Dearborn, MI Henry Ford/Greenfield Village Trip

[Fire14]

Looking for suggestions of where to stay/ what to do in area. DH and I are talking about driving north to Vist Greefield Village/Henry Ford In mid Sept. we'd probably do 2 nights in hotel. I'm leaning towards Pink place Best Western but am open to other suggestions. I am a AAA member and don't need anything fancy, I'm happy in a value resort at WDW.
Should I do package deal/ get membership any other must sees in general area? I am not doing Bronners, I'll never get my DH out of there. WE don't live that far away but not like it's in backyard either.

 

[bdoyledimou]

cant help you with a place to stay, but you should seriously check out the Heidelberg Project --

 

[Fire14]

cant help you with a place to stay, but you should seriously check out the Heidelberg Project --

is that at Henry or someplace in area?

 

[akcire]

Looking for suggestions of where to stay/ what to do in area. DH and I are talking about driving north to Vist Greefield Village/Henry Ford In mid Sept. we'd probably do 2 nights in hotel. I'm leaning towards Pink place Best Western but am open to other suggestions. I am a AAA member and don't need anything fancy, I'm happy in a value resort at WDW.
Should I do package deal/ get membership any other must sees in general area? I am not doing Bronners, I'll never get my DH out of there. WE don't live that far away but not like it's in backyard either.

We visit this area often. The Dearborn Inn is our favorite hotel. Check out their website. You are often able to find a weekend rate with breakfast (one of the best hotel breakfasts I have ever seen) for $135. There are many other Marriott properties in the area. When the Dearborn Inn has been high we have stayed at the Henry. The Dearborn Inn also has Greenfield village packages, but you have to price out all the options. Sometimes it is less, sometimes more.

I can not say enough good things about this hotel.

Frankenmuth is not that close, but Canada is about a 30 minute drive. We like to pop over to Candada to do a bit of shopping everytime we are in the area.

Also if you have any interest at all, you may consider visiting the Detroit Institute of Art. It really is fabulous. Go during the day as the area is a bit rough.

 

[MichiganKris]

The Heidelburg Project is in Detroit. http://www.heidelberg.org/

It's on the news all the time, if you have time, drive-by, but I wouldn't cut anything short at the museums to go there.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Looking for suggestions of where to stay/ what to do in area. DH and I are talking about driving north to Vist Greefield Village/Henry Ford In mid Sept. we'd probably do 2 nights in hotel. I'm leaning towards Pink place Best Western but am open to other suggestions. I am a AAA member and don't need anything fancy, I'm happy in a value resort at WDW.

Should I do package deal/ get membership any other must sees in general area? I am not doing Bronners, I'll never get my DH out of there. WE don't live that far away but not like it's in backyard either.

The Dearborn Inn is very nice, but expensive. The pink place you noted is fairly close and more reasonably priced. It's where we set up out-of-towners when we got married (at Greenfield Village).

Frankenmuth (Bronners) is a bit of a drive, so I wouldn't worry about having to convince your DH out of it.

Err....I don't know about any package deals. There's not all that much around here like that.

Must sees in the area:

Canada - Growing up we used to love to visit Windsor/Ontario for the day. Now you need a passport. I cannot suggest it as a day trip for the average person anymore. If you all have passports, by all means, check it out. There's lovely restaurants in Windsor.

Detroit - It's not as bad as its depicted on TV. We have some nice cultural areas. There's the DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts), the Detroit Science Center, the Detroit Zoo (although Toledo's is much better, if you're familiar with it), and Comerica Park (where the Tigers play). There's often good plays at the Fisher Building and the Fox Theatre. If you're into that sort of thing, Detroit is home to 3 casinos. Greektown Casino is probably the best for gambling, and Greektown is one of the safest spots to walk around and find food/shopping. MGM casino is better for fine dining. Also, you might want to visit the Riverwalk. It's urban renewal in the making. There's a boat called the Detroit Princess that offers dinner tours of the Detroit River (although I'm not sure as to its schedule).

