Quick Michigan Trip - Ford Museum, Frankenmuth, Saginaw, Bay City...

[mmbrad02]

We are looking at a quick long-ish weekend trip to MI and while I can google the highlights, I was just wondering if anyone had any other "shouldn't miss" things to see or places to eat. For reference its myself, my DH, our DD13, and then we will be joining up with my sister and her husband, my nephew (briefly. He is 20) and my parents.

Here is our agenda:

We will leave bright and early Friday morning from Kentucky. We will drive straight up I-75 to Bay City. My nephew is in a college fishing tournament there so the goal is to be there in time for the weigh in. Afterward we will probably eat dinner but flexible on where. (he will return home with his fishing crew but my sister and husband as well as my parents will be there)

We are currently looking at potentially renting a VRBO house for the 7 of us. We were looking at some options in Saginaw. This trip is to be fun but also on the more frugal side I guess you could say? We aren't looking for extravagant lodging but definitely want clean and safe. We aren't sold on Saginaw, if anyone has any other suggestions are are open to them. it just seemed sort of centrally located between Bay City and Frankenmuth and less expensive than Frankenmuth options.

We are also flexible in that it can be a hotel also if anyone really really likes one and wants to share

Saturday we want to spend the day in Frankenmuth and do all the touristy things. My list includes Bronner's, eat at one of the two famous chicken restaurants, and see the town. I really want to go to the cheese store also Anything else we should add to our list?

Sunday my sister/BIL/parents will head home and my DH and DD and I will head south to the Ford Museum. Right now we plan to head back to Kentucky late that evening/night, knowing we will arrive home late. We could potentially stay over somewhere, but in the spirit of frugality... (we are keeping this trip budget friendly because we have a big Disney trip this summer).

 

[_19disnA]

We visited Frankenmuth a number of years ago. There is a bakery in the basement of one of those 2 restaurants that had a large variety of products and worth checking out. There is also a brewery that gives tours/tasting but only during the week I assume to limit the number who might go there on a weekend just for the free samples. There is a huge Christmas store just before you enter the town (when heading north) and worth seeing. As I recall they also weren't always open but they have a website you can look at to see what their current hours might be. Obviously, during the Summer the town gets a LOT more visitors.

 

[cabanafrau]

We visited Frankenmuth a number of years ago. There is a bakery in the basement of one of those 2 restaurants that had a large variety of products and worth checking out. There is also a brewery that gives tours/tasting but only during the week I assume to limit the number who might go there on a weekend just for the free samples. There is a huge Christmas store just before you enter the town (when heading north) and worth seeing. As I recall they also weren't always open but they have a website you can look at to see what their current hours might be. Obviously, during the Summer the town gets a LOT more visitors.

Bronner's is the Christmas store, which OP already mentioned on their itinerary. The store is open nearly every day of the year, although they do close earlier on Sundays, as in maybe 5 or 6 pm.

Frankenmuth is a day trip for us most of the time, so I really can't help regarding lodging outside of Frankenmuth. If you do consider staying there I recommend either the Marv Herzog, which is smack dab in the middle of main street, or the Drury Inn, which is at the far northern edge of the tourist district. Both are actually Drury owned/run, with the nice breakfast set up and the evening reception as well. Drury is much smaller than the newer, high rise style that are cropping up all over for the past 15 years.

Frankenmuth has been bustling on the weekends since Covid, but it's still quite manageable.

Check the Frankenmuth visitor's website for info about any festivals that may be happening during your visit. Many of those are quite fun. There is a blacksmithing experience in the River Place Shops that might appeal as something different, although not cheap. Check online if you can find any discount offers.

Also check online for discounts for the Henry Ford Museum or Greenfield Village. I think sometimes AAA offers some deals. Depending where you are located in KY you should be able to make it home driving from Dearborn, as you will be about an hour from the OH border when leaving the museum.

 

[MIGrandma]

Frankenmuth is one of our favorite places to go! Hotels in Frankenmuth can be a little pricey, but Birch Run is just a few miles from there and there are several hotels there. Personally I would stay there or Frankenmuth rather than Saginaw. There is a very interesting store in Frankenmuth, called Raul’s Country store, that is always fun to shop in. Prost! is our favorite restaurant, and just walking along Main Street popping into some of the neat shops is fun too. Whatever you decide to do, have fun!

 

[johnsontrio]

I am most likely in the minority here but.... we feel like the chicken dinners are way over rated. The chicken lacks seasoning and the meal is too much. Too much food, too many carbs and too expensive. The meal has potato, bread, noodles, salad etc. Once you get eating, you might be surprised howl little chicken you eat after paying for all you can eat. Zehnder's has the same food available cafeteria style in the basement shoppe area. You can either eat it there or take it home. You most likely could feed your family for the $100 you would spend for 2 people. Just a thought.

My 2 Michigan favorites are Coney Island, either the coneys or the gyro and Buddy's Pizza. Buddy's Pizza is in the Detroit Metro area and is a don't miss. There is one very close to the Henry Ford on Michigan Ave in Dearborn. There is a nice Riverwalk downtown that is about 3 miles long and you can view Windsor, Ontario.

