Awesome Mitten’s Guide to Cranbrook House & Gardens in Bloomfield Hills
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Tucked away in the sprawling suburban community of Bloomfield Hills is a surprising historical treasure known as Cranbrook House. When you arrive on the property, you will be greeted by a stately home that looks as if it was plucked from the English countryside and placed in the heart of Metro Detroit.
This historic home and gardens is an extraordinary place to explore. Keep reading to learn about everything you can do here, as well as where you can grab a bite and sleep nearby.
Cranbrook House & Gardens Overview
Situated on 40 acres of land, Cranbrook House was once the home of the founders of Cranbrook, but it serves as a living history museum today. It was built in 1908, having been designed by famed architect Albert Kahn for George and Ellen Booth.
Together, the Booths raised their family in the home, and they lived there for more than 40 years. Now, the house is the oldest surviving manor home in the Detroit area, set apart from the many other historic mansions scattered across the area.
Things to Do at Cranbrook House
Influenced by Tudor England and designed as a beacon of the Arts & Crafts movement in America, Cranbrook House is more than just an architectural wonder in Michigan — it’s an iconic destination that highlights the life and achievements of one of the state’s most influential families.
If you are looking to embark on a day trip that is equal parts insightful and fascinating, a visit to Cranbrook House is the perfect destination to add to your itinerary.
Tour the Home of George & Ellen Booth
There is something special about stepping inside a turn-of-the-century, estate-style home and realizing that a family once lived there each and every day. When you visit Cranbrook House during the summer and early fall, you have the opportunity to take a tour.
As you step into each room, you will be able to see some of the fine furnishings and handcrafted tapestries that the Booths commissioned for the home. Many visitors feel as if they have stepped worlds away from Michigan and into the pages of a European fairy tale.
You can embark on a public guided tour or a private tour of the manor house to see the home for yourself and learn more about what it was like to live on this working farm and manor. Guided tours are available on select days and times of the week between June and October.
Meander Through the Cranbrook Gardens
Throughout the entire year, you are encouraged to visit the gardens at Cranbrook House. Stretching across 40 acres of land, these perfectly-manicured gardens are designed to be a respite from the noise and movement of the busy Metro Detroit area.
Outside of Cranbrook House, you will find more than 20 distinct gardens to discover. Below are overviews of five of the most popular gardens.
Sunken Garden
If you are only going to visit one garden at Cranbrook House, make sure that it is the Sunken Garden. Known as a favorite among visitors, it mimics the style of a traditional English garden.
It is best to visit between Memorial Day and Labor Day because that is when the colorful plants are artfully decorated in specific designs by dedicated volunteers. Some years, the volunteers plant more than 2,000 blooms to complete their seasonal masterpieces.
Japanese Garden
Those who are searching for peace and tranquility will find the solace they seek within the confines of the Japanese Garden. Designed in the authentic Japanese style, this garden is accented by Japanese trees, bridges that stretch over babbling brooks, and quiet corners for reflection and meditation.
Cranbrook’s Japanese Garden is actually one of the oldest of its kind in the United States. Today, it has been lovingly restored and preserved so that the generations to come will be able to enjoy its unique and calming atmosphere.
Butterfly Garden
While many of the gardens on the Cranbrook estate were planted during the days of George and Ellen Booth, the Butterfly Garden is a more modern and recent addition.
Built in 2018, this garden was designed to aid the navigation of brightly-colored Monarch butterflies rather than for the enjoyment of human visitors.
Filled with milkweed and other plants that produce the nectar that Monarchs need to survive, this garden represents a haven for the natural world — and visitors just might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the butterflies during their migration.
Turtle Fountain
While most of the grounds surrounding Cranbrook House resemble the English countryside, there is a touch of Italy tucked away in the gardens.
Turtle Fountain is a replica of Fontana Della Tartarughe, a fountain that sprays water just outside of St. Peter’s in the heart of the Vatican. There are only three replicas of this fountain in the world, making the one at Cranbrook particularly special.
Reflecting Pool Garden
With a few benches resting along the edge of the expansive pool that stretches across the lawn, the Reflecting Pool Garden is a place of quiet solitude.
Many visitors say that this garden offers some of the best views between the house and the art museum. Given that the plants along the edge of the pool blossom at different points throughout the year, there is always a new view to discover.
See What’s Growing in the Greenhouse
The greenhouse at Cranbrook House is open for visits on select days throughout the year, allowing you the opportunity to see which plants are propagating. It’s a particularly delightful place to visit during the chilly winter months because it is warm and comfortable year-round.
Enjoy a Meal at Cranbrook House
There is no restaurant at Cranbrook House, but there are opportunities to enjoy elegant dining at the home. Throughout the public tour season, special tour packages include either tea or lunch on the property.
In May each year, for example, there is a special Mother’s Day tour and tea experience that allows you to explore the rooms throughout the home and indulge in the delight of traditional afternoon tea in an authentic atmosphere.
Restaurants Near Cranbrook House
Once you have completed your tour of the home and gardens, you will find that some of the most well-known restaurants in the Detroit area are just a few miles away. Here’s a look at two of our favorites.
Zalman’s on Woodward
In Bloomfield Hills, you will discover Zalman’s on Woodward, a full-service restaurant located inside the Kingsley Hotel. Serving both breakfast and lunch dishes crafted from local ingredients and designed with a flavorful twist, this restaurant is appealing to visitors of all tastes and preferences.
Townhouse
If you prefer to travel to Birmingham, you will find the renowned Townhouse. This restaurant blends the elegance of fine dining with the comfort of a casual restaurant, making it a welcoming place for people who want to enjoy flavorful food in a relaxed setting.
It may not seem like the kind of place where you would just grab a burger — but trust us, you won’t regret ordering the Townhouse burger.
Where to Stay Near Cranbrook House
If one day at Cranbrook House is not enough, or you simply want to explore more of the local area, you might consider extending your visit. Fortunately, many locally-owned hotels offer a unique and inviting experience.
The Townsend Hotel
The Townsend Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel in Birmingham known for its grandeur and premier customer service. You are treated like royalty here, so you will feel as if you are as important as one of the members of the Booth family.
Daxton Hotel
For a stay defined by modern elegance, book a room at the Daxton Hotel in Birmingham. Self-described as an avant-garde escape from the normality of daily life, the rooms include artistic touches that allow guests to feel as if they are truly being transported into another era.
Villa Amis
If you feel that a vacation rental better suits your needs for your visit to Cranbrook House, there are many short-term rentals in the local area, including the Villa Amis. Just over 2 miles from the house and all that it has to offer, this rental is a traditional home in a quiet neighborhood.
The exterior may make you feel as if you have stepped back in time, but the modern amenities will ensure that you have everything you need to enjoy a comfortable stay in the heart of Bloomfield Hills.
Cranbrook House & Gardens Is a Special Place
One of the most influential families in Michigan once called the Cranbrook House their own — but they always wanted to share it.
Their commitment to showcasing beauty, ideas, information, and innovations to the community lives on in this special place where people of all ages come to marvel at the wonders of the present while glimpsing into the past.