Michigan Thanksgiving week
 

Received good advice to abandon Mackinac Island idea for Thanksgiving from the experts! Frankenmuth was suggested which sounds like a good stop for the kids en route to(from?)Traverse City? Port Huron?for a 3-4 day stay in a nice resort or interesting area which someone might be able to suggest for the days around Thanksgiving?Thanks

If it's 3-4 days in Michigan I would pick the Traverse City/Petoskey area over Port Huron any day. In fact, from my experience, I can't imagine spending more than 3-4 hours in Port Huron, though I am by no means an expert on the area.

The only good advice for abandoning Mackinac Island as a Michigan touring destination is perhaps because it is cold and out of season there in late November and also perhaps that 3-4 days might be a bit too much. Otherwise it's definitely worth a day trip.

Frankenmuth is a popular dinner destination where folks go to Bavarian-themed restaurants in a Germanic-named town to eat Southern fried chicken. The Bavarian Inn and Zhenders Restaurants are, IMHO, fair to just passably good restaurants which I could never understand driving an hour + out of my way to stand in line to have a fried chicken dinner. But it's a nice little town and certainly worth a look if you're passing through.

There are plenty of recent threads here with lodging and touring ideas for the Northwestern lower peninsula (i.e. TC, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Harbor Springs) which you should find helpful.

I agree with everything gbhost wrote. Mackinac is great in warm weather and Frankenmuth would be a wonderful STOP if going near. TC, Sleeping Bear Dunes,Old Mission Peninsula, Leland, all of interest and tons written about them here. Check out this great resort on the shores of Lake Michigan:
http://www.thehomesteadresort.com/

Port Huron would have no interest to you at all - it is my former home town and believe me, there is nothing going on there except maybe a nice beach on Lake Huron in the summertime.

Frankenmuth however, might be an excellent stop at Thanksgiving. Your kids would love the huge indoor pool complex at the Bavarian Inn. They also would have tons of Christmas displays throughout town, with Bronnor's being the largest Christmas store in the world. It is a nice, quiet town, that I enjoy visiting from time to time.

That being said, the whole Lake Michigan shore line has many fine little resort towns. Although in November, I'm afraid that there won't be the typical boating and beach action one might be accustomed to as in the summertime.

My favorite Michigan city is Traverse City. There is plenty to do, great restaurants, beautiful scenery, next to the sand dunes of Lake Michigan, and a real working city with a nice downtown. They also have a new resort aimed at kids/families with their huge indoor pool complex (the name is escaping me right now... maybe has 'Bear' in it's name?). Traverse City also provides an excellent location as a base to venture out to surrounding towns, some already mentioned, like Petosky, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, etc.

Best wishes for a happy and safe trip over the river and through the woods.

Paul

As a native (grew up in the "thumb"), I can freely say Michigan is dull as Beowulf in late November. I visit my family nearly every year during Thanksgiving week (my mother has already mentioned Frankenmuth for this year). I think Chicago is very interesting at Thanksgiving weekend-at least there you have the museums, theatre, lights, parade and better shopping. If there are any little girls in the group they will go nuts for the American Girls store.

Try bidding on Priceline for hotel.

This post board is fantastic- my first trial yesterday and already worth days of reading dry guide books! The spontaneity and experiential authenticity of human responses is so real. Thanks. Will start researching TC and maybe Chicago, Toronto.

Paul, you are trying to think of Great Wolf Lodge. There is a current thread on that resort, but it is hard to bring up in a search. Searching on "great" will bring it up.

Keith

The Great Wolf Lodge is a great place for maybe a one - two day stay...especially if you have young kids...they will love it! The indoor water park is not to be believed! But, depending on which days during the week you are trying to stay...I'll bet that weekend is already booked up! Try now for reservations...you may have to settle for Mon-Tues stayover. Farther north, Petoskey and Charlevoix are lovely little towns, though much of Charlevoix is closed by then. Petoskey will have a lot of stores open and raring to go for the holiday season. Also just north of Petoskey is Harbor Springs...another lovely little harbor town, and it too will have some nice stores open. Up that way, for the kids, make sure you get a hotel with a pool and I am sure they will be happy! In Petoskey, there is also a indoor miniature golf place, but unless there is snow, there won't be a whole lot more going on. I also think a stop at Frankenmuth, and especially Bronners for every Christmas decoration you can imagine, is a must....even if only once in your life! I happen to enjoy those chicken dinners and go once a year as a treat on my way to or from lower Michigan to Petoskey!

Keith - thanks for mentioning the hotel's name, Great Wolf Lodge. I'll try not to forget it next time. Not a bear, but a wolf! :-)

Nidwaldner Chris - okay, I'm curious. Where in the thumb is 'home' for you? I was a "Go Huskies" kinda' guy. (PH Northern)

Paul

Visited the Great Wolf Lodge this past summer. Nice rooms, great water park!! Your kids will love it! I agree that you should make reservations now!

http://www.greatwolflodge.com/

Have fun!

