Going to Birch Run - any advice?

MommaSue

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Next weekend we are going with another couple to Zenders (for the kids) and Birch Run (for the mom's) in Frankenmuth MI to do some back to school shopping.

This is our first trip to Birch Run...does anyone have any tips or advice of which stores to hit? I don't do a lot of shopping in the US. Are there any different clothing shops that my 8 year old diva would enjoy?
 
All I know is wear comfortable shoes and use the buses that they have to move people around. My kids are older so I don't know about the stores your daughter would like. We found quite a few things to our liking there. We love the Pottery Barn store. Have found a few good deals there.
BTW, enjoy the chicken dinner at Zehnders!! My Dh loves it there. He grew up in Flint, only about 45 minutes away. We have been trying to get back up there for the last year.
 
We love Frankenmuth! I know that the Prime 1 Outlets offers a preferred shoppers card. It's free and sometimes offers great discounts. I believe there is something you complete online(http://www.primeoutlets.com/rewards.aspx) then receive a certificate that can be exchanged for the discount card when you arrive. The discounts are hit or miss but sometimes there are really great deals. Happy shopping and please eat some buttered noodles for me!
 
I go to Birch Run a couple times a year and I also have an 8 year old who loves clothes and shoes. We always got to Stride Rite for shoes. Go to the back and check out the clearance wall. We sometimes find shoes there and on the table at the back. They also have a Children's Place there that has some amazing deals about this time in August. Occasionally we find some good deals at OshKosh, but they usually are a little more expensive.
 

I love the Cosmetics Company! They have Estee Lauder gift sets for around 2o.oo. I also love the Pepperidge Farm outlet that is there. We didn't use the buses at all, we just moved the car around and put our purchases in the trunk.
 
There is a restaurant across the street called Tony's which is not to be missed!

*Word of caution*Split each entree 4 ways and take your cholesterol meds first! Here is a video of someone with a sandwich.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtEzRTBRC_c

Everything there from breakfast to burritos is good, but BIG! For example if there is bacon, it is 1lb of bacon. They also have ginormous sundaes and desserts. Very fun- but seriously don't order your own.
 
Hello!

You're heading to my stomping grounds! When you booked at Splash Village did you get their "splashtastic package"--that is an awesome deal right now. Check out zehnders website & they have the details on their--I would try to switch to that package if you don't already have it! Also, before I forget, on Sunday nights, 7 PM in Frankenmuth they have concerts in the park--next weekend they are having a Blues Brothers tribute. The concert is free, all you have to bring is a blanket or chairs to sit on & you can bring your own snacks/drinks if you want to (they also have a concession stand there with yummy strawberry shortcake). The Summer Music Festival is going on next week as well (frankenmuthfestivals website for details) but that can get pricey.

As far as the outlets shopping goes, definitely check out the website that the PP gave--it lists all the stores at the mall. I'm on the boy end of things but my big stops are Gap Kids, Childrens Palace (or as I call it, Girls Palace-75% girls clothes), Gymboree, Carters (size 7 & under), Old Navy, Osh Kosh, & VF Outlet (good deals on jeans, just try them on since they can be irregular). If you sign up online for Carters/Osh Kosh you should get a 20% off coupon emailed before you leave. I'm sure your daughter would love Justice & Skeechers and of course Bath & Body works (great deals there!). Tommy Kids is there but they are pricey. Reebok normally has a "buy 2 pair, get 1 free" deal so that's a good stop if you need shoes & there is a Striderite as well. No crocs outlet yet--I'm still keeping my fingers crossed on that one! They are constantly getting new store so definitely research the website. I do believe they have a mall map on the website so print that off & mark where all the stores are that you want to hit. There is a new Sonics that just opened up by the mall if you need a quick food break--if you don't want fast food though Uno Chicago Grill is very good (once again sign up on their website & they'll email you a free appetizer coupon).

That's all I can think of right now! Feel free to ask away if you have any other questions! As a matter of fact, we are heading to Zehnder's right now for lunch (oh yeah, we'll be eating buttered noodles)--DH got a free birthday meal coupon so we are cashing in, yum! By the way, sign up for Zehnder's plus membership once you get to the hotel--that's where they send you the free birthday meals for the family & for every so many $ you spend they give you gift cards I think.

