Our guide on how to escape (or minimize) parking and transportation woes, whether you're coming from the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, or avoiding them! This info including an interactive map is also available on our website www.pennyseats.org
OPTION 1: Our Own Dedicated Parking Lots!
Just for us, and just during the Art Fair, the City has granted us permission to use the parking lots at Mack School and Pool. These lots are located on Red Oak Dr. and Brooks Street, and are shown on the map at our website with Red Dots. If you're coming to see the Penny Seats show, you have exclusive access to these lots on Thursday through Saturday nights. Just park,cross Miller Road, and walk down Seventh Street for half a block. the band shell will be on your Left. If you're carrying passengers and other equipment, you may want to drop them off at the band shell before parking.
OPTION 2: Park in a Nearby Parking Lot
There’s high turnover in Ann Arbor’s parking lots during Art Fair. If you are planning to park in a nearby lot, best to come early, and consider dropping off passengers at the band shell before parking. New this year, you can RESERVE A SPOT in some of the downtown lots, including the nearby lot at Ann and Ashley streets! It’s the best way to ensure that you don’t need to park in no man’s land. The closest parking lots to the West Park band shell are as follows:
A: The West Park lot at 215 Chapin St. (only a few spots, so don’t count on it).
B: The parking garage on the corner of Ashley and Ann Streets. Reserve your spot in advance, by clicking here.
C: The surface lot at 415 W. Washington St.
D: The surface lot on the corner of Huron and First Streets
OPTION 3: If You Can’t Beat ‘Em…Walk from the Art Fair or Use the AA Art Fair Busses and Shuttles
(NOTE: this involves a 10-minute walk)
This is a great option for folks who are coming from the Ann Arbor Art Fairs and want to take in a Penny Seats show as their evening activity.
West Park is only three blocks away from Main Street in Ann Arbor. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the corner of Main and Huron Streets to the band shell. Just walk West on Huron Street, and turn Right onto Chapin Street. The entrance to West Park will be on your left. Walk through the park to the band shell on its west side.
Art Fair Trolley and a walk: Take the Art Fair Trolley from wherever you are in the Art Fair (see the whole trolley route here) to the corner of Ashley and Washington Street (or just get off at a main stop on Main St. at Washington St.). Then, walk to West Park (a 10-minute walk): Walk West on Washington St., and turn right (North) on Third Street. Cross Huron St. Third Street will then turn into Chapin St., and you’ll see the West Park entrance on your Left. Walk through the park to the band shell on the West side.
Trinity West Side Park & Ride Shuttle and a walk: Trinity is running a bus from Maple Village (155 North Maple Rd.) to downtown Ann Arbor. The shuttle runs until 10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday nights. Take the bus to its stop at the corner of Main St. and Washington St. Then, walk to West Park (a 10-minute walk): Head West on Washington St., and turn right (North) on Third Street. Cross Huron. Third Street will then turn into Chapin St., and you’ll see the West Park entrance on your Left. Walk through the park to the band shell on the West side.
Tired feet? Call Ann Arbor Taxi at (734) 528-5432 or Blue Cab at (734) 547-2222 for a lift back to your car.
OPTION 4: Take a 4-minute Bus Ride (BEST ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY)
Don’t shun our busses; they were made for weeks like this! This is a great option for folks who do not want to deal with Art Fair traffic or downtown parking woes.
AATA Bus Route 12B
Park on the west side of town, at Maple Village (home of Plum Market), located at 155 North Maple Road, or at Veteran’s Park across the street. Or, park near the corner of Maple and Miller Roads. Then, go to the bus stop on the East Side of Maple Road, and take Ann Arbor bus Route 12B down Miller Road to the corner of Miller Rd. and Seventh Sts. It’s about a 4-minute ride. Once off the bus, walk half a block down Seventh Street, and the West Park band shell is on your Left. Simple, right? Here’s the full route schedule for Bus 12.
AATA Bus Route 9
Park near the corner of Jackson and Wagner Roads (far west side of town) near Dolph Park, or near the intersection of Maple and Dexter Streets. Then, take Ann Arbor bus Route 9 down Huron St. to the corner of Huron and Seventh Streets. Then, walk half a block North (Left) on Seventh Street, and the band shell will be on your right. Here’s the full route schedule for Bus 9.
Other Bus info:
Busses run until around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday night. The show will be over in plenty of time. On Saturday night, the busses stop running between 5:45 and 6pm. BUT! The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority has partnered with Ann Arbor Taxi to provide a low-cost Night Ride Cab ride back to your car. Just call (734) 528-5432 to request a trip to West Park or back.
OPTION 5: Feeling Lucky? Street Parking Near the Band Shell
Parking on Chapin and Seventh Streets likely will be tricky during the Art Fair. Thus we suggest dropping off passengers at the band shell and parking in the Arborview or Water Hill Neighborhoods, like this:
Arborview Neighborhood: From the band shell on Seventh Street, turn right onto Willow or Bath Streets and begin looking for street parking. Turn right again onto Maple Ridge Rd. Then, turn Left onto Arborview, Left again on Arbana, and Left yet again on Mark Hannah Place.
Water Hill Neighborhood: From the band shell on Seventh Street, head North to Miller Rd. Turn Right on Miller and make an immediate Left onto Brooks Street. From there, turn right on Hiscock or Summit, and look for street parking.