Bring skates or lace up rentals for the Frankenmuth Ice Rink! With room for 200 skaters per hour, the whole fam will have fun gliding on ice cooled by its own refrigeration system and smoothed with its own Zamboni!

Explore the 1,200-acre winter wonderland, Chippewa Nature Center! Enjoy the Ecosystem Gallery and indoor Wildlife Viewing Area for up-close sightings. See the Log Schoolhouse and visit the 1870s Homestead Farm for “Stories by the Fire” or “A Homestead Holiday.”

Indoor Family Fun Zones

Leave winter behind inside Valley Lanes Family Entertainment Center! Whether it’s bowling or bumper cars that draw you in, discover fun all around with arcade games, a laser maze, indoor mini-golf, and more.

Trade winter boots for bowling shoes at Stardust — and find your way out of four escape rooms, play two-story laser tag, ride indoor bumper cars, and try out more than 50 video arcade games!

Kids of all ages will go wild for Press Play 989! Step into an action-packed spot with arcade games, laser tag — and don’t leave hungry! The menu here includes pizza, wings, wraps, and sandwiches — with beer on the menu for “big kids"!

Let a roll of quarters take you out of the cold and into retro gaming fun at Crazy Quarters Arcade! Enjoy arcade classics including Pac-Man, Galaga, Space Invaders Deluxe, and Dance Dance Revolution.

Bring the kids into Brinstar for vintage-to-newer video arcade games and pinball machines — but stay for deliciously creative burgers and fresh-cut fries the whole family will love!

Spend quality time exploring and inventing inside Spark!Lab® Smithsonian at Midland Center for the Arts! Discover pop-up STEM exhibits and experience an interactive space where curiosity is encouraged.

Take the kiddos to the cosmos during a mesmerizing show at Delta College Planetarium — and don’t pass up a stop at the gift shop for out-of-this-world souvenirs!

Bundle up for a Bavarian shopping experience at Frankenmuth River Place Shops! With 40-plus attractions and stores, sample fudge and toffee made in front of your eyes, in-between browsing for clothing and novelty items.

Find something for the whole family at Birch Run Premium Outlets! With shops like Go! Games & Toys, kid-themed Gap Kids, and The Children’s Place Outlet, explore 100+ shops for savings of up to 65% off.

Let the kids experience “a toy store, unplugged” at Joyful Tantrum. Discover this whimsical shop and impressive selection of inventive play and toys that inspire — batteries not required!

Discover cool creativity this winter and hands-on play at Toyberg! Check out wooden toys, games, and puzzles, explore toys designed to encourage STEM play, and start thinking spring by taking home a new kite.

Shop nostalgic candy, gifts, and novelties at Happy Go Lucky, and bring the kiddos to a place where $1 will get them a lot (like it used to in the old days)! Explore this shop’s unique toys, and watch for in-store movie nights.

Family Holiday Light Shows

Sing to the sounds of Christmas at the 40-foot tree that is Frankenmuth’s Spectacular Musical Tree Show! Enjoy a seven-minute interlude through popular Christmas tunes while colorful lights dance about.

Fill your mugs with hot cocoa, set the radio to holiday tunes, and head out for Little Bavaria’s “Little” Driving Light Tour! With a holiday poem to guide you, travel along festive streets to brilliant light displays.

Family Holiday Events

Sing along with carolers as you stroll a candlelit pathway through a winter wonderland during the Dow Gardens Christmas Walk. Sip hot cocoa while enjoying merry melodies, and say hello to Santa’s reindeer.

Hop on for a free pony ride and visit Santa & Mrs. Claus during Holidays in the Heart of the City. Sing along with carolers and enjoy cookies & cocoa while visiting holiday open houses — and take in free horse-drawn wagon rides, holiday concerts, and the finale fireworks show!

Bring the family to experience the magic of Tis the Season Weekends at Frankenmuth River Place Shops. Meet Santa Claus, sing with strolling carolers, and celebrate Christmas in Santa’s Workshop.