Fun things to do in Michigan??

[carj]

We are from Texas, Dallas area, and will be in Michigan for about a week in July. We have various commitments during the week so we need for most things to be a day trip or less from where we are staying in Saginaw.

I am trying to look for things that we don't have here or are unique to Michigan.

So far, I think that Frankenmuth looks like a fun place for a visit and seems to be about a half an hour from Saginaw so that looks good.

It will be my mom, my 7 year old daughter, my 10 year old son and I.

We will be visiting Chicago on our way home so any thoughts about that are great too.

Thanks!

 

[JimR24]

Leave....

 

[BKMETV]

The Ford Museum in Dearborn (Detroit) would be great if your son loves cars etc. Lots of neat stuff to see.
Frankenmuth is fun...the Christmas store is a neat stop.
To the north the Mackinaw bridge area is also nice.

 

[prettyblueskies]

I don't know much about the Saginaw area but have been to Frankenmuth many times. It's not really my cup of tea (we get bored pretty fast) but there are some unique stores and experiences to be had there. There is also a pretty large outlet mall just down the street from the town.

Like I said, I'm not familiar with the Saginaw area, but if you're planning on heading further south at all, I have some suggestions for you

Metro Detroit has some fun things to do. The Detroit Zoo (not actually in Detroit, it's in Royal Oak), Greenfield Village, The Henry Ford, IMAX, Hands On Museum, maybe taking in a sporting event (depending on what's going on while you're there). There are also a lot of summer festivals and fairs you could look into as well as other museums, drive-in movie theaters, casinos (not with kids of course haha!), beaches etc...

Anyway, welcome to Michigan! I hope you find some fun things to do!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

It would probably require an overnight...
But, once when we were in Michigan, similar to you, we went up to Mackinac Island. And we really did have a wonderful day!

We drove North, stayed on the mainland, near the ferrys..
Took the first ferry over the next morning.
Did the horsedrawn carriage tour. (They have a consortium set up, quick and easy....)
Ate lunch at the nice place just across from the Historic Grande Hotel.
I think it may be affiliated with them????
Maybe rent bikes?????????

The Fudge there is DIVINE!
Really it is. You must get some fudge!

I am sure that Frankenmuth sounds kind of neat.
I would check their web-site to see if anything might be going on there during your visit. I know that they just recently had their big German Fest already....
And you could eat that 'famous' fried chicken.
I haven't tried it, but don't know how it could compare to southern fried!

If I could swing it, I think I would go for a quick trip up to Mackinac.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Leave....

When it would come to the Detroit area.. I would have agree with your sentiment.

But, it's 'PURE Michigan'!!!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I know somebody in MI who goes to the waterfront on the Great Lakes at Oscoda(sp?) Which seems to be north-east of the Saginaw area.

It seems there are state parks, recreational areas, etc... along the MI coast????

Do you have a good map of MI?????
Do you have a good travel atlas that has MI in it???
Googlemaps????

 

[carj]

Those are great suggestions! I appreciate them.

My mom is going with us and she thinks that the kids would enjoy Greenfield Village. We will try to spend at least one day in the Detroit area.

Is there much for kids to do in the Makinaw area? It looks like it is about a 3 hour drive from Saginaw. I'm okay with that if it is something that would be worth the trip.

Again, thanks for your help! I just looked up the temperature for where we will be and it is 78 degrees! Wow!

It's 100 degrees here now. I hope that it stays that cool next month!

 

[Wishing on a star]

If Mackinic is within consideration... Then I would do the research and pull it up on the web. Surely they have a good web-site.

It is like going back in time.. Literally.
NO motorized vehicles on the island.
Looks like colonial late 1800s - 1900s
The pictures you will find online, yes, it really looks like that, that nice.

folks get around by reg. touring bikes with the baskets on the handbars or behind the seat. The horsedrawn carriage rides are everywhere. The ferry ride and the horsedrawn carriage ride might be great for kids and adults.

You mention the weather...
Being from the South myself, I can tell you I still remember, a few years later, that gorgeous summer day with a 78' constant breeze off the Great Lakes.

