[CDL-A]

Hello, I'm poking my head in here for a moment because my sister lives in Michigan. She's in Saline, which is pretty near to Ann Arbor. Her birthday is Saturday, and she's trying to come up with something fun to do so her husband doesn't end up taking her to a movie (again). Poor guy. Anyway, since I'm not there (I live in Arizona), I can't take her anywhere; but if you have some ideas of what to do, I could pass them along and maybe she'll have a good time. Any thoughts?

About my little sister:
She's very pretty.
She's active.
She's the mom of three teenagers.
She's going to be 37.
She works too hard and deserves to have a great birthday!

Thank you in advance for any and all ideas!

[pianodude76]

I would suggest that they go to the Henry Ford, which is a great day trip for anyone. Here's the website:
Henry Ford Museum

[CDL-A]

Right on PianoDude, many thanks! Really appreciate the link, too!

[Coldjensens]

There is an indoor water park in Dundee. It is mostly for kids, but can be fun for adults who still know how to let go. Cabellas sporting goods store next door is half store half museum. It is full of local fish (in an aquarium) and models of various game animals from around the world. It makes a nice day trip.

A quaker town in Ohio or INdiana can be nice especially if they like to shop. Shipshewana is the best known, but it is a little bit touristy for many people. Still it makes a nice day trip.

If they are really ambitious, why not a trip to Chicago?

Lots of theater and sporting events in Detroit. Some decent resturuants too. Dinner at Slows followed by a show at the fox or gem or fischer theaters wold be a really nice night. You can find "nicer" places to eat downtown, but you will not find better food (have to arrive early, it gets really crowded on weekends). .

At The Henry Ford they can see the batman movie at the Imax theater if they time it right. They have several other movies as well.

It is not too late to go canoeing on the Huron River (I think so anyway). Renting a canoe may be hard to find, but is is a nice trip from the metropark just upstream from Delhi down to Delhi. They can stop at the cidder mill for hot cider and doughnuts on the way. Beautiful trip, but they will have to watch the weather and wear jackets. The water is rarely over a couple of feet deep alnog this route.

The Lord Fox resturaunt just outside of Ann Arbor is awonderful romantic place for a nice dinner.

The Lord Fox Restaurant is a 125 year old house on six picturesque acres in the hamlet of Dixboro, just outside the city limits of Ann Arbor.Built in 1880, the house was situated on the main route between Ann Arbor and Detroit and in the 1920's was opened as the "Farm Cupboard Restaurant" to offer weary travelers food and drink.However,some say it was more than a restaurant in those early days, operating as a "blind pig" before the repeal of prohibition, many a poker game was held in the basement room, now known as the "Foxes Den."Also, in those early years, Henry Ford, could be seen here with union buster Harry Bennett as the rode their horses to the Farm Cupboard for Sunday dinner.Today, the Lord Fox remains a family owned restaurant and retains much of the "Gone With the Wind" style rarely seen in this area.You may choose to dine indoors, outdoors, or in the lovely gazebo overlooking Fleming Creek that runs through the estate. Private rooms or the entire facility are available for parties or special occasions.The cuisine is European-American, and the atmosphere is quiet and unpretentious.The prices are moderate, and the dress code is casual or with sport coat.It is a great place to enjoy the company of friends, fine cuisine, and wines from our award winning wine cellar.We invite you to visit this little island of local history. A worthy destination indeed!

[CDL-A]

This is a great post ColdJensens, thank you so much!! Really, I had no idea there was so much to do outdoors this time of year (too cold for a picnic, no snow yet for skiing, ...). You are just a fountain of information, and I really appreciate it!

I am beginning to feel optimistic about her chances of having a fun and unique birthday experience!!

[Coldjensens]

I forgot, they could also go get pizza and icecream in Hell. Hell Michigan is not far away from Saline. There is not much there, but it makes a funny birthday place. A picnic is still possoble if it is not raiining. I once took my wife on a date to Hell. We had a picnic despite the fact that it was a very cold day in hell. The drive is really nice, especially in a sports car. You can go canoeing in Hell too, but it is mostly on lakes. I would not canoe on a lake in this weather.

If they go to Hell, they may want to stop in Dexter on their way home. It is a cute small town with some decent resturantes.

[CDL-A]

*giggles* Just reading your post sent me into a fit of giggles. (*^-^*)
Again,
Thank you!

[CDL-A]

Originally Posted by CDL-A

She's going to be 37.

Looking back over this thread, I realize I made a mistake. My sister is 37; she's going to be 38. Wouldn't want to let that mistake slip by!

[pianodude76]

Originally Posted by CDL-A

Right on PianoDude, many thanks! Really appreciate the link, too!

Your welcome. =)

[CDL-A]

My sister called tonight, I couldn't take the pressure! I cracked!! Everything just came tumbling out of my mouth, and before I knew it I had shared all of the great ideas in this thread. I'm just awful, I know. Guess the moral of the story is, don't tell me what you got your spouse for Christmas.

While she really liked all the great ideas, she's curious to see what else might pop up in the next 24 hours. Me too, as a matter of fact!

Oh, and she did go to the Lord Fox Restaurant once, years ago, and she loved it. Good call there ColdJensens.