Parking and Directions
Nichols Arboretum is located adjacent to U-M’s Ann Arbor Central Campus and to the University of Michigan Health System Hospitals. The physical location of the entrance nearest the Peony Garden is:
James D. Reader, Jr.
Urban Environmental Education Center at the Burnham House
1610 Washington Hts.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-647-7600
Please note that the Geddes Avenue entrance to the Arb (designated by wrought iron gates with the letters “UM”) is about a 15 minute walk from the Peony Garden. Many GPS-based services default to this entrance with its historic ceremonial gates.
By Car
From I-94, take US-23 North, exit at Washtenaw Avenue west, turn right onto Observatory St., then right onto Washington Heights.
The U-M blue lot M28 on Washington Hts. above the Ronald McDonald House is open to the public after 5 pm weekdays and on weekends.
By Bus
We encourage Arb visitors to take advantage year round of the Ann Arbor and U-M bus systems, particularly on weekdays when parking near the Arb is limited. Nichols Arboretum is served by the The Ride, the Ann Arbor city bus system and the U-M campus bus system. The shared bus stops for all directions of travel are on East Medical Drive near the entrance to Mott Hospital.
Please visit the Ride for maps and schedules as routes do change. The Arboretum’s Washington Hts. entrance is across from the University of Michigan medical campus and is served by the U-M bus system via the Commuter Northbound and Southbound and the UMHS Intercampus. You can review the U-M bus routes on the U-M Parking and Transportation Services website.
On Foot
Pedestrians from both the U-M Hospital and U-M Central Campus can reach the Arboretum’s Washington Heights entrance by using the sidewalks along East Medical Center Drive. The Geddes Avenue entrance across from Oxford Housing is readily accessible on foot.