Farmington Hills is a suburban city in southeast Michigan, located just west of Detroit. With a population of over 80,000 residents, Farmington Hills is a vibrant community with lots to see and do. From historical sites to outdoor recreation, cultural attractions to shopping centers, Farmington Hills has something for everyone.
| No. | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Explore Heritage Park | A vast park with trails, picnic areas, and sports facilities, featuring the historic Longacre House. |
| 2 | Tour the Longacre House | A historic 19th-century house offering a glimpse into the past with period-style decor and exhibits. |
| 3 | Shop Downtown Farmington | A shopping district with boutiques, antiques, and eateries, along with community events in Riley Park. |
| 4 | Hike Maybury State Park | A large state park known for its diverse ecosystems, nature trails, and recreational opportunities. |
| 5 | Play Disc Golf at Johnson Nature Center | An 18-hole disc golf course set in a nature center with trails and educational programs. |
| 6 | Tour Scarab Club Arts Complex | An arts complex offering galleries, classes, and exhibitions in various art forms. |
| 7 | Browse Costick Center | A community center providing a range of programs, activities, and events for all ages. |
| 8 | Play at Power Park Playscape | An inclusive playground with accessible play options for children of all abilities. |
| 9 | Ride the Huckleberry Railroad | A miniature train experience through scenic landscapes, perfect for families. |
| 10 | See a Show at the Power Center | A venue for a variety of performances, from plays and musicals to concerts and dance shows. |
| 11 | Shop Twelve Oaks Mall | A large shopping mall with a wide range of stores, eateries, and entertainment options. |
| 12 | Golf at Dunham Hills Golf Club | A golf course known for its challenging layout and commitment to environmental preservation. |
This article highlights the top 12 things to do in Farmington Hills, Michigan for visitors and residents alike. It covers major attractions like Heritage Park and the Longacre House, as well as hidden gems like the Power Park Playscape. There are activities suitable for families, couples, outdoor enthusiasts and more. Read on to learn about the best ways to experience everything Farmington Hills has to offer.
1.Explore Heritage Park
Name and Location: Explore Heritage Park, located at 24915 Farmington Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48336.
History and Significance: Heritage Park is a historical park that showcases the rich history of Farmington Hills and the surrounding area. The park features a variety of historical buildings and exhibits that provide insight into the region’s past.
What to Expect: Visitors can explore the park’s historical buildings, including a schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, and a log cabin. The park also features walking trails, picnic areas, and a playground.
Visitor Information: Heritage Park is open daily from dawn to dusk. Parking is available on-site, and admission is free. Guided tours of the historical buildings are available on select days throughout the year.
As one of the most popular attractions in Farmington Hills, Heritage Park is a must-visit. Spanning 137 acres, this massive park has paved trails, open green spaces, picnic areas and sports facilities. Walk, jog or bike around the scenic wooded areas and Four Mile Creek.
Bring a picnic or let the kids burn off some steam at the playgrounds. Baseball and cricket fields also make Heritage Park a recreational hub for local sports teams. Don’t miss the historic Longacre House at the center of the park either.
2.Tour the Longacre House
Name and Location: Tour the Longacre House, located at 24705 Farmington Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48336.
History and Significance: The Longacre House is a historic mansion built in 1869 by Palmer Sherman, a prominent businessman in Farmington. The house has been beautifully preserved and now serves as a community center and event venue.
What to Expect: Visitors can take guided tours of the Longacre House to learn about its history and architecture. The house features stunning Victorian-era decor and furnishings, as well as beautiful gardens and grounds.
Visitor Information: Tours of the Longacre House are available by appointment. The house is also available for private events and weddings. Parking is available on-site.
Nestled within the grounds of Heritage Park, Longacre House offers an intimate look into 19th century history. Built in 1839 for prosperous landowner Erasmus James Longacre, this stately Greek revival home has been converted into a museum.
Touring the Longacre House provides a glimpse into 1840s life with parlors decorated in period style furniture and finishes. Costumed docents describe details about the Longacre family. Temporary exhibits related to local history are also on display. Learn about early 20th century electricity, switchboard operation and more at the vintage telephone booth.
