Think twice before assuming that you have stumbled into a community in the Bavarian Black Forest. You've actually just entered Frankenmuth, one of the top tourist destinations in Michigan and a charming little corner of culture in the center of America.
A city with strong German heritage, Frankenmuth, Michigan, is well-known for its Bavarian-style architecture. The location, which is packed with things to do, is a well-liked weekend vacation in Michigan, especially for shoppers around Christmas.
The German-themed buildings and architecture, the renowned extravagant chicken dinners, and the biggest Christmas shop in the world are just a few of Frankenmuth's many attractions today. As you're strolling through the town's historic streets, it's difficult to feel anything but warm and welcoming.
Discover the best activities in Frankenmuth, Michigan, by reading on.
1. Make a purchase at River Place Shopping
A terrific spot to get a feel for the area and the ambiance of Frankenmuth is the quaint and picturesque River Place Shops. The River Place Shops are the place where the town feels most like a village ripped from the Bavarian valleys.
Built to seem like a traditional Bavarian hamlet, with Alpine-inspired architecture, pitched roofs and overhangs, and even a small "village square," this delightful retail complex is a terrific place for families to spend the day browsing the more than 40 businesses within.
Although the buildings have a vintage appearance, the stores—which range from bakeries and pet shops to food trucks and a spa—are wholly contemporary. Even better Michigan-made goods like honey, beef jerky, and hot sauces can be tried out.
The outdoor retail area is open all year long, so you need not be concerned about the bitter Michigan winters. Even on the chilliest winter day, you can stay warm thanks to the heated sidewalks at the River Place Shops.
2. Show respect at the Museum of Michigan Heroes
The Michigan Heroes Museum is one of Frankenmuth's sources of pride. The men and women from Michigan who contributed to the military and space programs in the US are honored in this special museum for their wartime experiences.
The museum features more than 850 unique artifacts spread across more than 140 displays, including one of the biggest collections of Medals of Honor in the country. The exhibit honors 31 different Medal of Honor recipients as well as 16 astronauts who were born in Michigan.
The Michigan Heroes Museum has a Heroes Next Door initiative in addition to a museum. This instructional program informs viewers about the sacrifices made by soldiers and astronauts on behalf of the nation.
3. Visit the St. Lorenz Lutheran Church to Travel Through Time
Frankenmuth's German ancestry is difficult to deny. The town's name, which is derived from Franconia, comes first, followed by the town's unmistakably Bavarian architecture. But another link to Frankenmuth's German heritage is the old St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, which is located in the city.
Based on their original church in the Bavarian settlement of Neuendettelsau, the first European inhabitants of Frankenmuth founded the church in 1845. As Frankenmuth was established as a missionary colony, more and more individuals from the Old Land started to move there.
St. Lorenz continues to conduct its services in German, just as it did in the beginning. The monthly worship service at the church is conducted almost exclusively in German. Whether you identify as religious or not, you should attend this ceremony because it will transport you back in time to the days of the city's establishment.
4. Sang along at Bronner's Silent Night Chapel
Yes, when you enter Frankenmuth, Silent Night can be heard wafting out over the roadway. You are not dreaming. It's coming from the renowned Bronner's Christmas Wonderland's Silent Night Chapel, and it has a tale to tell.
the manger scene outside helps people identify the 56-foot-tall Silent Night Chapel in addition to the song's constant playing within. The historic church in Oberndorf/Salzburg, Austria, where the first performance of Silent Night took place on Christmas Eve in 1818, is replicated in this landmark.
The chapel is accessible every day and admission is free. No of the time of year, it is a favorite stop for visitors to Bronner's and will make you feel the most lovely Christmas mood.
5. At Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, you may celebrate Christmas all year long.
Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, which is located directly across the parking lot from the church, is filled to the brim with festive pleasure. This enormous tinsel-covered cavern, dubbed the largest Christmas store on Earth, is a megastore devoted to everything Christmas.
Since it first opened its doors in 1945, Bronner's has amassed an incredible collection of ornaments, trims, trees, Christmas lights, nativity sets, Christmas cards, and much more. The glittering lanes of sparkling lights, glass ornaments, and soaring trees that seem to go on forever in all directions make it simple to get lost.
With more than 50,000 trimmings and presents that fill its shelves all the way to the ceiling, Bronner's is as long as 1.5 football fields. As the store is open 361 days a year (it closes on Christmas, go figure), you can nearly always pick up a daily dose of holiday cheer when you drive through town.
6. Visit Grandpa Tiny's Farm to Go Back in Time
Established in 1938, Grandpa Tiny's farm delivers a bit of the country to the streets of Frankenmuth. Just across from the Silent Night chapel, the large blue barn in the traditional Bavarian architecture rises over the main route entering the community. You will be transported to the Bavarian hills as you pass the entryway and enter the complete bucolic environment.
