Michigan shopping mall help??

[minnie56]

We are planning an after Thanksgiving shopping trip to Michigan. We would like to see Frankenmuth (sp?) and maybe a couple of Malls. Even an outlet would be good.

I think Frankenmuth isn't too far from 'Troy' Michigan and a Mall I believe is called 'The Somerset Collection'?? There are a few dept stores there and it sounds very nice. Are we on the right track for some Christmas SHopping here? Are there any outlet malls nearby?

In addition...as we will overnight for 1 or 2 nights...what hotels are nearby that are nice and not too pricey??

Many thanks as always for your help!

 

[LisaR]

I have never clocked it from Frankenmuth to Troy but I am guessing it is about an 1 1/2 drive. Frankenmuth has a big outlet mall plus the village area with a great Christmas store! The Somerset Collection is very different from the outlets. It is a very nice mall that is much more upscale then the outlets. In addition to that, Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills has some very nice stores. It all depends on what you are shopping for. The malls will all be jammed the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Can't help you with hotels since these malls were always within driving distance of my home. Have fun!

Lisa

 

[minnie56]

So Frankenmuth is quite far from Troy it seems? Is Auburn Hills closer? It really doesn't matter what Mall we trek to..as long as there's a good selection really.

Thanks for the help!

 

[briannesmom]

The outlet mall closest to Frankenmuth would be Birch Run, it is just a few miles away. It is right off of I-75 at exit 136, you can't miss it. The Somerset Collection in Troy would be exit 69, so roughly 70 or so miles from Frankenmuth. Great Lakes crossing in Auburn Hills is a big indoor outlet mall, it is also right off I-75. I'm not sure what exit on that one I want to say somewhere in the early 80's. Make sure you visit Bronners Christmas Store in Frankenmuth.
We have stayed at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth and it is really nice, but a little on the pricey side. There are a lot of lower priced chain hotels in the area so you should be able to find something in your price range.

If you have any other questions let me know.

Amy

Some links for you...
Frankenmuth Hotels
Great Lakes Crossing
Somerset Collection
Bronners

 

[briannesmom]

Just noticed that you are from Toronto. I am assuming you will be coming into Michigan through Port Huron across the Blue Water Bridge? If so there is also an outlet mall in Port Huron. I have never been there so I don't know much about it but if it's on your way it might be worth a visit. Horizon Outlet Center

If you decide to go the Great Lakes Crossing there is also another cool shopping area near there Canturybury Village

I just realized I have an amazing wealth of shopping information for someone who rarely goes shopping

Amy

 

[karebear1]

Novi also has a great mall and shopping area- just a different direction from Auburn Hills. If you went to Novi, you could jog over to Northville. This community has cute, quaint shopping areas and beautiful homes- all upscale, nice little restaraunts Great atmosphere.

 

[antmaril]

If you are going to be in Frankenmuth, and are interested in an outlet mall, Birch Run is the obvious choice. VERY large outlet mall, just a few minutes from Frankenmuth.

For sure shopping pleasure, I would choose The Somerset Collection. There is Somerset South and Somerset North (connected by skywalk). Most of the really high end stores are on the South Side, while the North Side has some more affordable stores. You can't go wrong at Somerset.

I wouldn't try to do both of these in one day. You might want to do Birch Run and Bronner's (The Christmas Store) one day and then drive to Somerset the next day. If you have still have energy after Somerset, stop at Great Lakes Crossing on your way back to Frankenmuth. Great Lakes Crossing is my least favorite of the three. I've been there many times, but I never seem to buy anything.

I have more luck at Birch Run and Somerset, with Somerset my favorite

We have stayed at The Bavarian Inn Lodge. Very nice. You might look into Zhender's, as well. I believe they just redid their hotel and added a waterpark. Google it.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[CrazedDisFan]

I would do this...

Once across the Blue Water Bridge, head to Frankenmuth. I would book a room here... http://www.bavarianinn.com/bi/home.nsf/public/lodge.htm . It is a wonderful hotel with a great deal of indoor activities. However, if opting to stay in the Frankenmuth/Birch Run area, you will need to book your hotel room ASAP.

I would shop the Frankenmuth Riverplace for a short bit. http://www.frankenmuth-riverplace.com/ They have a FANTASTIC bead store if you are into making jewelry. Their staff is great and will help you bead and complete a project in the store.

I would also shop the various specialty shops in downtown Frankenmuth and then head for dinner at Zehnders. Here's their website... http://www.zehnders.com/new-site/restaurant/index.htm There are coupons on their stie be sure to print one.

After a dinner, I would spend my evening at Bronners. www.bronners.com Bronners is the world's largest Christmas store. It is great! I would recommend going in the evening because you can see the lights much better and it tends to be less crowded than mid-day. Get a free ornament with a $25 purchase by printing this coupon... http://bronners.com/bcw/home.nsf/public/7868A5D77592FDBF85256AA800663A61?OpenDocument

One day 2 I recommend traveling the 10 minutes to Birch Run outlet center. http://www.primeoutlets.com/cntrdefault.asp?cntrid=1015 They have a tremendous amount of stores. I honestly would not make the hike to Troy or Auburn Hills. You can shop Pottery Barn, Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, Liz Claiborne and much more at Birch Run. The drive to Troy or Auburn HIlls will be 1+ hours with the ridiculous amount of road construction this time of year.

I would sleep over another night and shop the Port Huron outlets on my venture back to Canada.