Ann Arbor - I love Ann Arbor. I gave the best 9 years of my life to that town. Great restaurants. All sorts of museums and libraries open to the public. A huge arboretum. Great, vibrant little downtown, like something straight out of Europe. Perhaps the only place in the world where you can see a werewolf playing violin on the sidewalk and not be particularly surprised. Also, if you're traveling with kids, check out the fairy doors. If you're doing mid-Sept you might try to get tickets to a football game (even if you don't like the team, it's neat to watch a game with 100,000+ people), or if that's not your thing make sure to watch the game schedule so as to avoid the crowds on a football Saturday.

 

[cinderella97]

I live in Dearborn, so if you have any questions let me know. The Dearborn Inn is one of the nicest hotels in the area. There is also a Comfort Inn on Michigan Ave and Evergreen area, not too far from Downtown West Dearborn. At the Fairlane Mall(shopping mall), near there is The Henry (another Marriott property) and The Hyatt Regency. Along Ford Road and Southfield there is a Double Tree and a Hawthorne Suites. Both are in Detroit, but its not a bad area at all, its located on the edge of Dearborn/Detroit.

There are lot of great resturants in Downtown West Dearborn. Andiamo's is Italian. Has some of the best Italian in the area, but can be pricy. Cheli's Bar and Grill is owned by Chris Chelios who used to be a Red Wing. Several Sushi places, and of course the best Arabic food is all over Dearborn.

Like others have said the DIA, Science Center and the Casinos are well worth it. The DIA is located in Midtown which is undergoing a revilization. Lots of great resturants there too. I would take 2 days at The Henry Ford, one for the museum and one for the village. In September the Village has an old car festival. I'm not sure when it is, but if you like really old cars, its alot of fun.

There is also the Meadowbrook in Rochester - It is the home to the Dodge Family, also in Grosse Pointe is the Henry Ford Home. There is also a Henry Ford Home in Dearborn, but its now closed undergoing renovations.

Feel free to PM me any questions!

 

[Colleen27]

If you're only planning on two nights, Henry Ford, Greenfield Village, and the Rouge tour would be plenty to fill your time. If you're going to stay a little longer I'd highly recommend venturing into the city for a day to check out the DIA, Science Center, have dinner, catch a show or a ballgame, etc. Contrary to popular opinion it really is a neat city to visit.

Someone else suggested Cheli's in Dearborn for dinner, and I'd second that. The food is great and the atmosphere is very cool. Buddy's Pizza would also rank pretty high on my list, they're classic Detroit style pizza and they have a Dearborn location as well.

 

[Fire14]

Thanks for ideas. WE are driving up Thurs. and heading somewhere ( back home, My dad's house) Saturday. I've been to Detroit somewhat recently. WE've been to Greektown, The Disney outlet store in Great lakes Crossing, the other mall South of Great Lakes Crossing. I was in MGM few years back. WE have passports and might do Canada thing but who knows. Just DH and I driving up from Ohio. I might suggest Zoo didn't think of that, not into art scene. right now we are booked at Pink Place ( best Western). I'm going to Disney stores regardless I'm that stinkin close I'm going, Have been to Detroit Hard Rock Cafe. Detroit Style pizza is that like Chicago style or thin crust?

 

[scottmel]

I just went to Henry Ford museum today...DD13 really enjoyed it! We saw the Titanic Exhibit and #D as well. highly worth it. We stayed in Livionia to be lcose to friends but I too recommend The Henry and Dearborn Inn. Really nice....

 

[scottmel]

oh and if you like pizza Buddys Pizza is fantastic..right close to Henry Ford too!

 

[Colleen27]

Detroit Style pizza is that like Chicago style or thin crust?

Neither. Square, deep dish, with a crisp crust, completely distinct from Chicago or NY styles. Buddy's is the original which is why you'll see them recommended most often by locals.

The Wikipedia description: "Detroit-style pizza is a style of pizza developed in Detroit. It is a square pizza similar to Sicilian-style pizza that has a thick deep-dish crisp crust and toppings such as pepperoni and olives and is served with the marinara sauce on top. The square shaped pizza is the result of being baked, not in a pizza pan, but an industrial parts tray.

