Frankenmuth, Michigan’s Little Bavaria
When we arrived Michigan on 7 July, our first destination was at Frankenmuth. It’s one of Michigan’s tourist spot famously known as “Michigan’s Little Bavaria” for it’s Bavarian(German)-themed shops and attractions. We spent three fun days there. [Click here to view more photos.]
We enjoy these attractions:
- Jellystone Park Camp Resort
- Bavarian Inn Restaurant
- Frankenmuth’s Main Street
- River Place
- Bavarian Belle Riverboat
- Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland
- Mini Golf
Background:
- Bavaria, with an area of 70,553 km² (27,241 square miles) and almost 12.5 million inhabitants, lies in the southeast of Germany and is the geographically largest state (Bundesland) of Germany. Its capital is Munich. Bavaria shares international borders with Austria and the Czech Republic as well as with Switzerland (across Lake Constance). Bavaria has long had one of the largest and healthiest economies of any region in Germany, or Europe for that matter.[Read more.]
- Frankenmuth is a city in Saginaw County in the U.S. State of Michigan. The area was settled and named by conservative Lutheran immigrants from Franconia (now part of Bavaria), in 1845. The German word “Franken” represents the Province of Franconia in the Kingdom of Bavaria, and the German word “Mut” means courage, thus the city name Frankenmuth means “courage of the Franconians”. [Read more.]
Jellystone Park Camp ResortWe probably spent most of our time at the Jellystone Park. It’s a camping resort. They have grounds for almost all types of camping style - comfort camping - (camping with RV (recreational vehicle) or trailer homes) or the traditional - the one with tents and lesser comforts. We were parked right by the playground, and a few walks away from the indoor pool. On 9 July, my in-laws celebrated 42nd Wedding Anniversary. We were glad to have joined their celebration. It’s the first time in so many since their kids left to be on their own, that one of their kids (dear hubby) was around for their special day. At the campsite in Jellystone Park, we had wine and steak dinner that Dad-IL prepared and Matthew had noodles, that Mom-IL prepared. |
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Bavarian Inn RestaurantWe had dinner at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant, where we sample some german food and drinks. Dear Hubby sampled 4 types of german beer. He then concluded that he liked the American Style beer the most. (No surprise there). While we enjoyed a platter of 5 different meats cook in different styles, Matthew would only eat the noodle soup. The waiting staffs were entertaining in their german costumes and upbeat hospitality and the accordian player entertained us and Matthew especially. Aside from the restaurant, the Bavarian Inn also has a few shops and bakeries. |
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Frankenmuth’s Main StreetThe main street is the location of most of Frankenmuth’s shops, where a variation of items are available from genuine leather, fudge to flavored coffee or some unique items. Cherry flavored coffee, colorful toys, genuine leather belts and personalized items are among those that we found interesting. With its well-tended flowers and lush greenery and the authentic Bavarian architecture and landscaping, the Main Street is the area in Frankenmuth that reminded me of Huis Ten Bosch. Huis Ten Bosch is a tourist spot in Nagasaki, Japan. While Frankenmuth is built after a Bavarian town, Huis Ten Bosch is built after a mediaeval 17th century Dutch town. But unlike Huis Ten Bosch which is an amusement park, Frankenmuth is a business and residencial town. |
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River PlaceThe River Place is a location of more shops. It’s an extension of the Main Street where architecture and landscaping is authentic Bavarian. |
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Bavarian Belle RiverboatWe took a riverboat cruise along Caas River, which flows through Frankenmuth. It was refreshing to feel the breeze and enjoy the sights while we listened to the narration of the history of Frankenmuth and its residents. |
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Bronner’s Christmas WonderlandIt’s Christmas in July for us and Christmas everyday at the Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland! It prides itself as the World’s biggest chrismas store. Bronner’s building is the size of 5.5 football fields. I was simply overwhelmed by the really big selection of everything Christmas! What’s also amazing is that all year round, the half mile long lane around Bronners are decorated with Christmas lights and decorations. It didn’t surprise us to know that the electric bill costs a thousand dollars each night. We also visited the Silent Night Memorial Chapel. It’s a replica of the original Silent Night Memorial Chapel found in Oberndorf, Austria. We walked around the chapel and browsed through plaques with the hymn Silent Night is different languages with the Silent Night hymn as background music. |
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Mini GolfI totally forgot the name of that place where we played the mini-golf! It really looked nice from the outside, the landscape, includig the falls. Matthew joined in the fun by taking the golf balls from where it landed and putting them on the holes himself. When our strikes are getting too plenty, we always joked that we needed Matthew’s help. Of course, Dad-IL had the highest score. He is afterall a skilled golfer. |
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Filed under: Blog, Family, Fun, Matthew, Me, Papi, Photo | Tagged: Travel, Michigan, Frankenmuth, Jellystone Park, River Place, Bavarian Inn | 1 Comment »





























































