Frankenmuth City of

Frankenmuth is a tiny Bavarian town in Michigan that we end up going or taking first time visitors of Michigan. It’s small but quaint. They have a few taffy and fudge shops. Zehnders is course one of the must try places, but there are other spots to stop by like the Cheese Haus, the shopping plaza across the bridge and also the wooden bridge to walk over!
There’s parking all over just find the lots. The visitors center has restrooms, but a lot of the larger establishments have them as well. It’s pretty at night during the Christmas/​Thanksgiving season as they put up lights! Take your time and walk around and make sure to stop by the Christmas Store down the road.

Many cities purport to have lots to do to entertain out of town visitors, but no city rises to the occasion like the City of Frankenmuth.
If you have never been before, I can’t recommend this city to you more. There are museums, there are horse carriage rides, you can traverse the water, breweries, tons of German-​styled food, downtown shopping and more.
I don’t go as often as I’d like, but when I have out-​of-​town guests, one of the three places I always suggest is Frankenmuth. If you aren’t going for the shopping or food, then check out one of the non-​stop festivals they seem to have. You will definitely not be bored in this city!

I don’t visit Frankenmuth often, but whenever I have a chance to «get away for the day» while in Michigan, I still enjoy coming here. There are quite a number of shops and things to do on the main strip and one can easily occupy themselves for the day.
Many of our Michigan cities have gotten a bad rap over the years but Frankenmuth is a small, family friendly place. The streets seem to be always clean and I’ve never not felt safe here.
That said, I’ve always been fond of the Fudge Shop and trying out food with a Bavarian flare. Each visit, I try to visit one or two businesses that I’ve not been to before (in addition to the Fudge Shop). This visit, I made it to 3 new businesses but, sad to say, I didn’t get to my fudge. Years ago, I feel like the city had an «old German feel» to it but today I can feel (and see) the slow modernization. That is probably just a natural result of rebuilding after the tornadoes.
I still can’t believe that it has become a tourist destination but I do recommend given it at least a few hours of your time if you are in the area. One day never feels like enough time but I’m not sure if 3 or 4 would be too many.

What a cute little place. We just drove through as typical tourists. Which is probably what most people are doing here. Its full of little shops and from what I hear, good food. If you are in the area its worth spending a day out here. However, I’m not sure I would drive across the country for the visit. (Which some people seem to do!)

I grew up in Frankenmuth and couldn’t wait to get away. Now, as a parent, it’s a safe, clean, well-​cared for vacation destination. There are so many free things to do with the kids: Watch the Glockenspiel at Bavarian Inn, run over the pedestrian bridge and wave to everyone on the riverboat, play at one of the many playgrounds (behind the Lodge is Heritage Park, complete with paved walking path and multiple small play areas). My family loves the «make your own pretzel» activity at Bavarian Inn (done daily at 2:30 p.m., reservations are required, so call ahead of time). The McDonald’s (on the north end of Main Street) has a really nice and clean playland. It’s a great day trip!

Let me start off by saying that we were not here on vacation. We were here doing business in a nearby town, and thought it’d be nice to stay in the lovely city of Frankenmuth.
At first, it was really lovely. The city is picturesque and we had lots of fun going into the shops and restaurants. Then, after day 3, it dawned on me. We were in a tourist trap town.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lovely concept, but don’t think that Frankenmuth always looked like this.
The towns current look is thanks to a vacation to Bavaria taken back in the 50’s.
After a few days, I realized that everything was overpriced, and not as good as it was when I was in tourist mode.
It is the #1 tourist destinations in Michigan with over 3 million (!!) visitors per year. That’s great for them, it’s a clean town that has lots to see if you’re only here for a weekend or so, but I wouldn’t extend the visit any further than that.

I’ve been coming here for nearly my entire 30 years. Mainly annually, while celebrating a birthday. I don’t think it’s sentimental when I say I love the city, though. I enjoy the little restaurants/​chocolate shops/​cheese house, and the little things that make it distinctly German. I’m not a fan of the new Riverwalk circular mall, as its modernity feels so out-​of-​place with the more historical rest of the downtown area.
This city should have plenty to do if you’re new to visiting. There’s of course Zehnders or Bavarian Inn, which to me has very good chicken dinners with standard Thansgiving-​ish sides like mashed potatoes and stuffing. Mashed potatoes taste fake, though, which is a shame. I like the stuffing and chicken noodle soup. Some people seem to love-​or-​hate the chicken, but I like it. Slowly explore the downtown area — it’s not too large (about 2 blocks each way), but there are a lot of shops tucked into the area. Even the basement shops of the Zehnders/​Bavarian Inn restaurants are large.
Overall, I just really like how relaxing, clean and well maintained everything is. The architecture brings me back to my German roots, albeit in a slightly more commercialized way. I think the city’s a Michigan icon for a reason, and I’d be disappointed to hear someone didn’t at least somewhat enjoy themselves here for a couple days.
Oh yeah, there’s always Bronners, which, if you love Christmas, you could get lost in for several hours.

One of the cutest cities in MI. It’s a small, clean, and nice city.

Cute place. Been coming here since I was a kid. Good fudge and shopping. St. Julian is my favorite winery. Cherry spumante is awesome