Take the Family to the Hyatt Place Ann Arbor

Last weekend my family was hosted overnight at the new Hyatt Place Ann Arbor (223 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48108). I have got to say, it is a lovely hotel. I have already told my best friend where she should stay on her next trip! If you have the need, you too should have your family stay at Ann Arbor's newest hotel!

Upon walking into the lobby we knew we were someplace that we would like to come back to. The lobby was open yet quaint and inviting at the same time. The kids wanted to hang out to watch TV or sit at the dining bar. They even commented about reading a book in the nook next to registration.

I had to laugh though, because the first words out of my daughters mouth was, "Mom the lobby smells good." And it did. We called it the "new car smell" of hotels.

When we got to our room the kids were thrilled by the view and the modern, clean lines of everything. You would have thought they had never seen a bathroom before too as they were even excited about that.

I loved the room layout and how bright the room was. The Michigan decor was fun too. I would love to find out where the pillows came from!

The kids were not sure about sleeping on the pull out couch but in the end said they had a super comfortable night! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the King size bed, which is much bigger than ours at home. I always rate a hotel on the comfort of the bed and pillows and this one was perfect!

Since it was a quiet weekend (i.e. not a home football weekend) we seemed to be one of the few people in the hotel. I saw many people the next morning, so I know that we were not alone, but it was so quiet and enjoyable. When I took the kids to the pool, we had our own private swim time!

I especially appreciated not needing to leave the hotel for dining after swimming too. The food was good, and the staff was even better.

My daughter and I had to head out early the next morning but not before breakfast. I liked the variety of offerings and my daughter easily found something (or several somethings) that she liked too. My husband and son also commented about the free breakfast. There was a variety of cold and hot foods, juices and of course coffee.

In all, my family had an exceptional experience at the Hyatt Place Ann Arbor and have already recommended it to several friends. There are several times throughout the year when a group of neighbors chooses a local hotel to stay and swim at, and this one was recommended for our next staycation. Thank you Hyatt Place Ann Arbor!

October is National Pizza Month

To celebrate National Pizza Month, Cottage Inn Pizza sent my family two yummy pizza's. Doesn't it look good? It was! We love pizza, especially the kids, and while it was not on my current diet, I did indulge. Thank you Cottage Inn!

Fall Fun Fair and Wild West Fest

On Saturday, October 7th & 14th from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. families can enjoy the Fall Fun Fair at Northfolk Farms and Outback. Experience ​a hayride to the Native American village, western games, horse and pony rides and an exciting exotic animal petting farm. Feed fish in the pond, ride the train eat donuts or try your hand at a sling shot shooting apples into an open field.

​No reservations are needed, payment can be made at the gate. The cost is ​$15.00/child and $4.00/adult but be sure to bring your quarters for the feed machines. With admission, kids will get a free pie pumpkin and decorations.

Free Event: Campfire Fun at the Leslie Science & Nature Center

I am planning on taking my children to this fun event, I mean who wouldn't want to? It's free, sounds fun AND is educational. It would make the perfect way for a family to end their weekend. One Sunday each month from 6:30-8:00 p.m., the Leslie Science & Nature Center is hosting a campfire /story session. You bring the chairs, blankets and roasting sticks (maybe some hot cocoa and fixings for s'mores too) and they'll provide the music, entertainment and marshmallows! 

The Fireside Fun program is FREE and designed for all ages, just come out, bring the necessities and enjoy the night. I'm planning on taking my Cub Scout den and my Daisy Troop too! The dates of this fantastic program are:

Sunday, October 15

Sunday, November 19

Fall Color Hikes

Fall is the perfect time to get outdoors. The weather is cool and crisp and the colors are bold and beautiful. To experience fall in it's full glory though, why not consider taking a fall color hike? The Ann Arbor Mom blog has pulled together a couple options for fall color hikes too.

On October 22, at 2:00 p.m. at Scio Woods Preserve, spend the afternoon hiking with a naturalist led program enjoying the beautiful changing colors while hiking through beech maple forests. For more information, contact (734) 971-6337 ext 330 or boldak@ewashtenaw.org.

The annual Fall Color Hike, presented by the Potawatomi Trail Committee is another excellent way to see Michigan's color in all of it's glory. The 5-mile hike is perfect for families to enjoy and costs just $5/person (cash, check or credit card) and happens this year on October 14 and 15. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m. although hikers can stay on the trail until 4:00 p.m. To participate, hikers will begin and end at Camp Munhacke (20120 Bartell Rd. Gregory).