The farm was started by William "Tiny" Zehnder in the late 1930s, and it has been in operation ever since. In fact, Grandfather Small is frequently credited with giving the town its current Bavarian feel. The Bavarian Inn Restaurant, one of the most well-liked eateries in town, is his other family company.
The farm always has something going on, regardless of the season. Grandpa Tiny's Farm never runs out of things to do, from young chicks in the spring to the Frankenmuth Flower Festival in the summer, pumpkin fields and cider in the fall, and Santa's Reindeer Farm in the winter.
The Petting Barn and Coop is a popular choice for families traveling with kids, especially for the reindeer and Mr. Nibbles the bunny.
The Agricultural Museum and the Herb Ill Granary are two more attractions on the site.
7. Frankenmuth History Museum
Are you interested in learning more about Frankenmuth's past? The Frankenmuth Historical Association is the only place to look. The seven-gallery museum was founded in 1973 and is housed in the Kern Commercial House Hotel, which was built in 1905. It is devoted to the development and history of Frankenmuth.
Several exhibitions house hundreds of objects and documents that detail the founding and growth of Frankenmuth inside the old brick building. The history of the very first 15 settlers who left Germany to settle Frankenmuth is chronicled in 10 permanent exhibits at the museum.
The historical society operates programs out of Fischer Hall, which was constructed in the 1890s, in addition to the museum. Concerts, parties, and regional events frequently take place in this venue.
8. Go across to the Bavarian Inn Covered Bridge in Holz Brucke
As a symbol of Frankenmuth, the lovely Holz Brucke Covered Bridge is unmistakable. Although though the bridge was just finished in 1980 and is not as old as the community as a whole, it was designed with a typical Bavarian aesthetic in mind.
Built from about 164,000 board feet of wood, the covered bridge spans the Cass River for nearly 240 feet. Being the biggest covered wooden bridge in Michigan, it is a truly magnificent work of art.
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Brothers Eddie and William "Tiny" Zehnder Jr. (of Grandpa Tiny's Farm) had the initial concept for the bridge. Both brothers decided to take the initiative to build a bridge to cross the Cass River because they both owned property on the other side of it. The entire undertaking, which took $1.1 million to finish, was unveiled in 1980.
9. Choose to remain at The Bavarian Inn
In relation to the bridge, where does it actually go? The Bavarian Inn Lodge, a source of pride for Frankenmuth, is accessible via the bridge that spans the Cass River. Another illustration of Grandpa Tiny and his family's contribution to Frankenmuth's general German vibe is the Bavarian-style lodge.
The lodge, which has wonderful apartments with river views, is across the river. The resort offers comfortable accommodations in addition to free evening entertainment, an indoor pool and whirlpool, walking and running trails, and a waterpark that is appropriate for children.
One of the top restaurants in Frankenmuth is the Bavarian Inn Restaurant, which is on the village side of the river and is known for its opulent chicken dinners. Over the years, the chicken dinners have attracted millions (yes, millions) of diners thanks to their international fame. People come for the hot, flavorful chicken and all the trimmings, including the vegetables, stuffing, gravy, hot buttered egg noodles, and potatoes. The mouth-watering food is an essential component of understanding Frankenmuth culture.
10. Have dinner at Zehnder's of Frankenmuth
If you believed that The Bavarian Inn was the only restaurant in town that served a sumptuous chicken meal, you would be mistaken. The renowned Zehnder's of Frankenmuth, the town's first chicken supper restaurant, is located directly across the street. Since decades, the two have engaged in a friendly rivalry to see who can improve it. Funny enough, the same family owns both Zehnder's and The Bavarian Inn, so it's really just a friendly rivalry.
Whatever the case, the quaint, hospitable, folksy restaurant serves the usual fare, including hot chicken, mashed potatoes, veggies, gravy, stuffing, and a wide variety of desserts.
After your meal at Zehnder's, you can visit the Z Bakery, which sells breads and snacks along with presents and mementos.
After the Zehnder family bought the Exchange Hotel, which had been around since 1856, they later created Zehnder's. It is thought that the recognizable neon sign in front has been in continuous use since 1936, making it one of the oldest neon signs in existence.
11. Traverse a Mirror Maze
The Ultimate Mirror Maze Challenge, which can be found in the River Place Shops, is an entertaining way to spend an afternoon in Frankenmuth.
You will trip over yourself as you try to navigate the space through the maze of mirrors. The maze will be made much more difficult by endless reflections of you and your loved ones everywhere.
One of the city's top attractions is its family-friendly atmosphere, which is also a terrific opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers. The area also features a portion of "Funny Mirrors" that may be a lot of fun because they can make you appear either extremely long or extremely small.