4/8/22 Detroit Observatory ReOpening event.
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DO @ Festifall
Come stop by North Campus Grove to table B11! The Detroit Observatory will be there to answer any questions you may have about visiting our historic building. We may even offer some day time observing if the weather is good ;) |
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Astronomy Night
Explore the heavens during one of our astronomy nights. Open houses involve presentations on a range of fascinating astronomical phenomena, instruction on the telescopes, and, when weather permits, observing with our beautiful historic Fitz telescope as well as modern supplemental telescopes. Please note: astronomy events at the Observatory take place even if the weather... |
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Astronomy Night
Explore the heavens during one of our astronomy nights. Open houses involve presentations on a range of fascinating astronomical phenomena, instruction on the telescopes, and, when weather permits, observing with our beautiful historic Fitz telescope as well as modern supplemental telescopes. Please note: astronomy events at the Observatory take place even if the weather... |
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Making Michigan: A City’s Conscience: The Life and Career of Josephine Gomon
Teacher, columnist, social justice activist, politician, advisor, director of several public agencies, and more: Ann Arbor native and U-M alum Josephine Fellows Gomon (LSA 1913) had an impact on Detroit, on Michigan, and on social justice across the nation -- an impact matched by few others. Join us for a presentation by Michelle McClellan and... |
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The Origins of the Law Quadrangle: A Walking Tour
Have you ever wondered about the history of the buildings that sit in the middle of campus that many associate with the Renaissance, east coast Ivy Leagues, or even Hogwarts? This walking tour seeks to familiarize you not only with the illustrious, imposing architecture of the Law Quadrangle here at the University of Michigan but...
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Astronomy Night
Explore the heavens during one of our astronomy nights. Open houses involve presentations on a range of fascinating astronomical phenomena, instruction on the telescopes, and, when weather permits, observing with our beautiful historic Fitz telescope as well as modern supplemental telescopes. Please note: astronomy events at the Observatory take place even if the weather... |
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Art and Archives: Crafting New Stories About the Past
Historical sources belong to everyone. This workshop invites community members to not only engage with the archives but even reshape them! Imagine combining your own experiences with a copy of a historical photo to create art that is brand new. During the workshop, archivists from the Bentley Historical Library will teach participants about finding and... |
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Walking Tour: Romantic Life at U of M
The Romantic Life at U of M Walking Tour takes you through some of the beautiful and notable portions of the Nichols Arboretum starting at the Peony Garden, as well as a few of the dorms surrounding the Detroit Observatory, where the tour ends. While you learn about the history surrounding these spots, you will...
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Seeing in Depth: “Picture This”, The Detroit Observatory
Nearly 170 years since its inception, the Detroit Observatory has been a place for countless images; paintings and photos of the observatory, night sky photography through the historic Fitz telescope, images of scientists at work, and more! Join us at 8pm on Friday, September 22 for a deeper look at some of the images that share the... |
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Creating Michigan: A Walking Tour of Key Moments in U-M’s Early History
This tour will explore questions such as: How did the Diag change from pasture to the tree-covered expanse it is today? Before the President’s House was the President’s House, what was it? What do the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Badawademi have to do with the founding of the University? Why is a plaque commemorating the admission...
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Mid-Autumn Festival
For Chinese people, the Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhongqiu Jie) is a time to meet with family and friends and enjoy the beautiful full moon together. The Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies, U-M Astronomy, and Detroit Observatory invite you to the observatory for a celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The evening will include presentations from U-M Astronomy on... |
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Observing the Heavens, Exploring the Past
Entry to the Observatory is free. Our docents and staff will be happy to guide you through the Observatory’s attractions, including our latest exhibits. Please check the events calendar for telescope viewing, exhibits, lectures, and other programs.
Need a special group tour? Use the form on the Contact Us page to get started. We also offer facility rental to U-M units.
Explore the night sky during one of our Telescope Observing or Seeing In Depth programs, typically offered on Friday evenings. Sessions involve presentations on a range of fascinating astronomical phenomena, instruction on the telescopes, and, when weather permits, observing with our historic Fitz telescope as well as modern supplemental telescopes.
