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Frankenmuth, Michigan: Where Chicken Dinners and Fun Collide – Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit

Frankenmuth is flat, small and walkable from one end right to the other. Main Street carries almost all of it, so the car can stay parked. The River Place Shops and the covered bridge are both of them on foot. Bronner’s needs a trip of its own, because that one building is enormous. The only real effort out here is digesting everything that you eat.

You’re in for a good weekend if you’re planning a trip to Frankenmuth, Michigan. Known as “Little Bavaria,” this small town sits in the middle of Michigan and pulls visitors all year. With its blend of German culture, history and newer attractions, Frankenmuth gives everybody something to do.

As you walk down Main Street, you’ll feel like the town moved itself out of a Bavarian valley. The place is full of historical landmarks, one-off shops and restaurants worth the calories. Whether you came for the town’s history or simply to eat well, Frankenmuth has it.

From the chicken dinners at Bavarian Inn that people drive hours for, to the Frankenmuth Brewery Experience, the list of things to do here runs long. Whether you travel with family or with friends, Frankenmuth will fill the days. So pack the bags and give it a weekend.

Key Takeaways

• Frankenmuth is a charming town in Michigan with a unique blend of German culture, history, and modern attractions.
• A walk down Main Street will transport you to a quaint Bavarian village filled with historical landmarks, unique shops, and delicious restaurants.
• From the world-famous chicken dinners at Bavarian Inn to the Frankenmuth Brewery Experience, there’s something for everyone in Frankenmuth.

Frankenmuth: A Little Bavaria in Michigan

Welcome to Frankenmuth, the little Bavarian town in Michigan that puts you in Germany without leaving the United States. With its German heritage and architecture, Frankenmuth blends the old country and modern entertainment better than it has any right to.

As you walk the streets of Frankenmuth, the century and the country both shift under you. The town’s Bavarian-style architecture, from the half-timbered buildings to the flower boxes in every window, puts you squarely in Germany.

But Frankenmuth is not only about the architecture. The town runs a long list of activities and attractions that will hold you for days. Whether shopping, eating or the outdoors is the plan, Frankenmuth has an answer.

One of the stops nobody skips in Frankenmuth is Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the largest Christmas store in the world. With over 50,000 festive items, you’ll find ornaments, nutcrackers and Christmas lights in every direction. It’s the fastest route into the festive spirit whatever month you arrive.

Another one worth planning around is the Bavarian Inn Restaurant, where the German cooking is done properly. The restaurant is known for its all-you-can-eat chicken dinners, which arrive with mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce. It’s the closest you get to Germany without leaving the United States.

If the outdoors is what you want, Frankenmuth has that as well. You can kayak the Cass River, ride a bike through town, or take the zip-line at the Frankenmuth Aerial Park.

In conclusion, Frankenmuth gives you a piece of Germany in the middle of Michigan. From the Bavarian-style architecture to the food and the outdoor days, Frankenmuth has more range than the size suggests. So pack the bags, find the lederhosen and take Little Bavaria seriously.

A Walk Down Main Street

If you want the town at walking pace, Main Street in downtown Frankenmuth is where to start. This street is the center of everything, and it shows. With its Bavarian architecture and the people who work it, you’ll feel the country change around you.

As you walk down Main Street, you’ll pass shops, restaurants and cafes in a steady run. Whether you want souvenirs, clothing or home decor, something will stop you. And if hunger arrives, the options are everywhere. You can take a pretzel from the Bavarian Inn or fudge from the Frankenmuth Fudge Kitchen.

One of the strongest parts of Main Street is the Frankenmuth River Place Shops. This outdoor shopping mall is built like a European village and runs over 40 storefronts. From clothing boutiques to toy stores, the range covers most tastes. And when the shopping runs out, there are restaurants in the same block.

But Main Street is not only shops and restaurants. It’s also where the local culture sits in plain sight. You can look at the murals painted across the buildings or listen to the street musicians working the corners. And with some luck, the horse-drawn carriage will pass while you are standing there.

