Inspire innovation and engineering skills in your littles and sign them up for fun S.T.E.M. classes both online and in-person…
Public Gardens To Visit This Summer

Nothing brightens my days quicker than beautiful flowers and public gardens are one of my favorite places to visit. Here are my local favorites and a couple places that are worth the drive.
Matthaei Botanical Gardens (Ann Arbor)
Location: 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48105
The picture gardens aren’t open to the public yet but the nature trails are! Put on your walking shoes and explore nature – cross bridges, walk boardwalks and play I-Spy. The trail isn’t paved but you can navigate with a stroller.
Cranbrook Gardens (Bloomfield Hills)
Location: 380 Lone Pine Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
The gardens at Cranbrook are free to explore this summer. Visit the pond and reflecting pool, Japanese and Herb Gardens and sneak inside the giant Willow tree.
Location: 248 Manistique, Detroit, MI 48215
A hidden gem, this non-profit cut flower farm is open to the public and free to explore. Created from abandoned space in a Detroit neighborhood, it’s proof that beauty is all around us. Have
Location: 1 Fair Lane Drive, Dearborn, MI 48128
Fair Lane was home to Clara and Henry Ford and the gardens and grounds are open to the public for free. This is a great space to let kids run around in open fields and garden coves. You’ll feel like you’re in the 100 Acre Woods or when you’re next to the Rouge River a Tom Sawyer adventure.
Make it a road trip – these gardens are worth the drive!
4-H Children’s Garden (East Lansing)
Location: 1066 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI 48824
Let your imagination run wild as you explore the story book themed gardens at Michigan State University. Admission is free but coins are needed to pay for metered parking.
Location: 2203 Eastman Avenue, Midland, MI 48640
The grounds of Dow Gardens features a multitude of gardens the entire family will enjoy – including the nation’s longest canopy walk, 1,400 feet long, soaring up to 40 feet above the ground. There’s a creative playground and a newly renovated cafe with a play area and affordable snacks!
Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (Grand Rapids)
Location: 1000 East Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
The Frederik Meijer Garden and Sculpture Park is beautiful and expansive – wear walking shoes because there’s plenty to see. The Children’s Garden features a Great Lakes water table and tree fortress the littles will love.
SHARE THIS:

About Carrie Budzinski
Carrie Budzinski is the Vice President of LittleGuide Detroit. She grew up in Livonia and Detroit and continues to live life in both cities. Carrie loves exploring the city and finding hidden gems in the suburbs..
MORE ARTICLES
10 Things to Do with Kids in Metro Detroit this Weekend
The days may all be a blur, but we can still get excited for the weekend. After a long week at…
Winter Storybook Walking Trails in Metro Detroit
Storybook walks make the perfect outdoor adventure for kids to engage in literacy and for families to spend time together…
SEA LIFE Offers FREE Admission To Essential Workers
Travel the ocean in your backyard at SEA LIFE Michigan and do it for FREE if you work at a…
5 Reasons To Visit Grand Rapids This Winter
You don't have to travel far to have fun. Take a road trip to Grand Rapids for a family adventure…
#MOMLIFE with TinkerTots Boxes Founder Katie
Looking for inspiration + ideas for things to do with kids in Metro Detroit? Tried and true suggestions that real…
Top Things to do with KIDS in Metro Detroit this Week
Looking for daily inspiration and ideas for things to do with kids this week? From at-home family fun, to winter…
25 MLK Day Activities & Events for Kids in Metro Detroit
School's out for MLK Day and if you're looking for places to go, here's a list of what's open around…
4 Reasons To Visit Macomb This Winter
If a change of scenery and location is what you're family is looking for - but not too far away…
10 Things to Do with Kids in Metro Detroit this Weekend
The days may all be a blur, but we can still get excited for the weekend. After a long week at…
100 Ways To Spend #1000HoursOutside This Winter
The #1000HoursOutside challenge has been inspiring families to get outside for years. We love tracking our hours and monitering progress…
4 Ways To Celebrate MLK Day With Kids
Monday, January 18, 2021 is a day of remembering and celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Honor…
NEW Drive-In Movie Theatre to Open in Downtown Detroit
Downtown Detroit is welcoming a new movie experience, as Emagine and Bedrock Detroit partner on a drive-in theatre set to bring…
6 Family Activities For A Trip To Lansing This Winter
In the middle of the mitten you'll find Lansing. Michigan's capital is home to family-friendly museums, winter sports and plenty…
Heritage Park Offers Family Fun All Year Long In Farmington Hills
Heritage Park in Farmington Hills has everything you need for outdoor family fun. Hiking trails, playground, nature activities and seasons…
Metro Detroit Moms FAVORITE Recipes For The Family
Looking for inspiration + ideas for things to do with kids in Metro Detroit? Tried and true suggestions that real…
Places To Go Snow Tubing In Metro Detroit
Looking for a place to go tubing? Here's a list of places in metro Detroit and around Michigan that offers…
Top Things to do with KIDS in Metro Detroit this Week
Looking for daily inspiration and ideas for things to do with kids this week? From at-home family fun, to winter…
#MOMLIFE with Chantele of Estella’s Cuisine
Looking for inspiration + ideas for things to do with kids in Metro Detroit? Tried and true suggestions that real…
Spend Time Outside + In Nature Classes At Stage Nature Center
If you're looking to get back to nature this winter, head to Stage Nature Center in Troy for trails, classes…
4 Places for Kids to Learn to Ski + Snowboard in Metro Detroit
Snowy winters are a lot more fun when you can hit the slopes! Take up a new sport this year…
How To Get FREE Kid’s Workshop Kits From Lowe’s
Who doesn't love a weekend trip to Lowe's? As you make your next HGTV inspired stop to the hardware store,…
GIVEAWAY: $100 Hungry Harvest Gift Card For You + A Friend!
Take the grocery store off your to-do list, we're giving away a $100 Hungry Harvest gift card to a reader…
6 Reasons To Visit Downtown Detroit This Winter
Don't let chilly weather keep you indoors this winter. Bundle up and head downtown for some family fun! Bedrock is…