Henry Ford Museum / Harbortown RV Resort

[Jmsx2]

Hey Gang,

We are planning a 3 stop trip in June and need some advice (in this order).

*Frog Event @ Evergreen Park in Ohio.
*Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn MI.
*Put-In-Bay - South Bass Island, Ohio

We're looking for recommendations as to where to stay near the Henry Ford Museum. We are leaning toward "Harbortown RV Resort which is about 35 minutes south of Dearborn, MI. Seems like a really nice place and since it's south of Dearborn it will make our trip over to Put-In-bay easier.

We have a Georgetown Class A with a Toad. Any suggestion would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks Much.
John & Janine

[rsdata]

While in Michigan, and if you are a Motown music lover or at least someone that listen to CKLW-AM (Detroit-Windsor) in your youth, you must try the Motown Museum in Detroit. Been there twice and took friends. Everybody loved it. Get the guided tour... the guides break out in song singing the tunes you grew up with when you see a photo or Gold record for that tune... all talented singers themselves. Tour lasts a little over an hour. Mostly pcitures and awards on the walls but the guides bring the moment to life explaining what was "happening" at that time. Stand in the studio where so many hits were recorded and where Sir Paul made a story in.

[Jmsx2]

Originally Posted by rsdata

While in Michigan, and if you are a Motown music lover or at least someone that listen to CKLW-AM (Detroit-Windsor) in your youth, you must try the Motown Museum in Detroit. Been there twice and took friends. Everybody loved it. Get the guided tour... the guides break out in song singing the tunes you grew up with when you see a photo or Gold record for that tune... all talented singers themselves. Tour lasts a little over an hour. Mostly pcitures and awards on the walls but the guides bring the moment to life explaining what was "happening" at that time. Stand in the studio where so many hits were recorded and where Sir Paul made a story in.

Now this sounds interesting! I'm hitting the ripe old age of 56 this year and I love listening to the oldies.. A little Doo Wop and some Motown is okay with me..

Thanks...

[rsdata]

also take the ferry boat from S. Bass to Kelly's Island and rent a golf cart to tour the island. See the glacial grooves near the campground in the state park there... use the beach in the campground. Miniature golf plus many eating and drinking establishments over there... a little more family oriented then S. Bass Island... which is nice also, but a little more party oriented.

While still on the mainland, eat at Jolly Rogers Seafood in Port Clinton for some awesome walleye or perch dinner. Works more like a fastfood... order and wait to be called to pickup your food... always good for the last 30+ years. Should be parking close by for the camper + toad.

[Jmsx2]

Originally Posted by rsdata

also take the ferry boat from S. Bass to Kelly's Island and rent a golf cart to tour the island. See the glacial grooves near the campground in the state park there... use the beach in the campground. Miniature golf plus many eating and drinking establishments over there... a little more family oriented then S. Bass Island... which is nice also, but a little more party oriented.

While still on the mainland, eat at Jolly Rogers Seafood in Port Clinton for some awesome walleye or perch dinner. Works more like a fastfood... order and wait to be called to pickup your food... always good for the last 30+ years. Should be parking close by for the camper + toad.

The Islands are kind of our thing for the last 10 years or so. Don't party like we use too, but we enjoy good food, entertainment as well as people watching. We make several trips a year to Put-In-Bay and have been to Kelly's as well as Middle Bass Island! there are a few good wineries on the Islands. A few year back we kept our boat at Marblehead and enjoyed Island Hopping!

If you like cheese, the Cheese Heaven in Port Clinton is the place to go!

Thanks again!

[rogo]

We thought Harbortown was quite nice, clean and convenient to SW Detroit area. The Ford Museum is a wonderful experience as is the adjacent Greenfield Village. Allow at least a day to take it all in. We visited last July during their Makers Faire. If you have bicycles, take them to Lake Erie Metropark just up the road and enjoy their great biking/walking trails.

[rclogg]

Hass Lake Campground is in Novi Michigan. One of our favorites and only about 20 min east of Dearborn.

[Jmsx2]

Originally Posted by rogo

We thought Harbortown was quite nice, clean and convenient to SW Detroit area. The Ford Museum is a wonderful experience as is the adjacent Greenfield Village. Allow at least a day to take it all in. We visited last July during their Makers Faire. If you have bicycles, take them to Lake Erie Metropark just up the road and enjoy their great biking/walking trails.

rogo... Great information and thanks so much. We were figuring one days for the Museum and the second day for Greenfield Village (a must for my wife). Do you think two days are plenty! The Metropark sounds like a great idea for day number 3 before we head over to Put-In-Bay.

Thanks for the picture and info.

[rogo]

Originally Posted by Jmsx2

rogo... Great information and thanks so much. We were figuring one days for the Museum and the second day for Greenfield Village (a must for my wife). Do you think two days are plenty! The Metropark sounds like a great idea for day number 3 before we head over to Put-In-Bay.

