I know the re line sounds strange and I admit this is waaay early to ask but I feel I can rest quite comfortably in the knowledge that I am not the only one who enjoys the anticipation for the Open House well in advance. And, really, it is not too much in advance as I need to book stuff, such as the hotels.
I plan to go to the States a couple of days (5 or so) before the Open House and put my rental car to the best possible use and go for a little roadtrip.
Now, I do not know the States very well. Last OH I concentrated on some sightseeing in Detroit (The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village were awesome!). This year (well, 2012) I would love to experience the more "rural"/countryside US, small towns and such.
What would you advise me to see (certain counties, towns, places) in Michigan, respectively within a radius of about 300 miles around Detroit. I will likely, for the sake of not travelling only but to actually have the time to see/enjoy stuff and relax before the OH only go in one direction and then circle back and home in on Westland. A Michigan roundtrip seems to suggest itself, alternatively I could go see parts of Ohio or Indiana, I guess. As I am European, a total trip of 600 miles is the max I feel I am up to (here 150 miles is considered far away ).
Naturally, I must go to a baseball match at least once (while that is great, it is wee bit sad that the OH is not in the football season, but you can't have everything, eh).
I am interested for example in
- - Michigan wine/vineyards;
- US history in general;
- enjoying the beauty of nature - a not too touristic fishing village would suit me well and will, if I find it, defintely wiggle its way onto my itinerary;
- a county or other fair,
- does anybody incidentally know the Vermontville, MI, or Sheperd, MI, Maple Syrup festivals or the National Trout Festival in Kalkaska, MI ... and whether it is worthwhile to go to any of them (they should be end of April)?;
- pointers to classical diners.
- If I can avoid it (need some money for Pally books, too, eh) I would rather not have to spend too much, so if you can recommend inexpensive (shabby gentility is fine , but not bedraggled ) bed & breakfast / simple guesthouses that would be great.
- Also, I would really appreciate safety warnings, if any are necessary.
Thanking you in advance for any advise.
Kindest regards,
Hendrik