Michigan Road Trip

I've searched the site, and (not too surprisingly) all the "road trip" advice for Michigan seems to be from Chicago. However, I'll be going to my mom's first, and she's near Detroit (Farmington Hills). We'll be driving from Detroit to Traverse City. I have probably more information than I need for three days in Traverse City, but I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations -- for sightseeing or for a meal -- between Detroit and TC -- without being too far off the track or too inaccessible (my mom is 82 and has spinal stenosis, so no rock-climbing sites). Even just a nice place for lunch as we drive would be appreciated.

Thanks.

It's hokey as all get out, but The Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth could be an interesting stop along the way for some German food or Fried Chicken...not to mention, it's Christmas 365 days/year in Frankenmuth.

Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth
1 Covered Bridge Ln
Frankenmuth, MI 48734
(989) 652-2651

Thanks, stevez. Anything else for the drive back to Detroit?

Just thought I'd mention that the trip turned out splendidly. Millions of cherry trees were in bloom. I was there just in time for the first spring asparagus harvest -- most amazing asparagus I've ever had -- huge and wild looking, and with the most astonishing flavor. Missed out on morels, as they hadn't had enough rain in Traverse City, so harvest was late -- but there's always next May. Found the new Jacques Torres chocolate shop on Front Street. Enjoyed the splendid whitefish paté at Carlson's that Mike G praised elsewhere. Found the Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor. And delighted in the general splendid scenery of the region. Definitely a terrific destination for a foodie and/or an outdoor or scenery enthusiast.

Cynthia wrote:Just thought I'd mention that the trip turned out splendidly. Millions of cherry trees were in bloom. I was there just in time for the first spring asparagus harvest -- most amazing asparagus I've ever had -- huge and wild looking, and with the most astonishing flavor. Missed out on morels, as they hadn't had enough rain in Traverse City, so harvest was late -- but there's always next May. Found the new Jacques Torres chocolate shop on Front Street. Enjoyed the splendid whitefish paté at Carlson's that Mike G praised elsewhere. Found the Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor. And delighted in the general splendid scenery of the region. Definitely a terrific destination for a foodie and/or an outdoor or scenery enthusiast.

I wish I'd chimed in on this thread, but I thought you were just looking for Detroit to TC stops! In any case, glad you had a good time, my family has a place in Glen Arbor so I'm very familiar with the area. Did you get a burger at the infamous Art's (or, as we call it, the Art Institute) Tavern? I'll be heading up there this week and will be dreaming of the Carlson's pate until I get there.

Ursiform wrote:I wish I'd chimed in on this thread, but I thought you were just looking for Detroit to TC stops! In any case, glad you had a good time, my family has a place in Glen Arbor so I'm very familiar with the area. Did you get a burger at the infamous Art's (or, as we call it, the Art Institute) Tavern? I'll be heading up there this week and will be dreaming of the Carlson's pate until I get there.

The only reason I didn't ask about TC was that there were two other threads on the destination, so I figured it had been covered. Also, with only three days, I already had more recommendations than I could fit in. But I'll keep Art's in mind for the next trip.

We did see Art's Tavern (that's the same street you turn on to get to the Cherry Republic), but we were pretty full by the time we reached Glen Arbor (mostly with whitefish pate), so we were just looking for the Cherry Republic by that point .

If you haven't been to TC recently, we had a great meal at a relatively new restaurant -- the Blue Tractor, on Union near 8th St. We shared deep fried dill pickles, smoked chicken chowder, blackened burger (1/2 lb. aged sirloin) with bacon and blue cheese, and one of the five flavors of mac and cheese (we had the blue cheese with scallions). Good stuff.