I am not famiiar with many of the other things being mentioned here.
And, I don't really mean to promote Mackinac too awfully much.
But, yes, IMHO, it really was something worth doing.

Happy Planning!

 

[ols386]

I know somebody in MI who goes to the waterfront on the Great Lakes at Oscoda(sp?) Which seems to be north-east of the Saginaw area.

It seems there are state parks, recreational areas, etc... along the MI coast????

Do you have a good map of MI?????
Do you have a good travel atlas that has MI in it???
Googlemaps????

Yes, you spelled it correctly. We were up in that area last summer and it is extremely pretty. The water is a nice blue, and some lovely beaches. Oscoda is on Lake Huron. From Saginaw I would think it would only be maybe an hour and a half, or something like that.

My other suggestion is MacKinac Island. It's a lot of fun, and so is MacKinac City.

 

[ols386]

Leave....

Actually some towns in the "metro" Detroit area are pretty nice.

But if I'm going to go do and/or see something, I'd prefer somewhere around one of the Great Lakes.

 

[Kellydelly]

If Mackinic is within consideration... Then I would do the research and pull it up on the web. Surely they have a good web-site.

It is like going back in time.. Literally.
NO motorized vehicles on the island.
Looks like colonial late 1800s - 1900s
The pictures you will find online, yes, it really looks like that, that nice.

folks get around by reg. touring bikes with the baskets on the handbars or behind the seat. The horsedrawn carriage rides are everywhere. The ferry ride and the horsedrawn carriage ride might be great for kids and adults.

You mention the weather...
Being from the South myself, I can tell you I still remember, a few years later, that gorgeous summer day with a 78' constant breeze off the Great Lakes.

I am not famiiar with many of the other things being mentioned here.
And, I don't really mean to promote Mackinac too awfully much.
But, yes, IMHO, it really was something worth doing.

Happy Planning!

I would not say that being on Mackinac Island is like being back in time, just because there are no cars doesn't make it really seem like that (it's a little more commercialized than that). Greenfield Village is more like going back in time. Mackinaw City is a neat place to visit if you don't want to actually take a ferry to the Island. There's fudge, a fort, pasties (YUM!), speciality shops. The Island is neat, but it's full of horse poop and that is not my cup of tea . I prefer car exhaust . I would not suggest the Detroit Zoo, I grew up with it and love it, but it's not as showy or special as some other major zoos. Anything worth checking out is going to be a couple hrs's drive, Saginaw is right in the middle of nothing, unfortunately. I guess it depends on your budget too, if you don't have one then heading north to Mackinaw might be nice. I love Frankenmuth, that's a good destination to check out.

 

[Owl's Friend]

I say skip Mackinaw Island. Boring. Birch Run has outlet shopping. Maybe an indoor water park?

 

[freepixie]

Frankenmuth is really nice! We haven't been there in YEARS but its really fun time and the food is really good at that place, sorry I can't remember the name of the famous restaurant but its really good!

Domino's used to have a museum kind of thing but I'm not sure its even open any more - but if I remember correctly they still have the "Leaning Tower of Pizza" lol!

Never been to Macinac, can't help you with that one!

Birch Run outlets are awesome too!!

 

[MIGrandma]

I say skip Mackinaw Island. Boring. Birch Run has outlet shopping. Maybe an indoor water park?

Mackinaw Island, boring? I disagree. Birch Run outlet shopping? Now that is boring! You can shop in outlets just about anywhere. Mackinaw Island is definitely a unique experience, and as a kid I loved it and of course still do. There is so much to see and do, and definitely cross the Big Mac bridge. You can't do that "just anywhere" either. The ferry ride from Mackinaw City to the island is something the kids would enjoy, and riding rented bikes around the island, and taking one of the horse/carriage tours too. There is a butterfly house that is fun to go in, and of course buying fudge. On certain days you can tour the governor's mansion. And there's the fort to go in too. There's a nice fort in Mackinaw City as well, and all the souvenir shops. If I'd never been to Michigan, the Mackinaw area is one I would definitely want to see while I was there.