I hope you have a great trip and if you ned any other hotel recommendations, please ask. My family travels to that area a few times a year and have stayed in a good deal of the hotels in there.

 

[figment52]

Just noticed that you are from Toronto. I am assuming you will be coming into Michigan through Port Huron across the Blue Water Bridge? If so there is also an outlet mall in Port Huron. I have never been there so I don't know much about it but if it's on your way it might be worth a visit. Horizon Outlet Center

If you decide to go the Great Lakes Crossing there is also another cool shopping area near there Canturybury Village

I just realized I have an amazing wealth of shopping information for someone who rarely goes shopping

Amy

I live in Port Huron and I wouldn't send anyone to the outlet mall if you want to do any power shopping. I think it is down to about 10 stores now (L'egg, Book Warehouse, Dress Barn, Paper Factory, Famous Footware anda couple of others.). There is a nice mall north of the bridge about 3 miles (Birchwood Mall) but you will do much better at Frankenmuth, Birch Run, Flint or Saginaw (Frankenmuth is about halfway between Saginaw and Flint). The mall in Flint is west on Miller Road off I-75 but I am not sure of the best mall in Saginaw.

If oyu have any questions, let me know.

 

[J.Cooper]

If your going to Frankenmuth you might want to check out Birch Run. They usually open up very early the day after Thanksgiving. I think like 6:00 a.m. Like another poster mentioned- Great Lakes Crossing is another big mall not far from Frankenmuth. Lots of stores and restaurants there. Now if you want to venture further out towards Sterling Heights/Shelby Township another hot spot is Lakeside Mall. They are located off of Hall Road (M-59) and Schonner. Tons of stores & restaurants in that area. It's my one stop shop area.

 

[minnie56]

THANKS everyone for the awesome help!!

I will print off all the info (along with coupons) and check out all the sites. Sounds like we should be going for a week!! For the day-after-Thanksgiving sale buys should we be heading to Frankenmuth, the outlet mall or Somerset? As we have 2-3 days we can be choosy...

I really am not too sure briannesmom where we will cross as I only drive and my friends will navigate!! I know one of them is from the Sarnia area originally and said we head that way and cross in that vicinity??

I am so appreciative of all your help everyone. All these good ideas will help us not waste time and end up driving aimlessly!!

 

[J.Cooper]

THANKS everyone for the awesome help!!

I will print off all the info (along with coupons) and check out all the sites. Sounds like we should be going for a week!! For the day-after-Thanksgiving sale buys should we be heading to Frankenmuth, the outlet mall or Somerset? As we have 2-3 days we can be choosy...

I really am not too sure briannesmom where we will cross as I only drive and my friends will navigate!! I know one of them is from the Sarnia area originally and said we head that way and cross in that vicinity??

I am so appreciative of all your help everyone. All these good ideas will help us not waste time and end up driving aimlessly!!

Minnie56, don't forget to have one of those delicious chicken dinners at Frankenmuth. We always eat at Zenders. I'm getting hungry thinking about it .

 

[minnie56]

Chicken it is!!!

 

[sammi]

Hi minnie! We're also from Ontario (Simcoe) and have booked a trip for 3 days to Frankenmuth for Dec 4th and we've never been either so I hope you don't mind me catching a ride on your thread? lol

I can't wait to see Bronners Christmas store. I even went on line and ordered one of their catalogues just to get me in the mood and wow do they have a lot of really nice things!

Have fun!

 

[J.Cooper]

Hi minnie! We're also from Ontario (Simcoe) and have booked a trip for 3 days to Frankenmuth for Dec 4th and we've never been either so I hope you don't mind me catching a ride on your thread? lol

I can't wait to see Brommers Christmas store. I even went on line and ordered one of their catalogues just to get me in the mood and wow do they have a lot of really nice things!

Have fun!

Your gonna love Bronners. HUGE store with lots of Christmas decorations. Bring your pocketbook. I could spend tons of money in that store. They have the neatest Christmas decorations. You'll love it!!

 

[Pinnie]

Don't count on Somerset having "sales" the day after Thanksgiving. They are more upscale with Tiffany's, Neiman Marcus, etc.

I love the outlets at Birch Run! There is a Pottery Barn outlet that is awesome along with Coach (got some great deals there) and a ton more. You'll get better deals here.

There is a Yankee Candle HUGE store in the River Place shopping center. Stop there for candles of all kinds!

Bronners is NOT to be missed. If that store doesn't put you in the Christmas mood, nothing will. The have a great assortment of everything from Nativity sets, Dept 56, to Santa's! Use a map!

Like the other posters have said, eat dinner at either Zhenders or the Bavarian Inn. It's worth the trip in and of itself.

Maybe one of these days we'll drive back up to Toronto and you can help ME with some things that are not to be missed!

pinnie

 

[CrazedDisFan]

I would DEFINITELY hit the Birch Run outlet mall for the day after Thanksgiving! You will need a WHOLE day to do the outlet mall. When we go (me, my mom, 3 aunts, 3 cousins) we go to the outlet at opening (usually 9 the time of year we are there) and stay until close. There is a TON of stores and you should expect big crowds. I agree with the other posters that Somerset is an upscale mall that will not have many, if any, real bargains to speak of the Thanksgiving weekend.

Plan on several hours in Bronners. It is so wonderfully beautiful. Okay, I'm a Christmas junkie, but dang it it's cool!!!!!!