Michigan Travel Destinations – Frankenmuth
Nicknamed “Michigan’s Little Bavaria,” this bustling town is built on it’s German foundation. Featuring eclectic shopping, rich historical beauty and culture and bounds of outdoor adventure, Frankenmuth is bound to have activities for the whole family.
Frankenmuth was settled in 1845 by 15 Germans, led by the Reverand August Craemer, a Lutheran minister. The small band of settlers came to the area from Neuendettelsau, Germany, for the expressed purpose of evangelizing to the Native Americans. The first structure built was a church, and the second a school. Only seven years after their arrival, Frankenmuth boasted 80 cabins and farmhouses. On January 3, 1854, Frankenmuth residents formally organized as a Township. On January 14, 1904 the Village of Frankenmuth came into existence. City status became effective on October 1, 1959 after a vote of the people approved the measure.
Local Restaurants
BAVARIAN INN RESTAURANT
713 South Main Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734, 989-652-9941
www.bavarianinn.com
This German-themed restaurant is known for its world-famous meals and family-style chicken dinners.
FRANKENMUTH BREWERY
425 South Main Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734, 989-262-8300
Known for its award winning lagers, ales and beers, this Michigan’s oldest brewery. Enjoy patio dining along the Cass River from one of the outdoor decks.
TIFFANY’S
656 South Main Street, Suite 1, Frankenmuth, MI 48734, 989-652-6881
www.tiffanysfoodandspirits.com
Take a step back in time when you enter a turn of the century restaurant/ bar featuring fresh pastas, pizza and charbroiled specialties. Streetside patio, weather permitting. Home of the original pasta pizza.
ZEHNDER’S OF FRANKENMUTH
730 South Main Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734, 844-794-5981
www.zehnders.com
Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth is the heart of Midwestern hospitality. In its nine dining rooms, which can seat more than 1,500 guests, Zehnder’s offers a full-service menu that features all-you-can-eat family-style chicken dinners, seafood, steaks, fresh baked goods and European desserts.
Accommodations
BAVARIAN INN LODGE
One Covered Bridge Lane, Frankenmuth, MI 48734, 989-652-7200
www.bavarianinn.com
Located just over the wooden covered bridge on the banks of the Cass River, our 360-room German themed resort offers something for all ages including 2 water slides, 4 indoor pools (one for adults only), 3 whirlpools, the Family Fun Center with 18 holes of indoor mini-golf and over 160 video games, 2 restaurants, a banquet and conference center with space for groups up to 500, and the Lorelei Lounge featuring free nightly entertainment.
MARV HERZOG HOTEL
501 South Main Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734, 989-652-4700
www.marvherzoghotel.com
Located on the banks of the Cass River in the heart of downtown, this boutique hotel features a European style-design and decor that resembles a charming alpine lodge.
ZEHNDERS SPLASH VILLAGE HOTEL & WATERPARK
730 S. Main Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734, 844-330-1715
www.zehnders.com
Zehnder’s Splash Village offers 178 deluxe accommodations with rooms featuring queen beds, and a redesigned bedding package providing a more luxurious sleeping experience. Enjoy over 50,000 sq. ft. of aquatic fun indoors with a six-story family raft ride and super loop body slide; zero-entry activity pool with water geysers, water basketball and volleyball, Action River, Splash Landing play area, Dumping Bucket, Giggling Gorge and Perilous Plunge 4 story tube slides, relax in the Whimsical Whirl Hot Tub or just float along the Crooked Brook Creek Lazy River.
Area Attractions
BRONNER’S CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND
25 Christmas Lane, Frankenmuth, MI 48734
www.bronners.com
The world’s largest Christmas store. Bronner’s amazing store is the size of 1 1/2 football fields. It’s a shopper’s dream with over 50,000 trims and gifts.
BAVARIAN BELLE RIVERBOAT
925 South Main Street, D-3, Frankenmuth, MI 48734, 866-808-2628
www.bavarianbelle.com
Enjoy a fabulous narrated tour of Frankenmuth on the Cass River aboard our family owned 150 passenger authentic paddlewheel riverboat, the Bavarian Belle. Boat has ramp access and the dock is handicap accessible as well! Restroom and on-board snacks available. Find us “At the Waterfall.” Visit Thunder Bay Mining, next to the boat dock.
FRANKENMUTH AERIAL PARK
1375 Weiss Suite A, Frankenmuth, MI 48734, 989-284-0201
www.zipandclimb.com
Zip Line and Aerial Rope Course.
FRANKENMUTH RIVER PLACE SHOPS
925 South Main Street, D-2, Frankenmuth, MI 48734, 800-600-0105
www.frankenmuthriverplace.com
Frankenmuth River Place Shops is the premiere shopping destination in Michigan’s Little Bavaria! The German-themed outdoor shopping mall is open year-round and features more than 40 shops and attractions plus free family festivals like Frankenmuth Dog Bowl and the Funtown Chowdown Food Truck Festival.
