Visitor Information
The ICPSR Summer Program offers courses in Ann Arbor and at multiple locations throughout the United States. Our First and Second Four-week Sessions take place on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 2022, our short workshops will take place in Ann Arbor, as well as the following cities: Amherst, Massachusetts; Berkeley, California; Boulder, Colorado; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and Houston, Texas.
Please note: The following travel and location information is only for participants attending a course held in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Information about housing at a remote workshop location will be provided by them.
For participants in a short workshop taking place in a city other than Ann Arbor (e.g., Amherst, Chapel Hill, etc.), we will provide you with travel and visitor information via email after you have completed registration and payment for your workshop. If you need additional logistical information for an off-site workshop, feel free to contact us.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact ICPSR to ensure that appropriate arrangements are made for building and equipment access.
First and Second Sessions: Location and Facilities
All courses in the First and Second Four-week Sessions take place in classrooms on the University of Michigan central campus in downtown Ann Arbor. We will provide all registered participants with the building and room locations of their courses approximately one week before each session begins.
From late June through mid-August, the ICPSR Summer Program four-week session headquarters is located in the Helen Newberry Residence building at 432 S. State Street.
Short Workshops: Location
Short workshops may take place on the University of Michigan central campus, or at the University of Massachusetts- Amherst, University of Colorado- Boulder,University of California- Berkeley,University of Houston, or University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill. Participants will receive logistical information for their workshop after full payment for the workshop has been received. All short workshops will be offered in a hybrid format with both in-person and remote learning options.
Life and Lodging in Ann Arbor
About Ann Arbor
A vibrant Midwestern city noted for its friendliness and sophistication, Ann Arbor is a wonderful place to visit and live during the summer. The city is host to several festivals and fairs, including free nightly music and movies for three weeks in June, as well as The Ann Arbor Art Fair in mid-July featuring more than 1,000 artists from around the nation. For participants looking to unwind and have fun after a day of learning, entertainment options run from museums and art galleries to movie theaters and concert venues. The downtown and campus areas are filled with restaurants, cafes, and bars where al fresco dining is the norm. A 10-minute walk from downtown, the Huron River offers outdoor enthusiasts a chance to cool off and relax in a canoe, kayak, or inner tube. Parks line the riverfront, providing plenty of opportunities to jog or hike wooded trails, play soccer or disc golf, and grill.
From June through August, the days are often sunny and warm, with average highs in the 80s. It doesn't hurt to bring an umbrella to ward off the occasional shower. We also strongly recommend bringing a jacket or sweater, since the classrooms are air-conditioned and can get chilly.
From Ann Arbor, Detroit is an hour's drive to the east, and Chicago is four hours by car to the west.
More information about Ann Arbor is available from the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Ann Arbor Observer.
Housing and Lodging
Summer Program participants in our four-week sessions and our short workshops are responsible for their room and board.
Transportation and Parking
Airport
Ann Arbor is 25 miles from Detroit Metropolitan International Airport (DTW) via I-94. The most affordable transportation option to and from DTW is Michigan Flyer , a public charter bus that stops in Ann Arbor at the Blake Transit Center downtown (about a 5-minute walk from the University of Michigan campus). Fare is $12/person one-way with advance reservation, and $15/person one-way without a reservation (if seats are available). Other transportation options include Metro Cars, and the Ann Arbor Metro Airport Shuttle.
Bus
Greyhound buses service Ann Arbor from locations around the U.S. and Canada. The Greyhound station is located at 325 Depot Street (the Amtrak Station).
Megabus
Megabus is a low-cost bus service with routes connecting Ann Arbor with Toledo, OH and Chicago. Buses arrive and depart from the Briarwood Mall parking lot at 900 Briarwood Circle.
Train
Amtrak operates eastbound trains (to Detroit) and westbound trains (to Chicago) that depart from the train station at 325 Depot Street. Amtrak also offers an evening bus to Toledo to meet an overnight train to the east coast.
Ann Arbor City Bus Service
The Ann Arbor Transit Authority operates city buses for local travel throughout Ann Arbor and to neighboring city, Ypsilanti. Options for bus fare include single-trip fare ($1.50), single-day passes ($4.50) and 30-day passes ($58).
Ride Sharing Services
Ride sharing services such as Uber and Lyft operate throughout Ann Arbor and in the surrounding cities.
A2Go Autonomous Shuttle Service
A free autonomous vehicle shuttle service, A2Go, is available for short trips in the downtown area. To view a map and order a shuttle ride, download the May Mobility app for Android or IOS.
Other Transportation Options
For more information about transportation, including taxis, Zipcars, and car rentals, visit the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Transportation page. Additionally, the University of Michigan operates its own line of buses that anyone can ride for free. For a list of routes and schedules, visit the University of Michigan's Parking and Transportation Services website.
Parking
Parking on the University of Michigan campus is extremely limited. Unfortunately, the ICPSR Summer Program is not able to provide on-site parking for its participants.
There is one University of Michigan lot near the Perry and Newberry buildings that offers a few visitor parking spaces: lot W13 on Thompson Street near William Street. Parking fees, maximum hours of use, and enforcement hours are posted at pay machines in this lot, which accepts currency, coins, and credit cards.
The city of Ann Arbor offers numerous public lots, structures, and parking meters. The hourly parking meter rate at curbside spaces is $1.90/hour. Street meters are enforced Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. All city parking is free on Sundays.
You can find some free parking in the neighborhoods to the south, west, and north of the downtown and campus areas. Some streets near the University have 1- to 2-hour time limits. Be prepared to walk, on average, 10-20 minutes to campus if you choose this option.
International Participants
International participants traveling to the United States to attend the Summer Program should review the International Participants page for clarification about visas and other required travel documentation.