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Old 04-12-2006, 12:52 PM   #1
RobinKay6573
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Playing Tourest In My Own State, Michigan

My parents are coming to visit this summer and I need to entertain them for a week. My mom has never been to Chicago so I thought we could take a train out there (dad hates driving on vacation) and spend a couple of days there. I am kind of at a loss of what else to do with them. Greenfield Village is a possibility. We have done Mackinac Island (fun but a pretty long drive) and we went to see the big windmill in Holland [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] woopie! I live in Lansing so we are centrally located...any suggestions? My parents would not be interest in the Casino.
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Old 04-12-2006, 01:03 PM   #2
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Re: Playing Tourest In My Own State, Michigan

What about a trip to Frankenmuth? A day at Bronners?
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Old 04-12-2006, 01:38 PM   #3
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Re: Playing Tourest In My Own State, Michigan

Good suggestion! but...mom & I went to the Bronners a few years ago and we weren't that thrilled. The only reason we would go out there is to have a chicken dinner [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
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Old 04-12-2006, 02:34 PM   #4
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Re: Playing Tourest In My Own State, Michigan

Right here in Lansing: Potter Park Zoo, the State of Michigan Historical Museum, the MSU Museum, the Kresge Museum of Art, a Lugnuts game ([img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]), a tour of the MSU campus. Further afield: the Air and Space Museum (I think it's in Jackson, but I'm not too sure about that...), Cereal City in Battle Creek, Port Huron and Sarnia (go to Canada for a day while you still can without a passport!), and yes, Greenfield Village is cool, and so is the Henry Ford Museum (I know, lots of museums, but each is unique), Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, Grand Rapids has lots to do...the list is endless....Shopping at Great Lakes Crossing, the outlet mall at Birch Run -

Okay, this list should do for starters [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
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Old 04-12-2006, 07:54 PM   #5
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Re: Playing Tourest In My Own State, Michigan

We love Frankenmuth and the chicken dinner. And I personally love Bronners. Now my sister days there is a place near Birch Run that has a famous BLT for lunch. It may have even been on the Food Network.

Are there any festivals during the time they are coming? I swear Michigan has a festival of some kind every weekend. Check with the different Chamber of Commerces and even Frankenmuth's website to see what's going on.

My sister said Greenfield Village is really good and has recently been refurbished.

Cereal City was pretty cool, my kids and I loved it.

We've yet been to Traverse City, but it's on my list.
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Old 04-13-2006, 09:30 AM   #6
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Re: Playing Tourest In My Own State, Michigan

I totally forgot about the Air Zoo...that isn't too far (In Kalamazoo). Maybe we can make a day of it and go to the Binder Park Zoo too. We will skip Cereal City thought. I went after it first opened and I was not impressed. I know my parents would be totally bored. I don't think we are going to travel all the way to Traverse City but it was a good suggestion. If we weren't going to Chicago I might consider it. We ARE going to go to at least 2 Lugnut's games (that is the main reason they are coming). Dad says he doesn't want me to drive much...but honestly I don't mind...I like driving.

Thanks for the suggestions! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] It should be an interesting week. Wish me luck...it seems everytime they come visit they reminds me why I moved 700 miles away from them. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]
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Old 04-13-2006, 10:37 AM   #7
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Re: Playing Tourist In My Own State, Michigan

Take them to WDW [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
- Ann Arbor Botanical Gardens
- Planetarium at Cranbrook
- Don't forget the IMAX theater at Greenfield Village. Not sure how long the Disney exhibit is going at the Museum.
- Ford Rouge Tour is quite interesting.
- Winery Tours
- Renaissance Festival, depending on when their visit is. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/luck.gif[/img]
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Old 04-13-2006, 11:26 AM   #8
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Re: Playing Tourist In My Own State, Michigan

Oh yeah the Ford Rouge Tours I totally forgot about them. I am going to have to check on that...my dad would LOVE to see the plant (both my dad and I own Fords).

We will skip IMAX my dad doesn't like movies the popcorn crunching bothers him [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/popc1.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] I also have an IMAX across the street from my house!
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Old 04-13-2006, 06:38 PM   #9
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Re: Playing Tourist In My Own State, Michigan

I went with my son's class last month and really enjoyed it...well, as much as possible while trying to keep track of 24 kids. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] Don't wait to call, the tours fill early.
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Old 04-14-2006, 04:02 AM   #10
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Re: Playing Tourest In My Own State, Michigan

I know Frankenmuth has been mentioned but we went to Canterbury Village when we stayed with our friends near Detroit it was a lovely day.
http://www.canterburyvillage.com/home.htm
Also Greenfield village is a great place to visit. DH & I also enjoyed going to The Motown museum & the Detroit historical museum.
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Old 04-14-2006, 09:08 AM   #11
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Re: Playing Tourest In My Own State, Michigan

Detroit Zoo, all kinds of shopping malls, spend a day or two in Ann Arbor. Are you scrapbookers? You could always go scrapbook store hopping (my mom and I have done this),Huckleberry Railroad, In the Dearborn area you have Greenfield Village, Estate, Auto musuem, GF Musuem, Rouge tour, possibilites are endless. If you belong to AAA pick up a tour book of Michigan and see what kind of little brouchers they have. Good Luck and have fun./
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Old 04-14-2006, 02:18 PM   #12
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Re: Playing Tourest In My Own State, Michigan

Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids...

OK, we have a better idea of what your parents dislike than what they like. As long as nobody in the car buys popcorn, would they like the Capri Drive-In in Coldwater? Timing can be everything - the art fairs in either Lansing or Ann Arbor, the Cherry Festival in Traverse City, the various holiday themes at Greenfield Village...

OK. You moved 700 miles away, and maybe you don't want to "sell" Michigan too strongly. Pretend there's nothing here, and stick with Chicago. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
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Old 04-21-2006, 09:23 AM   #13
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Re: Playing Tourest In My Own State, Michigan

Big Bear Dunes
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
Sailing on Lake Michigan
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