If you have not had the occasion to visit Frankenmuth Michigan, winter is a wonderful season to take a day trip to the Little Bavarian city just off I-75 south of Saginaw. When you mention Frankenmuth, most people associate the town with the Birch Run outlet mall located at exit 136 adjacent to the highway. Shop the factory direct stores of some of America’s most popular brands such as Calvin Klein, Coach, J. Crew, Nike, North Face, Polo, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Under Armour, just to name a few. But, if you only stop by the outlet’s factory stores you’re missing a great attraction just 15 minutes down the road at Frankenmuth.
The quaint Bavarian architecture sets the mood as you drive into downtown Frankenmuth, small shops line the streets offering a varied shopping experience. You will find everything from small boutiques to the Frankenmuth Brewery, Kern’s Sausages, The Popcorn Wagon, The Cheese Haus, and the Fudge Kitchen. Dine at the Bavarian Inn or make reservations at Zehnders to feast on their world-famous chicken dinner. Accommodations are plentiful in the area if you choose to extend your day-trip into an overnight stay, hotels are available both downtown and at the Birch Run exit.
Sight-seeing opportunities are plentiful, take the river walk along the Cass River, get your picture taken at the covered bridge. Take a ride on the Bavarian Belle Riverboat, and explore the Lager Mill Brewing Museum and Beer Store. Beer brewing has a long tradition in Frankenmuth, at the museum you can explore that history and the Beer Store offers 450 different craft beers from around the world with a special collection from Michigan.
No trip to Frankenmuth would be complete without a stop at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. The self-proclaimed “World’s Largest Christmas Store” is located just a few miles south of Frankenmuth and is open year-round. The complex on which the store is located encompasses 27 acres and the grounds reflect the Christmas theme regardless of the season. While Christmas brings an abundance of family activities you can participate in at the store, the annual calendar offers many opportunities to share the joy of Christmas during every season Michigan provides.
While winter affords a beautiful backdrop to this Bavarian hideaway, Frankenmuth offers year-round activities for the whole family. Golf, disc golf, re-live another era taking a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, traverse the “aerial trails” at the Adventure Park, visit a live working farmstead at Grandpa Tiny’s Farm, or try and figure out the corn maze constructed each year at harvest time. Frankenmuth also has a full schedule of festivals, craft shows, and community events to make your visit a memory that will last a lifetime. Regardless of when you schedule your trip to Frankenmuth you will find a full slate of activities to keep you entertained and relaxed at one of the premier vacation destinations in our great state.
[wdi_feed id=”3″]
