School of Music, Theatre and Dance at the University of Michigan
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Maps, Directions, and other Travel Information

The University of Michigan is a beautiful campus set in the culturally rich town of Ann Arbor. There are several options for travel, lodging, and getting around town while you’re here. Here are some resources that will help you plan your visit.

If you are making travel arrangements for an audition, please remember that all Ann Arbor auditions will take place on U-M’s North Campus.

Inclusive spaces and accessible parking information can be found on the facilities page

North Campus Buildings & Venues

Dance Building
1000 Baits Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2085

walgreen drama center building

Walgreen Drama Center
1226 Murfin Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1212

Home to the Arthur Miller Theatre, Stamps Auditorium, Newman Studio

Getting to North Campus

Details and maps of all North Campus parking lots

From North

Take US-23 South to Exit 41 (Plymouth Road). Turn right off the exit onto Plymouth. Go approximately two miles and take a left on Murfin Road. Go past a four-way stop sign and down a hill to the campus area depicted on the local map.

From South

Take US-23 North to Exit 39 (Geddes Road). Turn left off the exit onto Geddes. Geddes Road will become Fuller Road. Turn right onto Bonisteel Blvd to the campus area depicted on the local map.

From West

Take I-94 East to M-14 East (towards Plymouth) to US-23 South (follow the signs carefully). From US-23, take Exit 41 (Plymouth Road) and turn right. Go approximately two miles and take a left on Murfin Road. Go past a four-way stop sign and down a hill to the campus area depicted on the local map.

From East

Take I-94 West to US-23 North (exit 180). From US-23, take Exit 39 (Geddes Road). Turn left off the exit onto Geddes. Geddes Road will become Fuller Road. Turn right onto Bonisteel Blvd to the campus area depicted on the local map.

©2008 Maps by Savitski Designs and CAP Designs.

Map of U-M North Campus venues

Map of U-M North Campus venues – click to enlarge

Central Campus Buildings & Venues

hill stage

Hill Auditorium
825 North University Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1276

building at night

Power Center for the Performing Arts
121 N. Fletcher St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2017

walgreen drama center building

Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre
Located within the Michigan League
911 N. University Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1265

walgreen drama center building

Rackham Auditorium
915 E. Washington St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1070

Getting to Central Campus

Recommended Directions to Avoid Traffic Congestion:

I-94 Eastbound (from Jackson and Chicago)

Take I-94 East to Exit 172, Jackson Road. Jackson Road becomes Huron. Continue on Huron to Fifth Street. Turn right on Fifth Street, then turn left on William Street. Take William to State Street and turn left. Go one block and turn right on North University Avenue. Turn left onto Thayer or Fletcher Street to access campus parking structures. See map for exact parking locations.

I-94 Westbound (from Detroit)

Take I-94 West to Exit 177, State Street. Turn right (north) on State Street. Continue on State Street to the U-M campus. Turn right from State Street onto North University Avenue. Turn left onto Thayer or Fletcher Street to access campus parking structures. See map for exact parking locations.

M-14 Westbound (from Plymouth or Livonia)

Take M-14 West to Exit 3, Downtown Ann Arbor, Main Street. Continue on Main Street and turn left on Depot. Depot turns into Fuller. Turn right at the light onto Glen Street. Turn left on Washtenaw, then turn right at the next light onto Palmer Drive. Parking attendants will be staffing the back of the Fletcher Street parking structure, which will allow you to avoid congestion in the central campus area.

US-23 Northbound

Take US-23 to Exit 37 B, Washtenaw Avenue (to Ann Arbor). Go west on Washtenaw. Continue on Washtenaw until it forks. Veer to the right at the fork and continue on Washtenaw. Turn left at the light on Palmer Drive; parking attendants will be staffing the back of the Fletcher Street parking structure, which will allow you to avoid congestion in the central campus area.

US-23 Southbound

Follow directions for M-14 Westbound.

I-96 Eastbound (from Lansing)

Take I-96 East to US-23 South to M-14 West. Follow directions for M-14 Westbound.

I-696/I96 Westbound (from suburban Detroit)

Take I-696 or I-96 West to I-275 South to M-14 West. Follow directions for M-14 Westbound.

