This 8600-person town in Southeast Michigan's Lenawee County is increasingly becoming a bedroom community of Ann Arbor (about 40-minutes to the northeast). Because of the AA influence, it's seeing incremental, yet noticeable, increases in sophistication over time. Mind you, it does not have the affluence-driven refinement of Sedona or the themed attraction of Frankenmuth. But there's something interesting beneath the surface.
There was clearly a rather large manufacturing base at one time but those factories are long gone. There are reminders that are still visible on Evans St. Empty spaces along railroad tracks show concrete remnants of former parking lots and buildings. Quaker Oats had a facility there at one time, for example.
Tecumseh is representative of small town Upper Midwest America. There's not much for visitors looking for bling and excitement, but it has a lot to offer anyone looking for a low-key, relaxing day.
The shops downtown continue to become more interesting over time. A favorite of mine is Boulevard Market where you can pick up cheeses, wines and other wonderful goodies that add a touch of sophistication. Hopscotch Kids is a great store for kids while J-Bar is a fun hobby store to peruse. Pentamere offers some interesting wines (try the Plum Wine). My wife likes Second Chance Consignment where she can find some decent quality stuff at good prices. There's also a seasonal Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings. By the way, there's plenty of parking in the lots behind the storefronts north and south of downtown.
Beyond shopping, the neighborhoods are fun to walk. The late-19th and early-20th Century architecture has largely been preserved in the three or four blocks west and south of downtown. The mature vegetation adds to a bit of that nostalgic feeling of taking a stroll through time. But none of it is staged for tourists...it's a real, lived-in, people-going-about-their-lives place. Those are fun places to observe and, if you look closely enough, you'll find those subtleties that make each place unique.
The architectural highlights include The Samuel Temple House, the James McAllister House, the Musgrove Evans House and the Elijah Anderson House. As you stroll, if you want a place to rest and just "be" for a while, have a seat on a bench in quaint little Hotrum Promenade Park. If you like to be waterside, stroll north to Evans Park where you can look out over Red Millpond. Walk east from there to Standish Pond with its small dam. If you feel up to it, walk the path down to Globe Mill Pond which features its own little dam.
As mentioned, there's not much in the way of touristy stuff, but the interesting little Tecumseh Historical Museum housed in a 1913 Gothic-style former church is open from April to December. It's a great place to learn a little more about Tecumseh and its surroundings. The Southern Michigan Railroad provides nostalgic train rides between Tecumseh and Clinton. It's a fun change-of-pace activity that the kids will enjoy. Probably the best attraction for outsiders is the Fall Applelumpkin Festival that transforms downtown (as well as a satellite site at Kapnick Farm) into something of a carnival. There are lots of artisan vendors, food trucks and kid's activities (including Monster Truck and Helicopter rides).
As far as eating, there are more choices than might initially meet the eye. The most out-of-the-ordinary is the British Tea Pantry, where you can have Tea Time replete with finger sandwiches, or a lunch that's on the lighter side. For something more American, try the Chicago Dog House where Midwest sandwich food dominates. Basil Boys is one of the better pizza and sub places in the county. But they're low key and their dining area is strictly a convenience (explicitly self-serve...clean up after yourself). One step up in formality is Tecumseh Brewing Company where they serve pretty good pub grub. If you want a heartier meal, one of JR's three area locations is downtown. It's a good steakhouse with fair prices. Sal's on the western edge of town in Busch's Plaza is a pleasant, cozy place to get an Italian-style meal. If breakfast is what you want, City Limits Diner behind the downtown shops to the north is a great choice. And if a buffet is your style, Big Boy in Busch's Plaza still offers a decent salad bar. Musgrove is a great coffee stop downtown, while Tecumseh Bread and Pastry serves lovely treats, especially cinnamon rolls.
Overall, Tecumseh is a pleasant but work-a-day town that offers a glimpse into everyday life in this area of the country. There are limited things for the tourist. It's mainly a place where spending a day means that you integrate with the local flow to experience the quotidian niceties available to residents. If you live nearby or are passing through, hang out for a few hours to see if you agree with my assessment. read more