pignolia

Hello
We ( myself, husband, 3 yrs old and 11 month old) are attending a wedding at the end of the month in Clarkston. We were told to stay in Auburn Hills, but are open to other suggestions.

We fly into Detroit on Thursday,and plan to see the town during the day on Friday. Saturday afternoon and evening we'll be busy with the wedding. Sunday is my daughter's 3rd birthday, and we want to do something memorable/special that day. We intend to leave MI on Tuesday evening. We are hoping to go somewhere nice within 2 to 3 hours drive from the area. Any suggestions? I would REALLY appreciate your help!
Thanks.

h2babe

What are your interests? There are a lot of attractions in down-town Detroit (like the casino, Greek Town, restaurants, shows, etc). You can also visit the two largest college towns in Michigan: E. Lansing for Michigan State Univ and Ann Arbor for Univ of Mich. Both have unique qualities about them, but I'm a Spartan, so I'm very biased toward E.Lansing.

Michigan also has a lot of lakes in the area which you can check out, and if you have time, drive up North. Mackinac Island would be a pretty destination (about 4-6 hrs drive though), I am getting married there this summer. And Traverse City is also fun. Both may be too far from what you're willing to drive.

lolly

Frankenmuth is also fun. There's a big hotel there with a water park for the kids, and some great shopping nearby. Up Lake Huron are some nice places like Lexington and Port Sanilac - the beaches would be nice by then. I would endorse the idea of Ann Arbor as it is a nice place.

pignolia

Wow! Thanks a lot for the quick replies!
As far as interests go,we are pretty open- bearing in mind the contraints imposed on us by two small kids.

Are there any really nice-must see lakes within a couple of hours drive of the area? This way, if we stay there and leave early on Tuesday, we would still be able to catch a flight.

Of course I realize that this is the land of the Great Lakes---LOL!
It is my understanding that most of the public places are several hours away.

By the way, is there anything to see or do in Auburn Hills?

Is Ann Arbor something to see for the kids? Any fun things to do there?

uv830

You might also want to think about the Henry Ford museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn. Your 3 yr old might like Greenfield Village more than the museum.

Keith

Spend the day in Frankenmuth, http://www.frankenmuth.org/

You and your husband will enjoy the Bavarian influenced community. The kids will love the world's largest Christmas store.

Keith

kelliebellie

There isn't anything in Auburn Hills except a big outlet mall. I like the mall, but not really a vacation destination.

For summer fun in Detroit I recommend the following:

Greenfield Village
http://www.thehenryford.org/village/index.aspx
Fun for the whole family.

Detroit Zoo
http://www.detroitzoo.org/
I know you can have birthday parties there.

Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad
http://geneseecountyparks.org/crossroadsvillage.htm
I haven't been, but I've heard good things and it isn't too far north of Clarkston

Citylghts

In addition to the mall, there's the Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills that's part of the Chrysler Headquarters complex, but I doubt it would hold much interest for your 3 y.o.

I second the recommendation of Greenfield Village. In addition to touring the historic buildings, you can ride in a horse and wagon, Model T, steamboat and steam train.

dsgmi

Hotels in Auburn Hills were suggested because that's probably the closest area with a selection in many price ranges. There is a huge outle mall called Great Lakes Crossing with a Rainforest Cafe (kids seem to love the animals). Kelliebellie's suggestions are terrific. There is a Hands On Museum in Ann Arbor, also. Greenfield Village is also perfect since there is a working farm with animals, a carousel, a steam train. There's great middle eastern food in Dearborn - near the henry ford. Both of these should be less than an hour from Auburn Hills, Ann Arbor a little farther. Crossroads Village is straight north of where you'll be.

The zoo is good too. Nearby is downtown Royal Oak - lots of restaurants and trendy shops.

Due east of where you'll be is Lake St. Clair/the Detroit River. The other way you could go to Kensington Metropark - 4000 acres with a big inland lake with swimming, biking, a farm with animals, a waterslide pool, canoe rentals etc.

Get a good map from the car rental agent...I-75 is closed through Detroit for a long term project and there are sometimes weekend detours in addition.

Just an FYI - my son doesn't really like Frankenmuth - he says it's, "just walking around looking at shops and eating chicken." If you want to 'do' something with a 3 yo, Frankenmuth might not be it; if she loves being pushed around in a stroller and doesn't really care, OK.

h2babe

Frankemuth is really fun at Christmas time, but the kids would probably enjoy the Zoo, the Greenville Village, or the Kensington Metropark.

kelliebellie

I think Frankenmuth has a water park now, but the kids might be too little.

There are also some city and county water parks around with kiddie areas. These would be good if it is going to be hot.

Here are the county ones:

http://www.oakgov.com/parksrec/ppark/red.html

http://www.oakgov.com/parksrec/ppark/waterford_wp.html

And Troy has a very nice one.

http://www.ci.troy.mi.us/ParksRec/TFAC/

I don't know if you have to be a resident to visit that one or not. You do for the indoor pool, but I don't know about the outdoor.

CDJD

While in Auburn Hills there is a Gameworks inside Great Lakes Crossing Mall which the kids would enjoy (right next to Rainforest Cafe which is another big hit with kids). There is a brand new Holiday Inn Express on Baldwin Road and you could walk to the mall and many other restaurants from there. The mall also has a very large movie theater.

If you are looking to get out to a nice park while in the Auburn Hills area, Downtown Rochester has a beautiful park with 2 huge play areas and a beautiful river flowing through. It is only a 10-15 minute drive from the mall area. No swimming at this park.

If you are looking for swimming then you could head to either Addison Oaks or Stoney Creek Metropark. Both parks are beautiful although I prefer Stoney. Addison Oaks however does have a waterpark whereas Stoney Creek is just a nice beach area. Stoney Creek charges $4 per car per day and Addison Oaks is $7 plus an additional fee for the waterpark. The downtown Rochester park is free.

mcmckissic1

Hi there....if it were me with my family here in Michigan, on a hot day, I would choose one of our many lakes and/or waterparks in the area. I have three little girls and we enjoy either Kensington Metropark in Milford and their waterpark and lakes or the Wave pool at Waterford Oaks County Park in Waterford. The Ann Arbor Hands On Museum for Children is wonderful and our three year old LOVED it, if you get to the Ann Arbor area (about an hour from Auburn Hills). Have Fun in our wonderful state!!!