Frankenmuth Culinary Experiences and Traditional Highlights A visit to Frankenmuth, "Michigan's Little Bavaria" gives visitors the impression of experiencing another world. Typical German architecture is found throughout the community which is famous for its "gemütlichkeit" or hospitality. Founded in 1845 by German-Lutheran missionaries, Frankenmuth has become synonymous for its chicken dinners and other old-world treats. Two of the country s largest family restaurants combine to serve nearly two million dinners each year. And, of course, what German town wouldn't be complete without pretzels, sausage and beer? Take part in hands-on activities that let you make and sample your own. Pretzel rolling or strudel making experience at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant Learn the history and meaning as well as the proper technique to roll and twist a pretzel; then have it baked and eat your creation. Or learn how to make a favorite German dessert, Apple Strudel. Sausage stuffing experience at Willi's Sausage Haus Guests don gloves and aprons to work with staff members to learn the age-old skill of sausage stuffing, part of Frankenmuth's rich history.
Beer brewing tour & tasting at the Black Forest Brau Keller Tours explain the brewing process and also give you Frankenmuth's rich beer brewing history. Sample a selection of current seasonal brews. Wine tasting at St. Julian Wine Company Visit the facility that Solera Cream Sherry is aged at and taste a sample of the most award-winning sherry in the United States along with many other wines and sparkling juices. German Backofen Brot During the annual Farm Fest held in early August, visit Grandpa Tiny's Farm and learn how "backofen brot" (bake oven bread) is baked in an authentic outdoor woodstove.
Famous Frankenmuth family-style chicken dinner at Zehnder s Restaurant Treat your guests to the original, world-famous chicken dinner at America's largest family restaurant. Zehnder's can seat up to 1500 guests at one time in ten dining rooms. German dinner at the Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Restaurant Costumed servers wearing lederhosen and dirndls treat guests to famous Frankenmuthstyle chicken dinners or German specialties in authentically decorated dining rooms. Savor wiener schnitzel (breaded veal), Jaeger schnitzel (breaded pork), kasselar rippchen (smoked pork loin) and sauer braten (sweet-sour marinated beef) or treat yourself to a selection of various sausage entrees complete with all the trimmings. Springerle and Lebkuchen Christmas Cookies During the holidays, the bakeries of Zehnder's and Bavarian Inn Restaurants make traditional German Christmas Cookies. Springerle are raised cookies imprinted with pictures from cookie presses and Lebkuchen are molasses flavored cookies.
Frankenmuth's favorite treats, Butterhorns and Stollen bread All year long, you can purchase a butterhorn at the bakeries of Zehnder's and the Bavarian Inn Restaurants. Butterhorns are made of sweet dough that is filled with a nut and brown sugar mixture topped with frosting and chopped nuts. Stollen is a traditional fruit and nut bread. Visit Bronner s CHRISTmas Wonderland Thousands of shimmering lights and sparkling ornaments, whimsical animated figures, and a worldwide selection of gifts is delightfully displayed at Bronner's, the world's largest Christmas store. Also visit the Silent Night Memorial Chapel. Of course, Christmas cookies are always available! Frankenmuth city tour with step-on guide Enjoy a one-hour tour of with a German costumed guide. The tour will make one stop at historic St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, the founding church of the community where you will hear the history of the city as told through the stained glass windows.
Visit Frankenmuth River Place or stroll Frankenmuth's downtown for shopping* River Place contains 30 shops and attractions including the Bavarian Belle riverboat tour, a European mirror maze and family arcade. Or stroll along Frankenmuth's Main Street where you can visit over 100 quaint shops and attractions. *Downtown shop hours & River Place shop hours are seasonal. View Glockenspiel at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant Hear a 35-bell carillon play and watch hand-carved wooden figures all imported from Germany tell the story of the Pied Piper of Hamlen.