Map of U-M Central Campus venues

Map of U-M Central Campus venues – click to enlarge

Transportation

Air Transportation

Students traveling by air usually fly to Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), situated approximately thirty miles east of campus. There are several ways to travel from DTW to Ann Arbor, via airport shuttle, taxi, rideshare, or limousine. The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, in partnership with Michigan Flyer, also provides shuttle service between DTW and Ann Arbor through their inexpensive AirRide program. For a complete list of options, please visit the Ann Arbor Convention and Visitors’ Bureau.

Bus & Train Transportation to Ann Arbor

Amtrak and Greyhound Bus Lines share a terminal located at 325 Depot Street in Ann Arbor. Megabus has a stop at 900 Briarwood Circle on the south side of town and offers inexpensive routes to Chicago and Detroit.

U-M Shuttle Bus Routes

During the academic year (September-April) you can use any of the following U-M shuttle bus routes–all of which are free of charge–to get from Central Campus to the SMTD facilities on North Campus, which are located next to the shuttle bus stops marked “Pierpont Commons” and “Art & Architecture”:

Please note that from May-August some of these routes may not be available.

Local Ground Transportation

U-M Buses

Getting around campus is very easy thanks to the University of Michigan bus system, which is free for all riders and serves both the central and north campus areas. The blue U-M buses run on multiple routes every 5-10 minutes and are the easiest way to get around campus. Visit Magic Bus for a schedule of bus routes and an interactive display of all buses currently in service.

Ann Arbor Transportation Authority

Ann Arbor’s public bus transportation system interfaces directly with the U-M bus system, enabling the university community to commute on and off campus. All rides are provided free of charge for U-M students, faculty, and staff with a valid M-Card. There is a small fare for non-affiliated passengers. Please visit theride.org for more information on routes, schedules, and fares.

Taxi Services

Transportation network companies such as Uber and Lyft operate in Ann Arbor. Taxi service is also available from Amazing Blue Taxi.

Parking

Due to parking limitations, we strongly recommend taking a taxi, hotel shuttle, or public transportation to the Moore Building, the Dance Building, and the Walgreen Drama Center. Other visitor lots on North Campus are marked in red on this North Campus Parking Map. Visitors traveling from Central Campus are encouraged to take a free U-M Blue Bus to Pierpont Commons. SMTD Admissions does not have any visitor parking passes to distribute.

Park in any of the visitor spaces (marked with yellow signs that contain a four-digit space number) and pay at the pay station, online, or by using the PassportParking app on your way in. Metered parking is in effect from 6:00 AM–5:00 PM, Monday–Friday at the Moore Building and Dance Building. Limited visitor parking is also available behind the Walgreen Drama Center (NC27). Park in one of the numbered visitor spots and pay by coin or credit card at the pay station on your way in. Metered parking is enforced from 6:00 AM–8:00 PM, Monday–Saturday. Finally, the Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning has a visitor lot (NC43) that follows similar policies to the Walgreen and Moore lots.

On the largest audition day mornings, we strongly suggest arranging to be dropped off or utilizing the free U-M bus system since parking is extremely limited and fills up quickly.

Regardless of the timing of your visit, do not park in the areas marked as blue or gold parking, as you will be ticketed!

Lodging & Sights Around Town

In the vicinity of North Campus, there are many options for lodging accommodations, including the following popular establishments:

DoubleTree by Hilton Ann Arbor North

Hampton Inn Ann Arbor North

Microtel Inn & Suites

Residence Inn Ann Arbor North

For all Central Campus locations and a complete listing of local hotels please take a look at the Ann Arbor Accommodations Guide to ensure a nice, restful stay here in Ann Arbor.

If you have a chance to visit downtown, we recommend that you check out Main Street for some fantastic local shops and restaurants. State Street is great for the college crowd with several U-M apparel shops, restaurants, and coffee shops. Kerrytown Market & Shops is also a wonderful area to visit. If you’re visiting in the fall, you may want to catch a home football game—or at least know when you might see everyone decked out in their maize & blue. Check out the U-M Football Schedule so you can plan ahead.