Sometimes it’s simply too hot for outdoor fun. Luckily, the Ann Arbor area is brimming with exciting indoor activities, including museums, galleries, and family-friendly entertainment. We’ve rounded up some of the best staycation ideas around Ann Arbor, such as the Museum of Art and Nickels Arcade, as well as adventures in Ypsilanti and Chelsea.

Stay Cool with These Indoor Activities In and Around Ann Arbor 

Enjoy the air-conditioned bliss of these indoor museums and centers this summer as you stay local and enjoy vacation-worthy activities in Ann Arbor and surrounding cities.

University of Michigan Museum of Natural History

1105 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor

Get ready to spark your curiosity during an afternoon at the Museum of Natural History. General admission is always free, so you won’t break your staycation budget! Exhibits include Prehistoric Whales, On the Trail of the Mastodons, Exploring Michigan, and an array of interactive, hands-on experiences that engage visitors of all ages. The Science at Work: Fossil Prep Lab guides curious minds through the fascinating process of preparing fossils for study and display. The museum also features a planetarium and the Dome Theatre. Before you leave, make sure to swing by Darwin’s Cafe for a bite to eat or a cup of coffee. Visitors can find nearby parking at the Palmer garage, with rates beginning at $2.40 per hour. Parking is free on Sundays!

Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum

100 East Cross Street, Ypsilanti

If you enjoy learning about history and discovering the stories behind the Chevrolet Corvair, Kaiser-Frazer, and the General Motors Hydra-matic (all with Ypsilanti connections!), then the Automotive Heritage Museum should be on your staycation bucket list this summer. One of the featured cars in the museum’s collection is a 1952 Hudson Hornet race car, owned by NASCAR champion Herb Thomas. If you have kiddos tagging along, this vehicle was the inspiration for Doc Hudson in Pixar’s Cars animated film. Visitors should keep in mind that the museum is only open Thursdays through Sundays from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Eddy Discovery Center

17030 Bush Road, Chelsea

Visitors of all ages will enjoy this discovery center, where they’ll dive into the fascinating world of geology and learn about diverse habitats that can be found today in the Waterloo Recreation Area’s 20,000+ acres. The exhibit hall takes visitors through Michigan’s geological systems from the Ice Age through European settlement, all the way to the modern day. After visiting the center, make sure to take a self-guided tour where you may get lucky enough to view the sandhill cranes during the summer months.

University of Michigan Museum of Art

525 South State Street, Ann Arbor

Life is better when it’s shared, which is a core principle at the Museum of Art on campus at the University of Michigan. If you’re looking to spend a relaxed afternoon indoors this summer, advance registration to visit the museum is not required and admission is always free. Bringing along little ones? Strollers are welcome throughout the art galleries and snacks and drinks are allowed on the first floor. During your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to peruse medieval and baroque artwork, African art, modern and contemporary works, and more. Extend your visit with a trip to the cafe or the shop, where you can find unique gifts and merchandise to commemorate your experience. Free street parking can be located on the streets surrounding the museum after 6:00 PM on Mondays through Saturdays and all day on Sundays. Additional paid parking is available in nearby garages during the day.

Matthaei Botanical Gardens

1800 North Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor

Take the time to explore unique outdoor garden spaces and nearly three miles of trails, as well as an indoor multi-climate conservatory at the local botanical gardens. Learn about native and medicinal plants, as well as perennials and herbs that grow well in the Michigan climate. The conservatory features tropical plants found near the equator, as well as short and spiny plants that excel in the hot desert climates found around the world. Admission is free and the botanical gardens are open 7 days a week, though the indoor conservatory is closed on Mondays.

Michigan Flight Museum

47884 D Street, Belleville

Do you enjoy learning about aviation history? The Michigan Flight Museum offers a unique opportunity to view rare historical aircraft dating back to World War I and the Gulf War. This Smithsonian—affiliated aerospace and science museum features a diverse range of exhibits, such as Women Answer the Call and Deep Landings, which takes visitors on an immersive experience into daring stories of US Naval and Marine aircraft carrier pilots. There’s even a virtual reality simulator! The museum hosts events throughout the year, such as historic presentation nights and the Thunder Over Michigan Air Show in July. Want to make your staycation adventure one to remember? Book an Air Adventure Flight on a historic aircraft, such as the B-25 bomber or a Huey helicopter. When purchasing tickets, visitors can receive a discounted rate if they reserve online. The museum is closed on Mondays.

Michigan Firehouse Museum

110 West Cross Street, Ypsilanti

Situated in Ypsilanti’s historic Depot Town, the 26,000-square-foot Michigan Firehouse Museum is a great staycation spot to explore on a summer afternoon. One of the missions of the non-profit museum is to promote fire safety and engage the community using historical artifacts, as well as modern exhibits that showcase the world of firefighting and the daring individuals that risk their lives to protect their communities. The museum includes an original 1898 firehouse, as well as fire engine steamers, historic artifacts, kid-friendly exhibits and activity areas, a world record Dalmatian exhibit, and the largest collection of fire truck bells in the country! General admission tickets range from $5 to $10 and kids 4 and under get in free.

