Cranbrook House and Gardens
Cranbrook House and Gardens, Bloomfield Hills: Hours, Address, Cranbrook House and Gardens Reviews: 4.5/5
Cranbrook House and Gardens
Cranbrook House and Gardens
4.5
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • Gardens
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7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
Incredible vistas at every turn, the relaxing melody of water streaming out of several iconic fountains, the comforting smell of flowers in one of the many remarkable gardens, the feeling of history and architectural wonder all around you…just a taste of what awaits at Cranbrook House and Gardens, a National Historic Landmark. Cranbrook House is a 1908 estate designed in the Arts & Crafts style by noted Detroit architect, Albert Kahn, for the founders of Cranbrook, newspaper mogul George Gough Booth and his wife, Ellen Scripps Booth. From spring through fall, guests can tour the oldest manor home in metro-Detroit and the beautiful 40 acres of gardens that surround it; both maintained brilliantly by a non-profit, volunteer run organization, Cranbrook House and Gardens Auxiliary. We invite you to explore our historic estate, take a tour, join a program or attend an event. Members/volunteers and donations are always welcome as well. We hope you enjoy your time at Cranbrook House and Gardens and thank you in advance for visiting!
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
100 reviews
Excellent
68
Very good
25
Average
2
Poor
3
Terrible
2
MidwestKathM
Detroit, MI542 contributions
Over the last 10 years, I've visited the Cranbrook House and Gardens at least a couple dozen times for various experiences: House tour; exhibits, lectures and meetings at the House; Garden tour; and walks through the gardens and the nearby campus solo and sometimes accompanied by one or more family or friends.
Each time in the House is a treat to see its exquisite interior designed by the best artisans of the day, always in concert with Mr. Booth to tell the story he desired, and the furnishings acquired by Mr and Mrs Booth. The details are fascinating...be sure to look up and down and all around!! In recent years, I've enjoyed the Art Academy student art installations in Cranbrook House. So interesting to see how they are integrated.
Walking the Cranbrook House Gardens and Grounds is always a treat. Obviously see the Gardens during the summer when in full bloom is the best time to visit. They are stunning, thanks the the many volunteers who maintain them. But walking through the nearby Japanese Garden is a real treat, especially since it has been undergoing some restoration in recent years. In the past 18 months, I've walked the Japanese Garden in the spring, the summer, and the fall, and just this past week following a few inches of newly fallen snow, I have now walked the Japanese Garden in the winter. So beautiful and peaceful and inspiring!! The free admission and parking is an added bonus.
In addition to the Cranbrook House and Gardens, there is much more to see on the nearby campus of the Art Academy and the Cranbrook Art Museum and its holdings. So worth a visit to this historic treasure!
Each time in the House is a treat to see its exquisite interior designed by the best artisans of the day, always in concert with Mr. Booth to tell the story he desired, and the furnishings acquired by Mr and Mrs Booth. The details are fascinating...be sure to look up and down and all around!! In recent years, I've enjoyed the Art Academy student art installations in Cranbrook House. So interesting to see how they are integrated.
Walking the Cranbrook House Gardens and Grounds is always a treat. Obviously see the Gardens during the summer when in full bloom is the best time to visit. They are stunning, thanks the the many volunteers who maintain them. But walking through the nearby Japanese Garden is a real treat, especially since it has been undergoing some restoration in recent years. In the past 18 months, I've walked the Japanese Garden in the spring, the summer, and the fall, and just this past week following a few inches of newly fallen snow, I have now walked the Japanese Garden in the winter. So beautiful and peaceful and inspiring!! The free admission and parking is an added bonus.
In addition to the Cranbrook House and Gardens, there is much more to see on the nearby campus of the Art Academy and the Cranbrook Art Museum and its holdings. So worth a visit to this historic treasure!
Written January 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
StockholmKindaGuy
Marietta, GA7,306 contributions
Solo
This was the first of three grand homes I visited on my trip to Detroit, the other two being Meadow Brook Hall and The Edsel & Eleanor Ford House.
Cranbrook House & Gardens is a lavish English Arts & Crafts style home from 1908, designed by renowned Detroit architect Albert Kahn for George and Ellen Booth. At the time I was there, I was only able to tour the grounds and exterior of this estate, which was self guided. The guided tour of the interior didn't begin until June.
After parking, you walk a short ways through some woods, where you then come upon this amazing house and it's beautifully designed grounds. I was reminded of an enchanted forest or something out of "Lord of the Rings". The grounds are quite extensive and there are many things to see including sculptures, fountains, gardens, a reflecting pool, Greek Theater and much more.
