Our journey continues through Michigan's picturesque landscapes, from the charming seaside town of Traverse City to the cultural and culinary treasures of Frankenmuth and the shopping opportunities of Birch Run. Experience the incredible diversity of this region, from the gentle waves of Lake Michigan to the German half-timbered houses and vibrant outlet centres. Join us on our amazing road trip through the breathtaking Great Lakes State!
Before leaving Traverse City, we bought a slice of chocolate cherry fudge at Doug Murdick's. We drove east on Highway M-72 until we reached Interstate I-75 near Grayling. We followed this south until we left Saginaw on our right. We took Exit 146A and followed the signs to our first destination: Frankenmuth.
Road trip USA (Midwest): Frankenmuth – Michigan's Little Bavaria
Frankenmuth calls itself Michigan's little Bavaria. And that's exactly what it was. We parked our car at the River Place Shopping Center and first visited this replica of a Bavarian village. Bavarian folk music and Udo Jürgens' Greek Wine blared from the speakers the whole time. It was so quirky, but we already knew what Americans think of German culture. The shops sold all kinds of German-American specialties, as well as toys, clothing, and furniture. To cross the small river and see the rest of the town, which was founded by German immigrants, we took the stylish covered bridge. We collected a few more geocaches and got further impressions of the American understanding of Bavaria, or rather, Germany. Every German would get fits of laughter here, but somehow it's also a little cute.
Birch Run Premium Outlets
We continued on to Birch Run. It was only a 15-minute drive to our hotel for the day—another Hampton Inn. After checking in, we just had to cross I-75 to the Birch Run Premium Outlets and shop to our heart's content. Armed with a shopping list as long as a Santa's wish list and some extra coupons, we set off. Tommy Hilfiger, Carter's, GAP, Banana Republic. Our closets were full again for next year—the trip was worth it just for the Tommy Hilfiger shopping trip.
Halo Burger
We had dinner at Halo Burger. A fast-food chain I didn't know about, only available in Michigan. We ordered a QP Burger and a Half-Pound Supreme. It was very tasty, and the sauce on the burger was delicious. Highly recommended, and it deserves a spot on our list of the best fast-food restaurants!
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