Overall, a walk down Main Street is what you do first in Frankenmuth. It’s the quickest way to understand how this town works. So take a coffee from the Harvest Coffeehouse and start walking.

Historical Highlights

You might think a town known for chicken dinners and Christmas shops would be thin on history, but you would be wrong. Frankenmuth has a real past sitting under all of it. Here are the historical stops not to miss:

Frankenmuth Historical Museum

If history is your subject, do not skip the Frankenmuth Historical Museum. This museum sits in an old building that once worked as the town’s schoolhouse. Inside, the exhibits cover the town’s German heritage alongside its growth and development over the years. Be sure to look at the exhibit on the founding family, the Fischers.

Michigan Heroes Museum

If military history is your interest, check out the Michigan Heroes Museum. This museum covers the men and women who served the country, with exhibits running from the Civil War to the Gulf War. You’ll also find displays on Michigan’s own military figures, including Medal of Honor recipients.

Heritage Park

Want the past at close range? Head to Heritage Park, where historic buildings from around the area have been moved onto one site. You can walk through an old schoolhouse, a log cabin and a blacksmith shop. It’s the clearest picture you will get of early Michigan’s daily life.

The Bridge

Finally, no visit to Frankenmuth is complete without crossing the town’s wooden bridge. This bridge has stood here since 1904, and the photographs take themselves. Just watch your footing, because the planks turn slippery.

Bavarian Inn: A Frankenmuth Staple

If you need somewhere to stay in Frankenmuth, the Bavarian Inn Lodge is the safe choice. It’s been a fixture of the town since 1986, and the reason is not hard to see. With its European-themed rooms, its indoor water park and beds you actually sleep in, it is where the day ends.

But the Bavarian Inn is not only somewhere to sleep. It’s also home to the Bavarian Inn Restaurant, where the all-you-can-eat chicken dinner is the whole point. And let’s be honest, who does not eat chicken? It’s the one food everybody agrees on. Even the vegetarians turn their heads when it comes past.

But the Bavarian Inn is not only about the food. It’s about the room it happens in. With the traditional German decor, the country moves under you again. And with some luck, you will see the Bavarian Inn’s resident chickens. That’s right, there are chickens living in the restaurant. It’s Chicken Run with better catering.

And if you want something to do between meals, the Bavarian Inn has that covered too. Just a short walk from the lodge is the Great Lakes Escape Game, where you work a locked room against the clock. It’s the physical version of the puzzle games people play on a screen. And if puzzles are not your thing, the rest of Frankenmuth is a short drive in any direction.

Overall, the Bavarian Inn is the one address in Frankenmuth that covers everything. Whether you want a bed, a serious meal or an afternoon out, the Bavarian Inn has it. So what are you waiting for? Book the stay and find out what people mean about the Bavarian Inn.

The Frankenmuth Brewery Experience

If beer is your subject, the Frankenmuth Brewery experience is unmissable. As the oldest brewery in Michigan, they have had the time to get it right. But do not take our word for it, because you will want to taste it yourself.

The Frankenmuth Brewery pours a run of German-style beers worth working through. From the Hefeweizen to the dark, heavy Munich Dunkel, there is one here for every palate. And if you want to gamble, order the seasonal brews. Who knows, one of them may become yours.

But the Frankenmuth Brewery experience is not only about drinking it. They also run tours of the brewery covering the process and the history behind it. And when the tour leaves you thirsty, the tasting room is where you finish.

But wait, there is more. The Frankenmuth Brewery also has a winery, St. Julian Winery, right next door. So if beer is not your thing, there is still something in the glass. The winery pours a range that covers most palates. And like the brewery, they run tours and tastings.

So what are you waiting for? Head to the Frankenmuth Brewery and take both halves of it, the beer and the wine. Cheers.

Food Galore: From Chicken Dinners to Cheese Haus

Oh boy, Frankenmuth is where you go to eat. From heavy chicken dinners to serious cheese, everybody at the table gets something.

