Michigan is located in the center of the Great Lakes region and is home to extensive woods, picturesque lakeshores, and unspoiled national parks. It is a great place to visit and live, with lots to see and do for both inhabitants and visitors. The state is a terrific destination to go to with a family because of all the charming towns and exciting cities, as well as the breathtaking scenery, nature, and outdoor activities. While some tourists choose to explore lovely Grand Rapids or Ann Arbor, many visit Detroit, the state's cultural hub, and the neighborhoods that surround it. The greatest cities in Michigan actually have something to fit everyone's preference, from quiet villages to trendy university towns. However, a day trip to Frankenmuth, Michigan, is compared to walking right into a Bavarian fairy tale or slipping into a little Christmas snow globe. The town is a perfect choice, and here is why.
A Day At Frankenmuth Means Memories For A Lifetime
Frankenmuth is quite walkable. Therefore, tourists should undoubtedly set aside some time to stroll down Main Street. The town's attractive Bavarian design makes it seem as though they are traveling back in time. In addition to other things, there are clock and fudge businesses there. During the summer, flowers fill the streets. Tourists can grab a gnome scavenger hunt sheet from the visitor center when they arrive in Frankenmuth and try to find the 10 gnomes around the town. Children may engage in this highly enjoyable and interesting activity. When tourists finish their walking tour, they can submit their sheets to receive a reward. Then, they can head to the covered Holz Brucke over the Cass River on foot or on a bicycle. The entire 239-foot (72.8-meter) structure is composed of wood. Being an active road, tourists shall be cautious when crossing the covered bridge or getting the ideal picture. After the photo, it is time to eat!
Famous all-you-can-eat family-style chicken dinners are served at Zehnder's and Bavarian Inn Restaurant, which are located right across the street from one another. Both pay respect to German heritage, offer wonderful dining experiences, and serve traditional Bavarian fares like schnitzel and sauerbraten. To explore Zehnder's bakery and market, tourists shall go down the stairs. They can also choose the Z-Café on the lower floor if they do not want to eat in the dining room or if they are pressed for time. The café has all the comfort cuisine and fried chicken they could desire, but it is more of a takeaway approach. Later, tourists can take a journey on the Bavarian Belle Riverboat as another "must do" on their day trip to Frankenmuth. It is a leisurely one-hour guided trip on this genuine paddlewheel riverboat along the Cass River. It does feature an open-air canopy, so tourists may get sun protection without giving up the view or the fresh air. On board, there are also refreshments and bathrooms.
- Cost: $15 per adult and teenager and $5 per child (12 to 4 years old)
To finish the day on a good note, tourists can buy some souvenirs from River Place Shops before going to try the town’s best drinks. Frankenmuth offers a wide range of options, whether tourists want to taste a seasonal artisan beer, award-winning spirits, or wine from the oldest winery in Michigan. The Frankenmuth Brewery provides a beer tasting to customers wishing to sample a variety of their house-brewed beers, and they always have at least 15 of them on tap. The lovely tasting room at St. Julian Winery is available every day, and their regular tasting includes six tastes and a free branded glass. If not a fan of beer, Frankenmuth FunShips offers a unique sort of experience by combining various wines with handcrafted chocolate delicacies, either on the water or in the shop. Tourists shall not miss passing by the Grand Traverse Distillery, which offers a sampling of spirits from Whiskey to Vodka.
Frankenmuth Is A Perfect Destination All Year Round
The welcoming atmosphere of this town, which is a result of Frankenmuth's strong German background, will warm up tourists’ hearts in Winter. Since 1928, when William Zehnder, a local pioneer, founded a hotel and a restaurant, Frankenmuth has been a well-liked tourist attraction amid the lush countryside of Saginaw County in Michigan's Thumb area. Christmas brought a lot of visitors to Frankenmuth, Michigan, which contributed to the town's expansion. Wally Bronner, a local citizen, created a Christmas store to sell ornaments and other glimmering decorations, and his establishment gradually expanded into Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, which is today the biggest Christmas store in the world and receives over two million visitors each year. If tourists walk about Frankenmuth's downtown, they will start to get the impression that Santa Claus is about to appear around the next corner. There is a ton of fun things to do and places to visit in Frankenmuth. There may be no place on Earth with greater holiday pleasure than this little town, where the festive spirit is further heightened as winter draws nearer, from the shimmering glow of the holiday lights bouncing off of snowy rooftops to the fantastic Christmas shopping accessible year-round.
As for summer, Frankenmuth is packed with activities and festivals. Tourists can attend the Frankenmuth Dog Bowl and Balloons on Memorial Day weekend for the unofficial start of the summer. Family fun is totally free this weekend! Dog Bowl is a high-intensity competition where pets sprint, leap, dive, and retrieve! Tourists can also ride a hot air balloon in this event. With the Balloon Glow, they can explore the mesmerizing Village of Balloons at night! Tourists can also attend The Bavarian Festival every summer! Early June sees an increased presence of Bavarian culture in Downtown Frankenmuth. This event includes live music, a maypole-raising ceremony, and a Bavarian parade. Other interesting activities, like Instagram Scavenger Hunt, are also waiting for tourists who will witness the crowning of the Bavarian Princess, along with other long-standing customs and fresh events.
- Other events: Concerts in the park from June to August, Keepsake Collection Arts & Crafts Show from June to September, Friday Fun Nights during summer, Volksläufe & Fireworks on July 4, 2023, Antique Fire Muster in July, etc.