The exterior of the house is quite extraordinary as well. There are many decorative Arts & Crafts details to be seen. While I would've loved to have seen the interior, the $5 to walk the grounds was well worth it.
The entrance to Cranbrook House is off of Lone Pine Rd. There's a gate house where you purchase your tickets and receive a map of the grounds. There's also toilets here.
TIP: Cranbrook House & Gardens is a part of the Cranbrook Educational Community that the Booth's created and is just one of many things you can see there. Other attractions include the Cranbrook Art and Science museums, the amazing Saarinen House and the beautiful grounds around the art museum, with numerous works by Swedish Sculptor Carl Milles.
There's so much to see, you could spend an entire day here.
Cranbrook House & Gardens is a lavish English Arts & Crafts style home from 1908, designed by renowned Detroit architect Albert Kahn for George and Ellen Booth. At the time I was there, I was only able to tour the grounds and exterior of this estate, which was self guided. The guided tour of the interior didn't begin until June.
After parking, you walk a short ways through some woods, where you then come upon this amazing house and it's beautifully designed grounds. I was reminded of an enchanted forest or something out of "Lord of the Rings". The grounds are quite extensive and there are many things to see including sculptures, fountains, gardens, a reflecting pool, Greek Theater and much more.
The exterior of the house is quite extraordinary as well. There are many decorative Arts & Crafts details to be seen. While I would've loved to have seen the interior, the $5 to walk the grounds was well worth it.
The entrance to Cranbrook House is off of Lone Pine Rd. There's a gate house where you purchase your tickets and receive a map of the grounds. There's also toilets here.
TIP: Cranbrook House & Gardens is a part of the Cranbrook Educational Community that the Booth's created and is just one of many things you can see there. Other attractions include the Cranbrook Art and Science museums, the amazing Saarinen House and the beautiful grounds around the art museum, with numerous works by Swedish Sculptor Carl Milles.
There's so much to see, you could spend an entire day here.
Written June 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Davidamy617
Novi, MI715 contributions
Friends
We love touring houses. We love teas. This was fun. The tour of the house only covers the first floor. We would have loved to see more, but the other floors are used as offices. The house and story that goes along with it are interesting. It is a family home with family stories. There are a lot of unique pieces. A lot of old and original art pieces are in this house. It was built in 1918 in the Arts and Craft style. The gardens were beautiful. The gift shop is small, but the prices are great. The tea was very nice. There was a lot of food and they even brought us seconds! You can't leave hungry. We really enjoyed our afternoon at the Cranbrook House!
Written July 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Afox
1 contribution
Couples
The garden is a waste of time if you are a wheelchair user. There are stairs to every single garden. I have a very powerful motorized chair and have been able to enjoy mountains in Tenn and Utah, ancient ruins in Italy, and many other not wheelchair friendly places. This is the first time I was completely disappointed. The only thing I could do was go around the parking lots and an access road down to a pond. The access road was very poorly maintained with ruts, puddles and soft spots where the gravel was gone. They have made zero effort to effort to make accommodations. My husband would go down and see something. He’s come back and say, “You would love that if you could get there.” Poor consultation indeed. Hope this helps someone else to avoid being disappointed and wasting a day.
Written October 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Passenger707815
Rutland, VT23 contributions
The gardens are always so well tended and beautiful, spring, summer and fall. And yes the house is another mansion. You have to like old mansions. Touring the rest of the grounds of the school and art and sciences museums is also a requisite part of any visit here. We always plan on 4-5 hours.
Written October 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
marftrip
Kernersville, NC242 contributions
Solo
I spent an entire day in the Cranbrook complex, and really enjoyed myself. I took about an hour to stroll the gardens, then did a house tour as well. The docents are superb with our tour lasting longer than expected. (No one minded!) The home is a landmark and so worth the money and time. I also did the Art Museum and Saarinen House, which I recommend as well. Excellent day!
Written June 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
We are glad you were able to see a lot of Cranbrook Educational Community's National Historic Landmark campus during your time here, and happy that you enjoyed Cranbrook House & Gardens, Cranbrook Art Museum, and Saarinen House. Thank you for visiting and leaving such a nice review!