Let’s start with the chicken dinners this town is known for. You cannot leave Frankenmuth without eating one. You’ll find several restaurants doing the dish, but Zehnder’s or Bavarian Inn are the two to pick. Both run all-you-can-eat family-style meals that will finish you. And if you still have room, order the schnitzel too.

But wait, there is more. If cheese is what moves you, the Frankenmuth Cheese Haus is where you belong. This place has been running since 1968 and carries a long range of cheeses, including the chocolate cheese people talk about. Yes, you read that right, chocolate cheese. It’s the one thing every cheese enthusiast should try here.

If you want something different, work through the other restaurants in town. Try the burgers at Tiffany’s Food and Spirits or the German cooking at the Black Forest Brew Haus. And do not forget the sweet end. Grab fudge from the Frankenmuth Fudge Kitchen or a slice of pie at the Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Restaurant.

In summary, Frankenmuth is a town organised entirely around eating. Whether you want the classic chicken dinner, the cheese or something else altogether, you will not leave disappointed. So come hungry and give the kitchens here a fair go.

Fun Family Activities

Frankenmuth works well for families who want a full weekend. With this many things to do in Frankenmuth, the days fill themselves. Here are the family activities to try:

Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

Take a slow ride through the streets of Frankenmuth in a horse-drawn carriage. It’s the easiest way to see the town and rest your legs at once. You can also take it at night, when the streets are quieter.

Summer Fun at the Covered Bridge

The Covered Bridge is where you go in the summer. You can picnic, walk, or simply sit and look at the water. Plus it is where the family photographs come out well.

Indoor Waterparks

Frankenmuth holds some of the strongest indoor waterparks in the Midwest. Zehnder’s Splash Village and Bavarian Inn Lodge both run water slides, lazy rivers and pools. It’s the answer when the day turns hot.

Grandpa Tiny’s Farm

Visit Grandpa Tiny’s Farm and get near the animals properly. You can pet the goats, feed the ducks and milk a cow. It’s how children learn what a farm actually is.

Mini-Golf

Frankenmuth has some solid mini-golf courses. You can play indoors or outdoors, and some run themes like pirates or dinosaurs. It’s where the family competition gets serious.

Ziplining

If you want the adrenaline version, try ziplining at Frankenmuth Aerial Park. You’ll go through the trees at a speed that feels like flying. It’s exercise that does not feel like exercise.

Family-Style Dining

Frankenmuth is known for its family-style dining. You’ll get large portions that the whole table shares. It’s how you end up trying dishes you would never have ordered.

There’s enough in Frankenmuth that boredom is not on the cards. Whether indoor water parks, animals or mini-golf is the draw, everybody gets a turn. So pack the bags and head to Frankenmuth for the family weekend.

Take the chicken dinner at noon and then the brewery in the afternoon. The Cheese Haus and the Fudge Kitchen will both fit between those two. Bronner’s takes the whole morning, which is when the crowds are much thinner. The riverboat or the carriage will cover the whole of the second afternoon. Two full days of that, and you have eaten your way through the town.

Festive Frankenmuth

If you want a town that takes celebration seriously, Frankenmuth is it. This small town is known for its festive side, and the festive season is when it shows.

Christmas in Frankenmuth is the season the whole town works toward, with lights and decorations everywhere. You’ll want Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the largest Christmas store in the world. It’s open all year, but the festive season is when it earns the name. You’ll find ornaments, nativity scenes and life-size Santas.

But Christmas is not the only celebration in Frankenmuth. Oktoberfest is the other big one, with beer, bratwurst and oompah music in quantity. The festival is held in September, so you get the German version before the real Oktoberfest in Munich.

And speaking of festivals, Frankenmuth runs them right through the year. From the Frankenmuth Funtown Chowdown Food Truck Festival to the Frankenmuth Auto Fest, the calendar rarely goes quiet. Check the town’s event calendar to see what is next.

No matter when you come, Frankenmuth will have something running. So put the party hat on, or the dirndl if you are committed, and join in.

Souvenirs and Shopping

You cannot leave Frankenmuth without something to take home. Luckily, there are plenty of shops and boutiques to work through. Whether you want a gift or something for your own shelf, Frankenmuth can supply it.