3.Shop Downtown Farmington
Name and Location: Shop Downtown Farmington, located along Grand River Avenue and Farmington Road in Farmington, MI.
History and Significance: Downtown Farmington has been the commercial center of the city since the late 1800s. The area features a variety of historic buildings and unique local businesses.
What to Expect: Visitors can browse the many shops and restaurants in Downtown Farmington, including boutiques, antique stores, cafes, and more. The area also hosts several community events throughout the year, such as festivals and farmers markets.
Visitor Information: Downtown Farmington is open daily, with individual business hours varying. Parking is available on the streets and in public lots throughout the area.
Just a few minutes north, Downtown Farmington offers a charming place to shop and dine along historic Farmington Road. Boutiques like The Blush Collection and The Root carry stylish clothing, accessories, beauty products and home goods.
Find antiques, collectibles and knick knacks inside Almost Home Consignment Gallery or Decades 20th Century Antiques. Stop for a cone at Sundae’s Best Ice Cream or rock candy at Bon Bon Bon before strolling down to Riley Park. Often hosting concerts and community events, it’s a relaxing spot to take a load off.
4.Hike Maybury State Park
Name and Location: Hike Maybury State Park, located at 49775 8 Mile Rd, Northville, MI 48167.
History and Significance: Maybury State Park was once a working farm and tuberculosis sanatorium. The park was established in 1975 and now offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing on the park’s many trails. The park also features a working farm, a fishing pond, and picnic areas.
Visitor Information: Maybury State Park is open daily from 8:00 am to dusk. A vehicle entry fee is required. The park offers rentals for bikes, horses, and cross-country skis.
Covering nearly 1,000 acres, outdoor enthusiasts flock to Maybury State Park year-round. Situated on the western border of Farmington Hills, the park contains diverse ecosystems perfect for nature walks and hikes. Meandering boardwalks cross wetland areas filled with oak trees and unique vegetation.
5.Play Disc Golf at Johnson Nature Center
Name and Location: Play Disc Golf at Johnson Nature Center, located at 30300 Haggerty Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48331.
History and Significance: The Johnson Nature Center is a 40-acre nature preserve that offers a variety of outdoor activities and educational programs.
What to Expect: Visitors can play disc golf on the nature center’s 9-hole course, which winds through the woods and fields of the preserve. The nature center also features hiking trails, a butterfly garden, and a nature-themed playground.
Visitor Information: The Johnson Nature Center is open daily from dawn to dusk. Parking and admission are free. Disc golf equipment rentals are available at the nature center.
New to the game? Johnson Nature Center allows you to give disc golf a try across 18 holes on wooded terrain. This beginner-friendly course winds past wetlands and over footbridges for an immersive natural experience. Bring your own discs or rent them on-site.
Score is based on the number of throws it takes to get the disc into specialized above-ground baskets. With family-friendly rules and short holes suitable for all skill levels, it’s a nice low-key activity. The nature center also has hiking trails, gardens and programs if you want to make an afternoon of your visit.
6.Tour Scarab Club Arts Complex
Name and Location: Tour Scarab Club Arts Complex, located at 217 Farnsworth St, Detroit, MI 48202.
History and Significance: The Scarab Club is a historic arts organization founded in 1907. The complex features a gallery, a studio, and a beautiful lounge adorned with signatures of famous artists.
What to Expect: Visitors can tour the Scarab Club to view the art exhibitions, learn about the club’s history, and see the famous lounge ceiling covered in signatures of notable artists such as Diego Rivera and Norman Rockwell.
Visitor Information: The Scarab Club is open Wednesday through Sunday, with varying hours. Guided tours are available by appointment. Admission fees may apply for certain exhibitions and events.
Dedicated to the promotion of fine arts in Detroit, Scarab Club has served creatives in the area since 1907. Now located in Farmington Hills, the club contains a gallery, studio spaces and performance venue hosting concerts, lectures and more. Sign up for drawing, painting or photography classes taught by resident artists. Visit the museum to admire rotating exhibits of member work.
Notable pieces from classical realist to contemporary abstraction styles are on display. Or simply stop by the Gold Café for lunch while taking in the artistic atmosphere. Scarab Club offers public events as well as resources for its 350 juried artist members.