Written July 16, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Fred F
Wixom, MI84 contributions
Couples
A cool spring day in the Garden. The nicest public garden in the metro Detroit area near the boarding school, art museum and science museum. Very nice design with a Japanese Garden, the Bog Garden, several sculptures & fountains. This may not be the best in any individual category (e.g. Kykuit has incredible sculpture, Stan Hywet has a larger house and bigger rose gardens) but overall this is an incredible gem hidden in plain sight. Warning: GPS directions are not accurate to the garden so drive east of the art museum on Lone Pine Road for the house & garden entrance. Garden admission is free. House has small fee. Totally worth the time, and it's a great walk on the sprawling hilly estate. Highly recommended.
Written May 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kristin P
Ann Arbor, MI33 contributions
I'm always surprised how many people who live in SE Michigan are either not aware of the beautiful Cranbrook campus or have not been there in many years. I took a friend from Florida to the Cranbrook House, Gardens and grounds in late June. She couldn't get over how beautiful it is there. On this particular trip we did not go inside the Cranbrook House, but I've been there before. It's beautiful and worth visiting - at least once. Although there is currently some construction going on outside of the house, it did not diminish the views of the gardens and numerous fountains around the campus. We had a wonderful afternoon on our own self-guided tour. This is a Detroit-area jewel, not to be missed!
Written July 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Eljessespeaks
Michigan125 contributions
Business
Great place to go on a date! My wife and I really enjoyed it! (girlfriend when we went!) Lots of things to see, walk through and chat about. Try to hit it in June or after for the best colors and weather to truly appreciate it!
Written June 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jahhp
Los Angeles, CA557 contributions
Friends
2 friends who live nearby and I went to visit here on a gorgeous, sunny day. We had a lovely time. We were early for the tour (check online, there aren't a lot of times), so we explored the grounds a bit and they are well taken care of and it's quite peaceful.
Our tour of the house was about an hour & a half. Most of the time you will be standing, but there are times during the tour when you can sit.
Our MOST gracious tour guides, Camille and Ava were TOP NOTCH! They are lovely ladies, super friendly, and very knowledgeable. They made the tour that much better with their expertise and gentle manner. They took turns from room to room describing what we were seeing as well as talking about the former inhabitants.
I can't say enough good things about the tour and our guides. It was a superb way to spend the afternoon.
Our tour of the house was about an hour & a half. Most of the time you will be standing, but there are times during the tour when you can sit.
Our MOST gracious tour guides, Camille and Ava were TOP NOTCH! They are lovely ladies, super friendly, and very knowledgeable. They made the tour that much better with their expertise and gentle manner. They took turns from room to room describing what we were seeing as well as talking about the former inhabitants.
I can't say enough good things about the tour and our guides. It was a superb way to spend the afternoon.
Written September 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
gaughanbarbara
Freeport, ME2 contributions
are leashed pets allowed
dudpa
Grand Junction, Colorado328 contributions
no pets not allowed
Is this place open all day?
CranbrookHouse
Bloomfield Hills, MI
The Gardens are open daily through October 31, 2018 from 9:00am to 5:00pm for self-guided visits. Cranbrook House is open during guided tours. To view the current House tour schedule, please visit our website.
SenoraNovi
Novi143 contributions
Do you host weddings?
CranbrookHouse
Bloomfield Hills, MI
Due to ongoing restoration efforts and preservation concerns, we have discontinued wedding and event rentals at Cranbrook House and Gardens. However, Cranbrook does offer other unique campus venues for external rentals that may fit your needs.
Please contact our Events Department for more information:
248.645.3164
events@cranbrook.edu
SuziBlueShoes14
Lake Orion, MI1 contribution
What age recommend for children?
CranbrookHouse
Bloomfield Hills, MI
While Cranbrook House tours are generally better suited for teens, adults and seniors, Cranbrook Gardens are great for all ages. Children especially love Weeping Zeus, a bust that actually weeps if you step on the right stone!
Please email us at houseandgardens@cranbrook.edu or call us at 248.645.3149 if you have any other questions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cranbrook House and Gardens
- Cranbrook House and Gardens is open:
- Sun - Sat 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Hotels near Cranbrook House and Gardens:
- (2.17 mi) The Townsend Hotel
- (0.96 mi) The Kingsley Bloomfield Hills - a Doubletree by Hilton
- (4.37 mi) Sonesta Simply Suites Detroit Troy
- (2.66 mi) Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac
- (4.63 mi) Drury Inn & Suites Detroit Troy
- Restaurants near Cranbrook House and Gardens:
- (1.10 mi) Bill's
- (2.15 mi) Streetside Seafood
- (2.12 mi) Toast
- (3.14 mi) The Capital Grille
- (4.19 mi) Ray's Ice Cream