Make it a Memorable Memorial Day

May 17, 2015

3 Mitten Roadtrips

1. LIVE A LITTLE HISTORY

Historic Greenfield Village is a great place to visit even without the excuse of a three-day weekend. From the buildings – including Thomas Edison’s laboratory, Abraham Lincoln’s courthouse, the Wright Brothers’ workshop and Noah Webster’s home – to the landscape, there’s so much great stuff to see and explore you’ll leave with a wealth of new info.

You can watch glass being blown, ride in a genuine Model T or a steam engine train. Choose your lunch from a menu of selections popular in the 1800s or watch film depictions of various eras in the IMAX theater. If you’re an automobile buff, you can even take a bus to the Ford Rouge Factory for a special tour.

For Memorial Day, the Village invites hundreds of Union and Confederate reenactors to bring an authentic Civil War encampment to life, complete with artillery demonstrations, parades, special exhibits and activities, and even period music. So, don’t be surprised if you find yourself singing "Yankee Doodle Dandy" all the way back up north.

Greenfield Village is located in Dearborn. Information: thehenryford.org/village. The park is open 9:30am–9pm Saturday, 9:30 am–5pm Sunday and Monday. Admission starts at $22.50/adults, $17/kids (plus parking fee).

2. ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM

What’s more American than baseball? Celebrate Memorial Day weekend with none other than the Detroit Tigers who have three home games lined up against the Houston Astros May 22, 23 and 24 before they depart for the West Coast. Sunday, May 24 is the Player Kids Poster Giveaway, a great opportunity for the smallest sporting fans, but any day is sure to be full of base-stealing excitement, hotdogs, peanuts and fun for all ages.

Stick around Detroit on Monday and join the 9K Memorial Day race organized by Tiger’s pitcher Justin Verlander to raise money for his veteran mental health philanthropic efforts.

The 5.6-mile run’s registration fee is $25 or $35 if you choose to register yourself and a veteran. There is a $100 fundraising minimum per participant, but no minimum for veterans and their families.

All runners can end the race by crossing home plate at Comerica Park. Score!

Comerica Park is located at 2100 Woodward Avenue in Detroit. Information: detroit.tigers.mlb.com. Tickets start at $13. Verlander’s race information: crowdrise. com/detroit9K.

3. SAY HELLO TO OUR HEROES

Devoted to the wartime experiences of men and women from Michigan, the Military and Space Heroes Museum in Frankenmuth offers 700 exhibits, including the nation’s largest Medal of Honor collection.

A great visit for history buffs and an entertaining, educational experience for all, the highlights include flight gear, World War II memorabilia, diaries and letters, and a space exhibit that includes information on Jackson, Michigan native Al Worden, the only Michigan astronaut to fly to the moon.

The Selfridge Military Air Museum and Air Park is another great choice, with terrific outdoor exhibits that include 32 vintage military aircraft and helicopters, a mobile control tower and two Nike air defense missiles.

You’ll find plenty of additional exhibits indoors, including uniforms, military artifacts, cut-away aircraft engines, an interactive Air Traffic Control radar display, a Vietman-era cockpit and a full-scale, historically accurate World War I fighter biplane.

The Military and Space Heroes Museum is located 1250 Weiss Street in Frankenmuth. Information: michigansmilitarymuseum.com or 989-652-8005.

Hours: 10am–5pm (non-holiday). Tickets start at $7.

The Selfridge Military Air Museum and Air Park is located at 27333 C Street in Harrison Township. Information: selfridgeairmuseum.org or 586-239-6768. Hours: noon– 4:30pm. Tickets are $4.