Please note: astronomy events at the Observatory take place even if the weather does not permit observing. We strive to always have interesting things for you to do!
Observatory tours cover both the historic building (1854) and the addition (2022). Learn about the telescopes, see why the observatory was constructed the way it was, hear about the astronomers who walked its floors in the 19th century — and the discoveries they made — and learn how the addition will ensure the Observatory remains relevant for the future. Tours are available during open hours, but sometimes pause during events and programs.
Our docent-led campus walking tours explore U-M and Ann Arbor history. Check the calendar for current offerings; tours pause during winter months. We also offer tours by request for groups of 5 or more (inquire here). Our current tour roster includes:
Creating Michigan: Key Moments in U-M’s Early History
Learn about the first 70 years of U-M history on the original 40-acre campus. 1.5 hours; 0.6 miles.
Forest Hill Cemetery
Explore this historic cemetery and learn about some of the notable people buried there. 1.5 hours; 1.4 miles.
Invisible to Indispensable: Black Legacies at Michigan
Dive into the stories that have shaped the African American experience at the University of Michigan.
1.5 hours; 1.4 miles
Origins of the Law Quadrangle
Learn about the architecture of the Law Quadrangle and the history of the Law School. 1.5 hours; 0.5 miles.
Paths of Protest: Stories of Campus Activism at the University of Michigan
Explore the history of campus protest at U-M, from the university’s early days to the present. 1.25 hours; 1.25 miles.
Join us for this series exploring the history of the University of Michigan from its origins in 1817 to the present. These monthly talks are offered September-May by the Bentley Historical Library and hosted by the Detroit Observatory. Check the calendar above for Making Michigan programs.
Our exhibition spaces explore the rich history of the Observatory and the University of Michigan, as well as the outstanding collections of the Bentley Historical Library. Learn more about what’s on view here. Exhibits are available for viewing during open hours and public programs.
Getting to the Observatory
The University of Michigan's Judy and Stanley Frankel Detroit Observatory is located at 1398 E. Ann Street, at the corner of Ann and Observatory Streets, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Please use the Observatory Street entrance to access the building.
The Observatory lives on U-M's Central Campus, in the Hill Area, near the U-M Medical Center and next to the Couzens and Alice Lloyd residence halls.
Hours
Thursdays: 12-5 pm
Fridays: 12-11 pm
Selected Saturdays: 12-5 pm (check calendar)
Closed:
May 23, 2026
July 3, 2026
August 13-14, 2026
November 26-28, 2026
December 24, 2026-January 2, 2027
Parking
Daytime Monday-Friday: Parking is extremely limited around the Observatory during the daytime, Monday through Friday. We recommend the University’s Palmer Drive Parking Structure, off Washtenaw Avenue by Palmer Commons, for daytime parking ($2.40/hour). The metered parking along Ann Street and Observatory Street is currently limited because of nearby construction projects.Â
Evenings and weekends: Some area lots and structures are open evenings and weekends. The University’s Ann Street Parking Structure (M86), Catherine Street Structure (M5), Glen Street Structure (M61), and School of Public Health II Lot (M28) are usually open after 6:00 pm on weekdays and all day on weekends.
Parking InformationAccessibility
The Detroit Observatory addition and the main floor of the Detroit Observatory building are fully handicapped accessible, but the dome is not, meaning that visitors with mobility issues will not have direct access to the Fitz telescope. Some events provide visitors indirect access to the telescope via video stream from the dome to the other levels of the Observatory. Visitors with accessibility concerns are advised to contact the Observatory for more information.
By Bus
The Detroit Observatory is served by Ann Arbor Transit Authority routes 4A and 32B and by U-M Commuter North, Commuter South, and Northwood bus routes.
And please check here for things to take into account when visiting: safety protocols, do’s and don’ts, what to wear, and what you can expect. Please be advised that some locations, such as the dome, are tight spaces where social distancing is not possible.
