Out and About in Farmington, Mich.

Luigi’s Tratoria

hofsess — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:40:45 +0000

Outdoor seating is available in two different areas. One patio overlooks Farmington Road. This one overlooks a shopping center.

Luigi’s Tratoria is a cozy Italian eatery in downtown Farmington with moderate prices.

It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, but dinner is the most popular. My personal favorite is the stuffed eggplant parmesan (about $12) accompanied by a glass of the house red wine ($5).

This is a favorite haunt of locals, many of whom walk to the restaurant from nearby neighborhoods and are on a first-name basis with the staff.

Outdoor seating is available in warm weather. Reservations are not necessary.

Luigi’s is located at 23360 Farmington Road, just south of Grand River Avenue. For more information, call 248-477-1880.

Hershey’s Ice Cream

hofsess — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:15:06 +0000

At Hershey's Ice Cream parlor, patrons come for the ice cream but stay for the people watching.

Muddy Sneakers is just one of the 48 flavors of ice cream and frozen yogurt offered at Hershey’s in downtown Farmington.

Or get the scoop on other intriguing flavors, such as Extreme Chocolate, Smores and Road Runner Raspberry.

Outdoor benches or indoor booths await customers, who can watch the world go by, one lick at a time, from 23629 Farmington Road, just south of Grand River.

Somehow, all seems right with the world when you’re in this place. Call 248-476-2030 for more information.

Heritage Park

hofsess — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:58:15 +0000

Acres and acres of hiking trails await visitors to Heritage Park.

Not up for a walk? No problem. The park also offers free concerts on Thursday evenings in the summer at its outdoor amphitheatre.

Little ones might enjoy a visit to the park’s nature center, where they can touch real animal pelts and watch robins and blue jays vie for a perch on bird feeders seen through a window.

Leave Fido at home when you visit; it’s not a bark park. Do bring a blanket and a picnic basket; you’ll want to stay awhile.

Winter visitors enjoy free access to a popular sledding hill.

Every season offers a new reason to visit Heritage Park. Spring hikes, summer concerts, fall colors, and winter sledding are some of the park's attractions.

The Civic Theatre

hofsess — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:31:38 +0000

The sign in the ticket window reads, “First-rate family movies at second-rate pricing.” And that’s the truth.

At the restored Civic Theatre, adult patrons can catch a flick for $2.50 and youths 11 and under pay $1.50. Such a deal.

It’s at 33332 Grand River, just east of Farmington Road, in the heart of downtown Farmington.

An evening movie or a matinee at the restored Civic Theatre is like a step back in time.

Call for show information: 248-474-1951.

Or take the extra step and volunteer to help at the Civic in your spare time.

The Governor Warner Mansion

hofsess — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:01:57 +0000

This capacious, historic home on Grand River Avenue looks like a glorious three-tier wedding cake.

Once the residence of Michigan’s three-term Republican Gov. Fred Warner, this 1867 abode is open to the public. Stroll the gardens, swap lies on the wrap-around front porch, or get married under the gazebo.

It’s free to walk the grounds, but if you want to peek inside the house, it’s $2 for adults and $1 for youths. Group tours are available.

It’s usually open Wednesdays and first Sundays of the month, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Call 248-473-7275 for more information. Address: 33805 Grand River Ave., just west of Farmington Road.

The Warner Mansion gardens are abloom in the summer. In winter, a lighted Christmas tree glows under the outdoor gazebo.