OT: Anyone ever Visit Frankenmuth

[surfer_ed]

Anyone ever visit Frankenmuth in Michagan? We live in Oakville and I was thinking of taking my mother, who is up from N.S., on a quick trip to the Christmas Store and to do some shopping. Maybe leave on a Sunday and come back Monday night.

Any tips? How is the shopping? What else is there to do? How about accomodations?

[calgarygary]

I'm not an expert but can tell you a little about Frankenmuth. The Bronner's store is HUGE! You can plan on spending several hours in just that store and their incredible selection of Christmas items. There are several good restaurants in Frankenmuth all with a Bavarian theme. In the nearby area is Birch Run which has a large outlet mall that will also require several hours for shopping.

[RoyalCanadian]

The Drury Inn is always a nice choice -- they include a huge free continental breakfast for all guests and also have free afternoon drinks (alcholic and otherwise) and snacks for guests. It is right on the main street and within walking distance of all shopping -- except for Bronner's, which is a drive unto itself.

[KerriMc]

We just got home from there yesterday :sunny: Boy was it hot down there too!!! Very hot for shopping at the outlet mall in Birch Run because you are in and out in the heat. We basically were shopping for my girls, so we hit all the kids stores ... Carters, Gymboree, Vanity Fair, Gap, OshKosh, and The Children's Place (amazing sales here!!). We also went to a Target and a Kmart, as well as Joannes (an amazing craft/fabric store).

We stayed in Birch Run ... go the shoppers special (go to their website ... http://www.primeoutlets.com/cntrdefault.asp?cntrid=1015 and click on "Shop til you Drop". It then lists all of the hotels in the Birch Run area). We stayed in Birch Run, because you can get a better deal, as you pay for the Frankenmuth "name" ... we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express for $59.00 a night. It included our breakfast, which was quite good. This was a great rate I thought. All I had to do was print out the deal from the internet and take it with me upon check in. Birch Run is only five minutes from Frankenmuth, so it is worth driving for the savings. (oh and I should add that I am VERY picky about where I will stay ... I would only recommend the Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn in Birch Run, and Country Inn and Suites ... the Hampton is Ok, but not as nice as the other three ... the rest I would avoid :blush: )

For us the drive is about 6 hours (from north of Barrie) and that includes a stop. Although this time we waited over an hour just to pay the toll. They weren't letting everyone through, I'm not sure what the hold up was, but it was the tolls that took forever, not the part where you go through the customs. So it took us abut 7 1/2 hrs ... long with a five year old :rolleyes:

Oh ... and if you do go to Frankenmuth, be sure to eat at Zehnders in Frankenmuth. They have family style chicken dinners, which are awesome ... here is a link to their website ... http://www.zehnders.com/ ... sooooo YUMMY :thumbsup2

I don't know if I answered your questions ... but if you have anymore, feel free to ask. We go to Frankenmuth every year.

Kerri :sunny:

p.s. Oh yeah ... we went to the Christmas store again. My dd was very impressed. It is definitely a HUGE store. They have added to it in the last couple of years. The little chapel outside is also beautiful, especially with it playing Silent Night continuously in various languages. Beautiful :)

[surfer_ed]

Wow this is great, thanks everyone. KerriMc, great report!

[Tinkergirl1]

I agree with others, great place to visit for a few days. Mom will love it. There is a lovely street with old fashioned little stores, an old general store, a candy store where they make fresh candy (you can watch) etc. . Birch run is a fabulous place to shop. You can find some really great deals. The xmas store is out of this world. People told me it was large but I had no idea.

Have a great time if you go.

[disneymath]

Being from Northern Ontario, our "quickest" route to WDW when driving is to go through the Sault and down I-75 ... we've only attempted this 3-day adventure once, but did "stumble" upon two places that have since become favourites ... Frankenmuth and Mackinaw.

Definitely go to Frankenmuth ... for all the reasons the PPs stated ... Bronners is out of this world, Zehnders is great and you can't beat outlet shopping!

[lisajl]

Have a great time at Bronners! You can't get near the place Thanksgiving or near Christmas time. My DH's family is from Flint, so it's a just a ways from their home.
Don't get there often but when we do, we always stop!
Lisa

[sammi]

We just returned from Frankenmuth a week and a half ago. :sunny: This was our 2nd time going in less than a year and we absolutely love this place! :thumbsup2

Another vote for the Drury Inns and Suites! :thumbsup2 I have never stayed in a hotel as good as this one...the staff are excellant and the beds are sooooo comfy. :)

We also visited Saginaw this time for shopping as well as Birch Run....but we were so hot too and it's a little rough in the heat going in and out of all those stores but we managed! :lmao:

We're thinking about returning in Dec for Xmas shopping. :wave2:

Bronners is amazing and we love Zhenders and the Bavarian Inn for their HUGE dinners! :banana:

[briarberry]

Great thread! I was just thinking about what we were going to do Thanksgiving weekend because we are celebrating the weekend before with family. Now I'm thinking a trip to Birch Run would be fun. Thanks for all the great info. We haven't been for years but now the dollar is doing so well it will be worth it!
:tinker:

[RoyalCanadian]

BTW -- the last two weeks of Ontario summer vacation are a wonderful time to visit Frankenmuth as the Michigan schools are already back to work.

[Yamanoha]

BTW -- the last two weeks of Ontario summer vacation are a wonderful time to visit Frankenmuth as the Michigan schools are already back to work.

Just an FYI that a new MI state law was recently passed. Starting this year, school now can't start until the Monday after Labour Day.

[NancyK]

Does Zehnders take reservations for lunch and dinner?

[KerriMc]

They do take reservations for dinner (and lunch I am assuming???) ... we always make reservations just a day ahead because the line can be VERY long as it is a busy place. This way you go to the lady in the very front, by the entrance and give your name. She takes you to whichever room you are sitting in and you walk by all those "other people" who didn't make reservations :teeth: ... it is recommended!! Go to Zehnders website and there is a reservation number that is toll free.

Kerri :sunny:

[MomtoEmIs&Ow]

We went to Frankenmuth for the first time back in May and had a great time! We stayed at Zendhers Splash Village right next to the Christmas store. We really liked it because the indoor water park was a lot of fun. We definatley plan to go back! The town itself is pretty cute too! And I COULD NOT believe how big the christmas store is! You could look forever!
Like I said we will be going back for sure! :thumbsup2

Lee