My family has hiked the Potawatomi Trail several times, even when my daughter was as young as 4! It's a good hike and very well marked. Typically there are many that you will encounter along the way, so this is a perfect event for novice hikers.

When you head out for your fall hike, be sure to take a lightweight pack with snacks, water and your camera!

Ann Arbor Halloween Events, Activities and Information

I don't know if it's my children's incessant begging about Halloween events that we'll do or what they want to be, if it's a result of seeing all of the Halloween candy and decorations or if it's because I just sent off my latest column to the Ann Arbor Family Press but it's probably a good time to post a list of all of the Ann Arbor Halloween events families can plan!

Find and information on Halloween events, activities, haunts and more with the Ann Arbor Mom - Find What you can do with kids, toddlers and teens in and around Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County!

This list of Halloween events will be updated as events come onto my radar...

October All Month:

• Complete Guide to: Cider Mills, Apple Orchards, U-pick Places and Hay Mazes in Washtenaw County
• Greenfield Village Hallow'een
• Detroit Zoo Boo
• Little Boo at the (Toledo) Zoo 
• Haunted Halloween Houses at the Wolcott Mill Historic Center - October 15, 22 and 29
• Crazy Hilda's Camp of No Return (teens and up)
• Wiard's County Fair

Week of October 1:

• EMU Fall Concert Symphony Orchestra Concert at Pease Auditorium - October 6, 7:30 p.m.

Week of October 7:

• Run Scream Run 5K & 10K race at Wiard's Orchards - October 7
• Zombie Run - Run for the Arb, Run for Your Life! - October 13

Week of October 14:

• Monster Smash - October 14, 12:00-3:00 p.m.
• Frankentoys at AADL Downtown - October 14, noon-3:00 p.m. 
• Trick or Treat on the Trail at Hudson Mills Metropark - October 14, 4:00 p.m.
• Farm Halloween at the Wolcott Mill Farm Center - October 14, 12:00-4:00 p.m.
• Michael's Kids Club Vampirina® Web of Friendship Craft $2.00 - October 14, 10:00 a.m. - noon
• Kapnik Orchard's Fall Apple Festival - October 14-15
• Spider Web Art at AADL Pittsfield - October 15, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
• Huron River Trick or Treat Canoe Paddle - October 15, noon-5:00 p.m.
• Pumpkins, Lanterns, & Leaves - Fall Family Event at Matthaei - October 20, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Week of October 21:

• Tots Halloween at Lake St. Clair Nature Center - October 21, 1:00 p.m.
• AADL Mallets Creek Craft: Bubbling Boo Bombs! - October 21, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
• Boo!! The History of Halloween at lake Erie Marshlands Museum - October 22, 2:00 p.m.
• Michael's Kids Club Vampirina® Friendship Bracelets $2.00 - October 21, 10:00 a.m. - noon
• Animal Haunts - Northern Neighbors at Leslie Science & Nature Center - October 21, 6:00-8:00 p.m. 
• Halloween Costume Swap at AADL Downtown - October 22, 3:00-4:30 p.m.

Friday, October 27:

• Halloween Downtown/Ypsi Glow at YDL-Michigan Library Plaza - 5:30-9:00 p.m.
• Free Halloween concert at Towsley Auditorium - 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 28:

• Trick-or-Treat at the Farm at the Wolcott Mill Farm Center - 6:00-9:00 p.m.
• Michael's Kids Club Vampirina® Treat Bags $2.00 - 10:00 a.m. - noon
• Sugar Skulls and Jolly Rancher Roses at YDL-Superior - 2:00-3:00 p.m.
• Halloween at the A2 Market 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Haunted Woods at Camp Munhacke - October 28, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
• Washtenaw County Parks Halloween Bash  - 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 29:

• Hoots and Haunts Halloween at Environmental Discovery Center - 1:00 & 3:00 p.m.
• Family Halloween Party at the Natural History Museum - Noon – 5 p.m. Free
• 2017 AADL Costume Contest 12:30-3:00 p.m. 

Monday, October 30:

• Halloween at Ann Arbor Farmers Market - 4:00-8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 31:

• Halloween Party at the Ann Arbor District Library (Downtown) 10:00-10:30 a.m. and 11:30-noon.

To add events to the Halloween event list, please contact me at tmayrend at gmail dot com or comment below.





Sources include: AnnArbor.com, individual websites, previous posts and Google.