Adventures in Michigan

The Henry Ford, Museum and Greenfield Village

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Attraction | "The Most Amazing Place"

Greenfield Village Train Photo - The Henry Ford, Museum and Greenfield Village, Dearborn, Michigan

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When I tell you that we were blown away by Greenfield Village I am not exaggerating. I was absolutely in awe of the buildings that Henry Ford managed to acquire. Before I tell you all about the wonderful things we saw I will give you a few general tips.First if you are going to go to the Henry Ford Museum, buy a combination ticket. It will save you from paying the $5 parking fee twice. Even if you come on two separate days, which by the way I highly recommend you will only pay one parking fee. Second but the transportation bracelet, it is so worth it. For $10 additional you get to ride on the train, the Model T Fords, The Omnibus, the Old Fashioned bus and the merry-go-round as many time...Read More

When I tell you that we were blown away by Greenfield Village I am not exaggerating. I was absolutely in awe of the buildings that Henry Ford managed to acquire. Before I tell you all about the wonderful things we saw I will give you a few general tips.

First if you are going to go to the Henry Ford Museum, buy a combination ticket. It will save you from paying the $5 parking fee twice. Even if you come on two separate days, which by the way I highly recommend you will only pay one parking fee. Second but the transportation bracelet, it is so worth it. For $10 additional you get to ride on the train, the Model T Fords, The Omnibus, the Old Fashioned bus and the merry-go-round as many times as you would like.

As soon as we came through the gates we bought our bracelet and hopped on the train, somehow it seemed like the perfect thing to do. There is a conductor/guide on board who will give you a tour of sorts. Our was a female whose name I have forgotten but she told us to sit in the first seat because it was quite brisk out and there is a shield that will protect you from the worst of the wind if you are in the first seat, the cars are open to the air.

You get a good overview of the village on the train and it takes I guess about 45 minutes to make the round. There are several other stops along the way so you can choose to get off.

What you will learn is that Greenfield Village was designed to be a live classroom for the school that is still on the property. If these students couldn’t go where the history was, history was brought to them. Pretty amazing really, it is like an outdoor Smithsonian.
Okay why should you come all the way to Dearborn Michigan to see Greenfield Village? Where else can you walk into a courthouse where Abraham Lincoln actually argued cases and see a cabinet that he and his father made? Where else can you tour Robert Frost’s House, Noah Webster’s House and the Wright Brother’s Shop and Home? These are just the tip of the iceberg. The original ford family home is here as is the firestone farm, slaves cabins from a southern plantation, a very early Cape Code windmill and a 17th century Connecticut farmhouse. These and much, much more will give you a day or more of entertainment, it certainly did for us.

We had lunch at the Eagle Tavern which I wrote about in another review, it is a 19th century stage coaching house and offers a very authentic menu and atmosphere.

We loved riding in the Model T around the village and yes we did take a carousel ride too. We rode everything our ticket covered at least once.

There is a large and very well stocked gift shop as well so if you are looking for a souvenir of your visit, there are plenty to be had.
We loved Greenfield Village and for the life of us we can’t imagine why we have never heard about it. It has to be the best kept secret in the country.
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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on November 20, 2009

The Henry Ford, Museum and Greenfield Village
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
Dearborn, Michigan 48124
(313) 271-1570

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Residence Inn

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Hotel | "Residence Inn Novi"

Our living Room Photo - Residence Inn, Novi, Michigan

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Since we were traveling with three of us, Joe, Al and myself I felt that finding a suite hotel was going to be the best and least expensive option. My first choice since so much of our trip was centered on Dearborn was The Residence Dearborn. I booked three nights and never thought twice about it. About a week before we left I decided to check what people were saying about the hotel on Trip Advisor. Oh dear lord, it scared me half to death. Just goes to show you really need to check before you book. It was described as a pit and a dangerous one at that. In panic mode, I set out to find another hotel.In addition to Dearborn, we were going to Grosse Pointe and to Detroit so I settled on Novi...Read More

Since we were traveling with three of us, Joe, Al and myself I felt that finding a suite hotel was going to be the best and least expensive option. My first choice since so much of our trip was centered on Dearborn was The Residence Dearborn. I booked three nights and never thought twice about it. About a week before we left I decided to check what people were saying about the hotel on Trip Advisor. Oh dear lord, it scared me half to death. Just goes to show you really need to check before you book. It was described as a pit and a dangerous one at that. In panic mode, I set out to find another hotel.

