Are you looking for a fun fall or winter getaway? I have put together a list of some of the most recommended places to visit and things to do in Frankenmuth Michigan.

Fun Things to do in Frankenmuth

Planning a trip to Frankenmuth is super exciting! If you’re anything like me, you’re here because you love to research and plan your trip ahead of time. As someone who loves to travel and is a Michigan native, I am giving you a day trip itinerary filled with the best things to do in Frankenmuth in the fall.

You are going to learn about places to visit like the Holz Brücke Covered Bridge, Zehnder’s, Bavarian Inn, and Bronner’s. After learning about these places and some helpful tips, you are going to be ready for your next Michigan travel adventure!

15 fall fun things to do in Frankenmuth.

Food & Dining

Traditional Bavarian Dinner

One of the best fun things to do while in Frankenmuth is to enjoy a Bavarian family style dinner. Two of the most famous Bavarian restaurants in Frankenmuth are Zehnder’s and Bavarian Inn. The family style dinner includes chicken and all the sides like mashed potatoes, bread, pasta salad, cranberry relish, cole slaw, and dessert. It’s a great dinner to share with a large group of people. If it’s just you or a couple, don’t worry, there’s still plenty of amazing dinner options! 

If you’re looking for something a bit more casual and less busy, consider going to Z Chef’s Cafe. This is more of a self-service option, where you order your food and then find a table. At times, Z Che’s Cafe is less busy than the traditional restaurant. The cafe is located downstairs next to the marketplace.

The Zehnder’s marketplace has some of the best baked goods and artisan products. While you’re there, definitely grab a loaf of Stollen and Hutzelbrot, sweet breads with dry fruit. It’s so delicious!  

Pizza & Pasta Dinner

For pizza and pasta, check out Tiffany’s Food & Spirits. It is home to the original pizza pasta if you want to eat both at the same time! There is so much rich history in Tiffany’s. The restaurant first opened as part of a hotel in the early 1900s for people traveling through the lumbar city. In the 1960s the name changed to Tiffany’s and is homage to the famous Tiffany style glass and lamps. All of the history is fascinating to experience while eating a delicious meal. If the weather is still nice during your visit, I recommend sitting out on the patio to enjoy the views of main street. 

Breakfast & Lunch

One of my favorite restaurants in the city is Prost Wine Bar & Charcuterie. They have the BEST charcuterie boards! They offer a variety of different regional charcuterie boards like Spanish, German, Italian, and French. You can also build your own board, and they have a board for kids! I love pairing the cheeses with wine and enjoying a relaxing afternoon either inside the beautiful restaurant or out on the patio. The German charcuterie is a great option if you really want to immerse yourself in the German food scene. 

If you’re looking for a place to eat breakfast, brunch, or lunch, I highly recommend Honey B’s Eatery. With almost all of their food being made from scratch, the menu frequently changes to accommodate the freshest ingredients. They offer rotating bowls and hashes, eggs benedict, sweet treats, sandwiches, and more. Their menu offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options too. 

Shopping

Aside from the restaurants, the next best fall fun things to do in Frankenmuth includes shopping! There are several cute malls, boutiques, and shops to explore. 

Frankenmuth River Place Shops is located at the end of main street. They have so many unique stores! If you are into hand maid jewelry, check out Bead Haven. It’s Michigan’s largest bead store. They have a huge selection of beads, jewelry, rocks, crystals, and healing stones. There are several stores specializing in Michigan made products like The Michigan Shoppe, Great Lakes Olive Oil Co, I Love Frankenmuth, and Cherry Republic. There are also fun family friendly activities like a mirror maze, candy store, arcade games, and paddlewheel riverboat. 

One of my “must visit” stores in Frankenmuth is the Frankenmuth Cheese Haus. They have an extensive selection of cheeses. Perfect for a snack, charcuterie board, or souvenir! Along with the cheese, you’ll find unique snacks, dishes, and household items to compliment the cheese. Don’t forget to snap a picture with the cheese haus mouse at the entrance of the store!

Frankenmuth aesthetic

Main Street has several unique shops too. Consider taking a walk along Main Street after enjoying your big Bavarian family meal. You’ll find clothing stores, souvenir shops, a shoe store, a German clock store, and more.  

If you’re looking for some great deals, check out Premium Outlets Birch Run. This large outdoor outlet mall is located about 20 minutes from downtown Frankenmuth. They have several popular stores and shopping here could easily take a full day. 

Famous Landmarks

There are several fun things to do in Frankenmuth and many beautiful landmarks. 

The Holz Brücke Covered Bridge is located off of Main Street on Covered Bridge Lane. It crosses over the Cass River. Although it was built in the 1980’s, it is made to look like early 20th century architecture. It’s a fun little adventure to cross the bridge by foot.  

Frankenmuth travel

Bronner’s is the largest Christmas store in the WORLD! Open 364 days a year, this store is Christmas all year round. Bronner’s is a Frankenmuth staple so I had to list it here as a landmark. They specialize in handmade ornaments and items can be personalized with hand painted names and dates. It’s worth spending some time outside of the store, to admire all of the Christmas lights as well as the Chapel. 

The Frankenmuth Historical Museum is a fun option to learn more about the city’s history. Admission is just $5 for adults, $1 for kids, or a $10 family pass. It’s a great family friendly activity that’s right along Main Street. 

Lodging 

If you’re looking for a family friendly place to stay, check out one of these hotels!

The Bavarian Inn Lodge is a landmark of Frankenmuth. Located on the Cass River, it offers beautiful views of the city. For the kids, there are several pools, waterslides, and a game room.  

A fun, family friendly resort is Zehnder’s Splash Village Hotel & Waterpark. Not only does this hotel offer accommodations, they have an indoor waterpark! If you’re looking to spend more than a day or two in Frankenmuth, this hotel is a great option because it will give you something to do right on site. They also have access to the Fortress Golf Course.   

If you’re a Michigan local, Frankenmuth is definitely worth visiting as a day trip or weekend trip, especially in the fall. If you are visiting Michigan this fall, definitely check out this beautiful, unique city. 

Things to do in Frankenmuth today

This post is 15 fall fun things to do in Frankenmuth.

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