Major Landmarks of Farmington Hills, Michigan

Farmington Hills is a large suburb of Detroit located in southeast Michigan. With a population of over 80,000 residents, Farmington Hills has several notable landmarks that make it a great place to live, work, and visit. This local guide will highlight the major landmarks that help define Farmington Hills.

Historical Sites

Farmington Hills has a long history dating back to the 19th century. Here are some of the top historical landmarks in the city.

Governor Warner Mansion

The Governor Warner Mansion is a historical home originally built in 1841 by Vermont natives Bethuel Farrand and his wife Margaret. In 1897, the mansion was purchased by Fred M. Warner, who later became the governor of Michigan from 1905 to 1911.

The mansion has been beautifully restored and is open for public tours. Visitors can see the original architecture and decor, including many authentic artifacts from the Warner family. The mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

Quaker Cemetery

Also known as the Farmington Cemetery, this historical cemetery dates back to 1825. Many prominent early settlers of Farmington Hills are buried here, including members of the Quaker religion. The cemetery has over 100 gravesites of local founding families.

Self-guided walking tours are available, where you can view the unique headstones and mausoleums. An obelisk memorial stands at the entrance, commemorating the early Quaker settlers of the 1800s.

Governor Warner Historic District

This historic district contains several homes constructed in the 19th and early 20th century. The district is centered around the Governor Warner Mansion and contains prime examples of varied architectural styles, including Italianate, Gothic Revival, and Queen Anne.

Homes in the district are marked with plaques detailing their history. Walking tours are available with guides dressed in period clothing.

Cultural Attractions

Farmington Hills has an impressive arts and cultural scene. Here are some of the must-see cultural landmarks.

Farmington Hills Public Library

The Farmington Hills Public Library is a vital community hub and cultural attraction. The original library first opened in 1951, with the current main branch building constructed in 1997. The library houses over 800,000 items and hosts a variety of public events.

Visitors can view rotating art exhibits in the gallery space. The Children’s Library contains imaginative decor, including a treehouse, secret passageways, and a pirate ship play area.

Activities & Events:

• Concerts on the Lawn – Free summer concert series
• Writing workshops
• Computer and technology classes
• Storytimes for kids
• Book clubs for all ages

The Hawk Community Center

This unique community center opened in 2012 and contains a historic carousel from the 1920s featuring hand-carved animals. Visitors can enjoy a ride on the vintage carousel, as well as viewing the rotating display of local art.

The Hawk also offers space for events, classes, meetings, and recreation. On the grounds are community gardens, a skate park, and amphitheater. The innovative green design of the building earned it a LEED Gold certification.

Farmington Players Barn Theater

Operating since 1934, this beloved community theater produces a full season of live shows each year. The rustic theater originated as a barn before becoming a cultural landmark. Today, guests can enjoy comedies, dramas, and musicals performed by local talent.

Heritage Park

This outdoor park and petting farm allows visitors to experience Farmington Hills’ agricultural history first-hand. Heritage Park spans 122 acres and includes historic buildings and examples of traditional trades such as blacksmithing. Kids can feed and pet the farm animals while taking a hayride around the park.

Natural Landmarks

Despite being a suburb, Farmington Hills has abundant natural areas perfect for outdoor exploration. Here are some of the best natural landmarks.

Maybury State Park

Encompassing 986 acres, this large state park has hiking trails winding through woodlands and meadows. The park provides a scenic escape into nature with opportunities for picnicking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Two highlights are the 100-acre trout pond and the farm museum with antique tractors.

Nichwaugh Lake Nature Preserve

These secluded wetlands offer a peaceful spot for birdwatching and viewing wildlife. The preserve has over 2 miles of trails and a boardwalk that meanders through marshy areas filled with bulrushes and cattails.

Rouge River

The Rouge River is a major watershed flowing through several metro Detroit communities, including Farmington Hills. The river is popular for kayaking and fishing. Sections of the river are lined by the scenic Rouge River Trail, which connects several parks and nature areas.

