Deeply rooted in its German heritage, the small city of Frankenmuth has been dubbed “Michigan’s Little Bavaria,” and that is evident in its beautiful architecture, festivals, and food.
Chicken dinners are world-famous here; the city is known far and wide to serve up the best of the comfort dish: German-style golden fried chicken with mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, dressing, and fresh bread. Two iconic spots to try it out are Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth and the Bavarian Inn Restaurant.
It’s always Christmas in the city, too. Visitors can shop at Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, with thousands upon thousands of ornaments, decorated trees, and gifts. At dusk (all year long), shoppers at Bronner’s can step outside for a display of 100,000 Christmas lights stretching a half mile. A horse-drawn carriage ride stops at The Old Christmas Station, a European restaurant stocked with German ornaments, cookie cutters, and handcrafted figurines.
Frankenmuth parties year-round, too, hosting one-of-a-kind events. Although festival schedules are a bit up in the air these days, the following noteworthy events will return: German-themed Bavarian Festival and Oktoberfest; Bringin’ Back the ’80s Fest, which generates proceeds of nearly $70,000 each year for cancer-related causes; the World Expo of Beer, Michigan’s largest beer-sampling event; and Zehnder’s Snowfest, which displays large and intricate snow sculptures and ice carvings.
For more information, email the Frankenmuth CVB’s Christie Bierlein or go to frankenmuth.org.
Top photo by CC Flickr/Joe Ross: bit.ly/2Z8GQxN
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