In addition to Dearborn, we were going to Grosse Pointe and to Detroit so I settled on Novi, which in all fairness is quite a ways, but this Residence Inn was worth trek. We had a two-bedroom suite. This Residence Inn did not have exterior doors; we had to walk through the hotel to get to our suite. It was a very nice place. You enter into the kitchen which though not very updated did have a table that seated four. The entire suite was WIFI and we had a gas fireplace, which we used every day.

The bedrooms were on the opposite sides of the living room and each had its own bathroom. The beds were large and very comfortable and there were lamps on both sides of the door. They were virtually identical; each had its own TV too, which allowed us to get away from each other anytime we wanted to.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening there
is a manager’s reception with actual food. It was pasta and salad one day. You literally could eat your dinner here and save that cost as well.

There is a gym, an indoor pool and hot tub and best of all a laundry. We were very surprised at how inexpensive it was to get all our clothes clean again.

Near the front desk, there is a small store that has any supplies you might have forgotten as well as things that you could cook quickly in your room like frozen pizza.

Breakfast is a buffet and if it didn’t overwhelm us, it did have enough choices to keep us from being totally bored with it. They offered scrambled eggs; make your own waffles, some pastries, cold cereal, oatmeal and bread to toast. There were three types of juice and two out of three days fresh bananas. Overall considering it was free, not bad at all.

There was plenty of free parking and the area where the hotel is has malls where you can find a variety of restaurants, movie theatres and stores if you are in the mood to shop. It was also very convenient to the highway to get back and forth to Detroit.

Overall, I would recommend this hotel to just about anyone. One thing I would suggest is asking for a room on the top floor, we had children above us who seemed to run and jump nonstop, we could hear it all too clearly through the soundproofing in our ceiling.
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Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 20, 2009

Residence Inn
27477 Cabaret Drive
Novi, Michigan
(248) 735-7400

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The Henry Ford, Museum and Greenfield Village

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Attraction | "An Amazing Museum"

Rosa Parks Bus Photo - The Henry Ford, Museum and Greenfield Village, Dearborn, Michigan

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When it comes to amazing museums I am hard pressed o come up with even one that can compare with the Ford Museum. I have been to the Smithsonian Museum and yes they have a great collection but we were speechless by the depth of the collection here in Dearborn. I bet you are doubtful, but wait just let me give you a sample of what you will find here.First I have to tell you that you should buy a combination ticket. You can combine the Ford Museum with Greenfield Village and you will want to do both. The combination ticket allows you to do it on different days because it is way too ambitious to try to do both of them in one day. It costs to park here, that is my one gripe with them, ca...Read More

When it comes to amazing museums I am hard pressed o come up with even one that can compare with the Ford Museum. I have been to the Smithsonian Museum and yes they have a great collection but we were speechless by the depth of the collection here in Dearborn. I bet you are doubtful, but wait just let me give you a sample of what you will find here.

First I have to tell you that you should buy a combination ticket. You can combine the Ford Museum with Greenfield Village and you will want to do both. The combination ticket allows you to do it on different days because it is way too ambitious to try to do both of them in one day. It costs to park here, that is my one gripe with them, can you imagine given the price of your ticket which is not inconsiderable, you have to pay an addition $5 to park in an outdoor parking lot. The good news is you only have to pay it one day if you buy the combination ticket, if you buy separate tickets it is going to cost you twice.

