give you all four seasons in one day.
