Frankenmuth, Michigan: A Great Place for a Weekend Away

If you are a Michigan resident you have most definitely heard of Frankenmuth, and more than likely have visited there at least once in your life. Frankenmuth is known as, "Little Bavaria." Located a short distance from I-75 exit 136, and the Prime Outlet mall at Birch Run, Frankenmuth offers Michigan residents and fellow Midwesterners a taste of Germany just hours away from home.

Growing up my family visited Frankenmuth almost annually, give or take a year that I was too young to remember. While visiting Frankenmuth we always had to stop for the all you can eat family style chicken dinner at Zehnder's. The chicken dinner at Zehnder's just can't be beat, though the Bavarian Inn across the street certainly comes close. Besides the chicken I just love the noodles that are served as a side along with mashed potatoes and dressing. For dessert you have your choice of soft serve ice cream or orange sorbet, which are served with a plastic zoo animal on top. My sister's personal favorite has always been the monkey with the curly tail that she could hang from her car visor for the trip home.

If you are looking for lodging while in Frankenmuth you have several choices. For starters, you have Zehnder's Splash Village Hotel and Water park. The hotel and water park are located a short distance away from Zehnder's restaurant, and offers a fun water park to take the family. The Bavarian Inn located on Main street just across the street from the Zehnder's restaurant also features a hotel.

While visiting Frankenmuth with friends during the summer of 2008, I myself stayed at the Drury Inn, also located on Main Street in Frankenmuth. The main thing that attracted my friends and I to the Drury Inn was it's proximity to the heart of Frankenmuth, as well as their offer of a free hot breakfast, as well as beverages and popcorn in the evenings. The Drury Inn was within walking distance of both Zehnder's and the Bavarian Inn and all of the other small shops in the heart of downtown Frankenmuth.

Other attractions in Frankenmuth include Bronners Christmas Wonderland, where you can purchase Christmas decorations all year. Another reason to visit Frankenmuth is for their celebration of Oktoberfest, which celebrates all things German, including beer.

Also, don't forget to visit the Prime Outlets Mall in Birch Run. The mall offers outlet stores of many popular retailers, such as Coach, Bath and Body Works, Gap, and Fossil, among many others. My friends and I love shopping so much that we visited the mall on our way to Frankenmuth as well as before we headed home on Sunday afternoon after spending the weekend at the Drury Inn.

So, if you are looking for a place to visit for a day trip, why not give Frankenmuth, Michigan a try.