This is a really big museum with high ceilings like a warehouse and stuff as far as the eye can see. AL and Joe and I were just in awe right from the first view. I am going to say that it is confusing and you will be glad for your map, it is just so big. When you consider that there is a plane, a train and farm equipment that stands 20 feet tall you get a small idea of how large it is.
We walked into the history section without any idea of what was here. I hate to admit it but I didn’t do much research. I thought there would be a lot of cars and there are lots of cars but beyond that I had no idea.

Our first clue was when we peaked into a room and a guide said ‘Would you like to sit in Rosa Parks’s seat? Sit in her seat, well yes the bus she was on in Birmingham is here and yes we did sit in her seat, talk about being a part of history.
2009 is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln and this year we visited his birthplace, his child home and here we saw the chair he was sitting at in Ford’s Theatre when he was shot, and yes the blood stains are still visible. There are 5 presidential limousines here including the one that John Kennedy was riding in when he was assassinated.

It isn’t all about death either, Mark Twain’s desk from Hartford where he wrote some of his best novels is here along with George Washington’s camp bed and Benedict Arnold’s letter proving that he was a traitor. I could go on and on. We were stunned.
It can take hours to tour here and you will get hungry. They have a very nice cafeteria with very good food and of course there is a huge gift shop. If you are taking the Ford Rouge Tour it starts from the museum and you need to buy a timed ticket.

I rate this museum and 5/5 and I hope to be able to return here again to see all the things I am sure that I missed.
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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on November 18, 2009

The Henry Ford, Museum and Greenfield Village
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
Dearborn, Michigan 48124
(313) 271-1570

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Eagle Tavern

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Restaurant | "Dining in a 19th Century Tavern"

Lunch at Eagle Tavern Photo - Dearborn, Michigan

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Eagle TavernWe arrived at Greenfield Village at about 11:30am. We took the 45 train ride around the perimeter and then hopped on a horse drawn Omnibus that took us down to Main Street. It dropped us off at the Eagle Tavern. We had not planned to eat quite this early but it seemed counter productive to walk away from here to have to walk back in half an hour. After some discussion we agreed , we would eat now and then walk it off for three hours. There is a menu posted on the exterior of the tavern right near the door, it will help you decide if there is something on the menu that you will enjoy.This is a real tavern. It was built in the 1830’s in Clinton Michigan and it w...Read More

Eagle Tavern

We arrived at Greenfield Village at about 11:30am. We took the 45 train ride around the perimeter and then hopped on a horse drawn Omnibus that took us down to Main Street. It dropped us off at the Eagle Tavern. We had not planned to eat quite this early but it seemed counter productive to walk away from here to have to walk back in half an hour. After some discussion we agreed , we would eat now and then walk it off for three hours. There is a menu posted on the exterior of the tavern right near the door, it will help you decide if there is something on the menu that you will enjoy.

This is a real tavern. It was built in the 1830’s in Clinton Michigan and it was moved here to be part of Greenfield Village. The fare that you will find here is typical of the 1800’s and is much the same as any travelers would have expected to receive back then. You will be greeted at the door by a costumed waitress or hostess and told the history of the tavern. You will then be escorted into the dining room. The tables are tables for eight so you can expect to be seated with other guests.

We were told that this was done originally so that guests who were traveling in different directions could share the latest news with other travelers, makes good sense to me. Joe , Al and I shared out table with an adorable you couple from Japan and their very pretty little daughter, I can only imagine that they found this restaurant very interesting. They did ask to take a picture of all of us at the table so evidently we didn’t bother them at all.

Our waitress was a pleasant you girl who explained anything we didn’t understand, and rest assured you will need explanations as well unless you know already what salmagundi or bubble and squeak are. We didn’t.