Bronner's is great, like an Ikea of Christmas, any theme you care to name. Enjoy your trip to the Mitten, it;s awesome here!

 

[NannyBeBe]

In addition to the places mentioned, you might also want to check out the fudge store, the cuckoo clock store, and the historical museum. According to my daughter, Kernel Benny's has the best soft pretzels she has ever eaten.

 

[Sweettears]

Ford museum is a must do for me. We have relatives who live in Detroit burbs. We stay at the Dearborn hotel across the street from the Ford. Greenfield village holds some interest but it’s a shadow of its former self

 

[Dan Murphy]

Greenfield village holds some interest but it’s a shadow of its former self

I was going to suggest the Village, we went there years ago, early 1970's. Has it lost its uniqueness? We thought it was amazing back then. Sad if it has.

 

[johnsontrio]

Ford museum is a must do for me. We have relatives who live in Detroit burbs. We stay at the Dearborn hotel across the street from the Ford. Greenfield village holds some interest but it’s a shadow of its former self

Curious why you say that? We have been members off and on for 30+ years. We still love the village and the museum.

 

[kymom99]

What time of year are you going? I went in September and frankenmuth was very nice then. We stayed at the spring hill suites using points. We also stopped in Detroit on the way up from Kentucky and crossed over into Canada for lunch. Not doable if you don’t have passports, but if you do, it’s fun!

 

[Sweettears]

Curious why you say that? We have been members off and on for 30+ years. We still love the village and the museum.

Mostly because years ago the buildings were very accessible. Probably due to bad behavior the rooms are barricaded and often you view the buildings through plexiglass. Still love it but diminished experience.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

The Henry Ford museum is great so I concur with that recommendation. They also have a tour of the Ford truck plant that leaves from the museum which is pretty cool if you have a couple hours. The museum could take all day though if you want to see everything.

Belle Isle has a small aquarium, nautical museum, and botanical gardens that are pretty good. Also has the infamous "giant slide" that went viral a couple years ago. The island itself gives great views of downtown from the western tip.

Depending on time of year there are a lot of car related events (it is Detroit after all). Really depends on the weekend you are here though and if that is interesting to you.

We stay at the Dearborn hotel across the street from the Ford.

The Dearborn Inn is currently closed for renovation.

 

[Sweettears]

The Henry Ford museum is great so I concur with that recommendation. They also have a tour of the Ford truck plant that leaves from the museum which is pretty cool if you have a couple hours. The museum could take all day though if you want to see everything.

Belle Isle has a small aquarium, nautical museum, and botanical gardens that are pretty good. Also has the infamous "giant slide" that went viral a couple years ago. The island itself gives great views of downtown from the western tip.

Depending on time of year there are a lot of car related events (it is Detroit after all). Really depends on the weekend you are here though and if that is interesting to you.

The Dearborn Inn is currently closed for renovation.

Interesting as I always thought it was in good shape. Did the Ford tour. Found it very interesting. Not a repeat event but worth the time

 

[BorderTenny]

Frankenmuth is one of our favorite places to go! Hotels in Frankenmuth can be a little pricey, but Birch Run is just a few miles from there and there are several hotels there. Personally I would stay there or Frankenmuth rather than Saginaw. There is a very interesting store in Frankenmuth, called Raul’s Country store, that is always fun to shop in. Prost! is our favorite restaurant, and just walking along Main Street popping into some of the neat shops is fun too. Whatever you decide to do, have fun!

Speaking of Birch Run, if you love bacon, you have to go to Tony's for their BLT. They put a whole pound of bacon on it.

 

[jimmymc]

Saginaw, Bay City, and Frankenmuth are all close enough that you could stay near any of them and not waste much time driving. Bay City would probably have the nicest places to stay and most things to do, if you just want to stay there the whole time. Especially if you can get a house on the bay.

In Detroit, the Henry Ford Museum is great, and you could spend most of the day there before driving home. I also recommend at least driving around Belle Isle and getting the best view of the city. The Detroit Institute of Arts and Public Library are also nice to visit if you have time. But if you do the entire Henry Ford Museum and drive home in the same day, that's already a lot.

For food:

• The classic Detroit restaurants would be Lafayette Coney Island or Green Dot Stables downtown. There are some other higher end American and Italian restaurants downtown
• For something cheap and delicious, one of the many taco places in Mexicantown. I like La Jalisciense Supermercado Y Taqueria.
• Detroit-style pizza. The original Buddy's is at 17125 Conant, Detroit, MI 48212, but there are other locations around the city.
• Kabobs and other middle eastern food. Dearborn specifically has a lot of Lebanese, Turkish, and Jordanian immigrants and restaurants.
• Greektown. Kind of overrated in my opinion, but there is a street with plenty of greek restaurants outside the casino

If you want some fast food while north of Detroit, Halo Top is a small burger chain only in the Flint area. Their burgers are pretty good, but the root beer and Vernor's coolers are great.

