In Michigan: Discovering Frankenmuth and Mackinac Island

Cold. That’s the first thing that comes to mind when I hear the word Michigan. The destination may not be top of mind for most Filipinos visiting the US—not like sunny California—but I have been to this Midwestern state a couple of times already and I can say that I actually enjoyed exploring it.

I admit, I have an ulterior motive for going there—my sister. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t even think of taking a trip there. I’m glad though that she’s there to take us around and show us what Michigan has to offer.

A winter wonderland

There was a little bit of snow on the ground when we landed in Detroit, but this girl from the tropical isles came fully prepared. I covered myself from head to toe, wearing a hat, wool scarf, overcoat, leather gloves and even knee-high boots. It was my first time to travel there during this time of year. I didn’t expect snow though—well, not this early, but it was nice to experience it even for a short while.

We had a flexible itinerary, which pretty much centered on shopping. There are a lot of outlets in the area that would take the whole day to explore. Shopaholics would revel in the fantastic deals at the Great Lakes Crossing Outlets and Birch Run Premium Outlets that both feature discounted high-end brands. In between our shopping trips, we did some sightseeing to satisfy the tourist in us.

We drove to a place called Frankenmuth, dubbed “Michigan’s Little Bavaria.” It did look and feel like Germany. The architecture was distinctly Bavarian with walls covered in fairy-tale like paintings, and structures surrounded by lush greenery and well-tended flora.

We walked along Main Street and took in the sights. My eyes darted towards the cheese and sausage factories, leather shop, gift stores, and the fudge and candy kitchens. We couldn’t resist going inside the fudge shop to watch them make the sweet treats, and geot some to take home as well.

We relished the short stroll, which allowed us to explore the town on our own. We even got a chance to shop around the pop-up outdoor market where artisans displayed their wares. There were also horse-drawn carriages that could take you around the main road should you want a different kind of tour.

Frankenmuth is also home to the world’s largest Christmas store: Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland. The establishment is the size of one-and-a-half football fields and has a fantastic display of holiday decorations. I really felt the Christmas spirit when we passed there. For those traveling with the whole family, Frankenmuth has lots of fun attractions like The Adventure Park and  boat rides along the Cass River.

Palate pleasers in Michigan

Recently, all my trips have revolved around food. Even before I flew to Detroit, I told my sister that I wanted to eat at Slows Bar-B-Q, which was featured in a couple of television shows I saw while in Manila. The restaurant is known for its ribs and other smoked carnivore creations.

My sister got a full slab of baby back ribs, while my mom (a vegetarian most of the time) ordered the beef brisket, and I got a smoked chicken sandwich called The Yardbird. Of course, I took a bite off their plates and I must say that these were the best barbecue dishes my taste buds have ever come across. It was definitely worth the wait, as we had to stand in line for about 10 to 15 minutes to get a table.

What made it an interesting dining experience was the fact that they put five sauce variants on each table so you can enhance your meal to your preference. I tried everything and liked the spicy version the best.

Another must-try restaurant is Five Guys, a casual burger joint that serves 100% fresh beef with no fillers or preservatives. It had a modest menu that consisted of just burgers, hotdogs and fries, but despite its simplicity, it has attracted top personalities—even President Obama, who buys burgers from the Washington branch.

I just had to try the bacon cheeseburger with everything on it—mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, mushrooms, ketchup and mustard; all toppings were free, by the way. We got some Cajun-style fries to share and munched on complimentary roasted in-shell peanuts while indulging in our lunch meal. I was so full from it that I wasn’t able to eat dinner that night.

You’ll also see a lot of Coney Island stores around the city. If you’re into hotdogs, make sure to stop and get a sandwich that is topped with chili, onions and mustard.

Traveling 'Somewhere in Time'

On our past visit to Michigan, my sister and brother-in-law scheduled a side trip to Mackinac Island in Lake Huron. After a long drive from the city, we had to ride a ferry to get to the island, which is known for being the setting of the feature film "Somewhere in Time."

It was a great sightseeing place because of the interesting architectural styles, not to mention the fact that the island is free of motor vehicles; people get around by bicycle or horse-drawn carriage, or walk. As a vacationer, I kind of liked the set-up, but I can’t imagine living a very laid-back lifestyle there.

We took a carriage tour of the island that guided us to notable sights like Surrey Hills Museum, the Arch Rock, Fort Mackinac Avenue of Flags, and the Grand Hotel. It was a nice experience to see the island that way. Since we stayed there overnight, we were also able to do our own walking tour that included Mission Point and fudge shops.

Now that I have gotten a good glimpse of Michigan, I am looking forward to my next visit and new experiences. Note to self: make sure to schedule the trip during the summer season. — BM, GMA News