The famous restaurants in Frankenmuth, that serve the wonderful broasted chicken, are Zhender's and the Bavarian Inn. I prefer the Bavarian Inn over Zhender's. My Mom and I had lunch there for her birthday last month and we enjoyed the accordian player who went around the room, and the servers in their German outfits. They have a lot of nice shops in the lower level too.

 

[bear_mom]

Greenfield Village/Ford Muesum are fun is about a 2 hour drive from Saginaw and you could make a day out of that. The Ford museum has the limo that President Kennedy was shot in and also the chair that President Lincoln was in when he was shot.

Frankenmuth is a good suggestion and if you walk around the shops, go to Bronners and then have a chicken dinner that would be a day. There is usually some kind of festival or shomething extra on the weekends, so during the week would be less crowded.

If you are looking for a 1/2 day activity, you can drive to Midland and walk through Dow Garden and then go to the Center for the Arts where they have smaller hands on kids museum that is having a special exhibit on gas (not the bodily function gas, but the kind we breathe and lights signs, etc) and there are some other special exhibits that will be there. My kids always enjoy going to see their stuff and can spend a few couple hours there.

If you wanted to see a minor leauge baseball game you can go see the Loons (you could easily do Dow Gardens, the Center for the Arts, and the Loons in one afternoon/evening). They have a large lawn section with cheap seats (~$8). Bring a blanket and your all set (although you need to get there a little early to get a decent place). There is a play structure right above one of the lawn sections to keep kids entertained if they are getting bored.

I agree with the pp that Mackinac Island is a fun place to visit too. You could make it a day trip, but it is a 3 hour drive from Saginaw.

I wouldn't really spend time in Birch Run, it isn't that special of an outlet mall unless you have time after Frankenmuth (it is about 10-15 minutes away).

If you wanted beach time, Tawas is a nice place to visit and use the beach (it is dh's and dds favorite beach to go to during the summer while I'm working). But as a warning, unless it is HOT you might find the water too cold for your tastes. I grew up in AZ and still have a hard time getting into MI lakes.

Emily

 

[sharbear]

One thing you want to do when you come to Michigan is to bring sweatshirts. Even in July! It will probably be warm in Saginaw and Detroit that time of the year but if you go to Mackinac or Tawas or Oscoda, it can get chilly at night and by the water.

I was just in Oscoda this weekend. It was 63 and very windy in town by the lake. I went down the AuSable River it got warmer and was a very nice 69 without much wind.

There is not that much to do in Oscoda as far as shopping goes but it or Tawas would be nice to go to the beach. They have very nice public beaches. You can also rent canoes and go down the AuSable River, its a nice not very fast river. There is also a nice park in the area, Lumberman's Monument with picnic area and trails. It's on the AuSable about a 20 min scenic drive from Oscoda. We also went to Iargo Springs which is in the same park system, it was really cool. We are never even heard of it. But it was beautiful.

It depends on what you and your kids like to do. Greenfield Village is very nice. You will be close enough that you could also go see the Tiger's play. If you went to Mackinac, I would go overnight. It can be done in one day but 6 hours of driving is a lot. I've only driven through Frankenmuth and had dinner there once so I can't comment on that but I like Birch Run if you like outlet shopping. It's one of the biggest in the country. But where I live, we have a Meijer and Walmart so I'm shopping deprived.

I love Petoskey, which is near the tip of Michigan. It is so pretty, has great beaches and a nice downtown area.

 

[Jeafl]

Greenfield Village/Ford Muesum are fun is about a 2 hour drive from Saginaw and you could make a day out of that. The Ford museum has the limo that President Kennedy was shot in and also the chair that President Lincoln was in when he was shot.

Frankenmuth is a good suggestion and if you walk around the shops, go to Bronners and then have a chicken dinner that would be a day. There is usually some kind of festival or shomething extra on the weekends, so during the week would be less crowded.

If you are looking for a 1/2 day activity, you can drive to Midland and walk through Dow Garden and then go to the Center for the Arts where they have smaller hands on kids museum that is having a special exhibit on gas (not the bodily function gas, but the kind we breathe and lights signs, etc) and there are some other special exhibits that will be there. My kids always enjoy going to see their stuff and can spend a few couple hours there.