Detroit Institute of Arts

5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit

As one of the top 10 museums in the country, the Detroit Institute of Arts is a great way to spend a staycation. The museum features one of the top six collections in the United States, encompassing over 65,000 pieces of work and admission is free to members and residents of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. The museum includes a diverse range of art across multiple genres, such as American, contemporary, graphic, and significant collections in the oceanic, Islamic, and ancient art spaces. Upcoming exhibitions in July and August include a drop-in Illuminated Manuscripts workshop in the Art-Making Studio and the brand-new CatVideoFest that’s sure to elicit quite a few laughs.

Nickels Arcade

326 South State Street, Ann Arbor

This covered shopping district is a great spot to hang out with friends on your staycation, complete with an Instagram-worthy mosaic-tiled corridor and some of Ann Arbor’s oldest specialty shops. Since opening in 1917, this shopping mecca has been home to barbers, florists, clothiers, and more and still hosts unique, thriving businesses such as Arcadian Antiques, Van Boven Clothing, and Caravan Gift Shop. Nickels Arcade is included on the National Register of Historic Places, so if you haven’t yet taken the time to explore the landmark, make sure you cross it off the list this summer!

Family-Friendly Indoor Fun in Ann Arbor and the Surrounding Areas

If your kiddo doesn’t particularly enjoy a day spent at a museum or an art gallery — no worries! These child-approved activities are a great way to create lasting family memories during your staycation.

The Creature Conservancy

4940 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor

The Creature Conservancy is a nonprofit zoological organization that opens its doors to the public on weekends and provides educational programs such as zookeeper talks and alligator training demonstrations. Many of the animals on site include surrendered exotics, breeding loans, and transplants that encompass a range of species such as kangaroos, horses, peacocks, parrots, leopards, and more. Tickets are available at the door only, beginning at $13 for children ages 2 to 12 and $15 for ages 13 and up. On the first Friday of the month, the Open Hours program dives into more depth for visitors ages 18 and up. Other events at the conservancy include Art & Animals, private zoo tours, and summer camps for the little ones. Consider purchasing an annual membership to gain access to unlimited free admission. The Featured Animal Program changes each month, so there’s always a reason to come back!

The Chelsea Treehouse

1101 South Main Street, Chelsea

You don’t have to hop on a plane for the kiddos to feel like they’re living their best vacation life this summer. A trip to The Chelsea Treehouse will have the little ones raving about having the best day ever! This 9,000-square-foot indoor playground features huge climbing structures, multiple slides, swinging bridges, basketball hoops, and naturally, a massive treehouse! Admission for children is priced at $12 and adults and children under 12 months get in free. If you need a spot to cool off all summer long, consider a monthly membership!

Breakout Escape Rooms

3460 East Ellsworth Road, Ann Arbor

Engage the entire family with puzzles, riddles, and mind-bending challenges on an adventure they won’t soon forget. Breakout Escape Rooms is a fun indoor activity that features unique themes, such as Heart of a Pirate, Zombie Roadhouse, and the Chamber of Illusions. From the moment you step inside, you’ll be guided by a costumed game host who is dedicated to ensuring your experience is nothing short of exciting. Families can bond by working together to combine wits and skills to escape the room before time runs out. Whether you’re escaping a rainy day or you simply want to take advantage of an air-conditioned activity this summer, planning a day out at the escape room is a fun way to create staycation memories.

Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

220 East Ann Street, Ann Arbor

The Hands-On Museum features 10 different exhibit areas, including the all-new STEAM Park gallery that has been thoughtfully designed to inspire the upcoming generation of scientists, engineers, and artists. The All About You exhibit invites visitors to explore the science behind the body, such as identifying objects solely by touch and examining the bones in your hand from infancy to old age. The littlest minds will enjoy the Preschool Gallery, where they can splash around on water tables and dress up like firefighters while they play on a child-sized fire engine.

BIG Best in Games

4095 Carpenter Road Suite A, Ypsilanti

Plan the staycation of your child’s dreams with a trip to Best in Games, which boasts three floors of fun for all ages. Enjoy mini golf, laser tag, duck pin bowling, and all your favorite classic arcade games! There’s also go-karting, ax throwing, and Ninja Star. Bring out your family’s competitive side and create lasting memories without ever leaving home. No kids? No problem. Adults can still take advantage of this awesome indoor fun zone and hit up the bars and lounges on-site for a signature cocktail before they try their skills on cornhole or football bowling.

Rolling Hills Water Park

7660 Stony Creek Road, Ypsilanti

Nothing beats the summer heat quite like a trip to the water park. Pack up the kids and enjoy an afternoon spent racing down waterslides and cooling off under waterfalls. Parents will enjoy relaxing in the chaise lounges or floating on the lazy river while the kids ride the waves in the wave pool or test their stomachs on Plunge Peak, the 32-foot tower with twisting slides and a speed slide. Younger children who are under the pesky height requirement can find solace in the Little Dipper area, with gently sloping slides and shallow water. The water park also features a dry playground with interactive sensory features and a padded turf surface.

Experience a “Vacation” Without Ever Leaving Home! 

Remember, you don’t have to travel far and wide to create lasting memories this summer! The Ann Arbor area has a multitude of exciting exhibits, museums, and galleries to explore. Take advantage of your staycation and use it to gain a deeper appreciation for the area and all that it has to offer.