Detroit Shopping Outlet malls? (Flint, Monroe: vacation, income, school)

[pappy7]

I'm going to be in Windsor soon for a vacation and planning on taking the family to Detroit for back to school shopping because U.S. are just so cheap these days compared to Canadian prices. Can anyone recommend the best outlet type malls etc. for shopping for us. The closer to the bridge/tunnel the better. Many thanks.

[and the]

The closest outlet mall I know of is where my wife wastes most of our disposable income that I haven't been able to hide: Birch Run.

They bill it as the second largest outlet mall in the world. Plus, it's close to Frankenmuth, so you can spend a day or two there. Also, if anyone in your family is into military history, there's also "Michigan's Own" Military history museum that has some cool stuff including displays for every Medal of Honor recipient from Michigan. I think it's about an hour or hour and a half from Detroit, straight up I-75. You can get there from the bridge without ever getting off the freeway til you get there.

[sea2006]

You would take I-75 North to get there, then follow the sign after you get past Flint.
Also, there is one in Monroe, which is South of Detroit. And one in Howell, about 1 hour west of Detroit on I-96.
] I don't know of any outlet mall that is "close" to Downtown Detroit. Monroe is probably the closest, and it's probably a good 1/2 at least away. I'd make it a day/overnight trip and go to Birch Run and Frankenmuth if it were me.

[kaypurdue]

Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills has some outlet stores. (Not all of their stores are outlets, but a lot of the clothing stores are.) It's straight up I-75 about 20 minutes or so north of Detroit - you can take either Joslyn or Baldwin Rd. exits to get there (I find Joslyn easier, personally).

Birch Run is an excellent suggestion if you are willing to drive a little further. I highly recommend taking I-75 north to I-475 in Flint, to bypass ongoing construction on I-75 through Flint (unless you like being stuck in traffic ). That will take you back to I-75 north of Flint, and Birch Run is just a few exits away from there.

Have fun!