Have fun--you'll love it! At least you'll have decent weather--it took forever for summer to come but I think it's here! :yay:
 
Thanks for all the advice. I have a feeling one night is really not going to be long enough!! (may have to convice hubby that he wants to spend an extra day shopping....:lmao:)

We decided to get the Eat and Sleep package. It includes the chicken dinner for four on Saturday night and breakfast on Sunday morning. We're also hoping to find somewhere to buy a birthday cake for my DS 6th birthday on Saturday.

I looked at the map of the mall...all I can say is WOW!!!!:banana:

I heard that there is a really nice Christmas shop very close to the hotel...I :love: Christmas decorations.
 
Thanks for all the advice. I have a feeling one night is really not going to be long enough!! (may have to convice hubby that he wants to spend an extra day shopping....:lmao:)

We decided to get the Eat and Sleep package. It includes the chicken dinner for four on Saturday night and breakfast on Sunday morning. We're also hoping to find somewhere to buy a birthday cake for my DS 6th birthday on Saturday.

I looked at the map of the mall...all I can say is WOW!!!!:banana:

I heard that there is a really nice Christmas shop very close to the hotel...I :love: Christmas decorations.

If you are talking about Bronner's, "nice" is an understatement! It is easily the largest store I have ever been in, in my life (or it seems that way). I think I heard somewhere it was 2 football fields big?? My dad always says, "If you are looking for something related to Christmas, and Bronner's doesn't have it, they don't make it". It is on the main road into Frankenmuth and you can't miss it - trust me :) Definitely worth a stop and if you can swing, go when it first opens - it is nice when no one is around. Have fun!
 
We usually take a mini trip here at least once a year.
We also don't use the buses, just move the car around. I've never been there when it was overly crowded. I guess Deer widows weekend and weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be busy.
Store that we usually hit are Pottery Barn, Nautica, Tommy kids, Old Navy and Gap, Stride Rite, Columbia, Big Dogs. All usually have some good deals.
Bronners is HUGE. Plan on spending at least a couple of hours in there. My kids love looking at all of the Christmas decorations. It's right next to Zenders splash village so you won't miss it. Some of their rooms even have Bronners as their "view".
Also leave time to browse through the shops on the main st. in Frankenmuth. Lots of neat little souviener type things.
 
We usually take a mini trip here at least once a year.
We also don't use the buses, just move the car around. I've never been there when it was overly crowded. I guess Deer widows weekend and weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be busy.
Store that we usually hit are Pottery Barn, Nautica, Tommy kids, Old Navy and Gap, Stride Rite, Columbia, Big Dogs. All usually have some good deals.
Bronners is HUGE. Plan on spending at least a couple of hours in there. My kids love looking at all of the Christmas decorations. It's right next to Zenders splash village so you won't miss it. Some of their rooms even have Bronners as their "view".
Also leave time to browse through the shops on the main st. in Frankenmuth. Lots of neat little souviener type things.
 
Well, I just asked DH if he wanted to spend Sunday night and come back Monday. He just smiled and didn't answer....at least he didn't say no...;)

What are the buses? Is it like at WDW where they shuttle you between the hotel and shopping?
 
Next weekend we are going with another couple to Zenders (for the kids) and Birch Run (for the mom's) in Frankenmuth MI to do some back to school shopping.

This is our first trip to Birch Run...does anyone have any tips or advice of which stores to hit? I don't do a lot of shopping in the US. Are there any different clothing shops that my 8 year old diva would enjoy?

I live about twenty minutes from Birch Run. My advice, is take your time, come with a list, and shop around BEFORE you buy. All the deals are good deals, but some are better than others. If you have a AAA/CAA go to guest relations for a free coupon booklet.

Enjoy!:yay:
 
The buses at Splash Village & at the mall are two separate things. The Splash Village shuttle takes you to downtown Frankenmuth. The mall ones look like trolley cars & take you to the different sections of the mall.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that you get to stay the extra night--definitely plenty to do around here! I'm not sure what rate you got but the splashtastic deal has everything you said plus the extra night, breakfast both mornings, and pizza one night--the rates start at $329 for that pkg.

Bronners is right across the parking lot from Splash Village so you can walk there. You will love it! Even though we drive by there all the time I still marvel at the Christmas lights every night all year long!

