Travel

40 Exquisite Michigan Mansions And Estates You Can Visit and Tour

by Paul Austin

Looking for a little slice of history with a side of grandeur? Michigan mansions and estates are calling your name! These are a journey through generations of architecture and portals to the past—filled with stories of lumber barons, automotive moguls, and even quirky architects who knew how to make a statement. Whether you’re into jaw-dropping Victorian vibes, sleek modernist masterpieces, or castles that’ll make you feel like royalty, Michigan’s got it all.

Step Back in Time: Michigan’s Most Majestic Mansions and Estates

Chapin House
Alden B Dow house and studio
Curwood Castle

In this roundup, we’re rolling out the red carpet for some of the state’s most fascinating homes. From hobbit-like Mushroom Houses in Charlevoix (yes, really!) to the sprawling elegance of Meadow Brook Hall, there’s something for everyone—history buffs, design lovers, or those just looking for an Insta-worthy day trip. Ready to swoon over stained glass, marvel at meticulously manicured gardens, and maybe even stay overnight in a Victorian manor? Let’s dive into Michigan’s past, one magnificent mansion at a time!

Michigan Mansions and Estates – Table of Contents

Map Of Notable Michigan Mansions

Castle Farms – Charlevoix

Castle Farms

Located in Charlevoix, Castle Farms was built in 1918 as a model dairy farm. The estate features stunning gardens and a museum-quality model railroad and hosts various events throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy guided tours to learn about its rich history and architecture.

Curwood Castle – Owosso

Curwood Castle

Situated in Owosso, Curwood Castle was the writing studio of author James Oliver Curwood, built in 1923. Resembling a Norman chateau, the castle now serves as a museum showcasing Curwood’s life and works, as well as local history exhibits.

The Felt Estate – Holland

The Felt Estate

Located near Saugatuck, the Felt Estate is a restored 1920s mansion built by inventor and businessman Dorr E. Felt. The estate includes the main house, carriage house, and expansive gardens, offering tours and serving as a venue for events.

Dempsey Manor – Manistee

Dempsey Manor

Situated in Manistee, Dempsey Manor is a Victorian-era mansion offering bed and breakfast accommodations. The house is furnished with period antiques, and guests can enjoy guided tours to learn about its history and architecture.

W.K. Kellogg Manor House – Hickory Corners

W.K. Kellogg Manor House

Located in Hickory Corners, this Tudor-style manor was built in 1925 as the summer home for cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg. Overlooking Gull Lake, the estate features beautiful gardens and offers guided tours highlighting its history and restoration.

Laurium Manor Inn (Hoatson House) – Laurium

Laurium Manor Inn (Hoatson House)

Situated in Laurium, this 45-room mansion was built in 1908 by Thomas H. Hoatson, a prominent mining executive. Now operating as a bed and breakfast, the inn showcases early 20th-century architecture and craftsmanship.

Barker Mansion – Michigan City

Barker Mansion

Located in Michigan City, Indiana, near the Michigan border, Barker Mansion was built in 1857 by freight car industrialist John H. Barker. The mansion offers guided tours, showcasing its original furnishings and art collections.

Cranbrook House & Gardens – Bloomfield Hills

Cranbrook House

Situated in Bloomfield Hills, Cranbrook House is the oldest surviving manor home in the area, built in 1908 for George and Ellen Booth. The estate features 40 acres of gardens and offers guided tours of the historic house.

Mushroom House Tours – Charlevoix

Mushroom House Tours

Located in Charlevoix, the Mushroom Houses are a series of unique homes designed by architect Earl Young. Known for their whimsical, hobbit-like appearance, guided tours provide insights into their design and history.

Meyer May House – Grand Rapids

Meyer May

Situated in Grand Rapids, this Prairie-style home was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1908. Meticulously restored, the house offers free tours showcasing Wright’s architectural vision and design principles.

