What are the best things to do in Frankenmuth, Michigan?

There are plenty of fun things to do in Frankenmuth, Michigan including: attending some favorite annual Frankenmuth festivals; dining on world-famous, family-style chicken dinners; bringing the kids to two of the best indoor waterparks in Michigan; cruising the Cass River aboard Frankenmuth FunShips or the Bavarian Belle Riverboat; taking a charming horse-drawn carriage ride; browsing Frankenmuth River Place Shops and the world's largest Christmas store, Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland; and enjoying nightlife hotspots like Frankenmuth Brewery, Michigan's oldest microbrewery, or Prost! Wine Bar & Charcuterie.

Skip to:

Boat Tours in Frankenmuth | @michiganaddicts

What are some of the top things to do outdoors in Frankenmuth, MI?

Modern Craft Wine | @shesthehonestmom

What are some of the top things to do indoors in Frankenmuth, MI?

Zehnder's Splash Village | @consistently_curious

What are some fun things to do with kids in Frankenmuth, MI?

What are some of the best places to go shopping in Frankenmuth, MI?

  • Frankenmuth River Place Shops Styled in Frankenmuth's European village theme with over 40 shops, browse clothing to souvenirs, and partake in wine tasting to spa treatments!
  • Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland Experience the world's largest Christmas store, open 361 days a year, with more than 50,000 trims, gifts, and ornaments!
  • Bavarian Inn Castle Shops Wind through a fairytale castle to seven gift shops, in the lower level of Bavarian Inn Restaurant.
  • Zehnder's Marketplace With Pandora™ jewelry, Vera Bradley® accessories, Polish pottery, and more, spend time exploring the lower-level shops inside Zehnder's Restaurant.
  • Frankenmuth Cheese Haus Discover 270 specialty cheeses from around the world, including chocolate-flavored cheese!
  • Frankenmuth Farmers Market Open Saturdays, June to September, browse fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, and more from over 100 vendors throughout the season.
  • Creative Lane Peruse artisan-crafted goods from pottery to jewelry, and hand-pour your own creation at the candle bar!
  • Amazin' Mitten Admire one-of-a-kind works by creative Michiganders, including handcrafted soaps & lotions to candles & cutting boards.
  • Frank's Muth Find uncommon gifts from house-made gourmet popcorn to unique apparel — and grab a seasonal cocktail, shot, or slushie from the in-store bar!
  • Covered Bridge Shop Explore a collection of quality leather goods & Frankenmuth gifts, then relax with a signature cocktail, spiked bubble tea, or boozy slushie.
  • Abby's of Frankenmuth Wander through this charming shop for clothing, footwear, jewelry, and accessories.
  • White House Boutique Browse classic apparel, plus a wide selection of Pandora™ and Brighton®.
  • Rapunzel's Boutique Shop for clothing & decor, alongside interesting collections of yarns & knitting accessories!
  • Adorn Boutique Find fresh, trendy fashions & accessories, from denim to dresses & handbags.
La Crepe du Jour Creperie & Cafe | @exploremichiganmore

What are some of the best places to eat in Frankenmuth, MI?

Breakfast + Brunch

  • La Crepe du Jour With French music playing in a Parisian patio setting, indulge in sweet or savory crepes (including gluten-free & vegan options).
  • N'Orlins Beignets & Coffee Bite into fresh, pillowy beignets, served hot & dusted with plenty of powdered sugar.
  • Oma's Restaurant Bavarian Benedicts, Belgian Waffles, German Potato Pancakes — tuck into comforting classics, or enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet!
  • Creation Coffee Sip a Bavarian Latte or German Chocolate Mocha with your bagel, baked goods, or breakfast sandwich.
  • Frankenmuth Kaffee Haus Cozy in for a seasonal latte or espresso and build your own breakfast sandwich.

Lunch

  • Tiffany's Food & Spirits Home of the original Pasta Pizza, slip into this former 1904 hotel (with a gorgeous streetside patio) for fresh pastas, specialty pizzas, and a warm atmosphere.
  • T.Dub's Pizzeria & Pub Choose from creative specialty pies, smashburgers, and handhelds, or Frankenmuth Favorites from Five Cheese Mac to Short Rib Tacos.
  • Michigan on Main Bar & Grill Taste Michigan's bountiful harvest at this spot within the Bavarian Inn Restaurant, highlighting seasonality & local sourcing.
  • daVinci's Italian Restaurant With specialty pizzas, flatbreads, and classic pasta dishes, enjoy authentic Italian flavors.
Prost! Wine Bar & Charcuterie | @prostwinebar

