It’s hard to believe but holiday season is right around the corner. Get a jump start on holiday cards and schedule a photo shoot for the family at one of these local destinations. 

The Ford House

1100 Lake Shore Rd, Grosse Pointe Shores, MI 48236

Location Highlights: Gardens, historic stone house with large patio, and Lake St. Clair


Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve

27215 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI 48033

Location Highlights: Large rock park, wooded trail and lake


Cranbrook House & Gardens

380 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303

Location Highlights: Red open air bridge, gardens, pond, and stone wall.


Belle Isle

900 Inselruhe Ave, Detroit, MI 48207

Location Highlights: City skyline, glass conservatory, fountain, open air red iron bridge.


Mill Race Village 

215 Griswold St, Northville, MI 48167

Location Highlights: Historic Village, open air bridge and stream.


Nankin Mills Nature Center

33175 Ann Arbor Trail, Westland, MI 48185

Location Highlights: Large porch on an old house, open air bridge and rustic fence in tall grass.


Greenmead Historical Park

20501 Newburgh Rd, Livonia, MI 48152

Location Highlights: A historic village with old houses, a church and school – plenty of porches and gardens. There is also a community garden with lots of sunflowers.


Hess-Hathaway Park 

825 S Williams Lake Rd, Waterford Twp, MI 48327

Location Highlights: A shaded trail, grassy fields, and a bright red barn.


Heritage Park

12111 Pardee Rd, Taylor, MI 48180

Location Highlights: Glass conservatory, red barn, covered wooden bridge, white pavillion, lake, and log cabin.


Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm

1005 Van Hoosen Rd, Rochester, MI 48307

Location Highlights: Farm, stone wall, open air bridge and pavillion.


Palmer Park

910 Merrill Plaisance, Detroit, MI 48203

Location Highlights: Historic log barn, fountain, pond with lighthouse and wooden trails.


River Bends Park

5700 22 Mile Rd, Shelby Charter Township, MI 48316

Location Highlights: Open air bridge, train track, and nature trails.


Paint Creek Trail

4480 Orion Rd, Rochester, MI 48306

Location Highlights: Nature trail and Paint Creek Cider Mill.