First, Abby’s of Frankenmuth is the stop for anyone who looks at art. They keep a long run of pieces, including pottery, glassware and sculpture. You’ll find something that catches you and still fits the budget.

If candles are your weakness, do not miss the Yankee Candle store. They carry every scent you can think of, from fruity to floral to woodsy. Plus the candles come in every shape and size, so every room in the house gets one.

For anyone with a sweet tooth, Sugar High Bakery is the stop. They run cupcakes, cookies and brownies through the day. Plus they take custom orders, so you can have something made to your own specification.

And no trip to Frankenmuth is complete without a Christmas ornament from Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. They stock every type of ornament, from traditional to odd to personalized. It’s how you keep the trip on the tree for years.

So whether art, candles, sugar or Christmas is your weakness, Frankenmuth will find it. Happy shopping.

Outdoor Adventures

Looking for time outdoors in Frankenmuth? You’re in the right town. This small Bavarian place has more open country around it than the streets suggest.

Start the day with air and movement at one of the parks around here. The Cass River Greenway Trail is the one for a slow walk or a bike ride. You can also rent a kayak from Frankenmuth Kayak Adventures and paddle the river with the country going past. If you want something harder, try ziplining at Frankenmuth Aerial Park. It’s how you get the adrenaline and the view at the same time.

For something slower outdoors, take a horse-drawn carriage ride through town. It’s an easy way to see Frankenmuth and pick up its history on the way. And if golf is your game, do not miss The Fortress Golf Course. It’s a real test, with the countryside running out around it.

If you want the water, take the Bavarian Belle Riverboat down the Cass River. You’ll pass the sights the town is known for, including the Frankenmuth Covered Bridge and the Bavarian Inn Lodge.

No matter which outdoor day you want, Frankenmuth has a version of it. So pack the sunscreen, put the boots on and get out into it.

A Taste of Frankenmuth’s Music Scene

Looking for music while you are in Frankenmuth? You’re in luck. This small Bavarian town keeps a real music scene going.

First, we have the Pied Piper. No, not the one from the story, because this Pied Piper is the local room for live music. With a small space and a rotating list of players, this venue is where the evening ends after a day walking Frankenmuth. Grab a pint or a glass of wine, sit down and let it run.

But the Pied Piper is not the only room in town. If you want music outdoors, head to the Frankenmuth Farmers Market for their Summer Music Series. Every Thursday evening from June to August, the market puts on a free concert with local players. Bring a blanket, a picnic basket and shoes you can dance in.

And if you land in Frankenmuth during the festive season, take the music at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. This Christmas store holds an enormous collection of decorations, but it also runs as a place people gather. Throughout the season, Bronner’s puts on live performances by local choirs and musicians. It’s the shortest route into the festive spirit.

So whether you want something quiet or something loud, Frankenmuth’s music scene will meet it. Don’t be shy about dancing, because that is what a vacation is for.

A Sweet Treat: Frankenmuth’s Fudge and Bakeries

You cannot visit Frankenmuth without eating something sweet. Frankenmuth is known for its fudge and its bakeries, which turn out enough between them to finish any appetite.

First on the list is Frankenmuth Fudge Kitchen, which is where fudge people go. This family-owned shop has been making it for over 50 years, and the result will end any diet you brought with you. You can pick from classic chocolate and peanut butter, or take a chance on maple bacon or pumpkin pie. Trust us, none of them disappoint.

If fudge is not what you want, SugarHigh Bakery is the other address. This bakery runs cupcakes, cookies, brownies and bars through the day. Their cupcakes are the order most people make, and they come in red velvet, chocolate peanut butter and lemon blueberry. You can also order custom cupcakes for a birthday or a wedding.

But wait, there is more. If sweet things are your weakness, work in the Chocolate Haus and the Cheese Haus as well. The Chocolate Haus makes its chocolates and truffles by hand, while the Cheese Haus carries a range of cheeses including the chocolate cheese. Yes, you read that right, chocolate cheese. It sounds wrong and tastes better than it should.