Family Fun & Entertainment

Farmington Hills has many attractions catering to families and kids. Here are some of the top spots for family entertainment.

Jungle Java Indoor Playground

A large indoor playground featuring multilevel structures, tunnels, ball pits, and slides. The jungle gym areas are designed for different age groups. Kids can also play mini-golf, ride go-karts, and host birthday parties.

Fiddlestix Party Place

This entertainment venue has bumper cars, mini-bowling, an arcade, laser tag, and carnival-style rides. Designed for kids of all ages, Fiddlestix offers a full roster of birthday party options. Parents can rent private party rooms.

Kids Kingdom Playground

Located within Heritage Park, this sprawling playground was named one of the state’s most creative by Early Childhood News Magazine. Highlights include oversized musical instruments, model trains, and 15 different play sections including a medieval castle.

Farmington Hills Skate Park

Built to professional standards, this outdoor skate park is free and open to skaters of all levels. The 20,000 square foot concrete plaza has bowls, ramps, rails, and boxes situated on rolling hills. Thoughtful design allows lines-of-sight across the entire park.

Jump City

As one of the largest indoor trampoline parks in Michigan, Jump City offers wall-to-wall aerial fun. Kids and adults can jump freestyle, play trampoline dodgeball, practice tricks into foam pits, and run the inflatable obstacle course. Family passes are available.

Shopping Destinations

Farmington Hills has a great selection of malls and shopping plazas to explore. Here are some of the most popular shopping landmarks.

Twelve Oaks Mall

This premier shopping mall in metro Detroit has over 250 stores, including luxury department stores, fashion boutiques, brand-name chains, specialty shops, and restaurants. Twelve Oaks Mall is anchored by Nordstrom, Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, and JCPenney. Apple and Tesla also have retail stores within the mall.

West River Crossings

Newly opened in 2020, this outdoor shopping center provides an upscale open-air experience. Tenants include REI, Orange Theory Fitness, Meijer, HomeGoods, and several fast-casual eateries. The plaza is built around a central green space used for summer concerts and events.

Farmington Plaza

Conveniently located downtown, Farmington Plaza offers a variety of shops and services. Retailers include World Market, Home Depot, Kroger, Dollar Tree, and Biggby Coffee. The outdoor shopping center is laid out in a pedestrian-friendly style.

Goodison Place

On the east side of Farmington Hills, Goodison Place has a mix of national retailers like Best Buy and Old Navy along with local boutiques. The plaza has a walkable design with benches, outdoor play spaces, and water features.

Places to Eat & Drink

From casual to upscale, Farmington Hills has diverse dining options. Here are some of the most popular restaurants and bars.

Sundae Monday’s

This old-fashioned ice cream parlor and sweet shop opened in 1998. They serve homemade premium ice cream, milkshakes, candies, and baked goods. Sundae Monday’s has an extensive menu with creative sundae options and toppings.

Opal Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge

Located downtown, this contemporary restaurant serves American fare with a twist. Popular dishes include the truffle fries, filet mignon, and scallop risotto. The cocktail lounge has unique craft drinks and live music on weekends.

Basement Burger Bar

With its laidback pub environment, the Basement Burger Bar is known for premium burgers, chili cheese fries, and alcoholic milkshakes. Diners can build custom burgers or try signature options like the PB&J Burger.

Lockhart’s BBQ

Authentic Southern barbecue is served at this popular eatery. Low and slow smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken, and sausage round out the menu along with homestyle sides. Lockhart’s offers catering services and patio dining.

O’Tooles Public House

An Irish pub with nightly food and drink specials, O’Tooles has an extensive draft beer selection and classic bar fare like shepherd’s pie and fish & chips. Live music and game day specials draw big crowds.

In summary, Farmington Hills has a wide array of notable landmarks for visitors to appreciate. Significant historical sites give insight into the city’s heritage and growth over time.

Farmington Hills also provides cultural attractions, natural sites, family entertainment, diverse shopping, and great restaurants that make it appealing for both residents and tourists. Exploring these major landmarks provides a full picture of what makes Farmington Hills such a great place.