Honolulu House Museum – Marshall

Honolulu House

Located in Marshall, the Honolulu House was built in 1860 by former Hawaiian consul Abner Pratt. The museum features 19th-century furnishings and exhibits, reflecting its unique blend of Hawaiian and Italianate architectural styles.

Saarinen House – Bloomfield Hills

Situated in Bloomfield Hills, Saarinen House was designed in the late 1920s by architect Eliel Saarinen as his residence and studio. The house is a masterpiece of Art Deco design and serves as a museum showcasing the work and legacy of Saarinen and his family.

Ford House – Grosse Pointe Shores

a large brick house with snow on the ground

Located in Grosse Pointe Shores, the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House is a historic estate showcasing the grandeur of the Ford family’s lifestyle. The home features Tudor-style architecture, lush gardens, and a lakeside view. Guided tours highlight the family’s history and impact.

The Whitney – Detroit

The Whitney

Once the home of lumber baron David Whitney Jr., The Whitney is now an upscale restaurant offering fine dining in a historic mansion. Located in Detroit, the mansion is famous for its late 19th-century architecture and luxurious interiors.

Fair Lane: Home of Clara and Henry Ford – Dearborn

Fairlane

Located in Dearborn, Fair Lane was the home of Henry and Clara Ford. This historic estate reflects the couple’s love of nature, innovation, and the arts. Visitors can explore the house and grounds, including beautiful gardens and a restored powerhouse.

Turner-Dodge House – Lansing

Turner-Dodge House

Located in Lansing, the Turner-Dodge House is a 19th-century mansion that showcases local history and Victorian-era architecture. The house offers tours, special events, and educational programs.

John C. Blanchard House – Ionia

John C. Blanchard House

Located in Ionia, this historic home is a Queen Anne-style mansion that serves as a museum highlighting the area’s local history and architecture. Visitors can take guided tours and attend community events.

Alden B. Dow Home & Studio – Midland

Alden B Dow house and studio

Located in Midland, this architectural masterpiece was designed by Alden B. Dow, a renowned architect and Frank Lloyd Wright protégé. The home combines modern design with natural elements and offers guided tours.

Provencal-Weir House – Grosse Pointe

The Grosse Pointe Historical Society preserves the area’s rich history through its archives and historic properties, including the Provencal-Weir House, a beautifully restored French farmhouse.

Loren Andrus Octagon House – Washington

Loren Andrus Octagon House

Located in Washington, Michigan, the Loren Andrus Octagon House is an eight-sided architectural gem built in 1858. It operates as a museum with tours and special events.

  • Address: 57500 Van Dyke Ave, Washington, MI 48094
  • Website: octagonhouse.org
  • Photo by Ktacia, Public domain

The Cappon House – Holland

Issac Cappon House

Located in Holland, this historic home was built in 1874 for Isaac Cappon, the city’s first mayor. The house showcases Dutch-American culture and Victorian-style furnishings.

Mann House – Concord

Mann Houise Concord

Situated in Concord, this late Victorian home was built in 1883 by Daniel and Ellen Mann. It offers a glimpse into rural family life during the late 19th century.

Historic Newton Home – Kalamazoo

Located near Kalamazoo, in Marcellus, Michigan. This historic property is a preserved 19th-century restored two-story Quaker home that provides insights into the lives of early Michigan settlers.

Frank Lloyd Wright Smith House – Bloomfiled Hills

Melvyn Maxwell and Sara Stein Smith House

Located in Bloomfield Hills, this Usonian-style home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1950 exemplifies his principles of organic architecture. Tours are available by appointment.

Frank Lloyd Wright Palmer House – Ann Arbor

Located in Ann Arbor, this Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home is a private residence but occasionally opens for tours, highlighting its innovative design and use of space.

Bennett-Kempf House – Ann Arbor

Bennett-Kempf House

Located in Ann Arbor, the Kempf House Museum is a restored Greek Revival home showcasing Victorian furnishings and local history. It offers guided tours and cultural events.