If you wanted to see a minor leauge baseball game you can go see the Loons (you could easily do Dow Gardens, the Center for the Arts, and the Loons in one afternoon/evening). They have a large lawn section with cheap seats (~$8). Bring a blanket and your all set (although you need to get there a little early to get a decent place). There is a play structure right above one of the lawn sections to keep kids entertained if they are getting bored.

I agree with the pp that Mackinac Island is a fun place to visit too. You could make it a day trip, but it is a 3 hour drive from Saginaw.

I wouldn't really spend time in Birch Run, it isn't that special of an outlet mall unless you have time after Frankenmuth (it is about 10-15 minutes away).

If you wanted beach time, Tawas is a nice place to visit and use the beach (it is dh's and dds favorite beach to go to during the summer while I'm working). But as a warning, unless it is HOT you might find the water too cold for your tastes. I grew up in AZ and still have a hard time getting into MI lakes.

Emily

Emily has given you great advice! I went to college in Midland, which is the next town over from Saginaw, so I am pretty familiar with Michigan. Also, my husband is from MI, and all of my in-laws still live there.

Greenfield Village is really nice. You could spend most of the day there and not be bored at all.

I happen to love Mackinac Island. There is probably only enough to do there for one day though, unless you are staying at one of the hotels, because most of them have some fun amenities. We like to rent the bikes and ride around the entire perimeter of the island, which is 8 miles. You can bring a picnic lunch in a backpack and stop and have lunch at any number of places along the way. We usually stop a couple of times on the way around, just to get off the bikes for awhile and look around. Also, the Grand Hotel is really something to see, and they have a lot of memorabilia from the movie Somewhere in Time which was filmed there. However, they charge you just to walk through the hotel now, so we usually skip that. The horse and carriage rides are nice, and the fort is worth a look. My kids also like the Hydrofoil boat rides from Mackinac City to the island.

We enjoy Frankenmuth as well, and honestly, you can spend half of a day in Bronner's alone. It is the largest Christmas store I have ever seen! We also prefer the Bavarian Inn over Zehnder's if you plan on doing the "famous" chicken dinner there.

Dow Gardens are beautiful, but depending on the kids' ages, they might be bored after awhile. There isn't a lot to "do" there, but look at some very pretty gardens.

If you live even remotely close to an outlet mall, skip Birch Run. It is nothing special, and to be honest, most of the stores there are not true outlets anymore. They are the same items with the same prices that you see in their regular stores. There are some deals to be had if you don't mind shopping for out of season clothes or discontinued items though.

Have a great trip!

Edited to add, I live outside of Chicago, so if you have any specific questions, let me know. Has your daughter ever been to American Girl Place? If not, that might be a fun thing to do in Chicago. During the summer there are lakefront/neighborhood festivals pretty much every weekend. Lincoln Park Zoo is free, and worth a visit. It's crazy to see such a peaceful zoo right in the middle of a big city. You can also rent boats in Lincoln Park, go to Navy Pier and ride the giant ferris wheel, and visit some wonderful museums. My kids like the Museum of Science and Industry, but there is also the museum campus which has the Field Museum of Natural History, the Shedd Aquarium and the Planetarium all right next to each other.

 

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

I'm not very familiar with the eastern side of the state, but I do know our western side.

On your way to Chicago you might want to think about stopping in Saint Joseph, Michigan. It is a beautiful town on the lake and has lots of fun things to do. The beach is beautiful with three playgrounds, you can walk out on the pier, there is a two building children's museum, a replicated carousel, an interactive water fountain (you know the kind the kids can run around in). The quaint downtown has ice cream, etc.

It would make a nice break in the trip or even an overnight stay depending on your timing. Here is a link to their web site http://www.sjtoday.org

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[carj]

Thanks for all your responses! I am going to be checking into all the things that you all have mentioned.

Those are exactly the kinds of things that I am looking for. It seems like Mackinac Island is a little far. We will have to see how our week shapes up before we decide if we can fit that in with the events on our schedule. I'm wondering if riding bikes around the island might be too much for my mom.

I am definitely looking forward to the trip! I think that the kids will be impressed with the Great Lakes. We only have one natural lake in Texas, the rest are man-made and it isn't the same.