Summer is in full bloom at Meadow Brook Hall – and now is the perfect time to explore! The gates and grounds are open and filled with special summer activities and interactive tours for guests of all ages and interests.
There is something for everyone, from the most perfect tiny playhouse for children and historic vehicles for the car buff to more than 20 incredible gardens for your favorite green-thumbed friend!
Special Summer Activities for Everyone
Get up close to the estate’s historical vehicles collection in the Visitors Garage, which includes vintage cars owned by the Dodge and Wilson families, including a stunning 1938 Packard limo—it’s a remarkable chance for car enthusiasts.
Summertime is the only time to explore the children’s playhouses! Venture into Knole Cottage, Frances Dodge’s beloved play house that was built to three-quarter scale and once described as “the World’s Finest Dollhouse.” Discover the charm of Danny’s Cabin, which began as Daniel Dodge’s childhood playhouse and later became his garage and tinkering space. Enjoy a cornhole game nearby, or head over to The Wilson Playhouse, where a variety of playful activities await— from a sandbox and building blocks to coloring sheets and crayons—all set to keep the fun going all summer long.
Children of all ages are invited to explore our woodland paths on a whimsical Gnome Scavenger Hunt and choose a prize. The Great Estate is full of magic, just waiting for your little adventurers to uncover!
With the addition of the Visitor Center and path renovations, the Great Estate features more than 20 distinct gardens, each with their own aesthetic. Wander along the paths to see a wide variety of beautiful blossoms from the historic Rose Garden to the hardy Rock Garden, evergreen Knot Garden and the always lovely English Walled Garden, all bursting with summer blooms.
Join us for a Community Event
Yoga in the Garden offers many opportunities to take a breath of fresh air and build your flexibility in an incredible setting. All levels are welcome to join this yoga class, which will focus on stretching and strengthening the body to release stress and rejuvenate. Event dates are on select Sunday mornings from July 13 through Aug. 3. Tickets are $15 each and available at meadowbrookhall.org/yoga.
Bring a date, family or friends to enjoy live performances by some of Metro Detroit’s most talented musicians at Meadow Brook’s Concert Series. Come early to explore the grounds and bring your own picnic. This popular evening includes a cash bar, tasty snacks and self-guided touring of the historic mansion during the talent break—all set in our beautiful Garden Tent, rain or shine.
See Mobile Dueling Pianos on Thursday, June 19, Olivia Van Goor on Thursday, July 10, Dave Bennett on Thursday, July 24 or Ben Sharkey on Thursday, Aug. 7. Tickets are $40 per concert and available at meadowbrookhall.org/concertseries.
upcoming eventsTake a Historic Tour or Visit the Grounds
Learn about a special segment of local American history on a tour. Meadow Brook Hall is open for Guided and Self-Guided House Tours and Guided Behind-the-Scenes Tours Fridays through Tuesdays.
Explore the three main living levels of the historic mansion and learn the incredible story of the pioneering Dodge and Wilson families during a Guided or Self-Guided House Tour or journey to rarely-seen areas of Meadow Brook, on a behind-the-scenes tour. You’ll see staff wings, secret staircases, closets, playrooms and even our China Vault with Prohibition-era vintage liquor.
Visitors can now explore the estate with the new Grounds Pass, available for purchase onsite in the Visitor Center. Our gardens and grounds are open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Grounds Passes are $2 for individuals and $5 for families.
Grounds access is included with all tour tickets. Meadow Brook members, volunteers and the Oakland University community (faculty, staff & students) may visit the grounds for free.
Book Tour TicketsMeadow Brook Hall is fully self-supporting, relying on touring and special events for the preservation and interpretation of this National Historic Landmark. For more information, call (248) 364-6200 or visit meadowbrookhall.org.
Meadow Brook Hall is the historic home built by one of the automotive aristocracy’s most remarkable women, Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of auto pioneer John Dodge, and her second husband, Alfred Wilson. Constructed between 1926 and 1929, Meadow Brook Hall represents one of the finest examples of Tudor-revival style architecture in America, and is especially renowned for its superb craftsmanship, architectural detailing and grand scale of 88,000 square-feet. It was the center of a country estate that included 1,500 acres, numerous farm buildings, recreational facilities, several residences and formal gardens. Named a National Historic Landmark in 2012, Meadow Brook Hall strives to preserve and interpret its architecture, landscape, and fine and decorative art so that visitors may be entertained, educated and inspired by history. Meadow Brook Hall is located in Rochester, Mich. on the campus of Oakland University.
