Anyone from Frankenmuth MI?

[Megan's Mom]

I have some questions for anyone in that area. In a couple of weeks we are going up that way and we are staying in Frankenmuth one night so I can go to Bronner's Christmas shop. Yea!!! Do the hotels in the area run shuttle buses to Bronner's? Also can you recomend a good German place to eat? You know when in Rome. I saw some really neat shops at the castle shopping area. Anything that I just can't miss? Thanks for any help that you can give me.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Be sure to take lots of $$$ when you go to Bronner's. Don't forget the camera either. That place is friggin HUGE! The first time we ever visited DH's grandparents (who live in Bay City, MI), they took us up there and we spent an entire day in Bronner's shopping. Bronners r00lz.

TOV

 

[Tina]

Check out this link: http://www.frankenmuth.org/

We always eat at the Bavarian Inn (all you can eat chicken dinner, family style), but that and Zehnder's are now owned by the same folks, so the meals should be the same. I just love the atmosphere of the Bavarian Inn. It reminds me of my childhood when we used to go there fairly often. Don't forget to check out the shops downstairs. They sell them most incredible strawberry-rubharb jam, which they also serve in the restaurant. It is TO DIE FOR!!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

When we went to Frankenmuth we stayed at the Bavarian Inn Lodge . It was very nice. We just drove to Bronner's. We didn't find it that hard to get around.

Everyone told us we had to eat at Zehnders . We thought it was really good. It does get crowded with lines, but we had maybe a 20 minute wait. I would recommend it.

 

[sharbear]

I don't know much about the hotels in Frankenmuth, family lives close enough that we don't have to worry about that. I would suggest calling the hotel directly.

The place to eat is Zehnder's. There is another place across the street but I can't remember the name. They are both about the same. It's an chicken dinner served family style. They bring out bowls of mashed potatoes, corn and stuff to the table. It's pretty good, I haven't been there in years.

If you like outlet malls, the one in Birch Run is great. It's one of the biggest and best. I esp. like the North Face outlet. I'm not one to shop downtown so I'm not sure about the shops around the castle.

Have fun.

 

[tkd lisa]

I went to college in Flint, so I visited Frankenmuth many times. The main places to eat are Zehnders and Bavarian Inn. I believe they have been owned by the same family for about 20 years (it was that way in the 80s when I was in college at least). Family style fried chicken with german side dishes. Lots and Lots of food!

And Bronners is an amazing place. I think I still have one or two of my ornaments from there, and I haven't been there in about 10 years (best friend used to live near there, so I visited after college too).

Have a great trip!

 

[Megan's Mom]

I guess that I forgot to mention that DH wants to go and visit a friend in Bay city while I am at Bronner's. That is why I wanted to know about shuttle buses.

I did look at that web site and it looked great. They have a build a dolly shop that I want to visit and make Megan a doll that looks like her.

I visited Bronner's about 3 years ago for about one hour and that just wasn't enough that is why we are going back. We were in Detroit and I saw the signs for Bronner's and so we drove up for just a little while.

 

[scottygirl]

I think that Zehnders Bavarian Haus Motel is within walking distance to Bronners. If you have kids you'll want to stay at the Bavarian Inn Lodge as it has 5 pools with a mini-waterpark atmosphere. Have fun.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Have fun and tell your DH to have fun in Bay City. It's a beautiful place.

TOV

 

[karebear1]

AND.... if you check out Birch Run and need to eat another meal, right across the street from the outlet mall is an old greasy spoon (sorry- can't remeber the name- but it the only one there) that has great prices and HUGE plated meals. They have a BLT that has at least 1 lb of bacon on it! It could feed a small army- and the food is very good- it's kind of a novel place nad worthj the visit- even if you just go for dessert.

 

[Tina]

I think the place is called Tony's. Its completely insane. I ordered a club sandwich there. It came with a full pound of bacon on it and who-know's how much of everything else. Rather than spearing the sandwich with little tooth pics like a normal restaurant, it came with a huge steak knife driven through the center.

 

[jkovick]

Originally posted by Tina
I think the place is called Tony's. Its completely insane. I ordered a club sandwich there. It came with a full pound of bacon on it and who-know's how much of everything else. Rather than spearing the sandwich with little tooth pics like a normal restaurant, it came with a huge steak knife driven through the center.

Yup, its called Tony's. It's insane the portions they give. No health food there. You should see their banana splits!!!

I agree with Scottygirl. The Bavarian Haus Motel is right across the parking lot from Bronners. The Bavarian Inn itself is a great place to stay. You could probably walk to Bronners from there too but it would be a long walk. Frankenmuth itself is a pretty small town. Have a great trip!

 

[DCLuvinit]

Sorry I can't answer many of your questions, but I also agree that Zehnders is the best place to eat! Their chicken is YUM and I always stock up on a couple bottles of their chicken seasoning. I also love their thick buttered noodles. We used to go to Bronner's every year when I was little on our way up north. I'm taking DH up to Traverse City and Beulah for his first visit and I can't wait to stop in Frankenmuth on the way up!

 

[Pembo]

Check hotel prices in Birch Run. We have always found them to be cheaper and it's only a short drive to Frankenmuth. Love Zehnders, love Bronners, love Frankenmuth....Have a great time.

And if you go to Birch Run.....pay cash. We used cc once and I didn't add the receipts until we got home.

 

[Megan's Mom]

Thanks for all the helpful hints and suggestions. We are actually staying in Birch Run that is where the Holiday Inn is located. we only stay at Holiday Inn's because of the prioity club points. DH uses them on travel so when we travel we usually get to stay for free. All our nights are free on this trip so that makes it nice. Sounds like some good chicken. I think i will have to look up Tony's sounds like a great place.

 

[figment52]

If you eat at Tony's plan to share meals - the strawberry shortcake alone is made with a full guart of ice cream - good, but way to much for one person.

Someone mentioned seeing signs for Bronners around Detroit - I have seen them in Florida on I-75!!

Have a great time in MI when you come.

 

[KiminChicago]

And if you go to the Zehnders Bakery, have a pie cookie for me! I have a standing order with my sister who lives in MI, whenever she comes back to the Chicago area she must bring pie cookies!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Zendher's or Bavarian Inn get my vote, just because that says "Frankenmuth" to me. Make sure you check the times for the Glockenspiel, you don't want to miss that, and it's not hourly like it used to be a long, long, time ago.

 

[Megan's Mom]

What is a pie cookie? I like pie and I like cookies so this sounds really good to me.

 

[Bildmouse]

When are you going to be there? We are going up in a couple of weeks because DD has drum major camp in Midland which is north of Frankenmuth. We are dropping her off and staying in Frankenmuth one night. Her friend's mom and I are going back up two days later to pick them up and spending two nights with the girls. The chicken dinners at Zehnders and Barvarian Inn are both very good. We have also eaten at the Black Forest Brewery which is right across from Bronners and enjoyed that. The pizza at Tiffany's is really good as well as pizza at Main Street Bar. There are just so many interesting shops along Main Street that it is impossible to name all of them.

I've never seen shuttles from the Birch Run area but you might want to call your hotel to check on that. Barvarian Inn Lodge is very nice but also quite pricey. If you want to stay somewhere inexpensive for one night so that you're close to town and the things you want to do you might want to try the Frankenmuth Motel. It is not fancy but it will put you within walking distance to Bronners and downtown.