7.Browse Costick Center
Name and Location: Browse Costick Center, located at 28600 W 11 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48336.
History and Significance: The Costick Center is a community center that offers a variety of recreational activities and classes for all ages.
What to Expect: Visitors can browse the center’s art gallery, which features rotating exhibitions by local artists. The center also offers fitness classes, a swimming pool, a gymnasium, and meeting rooms for community events.
Visitor Information: The Costick Center is open Monday through Saturday, with varying hours for different facilities. Membership fees and class fees may apply. Parking is available on-site.
Operated by the City of Farmington Hills, the Costick Center provides educational and recreational programming for community members of all ages and abilities. Kids can participate in youth theater, cooking classes and summer camps. Adults may join volleyball or basketball leagues in the gymnasium. Seniors have dedicated amenities like games tables, fitness equipment and scheduled activities.
Outside of structured programs, check the schedule for upcoming concerts at the Costick Center’s 400-seat auditorium. Or reserve a room for private gatherings like bridal showers, birthday parties or team meetings. With spacious facilities and robust programming, Costick Center is a community hub worth visiting.
8.Play Power Park Playscape
Name and Location: Play Power Park Playscape, located at 29995 Shiawassee St, Farmington, MI 48336.
History and Significance: Power Park is a neighborhood park that features a unique playscape designed for children of all ages and abilities.
What to Expect: Visitors can play on the park’s innovative playscape, which includes a variety of climbing structures, slides, and interactive elements. The park also features a picnic area and walking paths.
Visitor Information: Power Park is open daily from dawn to dusk. Parking and admission are free. The playscape is designed for children aged 2-12.
Touted as one of the largest universally accessible playgrounds in the country, Power Park Playscape is an inclusive attraction perfect for visitors of all physical abilities. The three-acre wooden fortress contains ramps leading to towers, sensory areas, musical elements and wheelchair-friendly equipment. Parents appreciate smart features like ground-level play zones and fence-enclosed sections.
Based on the idea of “parallel play,” kids using mobility devices play side-by-side with running, climbing children. Swings, roller tables and landscaped trails ensure there’s something delighting everyone. Benches and shelters allow caregivers places to supervise the excitement.
9.Ride the Huckleberry Railroad
Name and Location: Ride the Huckleberry Railroad, located at 7065 Ortonville Rd, Holly, MI 48442.
History and Significance: The Huckleberry Railroad is a historic narrow-gauge railroad that offers scenic rides through the countryside of Oakland County.
What to Expect: Visitors can ride the historic steam locomotive through the woods and fields of Genesee and Oakland Counties. The railroad also offers special events throughout the year, such as fall color tours and holiday-themed rides.
Visitor Information: The Huckleberry Railroad operates on weekends from May through October. Ticket prices vary based on age and special events. Parking is available on-site.
All ages enjoy excursions on the Huckleberry Railroad. This 14 inch ridable miniature train was custom-built to look like old-fashioned steam engines. The track makes a relaxing one mile loop through gardens, woods and grassy areas surrounding the station platform.
Musical whistles and real plumes of smoke enhance the immersive experience. The railroad operates during select days in summer, fall and around the holidays. Special events like hands-on Days with Thomas the Train and visits from Paw Patrol characters are also scheduled periodically. Tickets are affordable, ranging from $3-$4 each so it’s perfect for families.
10.See a Show at the Power Center
Name and Location: See a Show at the Power Center, located at 121 Fletcher St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
History and Significance: The Power Center is a performing arts venue located on the University of Michigan campus. The center hosts a variety of musical and theatrical performances throughout the year.
What to Expect: Visitors can attend a wide range of performances at the Power Center, including concerts, plays, dance recitals, and more. The center features excellent acoustics and sightlines from every seat.
Visitor Information: The Power Center box office is open Monday through Friday, with additional hours on performance days. Ticket prices vary based on the event. Parking is available in nearby garages and lots.
As one of the Detroit area’s premier performing arts venues, the Power Center in Downtown Farmington Hills brings impressive entertainment to town. The modern facility contains a flexible 1,500-seat auditorium with outstanding acoustics and sightlines.
