Frankenmuth infuses the heart of Michigan with Bavarian-style hospitality, Things To Do In Frankenmuth MI, cuisine, and fun activities. On your weekend trip, take in the sights from the Bavarian Belle Riverboat, shop at the “World’s Largest Christmas Store,” visit Michigan’s Military & Space Heroes Museum, and explore many other unique attractions.
The following are the top things to do in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Call the attractions and restaurants ahead of time to confirm current hours of operation.
List of 10 Things To Do In Frankenmuth MI Today
If you want to learn more about Frankenmuth oktoberfest and frankenmuth michigan German heritage, you can try your hand at rolling Bavarian pretzels or an authentic German meal.
The grandchildren will have a great time at one of the indoor water jellystone park in the area. History buffs can learn more about Frankenmuth’s German heritage and the role Michiganders have played in US military history.
If you love Christmas, you’ll enjoy visiting Bronner’s, the world’s largest Christmas store.
1. Frankenmuth, Michigan’s Bavarian Belle Riverboat
The Bavarian Belle Riverboat is a genuine, family-run riverboat that offers tours of the Frankenmuth area on the scenic Cass River. The fully restored 150-passenger vessel, docked at the Frankenmuth River Place shop Shopping at Zehnders splash Village waterfall, has an open-air canopied upper deck and a fully enclosed lower salon with modern restrooms, as well as a snack bar that serves soft drinks during the cruise.
A one-hour historical tour of the Frankenmuth area narrated by local experts is available to guests. The Bavarian Belle Riverboat also hosts special events and can be reserved for private events like birthday parties and weddings. One of the best things to do in Frankenmuth, Michigan is ride the Bavarian Belle Riverboat or Bavarian inn lodge.
2. Frankenmuth, Michigan’s Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland
Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, also known as the “World’s Largest Christmas Store,” is a year-round retail store that sells a wide variety of Christmas-related items, ornaments, decorations, and collectibles. Founded in 1945 by Wally Bronner, the store is designed in the shape of an alpine chalet, spans 7.35 acres, and is set among 27 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. One of the most popular Frankenmuth attractions is Bronners Christmas Wonderland in frankenmuth mi traverse city.
Three 17-foot outdoor Santa Clauses and a 15-foot snowman guard the building’s entrance, while Bronner’s half-mile long Christmas Lane is illuminated with more than 100,000 lights in the evenings. The interiors of the store contain over 50,000 gifts, tags, and trims, 600,000 glass ornaments, and 86,000 light sets, all of which are seen by over two million people each year at traverse city at memorial park.
Frankenmuth, MI 48734, 25 Christmas Ln, 989-652-9931
3. Military & Space Heroes Museum of Michigan, Frankenmuth, Michigan
The Michigan Military & Space Heroes Museum is dedicated to displaying and highlighting the wartime experiences of Michigan men and women, as well as educating the public about their patriotic service at metro detroit.
The Military & Space Heroes Museum, America’s only museum of its kind, features galleries with over 700 exhibits and 140 displays, including the Michigan Governor Gallery, the World War One/Polar Bear Gallery, Michigan’s Space Pioneers/Astronaut Gallery, the War on Terror Gallery, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Gallery, which houses the United States’ largest collection of Medals of Honor.
The museum also houses original examples of Michigan veterans’ uniforms and items from America’s seven foreign wars and space programs thing.
989-652-8005, 1250 Weiss St., Frankenmuth, MI 48734.
4. Frankenmuth, Michigan’s Castle Shops at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant
The Bavarian Inn Restaurant’s Castle Shops offer a variety of one-of-a-kind items in a charming fairytale setting.
The Doll & Toy Shop, a wonderland of toys and dolls for children of all ages; the Royal Gift Shop, which features over 5,000 treasures and collectibles, including steins, nutcrackers, and German clothing; and the Candy Corner & Chocolate Shop – a haven of chocolates, fudge, and apples. Take a break from shopping and unwind with a cup of coffee and a slice of chocolate cake from the Castle Shop Bakery.
Frankenmuth, MI 48734, 713 S. Main Street, 989-652-9941
5. Frankenmuth, Michigan’s St. Julian Winery
Mariano Meconi founded The Italian Wine Company in 1921, and St. Julian Winery was born when Meconi responded to rising antifascist sentiment during World War II by changing the name to St. Julian Winery, thus paying homage to the patron saint of his native village Faleria, Italy.
St. Julian produces award-winning wines, including a Sholom Kosher Wine and the critically acclaimed Solera Cream Sherry, as well as more than 15 Braganini Reserve wines made in a variety of winemaking styles.