We started with mugs of hot cider, we ordered ours without the rum but it was available. Joe had the bubble and squeak and the family soup. Family soup was a beef vegetable and bubble and squeak was cabbage , potatoes sausage. Al had the pork and apple pie which had lots of pork in a rich gravy under a tender crust. I had the squash soup which was butternut squash with fall spices and the bean stew, which was dried beans and not the best thing I have ever eaten, could have used a little molasses or something.

Along with our meals we had the bread bowl which was delicious, it had Sally Lund rolls and blue berry and corn muffins. About half way though our meal the owner of the inn in 1850 came to our table and assured us that there were rooms available if we wanted to spend the night. There were separate rooms for men and woman and no more than 3 people to a bed. She promised to introduce us to our bed mates so we wouldn‘t have to sleep with strangers. It was a hoot. Joe was all serious and asked her questions., We got right into character.

We were too full to eat dessert , I know hard to believe but the portions here are generous. I highly recommend this tavern as much for the atmosphere as for the food. It is a n experience that you won’t want to miss. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 11, 2009

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The Henry Ford, Museum and Greenfield Village

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Watchng the Ford F-150 Being Produced"

Ford Rouge Factory Tour Photo - The Henry Ford, Museum and Greenfield Village, Dearborn, Michigan

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Having arrived at the Henry Ford Museum we knew that part of what we wanted to do was to take Al on the Ford Factory Tour. The Ford Rouge Center is a historic plant that also includes a visitor center that will get you up to speed on the history of Ford Motor Company and in particular the Rouge Ford Plant. For some reason the three of us paid only $23 for our three tickers. The going price is $15 for adults. We were 2 seniors and an adult, the price makes no sense but none the less that is what we paid. The buses between the Henry Ford Museum and the Rouge Center run every half hour so plan your trip accordingly. Your ticket is a timed ticket so you need to be on the right bus. ...Read More

Having arrived at the Henry Ford Museum we knew that part of what we wanted to do was to take Al on the Ford Factory Tour. The Ford Rouge Center is a historic plant that also includes a visitor center that will get you up to speed on the history of Ford Motor Company and in particular the Rouge Ford Plant.

For some reason the three of us paid only $23 for our three tickers. The going price is $15 for adults. We were 2 seniors and an adult, the price makes no sense but none the less that is what we paid. The buses between the Henry Ford Museum and the Rouge Center run every half hour so plan your trip accordingly. Your ticket is a timed ticket so you need to be on the right bus.

The plant is about 5 miles or so away and the bus ride is maybe 10 minutes. During the trip Bill Ford the former CEO of Ford Motor introduces you to the plant and the company philosophy. When you get off the bus the center is right there and you head inside.

The areas in the center are numbers. Section one is a film that lasts about 15 minutes and gives you the history of the Ford Motor Company, the union and the factory and its workers. It is a fascinating lesson in 20th century history. Section two is another film but this one is shown on 7 screens and you get to feel, smell and hear what the production was and is like. The heat from the furnaces as they smelt the ore was quite intense. The kids will love this and actually Joe, Al and I did too.

From here you take an elevator to the observation deck where you find out about the green things that Ford is doing. This for me was the most boring part and I was glad to get out , though the view of the entire Rouge complex is quite nice.

Now you are ready for part four and the factory tour. When we arrived they were on break on we had to wait ten minutes for production to start. The walk around the cat walk is half a mile so if you have trouble walking you may just want to stand still and watch the consoles being installed , that is what the first stop is.

For me the most amazing part was the two parts of the truck being put together, to watch the cab and the bed meet, it is all computerized and on a conveyer but it was always right, no red beds getting attached to black beds atc.

After you finish this part you go back down stairs and you can visit their Legacy auto collection. Be prepared to be wowed by the Thunderbird. It is the kind that Al has always dreamed of owning. We all had a great time on this tour and it is certainly something I would highly recommend. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on October 10, 2009

The Henry Ford, Museum and Greenfield Village
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
Dearborn, Michigan 48124
(313) 271-1570

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