Thanks for the picture and info.

We were rushed trying to do it all in one day. Your plan sounds perfect!

[Starlifter]

Jmsx2 You may want 3 days at Henry Ford Museum if you take n the Rouge truck factory tour. It is a very good time but takes about 4 hours or so

[Connie Jo]

I live about five minutes away from Harbortown. Although I've never stayed there, it does look nice. It would be a great location for going both north and south.

[mkekflyers]

We've stayed at Harbortown a couple of times, make sure you ask for the full hookups if that's what you want. The west half of the CG is power/water only. Whole park is concrete/blacktop pads, most are near dead on level. Nice pool & stocked store, huge laundry & bath house with individual bathrooms. Adjacent go-cart & arcade area, ice cream etc @ the pool side snack shop.

Evergreen is almost our home CG, usually spend several multi-days there. 10's across the board. Sites are extremely well maintained, covered indoor pool. Right in the middle of Ohio's Amish country. Large bath house in the pool building also, all sites except tent area are full hookup. They honor GS discounts as well. Great place, you will love both....have graduations in MI the week of the FROG rally or we'd be there too. . .

[RRD1220]

Watch your dates in June as MIS has races over father day weekend and Harbor town gets filled up fast.

[camaraderie]

I'll just add my thanks for all the good information. We're planning to visit the Ford Museum on the way to the Goshen fest this summer if all goes well & I'm glad to know of Greenfield Village & the other attractions & RV parks.
Also planning to visit Ann Arbor...should I find another RV park there or will Harbortown serve for both?

Edit...Duh..typed Dearborne when I meant Ann Arbor . Sorry.

[Paulie1138]

While in Dearborn, after the Village or The Ford as the museum is now called, go to Buddy's Pizza on Michigan Ave., not far at all from the museum. Excellent pizza pie! Also, there are many Middle Eastern places near Buddy's. Try a Shwarma sandwich. Sort of an Arabic version of a Greek Gyro. Also many other great eats if you are adventurous in that area. Google for exact directions. I worked at Greenfield Village and The Henry Ford Museum in the mid 70's for several years. If you like early Americana and industry, you can spend days wandering around in there! If you look across from the village, you can see the Ford Test Track and some of the engineering buildings. There was an airport that Ford built and flew his Tri-Motor airplanes in and out of in the middle of that. I have since moved out to Arizona, but still have some family in the area. Also, if your time allows, go take the Ford Tour! You will be amazed watching the birth of a truck! It used to be called "A Car is Born!" Ford tours used to include a complete tour of the Rouge Plant. Everything came in as raw materials, and left as a Mustang or Fseries truck! From sand to glass, iron ore to a car body- everything! I do not know what is included on the newer tours, so.....

[aceinspp]

Got time check out the Dodge museum also. Later RJD

[SimchaSabre]

We've stayed at Detroit Greenfield RV Park which would be somewhat closer to the Ford Museum/ Greenfield Village. It used to be a KOA, but then the owners went independent.

Also depending how many nights your planning in the area, Cabela's at the "Dundee" exit on Rt 23 offers overnight camping(Parking) in their RV lot. They even have dump & Water. (The nearby Russell Stover's candy outlet may also be a +)

[A32Deuce]

I have been to the Ford twice. We needed 3 days to do the Ford and Greenfield Village. Plus Factory tours and Fairlane, Family home.

[Samary]

Detroit Greenfield RV Park would be closer to both Dearborn and Ann Arbor. I haven't stayed there however I have heard it is nice. Safe travels!

[Jmsx2]

Originally Posted by mkekflyers

We've stayed at Harbortown a couple of times, make sure you ask for the full hookups if that's what you want. The west half of the CG is power/water only. Whole park is concrete/blacktop pads, most are near dead on level. Nice pool & stocked store, huge laundry & bath house with individual bathrooms. Adjacent go-cart & arcade area, ice cream etc @ the pool side snack shop.

Evergreen is almost our home CG, usually spend several multi-days there. 10's across the board. Sites are extremely well maintained, covered indoor pool. Right in the middle of Ohio's Amish country. Large bath house in the pool building also, all sites except tent area are full hookup. They honor GS discounts as well. Great place, you will love both....have graduations in MI the week of the FROG rally or we'd be there too. . .

Great Info.. Yes we'll be looking for a full hookup site with 50 amp service. We bought a Georgetown 328TSF Class A in August. As much as we loved out Sunseeker Class C, the Class A is such a joy! Hopefully in about 7 years or so we'll be retired and do more things like this.

Frog Event page doesn't have any details yet on their event. If something doesn't show up soon we may end up skipping it and spending a few extra days at Harbortown before we head over to Put-In-Bay.

Thanks so much for the info...