The main winery in Paw Paw is open seven days a week, year round, and offers free tours as well as tastings for a small fee. Visitors can sample over 40 vintages, including the renowned Braganini Reserve wines, vodkas, and brandies, during the tastings at great lake.
Enhanced tastings and tours are also available, and they provide guests with an extended tour that includes an in-depth education on the winemaking process as well as the option of pairing with cheese or chocolate.
269-657-5568, 716 S. Kalamazoo Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079
6. Frankenmuth River Place Shops, Frankenmuth, Michigan
Frankenmuth River Place Shops, designed to resemble an authentic German/ little Bavaria village, is a one-of-a-kind collection of specialty shops, attractions, and fun activities for the entire family. The shopping village, located on the banks of the Cass River in downtown Frankenmuth, features beautiful Bavarian architecture, meandering streams and tinkling waterfalls, and a variety of restaurants, cafés, and specialty stores selling everything from women’s fashion and leather apparel to toys, accessories, and deli-style food.
Throughout the year, Frankenmuth River Place Shops hosts a variety of free, family-friendly events, such as Dog Bowl, Balloons Over Bavarian Inn, and the Cass River Colonial Encampment, an excellent historical reenactment of various Revolutionary War encampments.
Frankenmuth, MI 48734, 925 S. Main Street, 800-600-0105
7. Frankenmuth Historical Museum
The Frankenmuth Historical Museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Frankenmuth’s history and heritage. The museum has seven galleries with hands-on exhibits, displays, audio and video presentations, and various artifacts that tell the story of Frankenmuth, beginning with its founding as a Lutheran missionary colony in 1845.
Visitors can explore the museum on their own or on guided tours led by local historians who interpret and discuss the history of this Bavarian-influenced village.
Frankenmuth, MI 48734, 613 S Main St, 989-652-9701.
8. Grandpa Tiny’s Farm is number eight.
Grandpa Tiny’s Farm, established in memory of Grandpa Tiny, is a historic working farm where visitors of all ages can enjoy interactive, hands-on farm activities and experiences on a guided tour. The tour includes a stop at the Petting Farm, where kids can hold and play with chicks and baby bunnies, as well as watch and play with lambs and baby goats (kids) and other farm animals.
The package tour includes a narrated wagon ride around the farm, passing the beautiful turn-of-the-century farmhouse complete with an outdoor Backofen, crossing the Dead Creek via the historic Black Bridge, and visiting the beautiful old one-room schoolhouse. The tour also emphasizes the area’s agricultural history, with weekly demonstrations of draft horses plowing, planting, and harvesting, as well as other weather-permitting outdoor events.
7775 Weiss Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734, 989-652-5437 (April-October) / 989-871-2937 (November-March)
9. St. Lorenz Lutheran Church No. 9
The St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, founded in 1845 by the original German settlers of Frankenmuth brewery, was named after three Lutheran churches of the same name in three German cities. The St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, named after St. Laurentius, a Christian martyred for his faith in the third century A.D., now has a congregation of nearly 5,000 people.
Over 500 children attend St. Lorenz Church’s Christian School, which offers Christian education from preschool to junior high.
Frankenmuth brewery, MI 48734, 140 Churchgrove Road, 989-652-6141
10. The Fortress Golf Course is ranked tenth.
The Fortress Golf Course is an 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course that pays homage to the game’s traditional Scottish roots. The course was designed by golf architect Dick Nugent in 1992 and spans 6,813 yards with 75 bunkers surrounded by bent-grass tees, pristine fairways, and rolling and sectioned greens.
Warm-up areas include individual putting greens and chipping greens with bunkers, while the target-oriented driving range allows for long-distance swing practice. The golf course’s modern clubhouse includes changing rooms and restrooms, as well as a restaurant and bar, and a variety of special events, tournaments, clinics, and junior programs are scheduled throughout the season.
989-652-0460, 950 Flint St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734.
FAQ’s About Fun Things to Do in Frankenmuth
Is it worthwhile to visit Frankenmuth?
Frankenmuth is well-known for its excellent shopping. Not only can you visit an excellent outdoor mall and the world’s largest Christmas Store, but you can also return to a time when there were many mom and pop shops.
Is there anything open in Frankenmuth?
For those who are curious, Frankenmuth is now OPEN! To better serve our guests this season, most of our shops, restaurants, and attractions have resumed their regular Summer hours. Some businesses may still be closed on weekdays or may close earlier on some days.
Is Frankenmuth safe for children?
Frankenmuth is unquestionably a family-friendly destination. Restaurants offer children’s menus, hotels have waterparks,heritage park and the town is packed with family-friendly activities.