Frankenmuth, Michigan?

[hockeyprincess]

Hi all, we would like to take a small weekend trip the weekend before Thanksgiving to Frankemuth, MI. It's about a 5 hour drive from here and would like to stay the weekend at a nice, but not over the top expensive hotel, eat some good food, do some sightseeing and shopping. I've been there twice but both times were more than 10 years ago, and I was not driving then. When we went it was only day trips, starting out VERY early in the morning, and ending VERY late at night, so I'm sure we missed alot, since only there for the day. Can anyone help me out with where to stay, what to do, etc?

Definitely know about Bronners and the german restaurant, I think it's called Bavarian House? Anything else that's a must do/must see/must stay? LOL And any deals for lodging and/or meals?

Thanks!

 

[Happy vacationer]

There are several choices in the area. There is the Bavarian Inn Motor Lodge and they have a website you can check out. They also run the hotel that has a waterpark. I think you can check out both hotels with their website. Just google frankenmuth bavarian inn hotel. The Marv Herzog hotel is downtown and that is new. If you have kids I know the Bavarian Inn Motor Lodge has a lot for them to do there. I live a half hour from there so I haven't stayed in any of the hotels but have heard a lot of good about them. Also there's a hotel or 2 in Birch Run which is 5 minutes from there. They might be a little lower priced. They have all the outlet stores there.

 

[Downrivermama]

My dd and I went up over Memorial Day weekend, for the day. Downtown is quaint with little shops. We did the family style dinner at the Bavarian Inn and it was good! There is also Zenders Inn across the street. Google Birch Run and the hotels/motels should pop up. They are national brands, but can't remember.

When you come up I-75 waive when you go past exit 39, that's us! Enjoy!

 

[sbaldasare]

The Family Dinner is too much food for my family. We always head downstairs where it's more of a cafeteria style selection. It's cheaper and we don't over eat or leave a lot uneaten and wasted food.

I've stayed at the Bavarian Inn Lodge and the Zehnder's Splash Village Hotel & Waterpark (before it was a waterpark) and was happy with both. Just depends on what deals they are offering.

There's boat rides on the Cass River that are neat and of course Bronner's. I could spend hours in there (and usually do when I am lucky enough to go there)
Someone on a forum once sent me a local type coupon for 25% off purchases made at Bronner's. That was so helpful!

**Added** I just got an e-mail with some coupons from Frankenmuth - how funny is that. Send me a PM with your e-mail and I will forward it to you!

 

[Deffenm]

I did a girls weekend there with a good friend and we stayed at the Drury Inn. It was nice. We really liked getting the free drink coupons each night. We would eat breakfast at hotel, go shopping, come back in afternoon and take a dip in pool or hot tub, clean up, go to lobby of hotel for evening snacks and free drinks (2), and then go out for dinner. It was a fun girls weekend.

If you go to frankenmueth's website they have coupons for food and shops. Enjoy!

 

[antmaril]

I have been to Frankenmuth more times than I can count. The Bavarian Inn and Zehnder's restaurants are on Main Street across from each other . Both offer family style chicken dinners (my favorite) and many more menu items in addition to the chicken. I prefer Zehnder's (because I like the decor better), but they are both nice and very good. There are shops, bakeries and casual dining spots in both The Bavarian Inn and Zehnder's. The Bavarian Inn Lodge is over the covered bridge behind Main Street. This hotel offers five swimming pools, miniature golf, children's play area, casual dining, etc. I have stayed here and it is very nice. Lots of room choices.

Frankenmuth itself has lots of shops and restaurants. There is also River Place - again more shops and restaurants.

Zehnder's lodging (with Splash Village) is near Bronner's (just outside of the downtown area). I have not stayed at Zehnder's, but it looks nice from the outside and I don't think you can go wrong.

The outlet mall (Birch Run) is just off I-75 (about ten minutes from Frankenmuth). There are many chain hotels and restaurants in this area. I prefer to stay right in Frankenmuth, but you may enjoy being near the outlet mall.

While Frankenmuth is only about an hour or so from home, I always enjoy it because it makes me feel like I'm on vacation. As you probably know, Bronner's is the world's largest Christmas store and you can spend a lot of time in there. I love to roam around in Bronner's when it gets close to the holidays. Always puts me in the spirit.

Have fun!

 

[farlinm1]

Another good place to eat is Tonys Resturant which is right across the street from the Burch Run Outlets....good food and lots of it

 

[antmaril]

Another good place to eat is Tonys Resturant which is right across the street from the Burch Run Outlets....good food and lots of it

Oh yes - lots of food at Tony's. I haven't been there in many years, but it used to be that if you ordered a BLT sandwich, it came with a pound of bacon

 

[hockeyprincess]

**Added** I just got an e-mail with some coupons from Frankenmuth - how funny is that. Send me a PM with your e-mail and I will forward it to you![/QUOTE]


Thank you!! I will send you my email.

