Hello! When we go over to Frankenmuth we usually stay in Birch Run just outside of Frankenmuth itself. The hotels are more costly in Frankenmuth I find. We stay at the Holiday Inn Express on the other side of the highway from the Prime Outlet Mall and have always been happy. Our rate from Sunday to Thursday is $67.99, which I think is pretty good (last year it was $59.99). I always go to the Prime Outlet website and check the shop and stay codes for the area hotels. I quoted a code of PRM and the above is the Sun-Thurs rate. I don't know what weekend rates are.
I did look at the Zehnders Splash thing and it looks great, but I thought it was too expensive for us. My parents go with us, so it would mean two rooms and I didn't feel it would be worth it. I'd rather take a family trip of just me, dh, and two girls to Great Wolf Lodge later in the fall. They have a nice salt water pool at the Holiday Inn which my girls are happy with. They also have a really good morning breakfast included in the rate, so that saves us too.
We go into Frankenmuth for dinner at Zehnders one night. We always call ahead and make ressies that day because you just bypass the line then. I also registered for the birthday club through Zehnders, so they mail you a coupon to use for a free chicken dinner in the month of your b.day. My b.day is actually today, so we will use it when we go down
They have wicked Strawberry Pie in August too!!! To die for and I'm not a big strawberry pie kind of person ... I usually like them fresh!
We also drive into Saginaw so that we can go to a Target. There is a nice Joanne's craft store up there too. As well, a Burlington Coat Factory and a Dollar Store (they are SO different in the states) ... the dollar store carries a lot of teacher stuff, so I always have to look and see!! There is also the Fashion Boulevard mall a bit further up from the TArget and they have a JC Penny's I like to check out. They also have a
Bath and Body Works (the outlet in Birch Run wasn't great last year
...hopefully better this year).
Anyways, I've gone on a bit long (surprise, surpise) ... we are excited to get away for a few days as are my girls. My oldest is going into grade one which is exciting!
Kerri
... OMG ... we go on Sunday to Frankenmuth and I am crossing my fingers that it won't be that bad! We are leaving early, but probably won't hit the border until noon or 1 pm at the earliest. We have a five hour drive to get there ... anyone want to be in the car with my youngest dd if she has a meltdown??? 