Dinner

  • Zehnder's Restaurant Savor world-famous, all-you-can-eat, family-style chicken dinners inside America's largest family restaurant — or steaks, schnitzels, and sausages.
  • Bavarian Inn Restaurant Delight in an authentic German dining experience, with world-famous "all-you-care-to-eat" family-style chicken dinners, plus Schnitzel to Sauerbraten.
  • Prost! Wine Bar & Charcuterie Unwind in the warmth of this buzzing wine bar, with regional charcuterie, tap wines, and Pesto & Prosciutto Rigatoni to Tenderloin Medallions.
  • The Station 100 Indulge in a fine dining experience of artful European dishes, paired with the perfect wine selection by an in-house sommelier.
  • Frankenmuth Brewery Order comfort food from a Brew Haus menu of handcrafted burgers to Bavarian favorites — and pair with one of their award-winning ales or lagers.
  • Slo' Bones BBQ Smokehaus Listen to live blues music on weekends while sampling from a menu of mouthwatering ribs, brisket, and pulled pork, plus classic Southern sides.
  • Poblano's Mexican Grill & Cantina Relax at a casual cantina serving tacos, burritos, sizzling fajitas — and tasty margaritas!
  • Te Fiti Tiki Find yourself on island time while savoring tropical-inspired dishes & handcrafted cocktails.
  • MI Pot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot Enjoy all-you-can-eat hot pot & Korean barbecue in a lively atmosphere.
Frankenmuth Brewery | @frankenmuthbrewery

What are some of the best spots for nightlife in Frankenmuth, MI?

  • Frankenmuth Brewery Taste 150 years of brewing tradition inside Michigan's oldest microbrewery, and grab a pint of Little Bavaria Pilsener!
  • Prost! Wine Bar & Charcuterie Gather by the outdoor fire bar to linger over tap wines, sampler flights, and house-specialty cocktails in the warm ambiance.
  • The Rooftop @ The Station 100 Savor fine wines, curated cocktails — and skyline views overlooking Little Bavaria in this elevated rooftop experience.
  • Lorelei Lounge Enjoy an authentic German bar with free live entertainment every evening, a wide selection of bourbon, and an ever-changing seasonal cocktail menu.
  • Schnitzelbank Bier Garten Wander out to this welcoming patio in front of the Bavarian Inn Lodge to sip on specialty drinks outdoors during the summer months.
  • Zehnder's Tap Room Choose from a menu of 20 craft brews, and watch for regular tap takeovers!
Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival
Festivals in Frankenmuth
Celebrate Bavarian-Style

From the traditional Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival each summer to Frankenmuth Oktoberfest in fall — it's always festival season in Michigan's Little Bavaria. Enjoy them all!

Read More +
Like This? You Might Also Like:
Things To Do
How to Spend a Weekend in Frankenmuth

Find yourself immersed in German heritage, dine on world-famous flavors, experience Michigan's oldest microbrewery, indulge in fantasy carriage rides & relaxing river cruises, and remember what it feels like to unwind. You’re in Frankenmuth for the weekend with nothing but time, and good times are definitely ahead!

Read More +
Things To Do
How to Spend a Weekend in Frankenmuth with Kids

Travel to Frankenmuth, Michigan for a family weekend and be ready for all kinds of fun! This town is known as Little Bavaria, but it’s home to two of Michigan's top indoor waterparks and the world’s largest Christmas store, making it a must-stop for more than 3 million who visit annually!

Read More +
Discover Top Things to Do in Our Other Cities
Birch Run Premium Outlets
Things To Do
Top Things to Do in Birch Run

When you think of Birch Run, Michigan, chances are, you also think of Birch Run Premium Outlets — and for good reason (or more than 100 good reasons, see below). But, Birch Run has much more than a shopping mecca alone! Let this guide open your eyes to all the fun things to do in Birch Run.

Read More +
Things To Do
Top Things to Do in Bay City

For Downtown, Uptown, and all-around experiences — shows to catch, boats to board, antiques to find, and flavors to never forget — read on to discover our top things to do in Bay City, Michigan, an eclectic & historic waterfront town!

Read More +
Things To Do
Top Things to Do in Midland

Whether you'll spend your time exploring the nation's longest canopy walk within Dow Gardens or marveling at mid-century modern architecture — enjoy this sampling of the top things to do in Midland, Michigan!

Read More +
MFS Museum
Things To Do
Top Things to Do in Saginaw

A diverse city from Riverfront Saginaw to Old Town — with natural wonders like the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge beckoning for adventure — Saginaw is rich in chances to explore.

Read More +
Creative Passions Crop & Quilt Retreat
Things To Do
Top Things to Do in Chesaning

In our modern times where things move lightning-fast, Chesaning offers quite the opposite: respite & relaxation, quaint & quintessential.

Read More +
Author
Jen W. O'Deay + Go Great Lakes Bay

By: Jen W. O'Deay | Updates: Go Great Lakes Bay | Jen is a Saginaw native and owner of Feel These Words, an independent copywriting studio & home to the free "5 Day Website MiniBoost". Jen specializes in writing that connects, delivered through website copy, branded content articles, and WingWoman writing services. You'll find Jen camping with her family, laughing, and at feelthesewords.com