Appreciate all the input so far. We spent alot of time in Bronners and the other little shops but that's about it, so there's alot I have never seen and my children have never been there! Excited to take them!! And hope I haven't waited too long to get a reservation around that time of year.

 

[hockeyprincess]

Oh yes - lots of food at Tony's. I haven't been there in many years, but it used to be that if you ordered a BLT sandwich, it came with a pound of bacon

That sounds like my husband's kind of BLT!!

 

[DianeV]

There is also a nice Springhill Suites downtown too. We have stayed at the Fairfield, Drury Inn, and Springhill Stes and liked them all.

I know the Zehnders and Bavarian Inns have lots of extras but they always seem to expensive for us..

 

[Leajess99]

We stayed at the Springhill Suites the end of July and really liked it. It was within walking distance to the Bavarian Inn (my favorite restaurant there) and the little shops. My youngest really liked the little shops in the River Place.

 

[misswinegirl]

Several of the hotels in the area offer a "happy hour" to their guests! I love Zehnders! They are great! St. Julian also has a winery there - home of their famed Solera Cream Sherry! Their Riesling is fabulous too! Family friendly - they have several sparkling juices for the kids to try too!

 

[IlliniMouse]

That sounds like my husband's kind of BLT!!

Still comes with a pound of bacon! We were just there in August. I ordered what I thought was a "typical" breakfast. It wasn't. It had 4 eggs, 5 sausage patties, about a pound of hash browns, and 2 GIANT pieces of toast.

 

[cseca]

Tony's is a must. But you can't eat it the same day you go for the all you can eat chicken dinner...

And also chocolate eclairs at the Bav Inn bakery... oh lordy... I'm drooling just thinking about it. The inside is chocolate custard as well, not just the outside.

If you're a AAA member they have coupons on their magazines for half off chix dinner with a purchase of 1. And usually there is a discount code for hotel stays as well.

Have fun!
It's been awhile since I've been there...

 

[CobraBubbles]

Fall is beautiful in Frankenmuth although it will probably be pretty cold by Thanksgiving. We got married in the fall their. I would definitely recommend Bavarian Inn and Bavarian Inn Lodge for eating and staying. The lodge doesn't have the best rooms of all time, but they are nice and the hotel is really cool, with a place to play mini golf and a nice pool, game room (whole game floor) etc.

Spending a day walking around is just fun...obviously visit Bronners...The Cheese Haus is good too...there are lots of stores. I agree that if you have time eat at Tony's right by Birch Run (if you have time shop there too, it's fun)

 

[Pembo]

We love Frankenmuth. We've stayed at the Springhill Suites downtown. It was a great location and a great price. We've also stayed out by Birch Run many times. It's usually cheaper.

We love the cafeteria place downstairs at Zehnders...same great food, more choices and better prices. We love Bronners and a walk/drive around Birch Run is always a must.

 

[justbishop]

I have nothing useful to add, except that I grew up doing day trips to Frankenmuth! I think we stayed at the Bavarian Inn once for a long weekend, but I'm not sure how expensive it was since I was just a kid.. Such great memories, though!

And OMG, I'm drooling just thinking about the Zehnders buttered noodles

 

[S. C.]

If you're a AAA member they have coupons on their magazines for half off chix dinner with a purchase of 1. And usually there is a discount code for hotel stays as well.

Have fun!
It's been awhile since I've been there...

You learn something new everyday, I didn't know AAA offered buy 1 get 1... 1/2 off. We go to Zenders about 3 x a year as our DD and her family live about 20 miles north of there. 2 of those times is to cash in on DH and my free b-day dinners. Anyone can sign up online, must be signed up at least a month before to get it. Once you sign up you never have to sign up again, Zender's will send you a card every year. You will get a free b-day dinner when your companion, friend etc purchases a dinner, good for one free b-day dinner the whole month of your b-day.

Do you know which page or month the add for the 1/2 off dinner is in? I just looked in my Sept/Oct issue of AAA living and only see an add for getting a bargain coupon book from the visitor center. And an add for fall rates at Frankenmuth Motel.

 

[cseca]

...

Do you know which page or month the add for the 1/2 off dinner is in? I just looked in my Sept/Oct issue of AAA living and only see an add for getting a bargain coupon book from the visitor center. And an add for fall rates at Frankenmuth Motel.

Doh!
I have to check if I still have my mags. I usually throw them away as soon as I finished reading them. That's my effort to stop adding more clutter to the house. I'll post if I find it. I'm not 100% sure they have it on every publication. But I'm sure they have it at least 3 times a year. Just because I used to cut them with the hope of being able to use them...
Unfortunately we haven't been able to go in a long long while, so I stopped cutting them...