Upcoming shows span all genres – musicals, plays, dance performances, live music and comedy specials. National Broadway tours like Dear Evan Hansen and Waitress are slated for 2023. Patrons also praise the Power Center’s intimacy and innovative shows from 720-student arts academies based inside too. Reasonable ticket prices make superb cultural entertainment accessible.
11.Shop Twelve Oaks Mall
Name and Location: Shop Twelve Oaks Mall, located at 27500 Novi Rd, Novi, MI 48377.
History and Significance: Twelve Oaks Mall is a major shopping destination in the Detroit metropolitan area, featuring over 180 stores and restaurants.
What to Expect: Visitors can shop a wide variety of stores at Twelve Oaks Mall, including department stores, specialty shops, and boutiques. The mall also features several dining options, from fast food to sit-down restaurants.
Visitor Information: Twelve Oaks Mall is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, and Sunday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. Hours may vary for individual stores and restaurants. Parking is available in lots surrounding the mall.
Nearly every brand can be found under one roof at Twelve Oaks Mall. With over 250 stores and restaurants contained in an elegant skylighted setting, Twelve Oaks is one of Michigan’s premier shopping destinations. Shoppers flock for fashion staples like Nordstrom, Macy’s and JC Penney.
Trendy retailers like Zara and Anthropologie are fun to browse too. When you need a break, places like P.F. Chang’s, Cheesecake Factory and Shake Shack await with meals and snacks. An IMAX movie theater and LEGO store offer plenty to keep kids occupied as well. Located adjacent to major highways, it’s easy to make an afternoon of retail therapy at Twelve Oaks Mall.
12.Golf at Dunham Hills Golf Club
Name and Location: Golf at Dunham Hills Golf Club, located at 13561 Dunham Rd, Hartland, MI 48353.
History and Significance: Dunham Hills Golf Club is a championship golf course designed by Mike Husby. The course features rolling hills, wetlands, and stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
What to Expect: Visitors can play 18 holes of golf on the challenging and beautifully designed course. The club also features a driving range, a pro shop, and a restaurant.
Visitor Information: Dunham Hills Golf Club is open daily from dawn to dusk, weather permitting. Tee times can be booked online or by phone. Green fees vary based on the day and time. Rental equipment is available at the pro shop.
Boasting an Audubon Signature Sanctuary designation for eco-conscious land management, Dunham Hills is both a premier golf course and nature preserve. The 18-hole championship layout was designed by acclaimed architect Arthur Hills, crafted around natural wetlands, woodlands and meadows.
Strategically placed bunkers, undulating greens and length over 7000 yards from the back tees provide challenge for experienced players. Well-conditioned fairways promote playability for casual golfers too. Guests praise Dunham’s responsive staff, relaxed atmosphere and affordable rates. The rustic clubhouse with full bar and menu makes 19th hole drinks and meals a seamless conclusion after working on your swing.
Thrill-seeking skaters and BMX riders across southeast Michigan frequent Farmington Hills Skate Park. The modern concrete plaza contains nearly 16,000 square feet of street obstacles like ledges, rails, manual pads and quarter pipes. Designed by world-renowned skatepark builders, the park flows smoothly and emphasizes progression across beginner, intermediate and advanced areas.
Located adjacent to the Costick Center, park visitors can refuel at nearby restaurants or watch demonstrations at the skate shop inside. Safety and etiquette are closely monitored so all ages feel comfortable honing their skills. From novice kickflips to competitive clinics, the park promotes exuberant action sports and youth development.
Conclusion
With historic sites, vibrant parks, cultural attractions, recreation and excellent shopping, Farmington Hills has diverse attractions and activities guaranteed to please visitors. Heritage Park, Maybury State Park and Power Park Playscape allow you to soak up nature across lush greenery and trails.
Arts institutions like Scarab Club and the Power Center provide enriching performances and exhibits. Stores at popular shopping centers will satisfy your appetite for retail therapy. Simple pleasures like riding a mini train or playing disc golf also abound closeby to keep residents smiling too.
Whether just passing through town or staying for awhile, these 12 things highlight the best ways to experience Farmington Hills, Michigan.