So whether fudge or cupcakes is your weakness, Frankenmuth’s bakeries will find it. Just bring the appetite with you.

Weekend Getaway in Frankenmuth

You’ve been working hard all week and you have earned a break. Why not take a weekend in Frankenmuth, Michigan? This small town suits a short vacation, a road trip, or even a single day if you are already in the Great Lakes State.

First things first, you need somewhere to sleep. Lucky for you, Frankenmuth runs everything from small bed and breakfasts to full hotels. If you want something out of the ordinary, take the Bavarian Inn Lodge. This family resort has a waterpark, mini-golf and an arcade. Plus the Bavarian-themed decor is committed all the way through.

Now that you are settled, it is time to walk. Frankenmuth is known for its German heritage, so start at the Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn. This restaurant serves the family-style chicken dinners the town is built on. And wash it down with a cold beer or a glass of wine from the winery on site.

If you want something more active, head over to the Frankenmuth River Place Shops. This shopping village is built to look like a German one, cobblestone streets and all. You can buy souvenirs, eat fudge, or take a riverboat tour from there.

Of course, no trip to Frankenmuth is complete without Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. This store is open all year and holds everything the festive season needs, from ornaments to decorations to Christmas lights.

Overall, Frankenmuth is built for a weekend away. Whether you want rest, walking or simply a good meal, this town covers it. So pack the bags and get on the road.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the cheesiest thing to do in Frankenmuth?

Well, if you want cheese, the Bavarian Inn Restaurant is where to go. Not only do they cook German food properly, they also put out a cheese spread that stops conversation. Seriously, it is the room a cheese eater dreams about. And if you want to go further, order the cheese soup. It’s not for everybody, but it is worth ordering once.

Can Frankenmuth satisfy my inner shopaholic?

Absolutely. Frankenmuth holds some of the strongest shopping in Michigan. From the Frankenmuth River Place Shops, where you find clothing and home decor, to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, where you stock the decorations for years, everybody gets served. And let’s not forget the cheese shops, the fudge shops and the candy stores. You may need a second suitcase for the way home.

What’s Frankenmuth’s best kept secret?

Well, we cannot give everything away, but here is a hint. If you want something out of the ordinary, check out the Frankenmuth FunShips. These amphibious vehicles take you around Frankenmuth by land and by water. It’s a way of seeing the town that nowhere else offers, along with some of its history. Plus it is simply good fun.

Can Frankenmuth cure my winter blues?

Absolutely. In fact, winter is one of the strongest times to see Frankenmuth. The town turns over to lights, horse-drawn carriage rides and warm restaurants and shops. And if you want the outdoor version, check out the Frankenmuth Ice Festival. It’s a weekend given over entirely to ice, with carving competitions, ice slides and an ice bar. So wrap up and come down to Frankenmuth. We’ll warm you up with some proper German hospitality.

Frequently asked questions about Frankenmuth, Michigan

What does the Frankenmuth Historical Museum cost to visit?

Very little, as it happens here. The building was the town’s old schoolhouse and the exhibits cover the German heritage and the founding family, which is a lot of town history for a small fee. The Michigan Heroes Museum is the other one that is worth taking in. Heritage Park itself will cost you nothing at all to walk around. Do all three of them and the history gets covered very cheaply.

Is the Covered Bridge in Frankenmuth free to cross?

Yes, it is entirely free. It has stood there since 1904 and it costs you nothing to walk across, which makes it the cheapest photograph anybody takes in this town. Just watch your step on those planks, because they turn slippery. Main Street costs you exactly the same amount, which is nothing. The money in Frankenmuth all goes on the food, not on the entry.

Is the Frankenmuth Brewery tour worth what it costs you?

It genuinely is, yes. You get the brewing process and the history of the oldest brewery in Michigan, and the tasting room at the end is where the money actually earns itself. The winery next door runs its own tours and tastings as well. That gives you two tours in one afternoon, on the same street. Cheaper than one of the meals here, and it lasts a lot longer.

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