Cranbrook is one of the most beautiful places in metro Detroit and a world apart from the downtown skyline. The gardens, reached from Lone Pine Road in Bloomfield Hills about a half hour north of downtown, were created around Cranbrook House by George and Ellen Booth, the founders of the Cranbrook Educational Community, and now cover forty acres. The Sunken Garden, the tree-covered trails of the Mountain and the Japanese Garden are the highlights, with fountains, statues, lakes and streams in between. The gardens are open to self-guided visitors, with give-as-you-wish admission, and the house itself is open only for scheduled guided tours and special events, so you must book if you want to go inside. A paid guided garden tour and a house tour are available by advance registration. In a city known for its industry, Cranbrook offers something quiet and settled, and it is lovely in every season, though it asks for a different kind of visit in November than in June.
Seasons and hours
The gardens keep fall and winter hours from October 1 to March 13, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weather permitting. By mid-October the restrooms on the grounds close, the garden beds are pulled, the fountains are turned off and the sculptures are covered, so expect structure, trees and trails rather than flowers.
Spring and summer hours run from 7 a. m. to 7 p.m. Restrooms are available at the Cranbrook Art Museum and the Cranbrook Institute of Science during their regular hours. The grounds may close for private events or weather, and notices are posted on the website.
Admission and tours
Self-guided admission to the gardens is give-as-you-wish, a guided garden tour carries a fee and requires advance registration, and house tours carry a separate fee. Various members and students are free, and a Museums for All program offers free house tours to cardholders. The house is not open for general visits, so if the interior matters to you, check the tour calendar before you set out. Combine the gardens with a visit to the Cranbrook Art Museum on the same campus, which is open Wednesday to Sunday.
Who it suits
Garden lovers, architecture fans, photographers and couples will be happiest, and walkers will enjoy the trails. In November it is a quiet, contemplative outing, best on a dry afternoon in good boots. Allow about two hours for the gardens, more if you add a house tour or the museum. A car is the easiest way to reach the campus, and Birmingham's restaurants are a few minutes away for lunch or dinner.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided walk through forty acres of gardens, trails and fountains, with guided garden and house tours by advance registration.
Best time
Spring through early fall for blooms; in November, a dry afternoon within the fall and winter hours.
How long
About two hours for the gardens.
Tips
Check the seasonal hours, book house tours in advance and wear sturdy shoes for the Mountain trails.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Garden lovers, photographers and couples seeking a quiet outing.
- Families
- Fine for walkers of all ages, though the house tour suits older children.
- Couples
- A slow afternoon among fountains and woodland, then dinner in Birmingham.
- Pair with
- The Cranbrook Art Museum, a short walk across the campus.
- Time needed
- Two hours.
Good questions
Where is Cranbrook?+
The gardens are at 380 Lone Pine Road in Bloomfield Hills, about a half hour north of downtown Detroit.
Are the gardens open in winter?+
Yes. From October 1 to March 13 they are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting. Fountains are off and beds are cleared by mid-October.
Can I go inside Cranbrook House?+
Only on a scheduled guided tour or at select special events. Check the tour calendar and register in advance.
How much does it cost?+
Self-guided garden visits are give-as-you-wish. Guided garden tours and house tours carry a fee, and some visitors qualify for free admission.
What else is on the campus?+
The Cranbrook Art Museum and the Cranbrook Institute of Science share the campus, with restrooms available during their regular hours.
