Where to stay a few hours out of Detroit this Summer?
Mar 12th, 2004, 11:14 PM
#1
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Where to stay a few hours out of Detroit this Summer?
We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children ages 6 and 11) who will be staying with friends outside Ann Arbor this summer. During this time we would like to travel a bit further out (3 - 5 hrs)to see a bit more of the country which apparently is fabulous. Anybody got any ideas? Children well behaved and don't need theme parks or anything like that! Looking to stay 3-5 days.
Any ideas we can build on would be greatfully received.
Many Thanks.
Any ideas we can build on would be greatfully received.
Many Thanks.
Mar 13th, 2004, 02:59 AM
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If your Ann Arbor friends don't take you, be sure to allow the better part of a day to visit Greenfield Village near Dearborn MI. You might consider driving along Lake Michigan's eastern shore and spending some time at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Mackinac Island would be another fun place to visit, but no cars are allowed on the island. I'd advise finding an accommodation away from the touristy "downtown" area as there are more secluded spots on the island where your children can bike, hike, and play on the beach.
Mar 13th, 2004, 05:56 AM
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I would definitely recommend somewhere in northwest Michigan, which will be a 3-5 hour drive. Traverse City is a bigger city, but nice. Petoskey/Charlevoix/Harbor Springs is an area of wonderful, quaint towns.
Here's a post that can give you more info:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34468809
Here's a post that can give you more info:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34468809
Mar 13th, 2004, 06:09 AM
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A trip to the Lake Erie Islands would be nice. (Approx. 1/2 hour east of Toledo). Explore Put-in-Bay or Kelly's Island, in a golf cart, go to the top of Perry's Monument National Park (great views of Canada on a clear day).
About 45 min from the islands is Cedar Point, one of the best (if not THE best) amusement park in the world, according to Roller Coaster Magazine.
Or spend a day in Cleveland, under three hours from Detroit. Visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Great Lakes Science Museum, with hands-on displays great for your kids' ages. Both are on the shores of Lake Erie. If the Tribe is in town, being in the beautiful Jacobs Field would be fun (the team may not be, however
)
About 45 min from the islands is Cedar Point, one of the best (if not THE best) amusement park in the world, according to Roller Coaster Magazine.
Or spend a day in Cleveland, under three hours from Detroit. Visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Great Lakes Science Museum, with hands-on displays great for your kids' ages. Both are on the shores of Lake Erie. If the Tribe is in town, being in the beautiful Jacobs Field would be fun (the team may not be, however
)
Mar 13th, 2004, 08:55 AM
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How about northern Indiana? It's only 2-3 hours from Ann Arbor. There's the lakes region around Angola and the Potawatomi Inn and Pokagon State Park. For some real down home atmosphere, there's the Amish country and shops about Shipshewana. You might also try Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio for the kids, or St. Joseph in southwest Michigan for some beach time on Silver Beach. Just a few ideas, there's lots more to do around here. I'm from the northern Indiana area and can help with any specific questions on the Shipshewana/Angola area, and my son lives in St. Joseph Michigan. And, if you're from around here, you've been to Cedar Point at some time.
But I would second the Greenfield Village trip and Mackinac as well. You can't go wrong at either place. But not a whole lot of "exciting" things for the kids to do.
But I would second the Greenfield Village trip and Mackinac as well. You can't go wrong at either place. But not a whole lot of "exciting" things for the kids to do.
Mar 13th, 2004, 10:03 AM
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Thank you all for some great information. I really appreciate it. We are actually from England, and have stayed with our friends before.(Just outside Chelsea, MI.)We have done Greenfield Village and The Henry Ford Museum which we really enjoyed. 2 great days out. It all sounds very promising so I will look into these in a bit more depth. Thanks so much once again.
