If you can’t fit in a trip to Germany, this should do the trick. Frankenmuth, Michigan is an hour and a half past the Windsor-Detroit border but visiting here will feel like you’re in a whole new world.

This real Bavarian village is around four and a half hours from Toronto, known for having Christmas spirit all year round (home to the largest Christmas store in the world) and keeping German culture alive and fun!

What to do in Frankenmuth

Besides clinking steins of German beer, Frankenmuth has a handful of Bavarian-themed experiences you have to check out.

The Bavarian Belle is a 150-passenger authentic paddlewheel riverboat that runs until mid-October. The views from the boat can be enjoyed in the summer but the colours of fall in Michigan are unmatched!

This village is full of surprises, like Cherry Republic. This is a store you’re going to want to go to especially if you love cherries as it sells over 170 cherry products!

Frankenmuth is also famous for its chicken dinners.  Yes, you read that write. The village serves up some of the best chicken dinners you’ll ever have with  Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth and Bavarian Inn Restaurant as two of the most notable spots.

Finally, make a stop at the largest Christmas store in the world – Bronner’s. This Christmas wonderland has decorations, ornaments, costumes and holiday treats galore.

It’s open year-round so no need to wait until December!

Festivals

One thing about Frankenmuth is that festival season never ends.

“We couldn’t throw a small party if we tried (so we don’t),” the town’s website says.“We just raise the big striped tents (and fill them); roll the German pretzels (then devour them); tap the Hofbräuhaus kegs (and most definitely empty those, too).”

Bavarian Fest, the World Expo of Beer, Auto Fest, Zehnder’s Snowfest, an Olympics-style festival for dogs, and a hot air balloon festival are just a handful of the festivals you can expect from this small but mighty village!

If we haven’t sold you on a trip to Frankenmuth, Michigan yet then maybe you just don’t like to have fun…just kidding!

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Taylor Lucas

Associate Editor – Taylor is a Toronto-based journalist with a passion for storytelling. Whether chasing a story, writing, or editing, she brings a creative spin to the media world and has a blast doing it. Taylor brings years of journalism experience in sports, local/national news, and entertainment. In her spare time, you can typically find Taylor trying out a new restaurant or cocktail bar, cooking, golfing or binge-watching true crime documentaries.

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