1). Prost! Experience Authentic German Culture
Known as Little Bavaria, Frankenmuth oozes German charm and character all year round. You’ll experience authentic German traditions and culture around every turn in town. Grab a stein at Frankenmuth Brewery (America’s oldest microbrewery!), take in the German architecture around town, go cuckoo at the Frankenmuth Clock Company, or grab authentic German cheese at the Frankenmuth Cheese Haus. During the holidays shop the Frankenmuth ChristKindlMarkt, mid-Michigan's largest open air holiday market - rooted in German culture and tradition!
Go for the Chicken, Try Everything Else, Too
Frankenmuth and classic German chicken dinners, are synonymous. For world-famous chicken dinners give Zehnder’s or Bavarian Inn Restaurant a try. Turns out, they are two of the nation’s largest independently owned restaurants serving up more than two million chicken dinners a year together. Once you’ve tried to chicken - check out everything else in town too! Grab pizza at Tiffany’s, brunch at Honey B’s Eatery, sushi at Wang’s Bistro, or maybe a taste of Paris at La Crepe Du Jour. Also, be sure to grab a glass of vino at Prost Wine Bar & Charcuterie. Wherever you land on eating however, I can guarantee it will be delicious, full of flavor, and will hit the spot after a day of adventuring!
Festival Season Isn’t a Season, It’s a Lifestyle
Frankenmuth is home to a year-long calendar jam packed with special events, activities, and festivals! Kickoff 2023 with the Zehnder's Snowfest and then head back in the spring for Michigan's largest beer sampling event (more than 350 different beers from around the world!) The Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival, celebrating all things German culture and...
Santas, Souvenirs, Stockings, and More
Also it’s never too early to start stocking up on Christmas decorations! Grab anything you could ever need to outfit your home for the holidays at Bronner’s - the World's Largest Christmas Store. The building alone is more than seven acres big, PACKED full of ornaments, stockings, trees, decorations and more. Swing by the River Shops Place for shopping, dining and more! Forge your own craft at the Bavarian Blacksmith Experience, stock up on fairy garden supplies at Enchanted Forest (my favorite!), or grab some pre-loved books at Charlin’s Book Nook (which has a great children’s section!) While in town, grab souvenirs from Frank’s Muth, unique kids toys from Toyberg (my kiddo’s favorite, naturally!) or cozy wares from Abby’s of Frankenmuth.
Christmas Time Is Still the Best (And My Favorite) Time
Frankenmuth, Michigan, has my heart. The best part of this picture-perfect year-round Hallmark Movie town is it is only a four-hour trip from Columbus. So for the past two holiday seasons, my five-year-old daughter, Samantha, and I have done a girls trip to “Christmas Town,” for all things silver and gold, red and green, lights, hot cocoa, and of course, Santa! My advice for the new year? Take the trip, make the memories and enjoy all the magic Frankenmuth has to offer year-round. Happy New Year!
Amanda DeCastro
Guest Blogger from Columbus, OH