As an alternative to Northern Michigan (which I LOVE), remember that Detroit actually has one of the best Thanksgiving Day parades in the country! Not to mention that the Lions always play at home on Thanksgiving. Perhaps Explore SE lower Michigan for a day or two and then travel up to Frankenmuth. I recently went to the Henry Ford Museum and was amazed at how wonderful it is! Also on the grounds is Greenfield Village, http://www.hfmgv.org/ check out the website. Let us know where you are coming from, and perhaps we can help you plan better!

If I may be frank, Frankenmuth sucks! I've never been to a bigger tourist trap im my life. Can't say that there is anything for kids to do either-it was all tour busses full of seniors (not that there is anything wrong with that) pulling up to eat chicken and cheesy fake Bavarian things. You'll be very disappointed after leaving the Traverse City area.

P.S. Both Chicago and Toronto will have more activities than TC in the cooler months. I think TC is best when you can enjoy its beautiful fall foliage or during the summer when you can take advantage of the lake.

Paul-I'm an original from Imlay City, Lapeer County. But I lived in Ft. Gratiot for 2 years right after HS.

I'm not sure from your question ... but why are you going to Michigan in late November!?... I lived in Detroit for 5 years. Personally, I would never go there for Thanksgiving - even if I did love the parade. I do enjoy stopping in Frankenmuth - esp. my children. It is a tourist trap - but so what. It's one of those places that kids tend to love. If I had to go at this time of year - I'd go to the Sleeping Bear Dunes area. Matter of fact, I spent last Thanksgiving there (we own a house in Glen Arbor - and I promise my husband I'll visit it once every 5 or 10 years). It was nice... Cold, but quaint with lots of pre-Christmas activities.

Thanks Nidwaldner Chris - I know the Ft. Gratiot area well and drove through it everyday as a kid. Glad you were able to escape. *eg*

Greenfield Village is a wonderful idea! Almost forgot about what a gem that place is! They probably have some wonderful Thanksgiving stuff going on too, and there is plenty there to see to keep the kids happy!

If you do decide to stick closer to home-Meadow Brook Hall (Dodge mansion at Oakland Univ.) is also decorated for the holidays that weekend and starts the annual Holiday Walk (closed TG). That's one thing I'll be checking out this year.

Greenfield Village and The Henry Ford museaum just finished a large refurbishment, with new exhibits, etc. This would be an excellent option for anyone coming to the area.

If I read the original post right, you are heading to Traverse City or northern Michigan someplace, and you were looking for places to stop while either going up, or coming back down?

Frankenmuth <i>is</i> very touristy. Saying that, I will say this, the dinners are quite good [if plain] and you can get more than fried chicken. The menu's have quite a variety. If you stay at the Bavarian Inn Hotel there are many pools, one with a waterfall, indoor putt-putt golf, and kareoke on the weekends. The hotel has a large buffet for breakfast on the weekends. The Bavarian Inn Restaurant has entertainment in the small room in front of the building. You can also print coupons off the internet to save a little $$ on your meals.

The Henry Ford is the new name of the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. I'd check their website for the Thanksgiving or November 'doings'. They also have an IMAX theatre there.

I have no opinions on either of these places, just hoping to help with a little info ...been to both places several times, as I've lived all 44 of my years in Michigan, and vacationed as a child throughout the state.

All the good advice on worthy sights closer to &quot;home&quot; - Troy has lead me to plan Greenfield, dinner train, Meadowbrook, The Ford, Frankenmuth &amp; Bronnors(for the kidles)Meadow Brook Hall,Motown Museum(just for nostalgia I think it's just a studio converted fm garage).

Besides the recent Michigan chill(frigid in early Oct already!)deters me from going further north. Anyone with ideas for a good restaurant for Thanksgiving for a family of 12 on the reasonable side? I don't have equipment or ingredients to cook in our corp. condo.
I don't feel so desperate for activities now, thanks to you all for your comments which have saved me money, travel time and probable disappointment of schlepping a clan from HI, CA and NYC up to Mackinac in late Nov!

Did you want your restaurant close to Troy? What's reasonable per person? $20/pp too high/low? Let me know and I will suggest away. As I stated in another post www.metrotimes.com has a comprehensive restaurant review section. I think it will be imperative to make reservations, etc just to ensure whatever place you choose is open.

$20/pp for Thanksgiving is very reasonable! No we don't have to be around Troy as we probably would have exhausted the offerings around here which is also a high rent area. We were surprised that many moderate eateries had higher prices than NYC or SF. We also have young children who can't (and shouldn't)sit through formal presentations and lingering courses. Would appreciate your input.

