Friday, December 2, 2011

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Since I first arrived in Michigan, I have known about Frankenmuth. My parents and I took a quick side trip on my first arrival. It was very different then, very quaint. As you pass the beautiful covered bridge on your right, you see two large restaurants, one on each side of the road. Though they look very different, they are both owned by Zehnder's. The one on the right, (see picture,) is the German or Bavarian style of architecture and inside decor. Across the street is an American home style look, somewhat colonial, inside and out. They both serve the same family style chicken dinners.

You get the plates of chicken plus noodles, mashed potatoes, relishes, fancy rolls and bread and for dessert, ice cream. My family always loved these family meals. I do too, but I also love to go to a small room on the German side and have a great sandwich with Frankenmuth cheese.
There is a hotel in the Bavarian style and many of the shops all along the street have this theme. There is a cute cheese shop and a carving shop called the Schnitzelbank Shop. Down in the bottom of the restaurants are large gift shops and foods like breads and candy from all over.

Another great thing to do in Frankenmuth is shop for Christmas decorations and ornaments. That company is Bronners. They used to have three stores downtown. One had little tags and things, the large one had outside displays and bigger items, and the third one had just Christmas balls. There were so many to choose from. Back then, in the 70s, this was a new thing and quite a treat. Now Bronners has a huge store as you come into town. You see signs for it all along 75 North. Just get off at the Birch Run Exit, turn right and there you are.

If you turn left at Birch Run, you can go to a huge outlet mall where good stores have great prices.

There is so much to see, you may want to stay overnight and taste all there is to enjoy. Shop the mall and the Christmas store, eat a good dinner, or just look around. You are sure to find pleasant things all along the way. Just one warning, it gets very crowded near Christmas so be prepared. It's lots of fun at this time. Next year, you may want to make a return trip in early fall. Have fun.

6 comments:

  1. My sister used to live in MI, she and my other sister had visited here. It sounds interesting; thanks so much for sharing. Perhaps someday I'll get there too. :)

    Happy weekend!

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  2. You visit places like I would visit.Last weekend we went to Fredricksburt Tx-- a small town pioneered by Germans and ate in German restaurant.We walked Main st filled with tourists and had so much fun!

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  3. Oh, how lovely! We had a similar town near us in CA called Solvang. It was all Danish shops and restaurants, and we loved to go at Christmas time.

    Happy day
    Jen

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  4. We LOVE Frankenmuth! We developed a family tradition of visiting there every November. We eat dinner at the Bavarian Inn (soooo good!) and then head to Bronner's where we all get to select ONE ornament to purchase (such a tough decision!). We started when my daughter was only two and she'll be twenty this December!

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  5. Hi Nancy -

    I love visiting places like this. If I ever visit Michigan, I'll be sure to check it out.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  6. Oh, this brings back memories! I haven't been there for a long time....but have eaten at Zenders & shopped (well, window shopped) at Bronners.

    I REALLY enjoyed a tiny store not too far from Zenders if I remember correctly that carried miniatures - doll houses and furnishings! So much fun!

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