A vacation doesn’t have to involve flying across the country and spending an entire week away to be memorable. Sometimes those short weekend road trips are just what you need to recharge. Christina and I just got back from a four-night road trip to Michigan that provided some fantastic memories!
Pre-Trip Planning
Christina and I love football. We are avid NFL fans and even run a few fantasy football leagues. The only thing better than watching it on TV is being at the stadium itself. Every few years we like to look at the NFL schedule and plan a weekend away around a game in a city we have never been. Ideally that would be an away game for the Cincinnati Bengals, but this year we couldn’t resist the Monday Night Football Lions / Buccaneers game in Detroit.
Heading to Michigan also gave us the opportunity to visit Frankenmuth, which is one of our favorite destinations for a weekend getaway. Frankenmuth is a beautiful little town with a Bavarian theme throughout. Being able to visit in the fall with the leaves changing was just icing on the cake.
Friday – Sunday: Frankenmuth, MI
Our Michigan road trip began bright and early on a Friday morning as we set out from our home near Cincinnati. By leaving around 9 AM, we were able to avoid the typical rush hour traffic, making the five-and-a-half-hour drive to Frankenmuth much smoother and less stressful. Once we arrived, we checked into SpringHill Suites, which is conveniently located in the heart of Frankenmuth.
We would definitely recommend staying in the center of town, as it provides easy access to everything Frankenmuth has to offer. The area is full of charming shops and inviting restaurants, making it perfect for exploring on foot. Our choice of SpringHill Suites was based on its central location, the spacious rooms, and the reasonable rates compared to some of the pricier options in town. The mix of comfort and value made it an ideal start to our Michigan adventure.
After settling in, we made our way to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. If you love Christmas, this is a must-visit destination! The store offers everything imaginable, from personalized ornaments to Santa suits and everything in between. We picked up a few things for the upcoming Christmas season, as well as some unique gifts for friends and family.
Later that afternoon, we strolled into town, where we enjoyed visiting the local shops, admired the covered bridge, and grabbed some food at T-Dubs. One of our favorite aspects of Frankenmuth is the town’s beautifully maintained landscaping. The attention to detail makes the whole area exceptionally picturesque.
Saturday was mostly a relaxing day spent watching college football games, which may sound like an odd way to spend vacation time, but sometimes it’s nice just to unwind. We capped off the evening with a lovely dinner at Prost! Wine Bar and Charcuterie, where the diverse menu offered something for everyone.
One quick note for visitors: Frankenmuth is famous for its fried chicken dinners, with several well-known restaurants boasting their own versions. While we’re sure they are all excellent, we didn’t sample them ourselves, as the prices seemed a bit steep for fried chicken. After all, we are from KY which is the birthplace of KFC, a much more affordable option! So, instead, we opted to try something different.
Sunday – Tuesday: Detroit, MI
After checking out of our hotel in Frankenmuth, we made a quick stop at the Birch Run outlet mall, located just fifteen minutes away. Arriving right as the doors opened at 11:00 AM allowed us to avoid the crowds and shop in a relaxed atmosphere. We visited several stores, picking up additional gifts for Christmas, as well as a few treats for ourselves before continuing on to Detroit for the next leg of the trip.
Our accommodations in Detroit were at The Atheneum Suite Hotel, situated in the heart of Greektown. We specifically chose this hotel for its convenient location, just a short walk from Ford Field. The spacious rooms were a pleasant surprise, especially for a downtown property, and the proximity to local restaurants along with valet parking added to the overall convenience.
On our first evening in Detroit, we spent some time watching NFL football before heading out for dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings. After enjoying our meal, we walked over to Astoria Pastry Shop and indulged in some delicious cheesecake and chocolate cake, perfect for a late-night treat.
Monday was a leisurely day, with a chance to sleep in and recharge for the big night ahead. We grabbed lunch at Five Guys, conveniently located within walking distance of our hotel, and relaxed by watching a movie in our room before heading out for the football game.
The walk to Ford Field was surprisingly brief, taking only about ten minutes. Arriving early gave us plenty of time to enjoy dinner and explore the stadium before kickoff. We were impressed by the abundance of concessions. It was easy to grab food without waiting in long lines. We found the quality of the offerings to be excellent.
Ford Field itself was an incredible venue. Our seats were right on the 50-yard line in the lower section, providing a fantastic view of the game. The atmosphere was great, and the fans around us were welcoming—even to the handful of opposing team supporters nearby. By the end of the night, it felt as though we were watching the game with friends. Christina added to the fun by photo bombing a group in front of us, resulting in laughs all around! The climate-controlled dome made for a comfortable experience, with a perfect 70-degree temperature inside. The seats were a bit narrow, but that might be a “me” problem! The game itself was exciting, filled with memorable moments that made the night special.
Overall Rating of the Trip: Solid “A”
While Detroit may not always have the best reputation however, our experience was overwhelmingly positive. The people we encountered were friendly and helpful, making our stay enjoyable. Returning to Frankenmuth was also a highlight, as it had been some time since our last visit. Overall, the trip was a great success and one we will remember fondly.
- Hotel in Downtown Frankenmuth, MI | SpringHill Suites Frankenmuth
- Downtown Detroit Hotels | Atheneum Suites Hotel | Historic Greektown
- Home | Astoria Pastry Shop
- Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland World’s Largest Christmas Store
- Prost! Wine Bar & Charcuterie | Frankenmuth, MI
- T.Dub’s | Frankenmuth’s Best Pizza – T.Dub’s Pizzeria & Pub
Leave a Reply