 

[cabanafrau]

I am most likely in the minority here but.... we feel like the chicken dinners are way over rated. The chicken lacks seasoning and the meal is too much. Too much food, too many carbs and too expensive. The meal has potato, bread, noodles, salad etc. Once you get eating, you might be surprised howl little chicken you eat after paying for all you can eat. Zehnder's has the same food available cafeteria style in the basement shoppe area. You can either eat it there or take it home. You most likely could feed your family for the $100 you would spend for 2 people. Just a thought.

My 2 Michigan favorites are Coney Island, either the coneys or the gyro and Buddy's Pizza. Buddy's Pizza is in the Detroit Metro area and is a don't miss. There is one very close to the Henry Ford on Michigan Ave in Dearborn. There is a nice Riverwalk downtown that is about 3 miles long and you can view Windsor, Ontario.

Bronner's is great, like an Ikea of Christmas, any theme you care to name. Enjoy your trip to the Mitten, it;s awesome here!

We haven't done the chicken dinners in several years. As a first time visitor it seems kind of counterintuitive to skip it, but there are other choices.

We enjoy Prost very much, but sometimes find it a bit of a zoo -- especially on the weekend.

Our usual go to now is Michigan on Main in the Bavarian Inn. Overlooks main street and the beer garden. A seat in the window with the flowerboxes in the foreground and the street scene and the street plantings in the background make it so relaxing. Seasonal menus that are usually very tasty. I usually go for one of their seasonal salads with their homemade dressings, which are delicious and something you won't find elsewhere.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

Not a Detroit thing but if you’re a fan of Chicken Guy in Disney Springs there is a location in Livonia, MI.

https://chickenguy.com/locations/sawgrass-mills-mall-3/

 

[mmbrad02]

I knew you all would have the best information!

I apologize up front, I'm not great with quotes on here, but I did want to take a second to reply to some of the comments.

here is a huge Christmas store just before you enter the town (when heading north) and worth seeing. As I recall they also weren't always open but they have a website you can look at to see what their current hours might be.

Yes, Bronner's is definitely on the list, and as someone else mentioned, I do think they are open most of the time these days.

I recommend either the Marv Herzog, which is smack dab in the middle of main street, or the Drury Inn, which is at the far northern edge of the tourist district. Both are actually Drury owned/run, with the nice breakfast set up and the evening reception as well. Drury is much smaller than the newer, high rise style that are cropping up all over for the past 15 years.

Birch Run is just a few miles from there and there are several hotels there.

I will definitely check into these! I keep going back and forth between a hotel room for each family verses a split VRBO/AirBnB rental.

Raul’s Country store, that is always fun to shop in. Prost! is our favorite restaurant, and just walking along Main Street popping into some of the neat shops is fun too.

Definitely going to look these up now! I am not familiar with either one (yet!)

I am most likely in the minority here but.... we feel like the chicken dinners are way over rated. The chicken lacks seasoning and the meal is too much. Too much food, too many carbs and too expensive. The meal has potato, bread, noodles, salad etc. Once you get eating, you might be surprised howl little chicken you eat after paying for all you can eat. Zehnder's has the same food available
cafeteria style in the basement shoppe area. You can either eat it there or take it home. You most likely could feed your family for the $100 you would spend for 2 people. Just a thought.

So now that you say this, it seems like I've heard this before, that both chicken restaurants are overrated. We are definitely open to other options so I will look into the buffet option. Or perhaps scratching the chicken meal idea out all together! I did see the menu online looked way too big for me, and most likely all the members of our party! BUT, as a first timer, part of me just wants that experience!

What time of year are you going? I went in September and frankenmuth was very nice then. We stayed at the spring hill suites using points. We also stopped in Detroit on the way up from Kentucky and crossed over into Canada for lunch. Not doable if you don’t have passports, but if you do, it’s fun!

We are going the first weekend in June. I would LOVE to cross into Canada, but I don't think we will have time for that this trip. My parents as well as the three in my party do have passports though, so I may dabble with the time frame. There's always next time too

I also recommend at least driving around Belle Isle and getting the best view of the city.

I'm going to have to look up Belle Isle since it's mentioned more than once in this post Again, not familiar, but would definitely be up for a nice view of the city while we are in the area!

 

[Belle_Ann]

I live in this region and would suggest either staying in Bay City or Frankenmuth/Birch Run areas. Nothing on your list is really in Saginaw and it’s not out of your way but other locations would likely be more fun and interesting with the activities you’re doing. While the Frankenmuth chicken restaurants are over rated, we find it a fun experience occasionally — as long as you like chicken and carbs!

 

[RangerPooh]

We briefly visited Saginaw last summer (work related). As I was tagging along, the only thing I saw aside from the hotel was Bronners. It was a must stop for me. We lived in western Michigan years ago, so it has been on my to do list for a long time. I’d like to stop again to see more of the town.