Hi Moms,
My best friend and I want to get away for a weekend, probably the second weekend in January. Problem is, we're broke. We thought about Chicago, but we're looking at almost $200 a person just for the train and hotel...not including eating or going out. Does anyone have any ideas? Can anyone suggest a local treasure, where we could get a decent hotel room for cheap and still find something to do? We're up for anything. We desperately need to get out!!
Thanks,
A.
I see someone mentioned the casino in Mt Pleasant. That's what I was going to suggest. I hear the rooms are dirt cheap right now. I have never been there so I can't tell you anything else about it.
Saugutuck has some great bed and breakfasts and houses to rent. It is off season so you can probably get a great deal.
I don't know of many places in MI that would be good for a winter get away, but if you go to Chicago and you rent a car, look up a Walker Brothers Restaurant. They have chocolate crapes that are out of this world; my mother gets them every time she goes to Chicago. The restaurant we go to is in Lake Forest Illinois which is about 45 minutes north of Chicago. They have some great museums. One thing that my family did when I was growing up was every summer we would drive up to Petosky, MI and stay at the Apple Tree Inn. You could see the bay of Lake Michigan from the driveway; they have a great little play area (swing and slide) for the kids and a kick a$$ swimming pool. We always went around the same time as the side walk sales were going on and we got some great souvenirs at great prices. While we were in Petosky, we drove up to Charlovioux and got ice cream at the Hagen Daaz store and watched the ships go through the draw bridge while we ate. It was great fun. Good luck!
Frankenmuth/Birch Run are the best! Friends and I did it last year. We stayed at Springfield Suites in downtown Frankenmuth. It was a 2 bed room with a little sitting area, they have an indoor pool, and an awesome continental breakfast! It's also within walking distance of Zehnder's, a couple bars, and cute shops. It's about a 5 minute drive to Bronner's, and 15 minutes to the outlets at Birch Run. Plus it's no more than 1.5 hours from metro Detroit!
My absolute favorite city for shopping is Marshall. They have the best antique and speciality stores of anywhere I have been. The National House Inn is right downtown and within walking distance of all the shops and you could probably get a good rate since it is the off season. When in Marshall we always eat at Schulers restaurant, about 2 or 3 blocks from National House, a Marshall icon. Marshall is a great place if you like unconventional stores (a mix of old, new and local artists) and antique places. Even if you don't have a lot of money to spend you can always find some little thing within your budget to take home as a souvenier.
S.
Have you thought about Frankenmuth or Shipshawana/Mishawaka, IN? Frankenmuth is more tourist and might be more expensive, but you might be able to get some deals as it should be off season.
J.
I've always wanted to check out Soaring Eagle Casino here in Michigan...not so much for the gambling, but for the shows and atmosphere. Probably cheaper for you to drive to.
Grand Rapids has that beautiful Amway Hotel. Nice things to do. You might want to just enjoy the hotel time together.
Chicago is always a beautiful trip. They have some airfare for $49 each way. Ck into them. It beautifully decorated for the holidays as well.
Best of Luck on your trip away...
You could still do Chicago affordably if you wanted to. Each year we take the South Shore Line train from Michigan City (Carroll Street Station). It's only about $7 each way. It brings you right to the Corner of Michigan and Randolph so it's very convenient. In November, I stayed at a gorgeous hotel in Chicago (Palmer House) for $85/night by doing priceline. You can request a 4 star hotel in the area you want to stay and set your price! Good luck
We plan a girl’s weekend ever year. And it falls in late January or early February. It seems like we always have to keep the cost down.
Some of the things we have done are:
-found local hotels with indoor pools and a bar inside the hotel
-go to the west side of the state. It's off season so it's very reasonable
-go to different casinos like in Mt. Pleasant and in Detroit
me and my girl friend like to hit the casino in mt plesent take in a move and stuff like that but we are from lansing and don't like to get to far from our kids
I would suggest Frankenmuth. You can find a hotel right behind Bronner's for around $60 I think. and you are right by birch run, so you can go shopping at the outlet malls there. hope this helps!!