The crust of a Detroit-style pizza is noteworthy because in addition to occasionally being twice-baked, it is usually baked in a well-oiled pan to a chewy medium-well-done state that gives the bottom and edges of the crust a fried/crunchy texture. Some parlors will apply melted butter with a soft brush prior to baking."

If you prefer Chicago style, Pizzapapalis (also in Dearborn, actually just a block or two down from Buddy's and Cheli's) does excellent Chicago-style pizza.

 

[tavettava]

The Detroit Science Center is now closed.

 

[fakereadhed]

The Henry Ford bores me out of my mind, but I second Buddy's pizza!

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

http://www.millersbar.com/

Yum!!!


http://slowsbarbq.com/

Haven't been to Slow's yet, but I keep seeing them on the Travel Channel and Food Network. It is high on my to-do list!

 

[Fire14]

Neither. Square, deep dish, with a crisp crust, completely distinct from Chicago or NY styles. Buddy's is the original which is why you'll see them recommended most often by locals.

The Wikipedia description: "Detroit-style pizza is a style of pizza developed in Detroit. It is a square pizza similar to Sicilian-style pizza that has a thick deep-dish crisp crust and toppings such as pepperoni and olives and is served with the marinara sauce on top. The square shaped pizza is the result of being baked, not in a pizza pan, but an industrial parts tray.

The crust of a Detroit-style pizza is noteworthy because in addition to occasionally being twice-baked, it is usually baked in a well-oiled pan to a chewy medium-well-done state that gives the bottom and edges of the crust a fried/crunchy texture. Some parlors will apply melted butter with a soft brush prior to baking."

If you prefer Chicago style, Pizzapapalis (also in Dearborn, actually just a block or two down from Buddy's and Cheli's) does excellent Chicago-style pizza.

Might just have to try it, sounds yummy although I'm a Chi pizza girl at heart.

 

[kristinlynn]

If you're going to the Disney outlet in Auburn Hills, there is also a Buddy's less than 10 min from there if that fits better into your trip plans. There is another Disney store at Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights about 30 min. east of Great Lakes Crossing. It's a regular store, not an outlet, but I like that mall much better. That one might actually be a couple minutes closer to Dearborn.

Buddy's is great ... but since it's only a half mile from our house, we found ourselves having too much of a good thing and we don't get that excited about it anymore. If you're a Chicago style fan, I'd go for Pizza Papalis: www.pizzapapalis.com/.

If you've never been to Ann Arbor, I'd do that. Ann Arbor is a great town!

 

[encinc]

A bit OT, but ...

Does anyone have any suggestions of things to do with kids (DS7 and DS9) in Ann Arbor? We are also considering a return to The Henry Ford/ Greenfield Village this summer with the kids. We're planning to take in a Tigers game, and I'd love to make a side trip to Ann Arbor if the kids wouldn't die of boredom there.

We loved our trip last summer so much we'd like to do it again. We stayed at The Dearborn Inn, which was lovely, albeit a bit more expensive than we usually pay. This year I'd like a place with a fridge and microwave if possible.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

Saw this article today and wanted to share

http://brighton.patch.com/articles/how-about-a-day-trip-to-dearborn-the-hometown-of-henry-ford

 

[Fire14]

If you're going to the Disney outlet in Auburn Hills, there is also a Buddy's less than 10 min from there if that fits better into your trip plans. There is another Disney store at Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights about 30 min. east of Great Lakes Crossing. It's a regular store, not an outlet, but I like that mall much better. That one might actually be a couple minutes closer to Dearborn.

Buddy's is great ... but since it's only a half mile from our house, we found ourselves having too much of a good thing and we don't get that excited about it anymore. If you're a Chicago style fan, I'd go for Pizza Papalis: www.pizzapapalis.com/.

If you've never been to Ann Arbor, I'd do that. Ann Arbor is a great town!

I used to live in MI so have driven thru AA many times I've shopped mall, sure I've visted other places but don't remember where. Yes I've been to lakeside mall disney store and actually like it better than one at our mall in Columbus, just sems like better selection. WE will probably drive to my dad's house in Benton Harbor or to my Brother's in Eaton Rapids, Yes i know neither of these cities are that close to Dearborn but while I'm in State I might as well just vist and be off hook for awhile