Whaley Historic House Museum – Flint

Whaley Historic House

Situated in Flint, this Italianate-style mansion was built in 1859 and offers tours, exhibits, and community events focusing on Flint’s history.

Michigan Governor’s Summer Residence

Located on Mackinac Island, this Colonial Revival-style home serves as the Michigan Governor’s retreat. Public tours are offered during the summer months.

Crocker House Museum and Gardens – Mt. Clemens

Located in Mount Clemens, this Italianate-style house was built in 1869 and features period furnishings and exhibits. It offers tours and community programs.

Edward F. Fisher Mansion – Detroit

Located in Detroit, this grand mansion was built in 1928 for Edward Fisher, co-founder of the Fisher Body Company. It showcases Moorish and Art Deco influences.

Kimball House Museum – Battle Creek

Situated in Battle Creek, this restored 19th-century home provides a look into local history and Victorian living.

Harry A. Chapin Mansion – Niles

Chapin House

Located in Niles, this house and museum focuses on the history of the area. The home was donated to the City of Niles in 1933. It has served as City Hall and is now administered by the Niles History Center.

Stockton House Museum – Flint

Stockton House Museum

Situated in Flint, this historic property constructed in 1872 by Thomas and Maria Stockton. The grand home overlooks a natural spring that the Stockton’s nicknamed, ‘Spring Grove’. Tours available

Applewood Estate – Flint

Applewood Estate

Located in Flint, this historic estate was the family home of automotive pioneer Charles Stewart Mott. Visitors can explore the house, gardens, and various exhibits.

Morton House Museum – Benton Harbor

Morton House Museum

Situated in Benton Harbor, the Morton House is one of the oldest structures in the city, dating back to 1849. It offers tours and local history exhibits.

Meadow Brook Hall – Rochester Hills

Meadow Brook Hall

Located in Rochester, this opulent mansion was built in the 1920s by Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of automotive pioneer John Dodge. The estate offers guided tours and special events throughout the year.

Seven Gables – Huron City

Langdon Hubbard House

Perched on a bluff overlooking Lake Huron, Seven Gables is a stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture nestled in the historic Huron City area. This charming 1880s estate is part of the Huron City Museums, a collection of preserved historic buildings.

Voigt House – Grand Rapids

Voight House

Nestled in Grand Rapids’ Heritage Hill Historic District, the Voigt House stands as a pristine example of Queen Anne architecture. Completed in 1895 for businessman Carl G. A. Voigt, this elegant mansion was inspired by the chateaux at Chenonceaux, France. Currently closed to visitors.

Pineknob Mansion – Clarkston

Perched atop one of Southeast Michigan’s highest elevations, this 19-room English manor in Clarkston offers a captivating blend of history and elegance. Constructed in 1927 as the residence of Colonel Sidney Dunn Waldon, a notable figure in the automotive and aviation industries.

Hackley & Hume Historic Site – Muskegon

This site features two adjacent Queen Anne-style mansions built in 1887 for lumber barons Charles Hackley and Thomas Hume. Both homes are meticulously preserved and showcase ornate woodwork, stained glass, and period furnishings.

Wrapping Up Your Michigan Mansions and Estates Hopping Adventure

Michigan’s historic mansions and estates are more than just beautiful buildings—they’re gateways to the stories of innovation, ambition, and artistry that shaped the state. From the opulent halls of Meadow Brook to the charming Mushroom Houses and the timeless works of Frank Lloyd Wright, each destination offers a unique glimpse into the past and an unforgettable experience.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a design lover, or just someone looking for an extraordinary day trip, these estates promise something for everyone. So grab your calendar, plan your visits, and prepare to be inspired by the grandeur and creativity that define Michigan’s remarkable legacy. Adventure awaits—go make some memories in Michigan’s most majestic homes!

Paul Austin

Paul is a writer living in the Great Lakes Region. He dabbles in research of historical events, places, and people on his website at Michigan4You.When he isn't under a deadline, you can find him on the beach with a good book and a cold beer.

View all posts by Paul Austin →

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