Imagine cruising through Michigan in a gleaming Rolls-Royce, jazz playing softly as you embark on a journey through time and luxury.
Welcome to your very own Gatsby-esque adventure in the Great Lakes State!
1. Edsel & Eleanor Ford House (Grosse Pointe Shores)
Let’s kick off our opulent odyssey at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House.
This isn’t just any old mansion; it’s a limestone masterpiece that would make Jay Gatsby green with envy.
As you approach the sprawling estate, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a time machine set for the Roaring Twenties.
The house, designed by Albert Kahn, is a stunning example of Cotswold-style architecture.
It’s as if someone plucked a grand English country manor and plopped it right on the shores of Lake St. Clair.
The interior is a feast for the eyes, with rooms that practically scream, “Darling, do have another martini!”
But the real showstopper? The grounds.
We’re talking 87 acres of manicured lawns, gardens, and woodlands that would make even the most jaded socialite swoon.
Take a stroll along the lake shore and imagine Eleanor Ford hosting one of her legendary garden parties.
Just don’t expect to see any flappers doing the Charleston on the lawn – that might be pushing it a bit too far.
2. Meadow Brook Hall (Rochester)
Next stop: Meadow Brook Hall, the former home of Matilda Dodge Wilson.
Now, if you thought the Ford house was impressive, hold onto your cloche hats, because Meadow Brook is about to knock your spats off.
This Tudor-revival style mansion is the fourth largest historic house museum in the United States.
It’s like someone took all the grandeur of the 1920s, multiplied it by a hundred, and then sprinkled it with a healthy dose of automotive fortune.
As you wander through the 110 rooms (yes, you read that right), you’ll find yourself wondering, “Did people really live like this?”
The answer is yes, yes they did.
From the intricate woodcarvings to the custom-made Tiffany glass, every inch of this place screams luxury.
Don’t miss the secret Prohibition-era bar hidden behind a panel in the game room.
It’s the perfect spot to raise a toast to the good old days when bootleggers were heroes and bathtub gin was considered a food group.
3. W.K. Kellogg Manor House (Hickory Corners)
From cars to cornflakes, our next stop takes us to the W.K. Kellogg Manor House.
This lakeside retreat belonged to none other than the breakfast cereal tycoon himself, W.K. Kellogg.
And let me tell you, this place is grrrrreat! (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)
Built in the 1920s, this Tudor Revival-style mansion sits on the picturesque Gull Lake.
It’s the kind of place where you half expect to see a young Kellogg lounging on the terrace, munching on a bowl of Corn Flakes while plotting his next breakfast innovation.
The interior is a testament to the wealth that a good bowl of cereal can bring.
From the marble fireplaces to the hand-painted ceilings, it’s clear that Kellogg spared no expense.
And why should he? When you’re the king of breakfast, you can afford to live like royalty.
Don’t forget to check out the gardens.
They’re so meticulously maintained, you’ll wonder if the gardeners use tiny cereal spoons to trim the hedges.
4. Cranbrook House & Gardens (Bloomfield Hills)
Our Gatsby-esque journey continues at Cranbrook House & Gardens, the former home of newspaper tycoon George Booth.
This place is so fancy, even the flowers probably have trust funds.
The house itself is a masterpiece of Arts and Crafts architecture, filled with handcrafted details that would make any artisan weep with joy.
But the real star of the show? The gardens.
We’re talking 40 acres of horticultural heaven that would make Mother Nature herself do a double-take.
As you wander through the Sunken Garden, the Reflecting Pool, and the Japanese Garden, you might find yourself wondering if you’ve accidentally stumbled into some sort of botanical wonderland.
And in a way, you have.
It’s the kind of place where you half expect to see woodland creatures helping with the gardening, Disney-style.
Just remember, no matter how tempting it might be, resist the urge to dive into the reflecting pool.
That’s generally frowned upon, even if you are wearing your finest 1920s bathing costume.
5. Felt Mansion (Holland)
Next up on our grand tour is the Felt Mansion, a summer home so lavish it makes your average beach house look like a sandcastle.
Built in the late 1920s by inventor and hat-making mogul Dorr Felt, this place is proof that the phrase “go big or go home” existed long before it became a hashtag.
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The mansion boasts 25 rooms spread over three stories, because apparently, when you’re rich enough to build a summer home, you need enough space to get lost in.
The ballroom on the third floor is particularly impressive – it’s the kind of space that makes you want to break out into a spontaneous Charleston, even if you have no idea how to do the Charleston.
Fun fact: the mansion was briefly used as a seminary and later as a police post.
Imagine the conversations those walls could have: from high society gossip to religious contemplation to police radio chatter.
Talk about a diverse résumé!
6. Castle Farms (Charlevoix)
Hold onto your monocles, folks, because our next stop is Castle Farms, and it’s exactly what it sounds like – a honest-to-goodness castle in the middle of Michigan.
Built in 1918 by the acting president of Sears, Roebuck and Co., this place is what happens when someone says, “I want a castle,” and actually has the means to make it happen.
The castle was originally built as a model dairy farm (because why not?), but today it’s a popular venue for weddings and events.
As you explore the grounds, you’ll find yourself surrounded by stone towers, sweeping arches, and lush gardens that would make any European royal feel right at home.
Don’t miss the model railroad exhibit – it’s one of the largest in Michigan.
Because nothing says “I’m fabulously wealthy” quite like having your own miniature train set the size of a small country.
7. Hackley & Hume Historic Site (Muskegon)
Our penultimate stop takes us to the Hackley & Hume Historic Site in Muskegon.
This isn’t just one mansion, but two – because when you’re a lumber baron in the late 19th century, why stop at one house when you can have matching ones?
These Victorian-style homes, built by Charles Hackley and Thomas Hume, are so ornate they make gingerbread houses look understated.
We’re talking turrets, gables, and more wood carving than you can shake a stick at (pun absolutely intended).
As you tour these homes, you’ll get a glimpse into the lives of two of Muskegon’s most prominent families.
Just try not to get too jealous of their 19th-century lifestyle.
After all, they may have had fabulous houses, but we have indoor plumbing and Wi-Fi.
8. The Whitney (Detroit)
We’re capping off our Gatsby-esque journey with a visit to The Whitney in Detroit.
This mansion-turned-restaurant is the perfect place to toast to the end of our grand tour.
Built in the 1890s by lumber baron David Whitney Jr., this place gives new meaning to the phrase “dining in style.”
The Whitney is a 52-room mansion that screams Gilded Age opulence.
We’re talking 20 fireplaces, 218 windows, and enough carved wood to make a lumberjack weep.
Today, it’s one of Detroit’s finest restaurants, serving up gourmet cuisine in an atmosphere that’s part fine dining, part time travel.
Don’t forget to visit the Ghost Bar on the third floor.
It’s allegedly haunted, but don’t worry – the spirits here are more likely to be of the liquid variety than the supernatural kind.
As we wrap up our tour of Michigan’s most glamorous spots, remember: while we can’t all live like Gatsby, we can certainly visit like him.
So polish those wingtips, dust off that flapper dress, and get ready to explore the Great Lakes State in style.
Adventure is calling!
Use this map to steer your road trip in the right direction—and maybe discover a surprise or two along the way.
Just leave the bootlegging to the professionals, okay?