Hmmmmm. How about Rochester? There's the Kruse and Muer restaurant on Main St. It's one of my favorite resaurants in the area. Also in the downtown area, but a bit more pricey, is the Rochester Chop House/Kabin Kruiser restaurant. The Kabin Kruiser portion is less formal and less expensive. Not sure if they'll be open on Thanksgiving, though, and not sure if children would really like it. If you head towards the city, you could do Greektown! That might be fun and very different for Turkey day. The saganaki (opa!) would probably make the kids ooh and ahh. My husband says that the Pegasus restaurant in Greektown is great. Or there's Hockeytown Cafe. across the street from Comerica Park. I've never eaten there, but it's a neat atmosphere. This is a tough one!! Let me think some more and see what I can come up with!

Actually the rest. my husband recommends in Greektown is the Cyprus Taverna. Any chance you might be in Detroit for the Thanksgiving Day parade? That would make downtown Detroit convenient.

How about skiing in Northern Michigan? We've had great snow at Boyne the last 4 years. Puts you in a Christmas mood right away!! Nothing like being in a hot tub with the flakes flying all around...

Thanks for the ideas - Greektown will be different. Skiing would be logistically difficult for so many of us. Dragging out ski gear and outfitting the children for a brief visit is daunting. Years ago we used to do Tahoe and Breckinridge when the clan was smaller and less scattered. I will explore Greektown restaurants open for Thanksgiving.

Cloud, I live in Troy and would like to pass on some Thanksgiving dinner suggestions:
Camp Ticonderoga, 5725 Rochester Road, Troy. 11 a.m.-midnight. Traditional turkey dinner and trimmings; $14.99 adults, $7.99 children under 12. Limited menu also available. 248-828-2825. (CLOSE TO HOME BASE)

Clarkston Cafe, 18 S. Main, Clarkston. Noon-6 p.m. Turkey and trimmings; $16.95 adults, $8.95 children 5 and older. Also prime rib ($18.95), pork loin ($15.95), portabella mushrooms plus shrimp and scallops ($16.95) and whitefish ($16.95). 248-625-5660.
(CLARKSTON IS A HALF HOUR DRIVE NORTH ON I-75)

Holly Hotel, 110 Battle Alley, Holly. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Victorian Thanksgiving dinner. $21.50 adults, $9.95 children 6 and older. 248-634-5208. (HOLLY IS A BIT FARTHER NORTH ON I-75, ABOUT FORTY MINUTES, BUT IS A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT FOR THE HOLIDAYS. HERE'S THE WEBSITE FOR THEIR DICKEN'S FESTIVAL: http://www.hollymi.com/dickens.htm
MOST OF THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING. YOU MIGHT WANT TO SPEND THE NIGHT...?)

Hope you enjoy your visit to our beautiful state! Cheers!

Frankenmuth is still foisting fried chicken (how German) on people? Oh dear. I guess it is recommended because of the Christmas decoration shop but it really has nothing you haven't seen many other places.

I think Greenfield Village is a lovely idea. The Dearborn Inn used to have a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner and I'm sure they still do. I recommend circling the Village on the old steam locomotive and then doing the village by foot or carriage. The Eagle Tavern which is located on the Green and has no electricity (candle light) authentic beverages and food has done Thanksgiving dinner in the past. The village will be decorated for Christmas by then. It would be a wonderful experience. My kids always looked forward to our visits there and it truly brings history alive. I always found it more interesting than Williamsburg.

http://www.hfmgv.org/village/default.asp

LMF

When I was a kid (5 decades ago), Hartwick Pines State Park (near Grayling or Gaylord) always fascinated me. Extremely large virgin pines and an interesting lumbering/Paul Bunyon display. When you're a kid, and from a large city, you can't tell the difference between a big pine and a big redwood/sequoia.

I've printed out Maggi and LilMs rec's. Many thanks for sharing Thanksgiving celebration ideas!

Cloud I would second LilMs recommendation of Camp Ticonderoga- they have several moderately priced dishes, and all are wonderful. I would also add Andiamo's to your list- they have several locations all throughout the area. Check out www.andiamos.com. Another option for sightseeing is the Edsel and Elenor Ford House in Grosse Pointe, MI.

I would NOT recommend the Clarkston Cafe!! Terrible meals the last couple of times I was in there! The Holly Hotel is a GREAT idea! I've never eaten there (it's on my list) but I've heard the food is wonderful.

I had my wedding reception at the Holly Hotel and it is indeed wonderful. The food is spectacular. Not much else to do here, but the restuarant is wonderful.

Cloud, I don't know if you are still looking for dinner ideas, but I was perusing the Holly Hotel site tonight, looking to FINALLY go and try it myself, and saw this on the upcoming events page.
http://www.hollyhotel.com/eventspage.htm

Sounds delish! And very reasonable!!