Ann Arbor hides numerous enchanting portals to the fairy world. Sometimes you just need to look a little closer to spot them, but sometimes you might come across one simply walking down the street. These tiny doors are told to be the entryways into the fairy realm. They can be seen year-round, but it might be more pleasant to go on the fairy door quest when the weather is nice.
The first of the fairy doors were "discovered" in 1993 by Jonathan B. Wright, Ann Arbor's resident fairyologist. His family was renovating their old home when the young daughters found magical portals: a series of tiny, six-inch doors had appeared in several places around the house. Subsequently, other doors have appeared around Ann Arbor.
Where to find the Fairy Doors
About two dozen minuscule doors have been discovered around the city of Ann Arbor. Some of them are exterior, while others interior. Several doors have tiny windows next to them; occasionally, the lights are on, but when they are off, the fairies are likely to be roaming the city. In some instances, fairy doors mimic the human doors they are placed next to. Some of the doors have diminutive interiors that you can have a peek at. It's so much fun to crouch down and see the world of the fairies. Urban Fairies are as fickle as flower fairies, so the locations of fairy doors change unexpectedly. There may not be a door when you come to have a look. You can find the most up-to-date list of the fairy door locations on the Urban Fairies website (see the "External Resources" section below), run by Jonathan B. Wright himself. Some of the loveliest fairy doors are located at Red Shoes Home Goods (check out the "Ours" sign referring to the human "Hours" info), Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea (a tiny interior door with a fairy version of the cafe, where you can turn the lights on and off), Michigan Theater Box Office (look through the fairies' entrance to the theater and you'll discover the viewing room complete with a screen), and Ann Arbor District Library ("Folklore & Fairytales" section in the youth department boasts not only a door but also tiny windows in several of the books). There are also lots of "independent" fairy doors that have popped up across the city. So keep your eyes wide-open when walking the streets of Ann Arbor.
Practical info
What are fairy doors in Ann Arbor, and where can I find them?
You can find tiny six-inch fairy doors around the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Fairy doors can be either external or internal. The door locations change randomly and are around two dozen. On the Urban Fairies website, you can see the most current list of fairy door locations. Show more
How many fairy doors are there, and are they only exterior, or are there interior doors as well?
Around two dozen fairy doors can be found in Ann Arbor. Fairy doors may be both exterior and interior doors. Some mimic human doors, while some have small windows beside them. You will get a glimpse inside some doors at small decorations, and you can come across interior fairy doors while strolling along Ann Arbor's stores. Show more
When is the best time of year to go on a fairy door quest in Ann Arbor?
You can view fairy doors year-round in Ann Arbor; however, the summer or fall is the ideal time for temperate weather and beautiful scenery. The city's great weather during this season will help you enjoy exploring different locations for fairy doors and enhance your adventure experience. Show more
Can I open the fairy doors and see inside them, or are they just for decoration?
Fairy doors are tiny and lead to the realm of fairies; therefore, you cannot walk through them. But you can observe their details by going closer to the doors. Some of them look like human doors, and a few of them contain miniature decorations. These decorations may be tiny versions of the store they're in front of. Show more
How often do the locations of the fairy doors change, and where can I find the most up-to-date list of locations?
The locations of about two dozen fairy doors in Ann Arbor can change suddenly, and you can find the latest locations on the Urban Fairies website. The website is managed by Jonathan B. Wright, who is Ann Arbor's resident fairyologist. The site highlights the current location of permanent and independent fairy doors on a map. Show more