As far as the Tony's recommendation--the prices have gone up big time. The last time we went there (& immediately walked out) we couldn't believe it--when we made a comment to the waitress that we were leaving because we couldn't afford the prices she just said, I understand. If anything, go there to experience the ice cream sundae & share that. The filmed an upcoming episode of Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives there just for the banana split--I do believe they use a half gallon of ice cream in each one!

Good luck planning!
 
If you have a AAA card, you can get extra discounts at Birch run. Just go to the customer service center right next to Old Navy. You also get a 10% off at Bavarian Inn or Zehnders, if you are eating there, with the AAA card.

Our favorite stores are Stride Rite (sons were X-wide shoes) and VF for Jansport backpacks! Other stores, just depends on what you are looking for.
 
There is a restaurant across the street called Tony's which is not to be missed!

*Word of caution*Split each entree 4 ways and take your cholesterol meds first! Here is a video of someone with a sandwich.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtEzRTBRC_c

Everything there from breakfast to burritos is good, but BIG! For example if there is bacon, it is 1lb of bacon. They also have ginormous sundaes and desserts. Very fun- but seriously don't order your own.

I live about twenty minutes from Birch Run. My advice, is take your time, come with a list, and shop around BEFORE you buy. All the deals are good deals, but some are better than others. If you have a AAA/CAA go to guest relations for a free coupon booklet.

Enjoy!:yay:
We were just there 5 days ago (stayed 2 nights). I second getting the free coupon booklet if you have AAA. Also the prime one card I believe saves 10%, they gave me the prime card when I went to guest services for the booklet.


Frankenmuth: Zenders and Bavarian (across the street) have a birthday club you can sign up for, either there or online. They will mail you a card good for a free chicken dinner to use once, the month of your birthday.
This works out great for DH and I since our DD lives about 20 miles north of Frankenmuth and it is right on our way to visiting them. So we will stay the night at Birchrun, shop, go to Frankenmuth and then next day go see DD and family. We work it around her crazy work hours.

If you like Christmas shops you will love Bronners. ::yes:: It is a huge store.

Tony's: DH and I split the farmers omelete it came with 3 pieces of toast, cost was $9.09. The thing was huge and plenty for the 2 of us. So for $4.55 each we had breakfast.

we also split a Apple dumpling with ice cream sprinkled with cinnamon, had whip cream and 4 or 5 cherries. The 2 of us could barely eat it all, it cost around $6.

::yes:: The banana splits do have a half gallon of ice cream.

If not hungrary go in and have a cup of coffee just to see how big everyones orders are. We are non smokers and sat in the smoking section since it is right next to the kitchen, and we could see the orders waiting to be picked up. It was not smokey at all....but not that many were sitting in that area. So can't speak to how it would be if crowded in the smoking section.
 
Well, I just asked DH if he wanted to spend Sunday night and come back Monday. He just smiled and didn't answer....at least he didn't say no...;)

What are the buses? Is it like at WDW where they shuttle you between the hotel and shopping?

The hotel prices are cheaper Sunday-Thursday too! ;) Some as much as $40 per night. More money to shop with! :thumbsup2
 
AWWWW...Birch Run!!!!

We moved to WA last year and I miss my sister and mine's annual back to school shopping trip there. :sad1: We opened the outlet, we closed the outlet! I miss that trip, we saved all summer so we could spend, spend, spend! Don't get me wrong, I miss my sister too-it was just a fun yearly trip we did. Always loved getting a great bargin, it was like a contest between us to see who got the best deals and who did the most 'damage'.:cloud9:
 
Sounds like there are a few of us from this area! We are about 15 Minutes from the outlet mall. Splash Village is AWESOME! My kids love it!

As for shopping....

Justice for Girls
Gymboree outlet (if your 8 yr old will still wear it, lol

Those are 2 of my favorite places that were not mentioned.

We also love Bath and Body Works outlet, GREAT deals to be had there! Depending on what time of the year you are there, it isnt crowded. I am there atleast 4 times a month and am usually able to park close to the shops.

Now if you are there between Thanksgiving and Christmas it is a totally different story, lol.

Enjoy! I also suggest you try to stay 2 days!

Dana
 







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