Michigan – Frankenmuth

August 2012

At the suggestion of our cousin Theresa, we stopped for a few days in Frankenmuth. We stayed at the massive Bavarian Inn. Like many other things in the German themed town, it's owned by the Zehnder family. We enjoyed a few delicious German meals at their Bavarian Inn Restaurant and a "famous" chicken dinner at their original establishment, Zehnder's of Frankenmuth. We also spent one entire day at Bronner's Christmas Village. After six hours in the store, including a stop for lunch, we probably only saw 10% of the ornaments they have for sale. I can't count how many times we walked back and forth across the covered bridge that leads to the hotel!

2-001 Bavarian Inn
The Bavarian Inn is huge
2-002 Bavarian Inn
We stayed at the Bavarian Inn
2-004 Bavarian Inn
Looking off our balcony at the Bavarian Inn
2-009 Koch Family Photos
We were in the Koch room so we had their family photos on our walls
2-010 Koch Family Story
We were in the Koch room so we had their family history on our wall
2-011 Zehnder's Covered Bridge
We walked across Zehnder's Covered Bridge more times than I could count
2-013 Cass River
The Cass River seen from Zehnder's Covered Bridge
2-017 Zehnder's Sign
Zehnder's is famous for their chicken dinners
2-019 Bavarian Inn Restaurant
Bavarian Inn Restaurant is home to some fantastic German food
2-020 Bavarian Inn Restuarant
Bavarian Inn Restaurant is home to some fantastic German food
2-021 Visitor Center
Frankenmuth Visitor Center
2-024 Frankenmuth Taffy Kitchen
After a week on Mackiniac Island, we couldn't eat any more fudge or candy
2-025 Shaped Cheeses
Unique cheese at the Cheese Haus
2-026 Cheese Haus Sign
Cheese Haus
2-028 Frankenmuth Brewery
We had a delicious lunch and a short tour at Frankenmuth Brewery
2-030 Zehnder's Covered Bridge
We walked across Zehnder's Covered Bridge more times than I could count
2-031 River Place, Waterfall & Bridge
River Place contains a lot of interesting shops
2-034 Waterfall
Waterfall at River Place
2-035 Bavarian Inn Restaurant
Bavarian Inn Restaurant is home to some fantastic German food
2-037 Bavarian Inn Glockenspiel
Bavarian Inn's Glockenspiel performs the Pied Piper several times a day
2-038 Bavarian Inn Glockenspiel
Bavarian Inn's Glockenspiel performs the Pied Piper several times a day
2-039 Bavarian Inn Glockenspiel
Bavarian Inn's Glockenspiel performs the Pied Piper several times a day
2-040 Zehnder's
Zehnder's is famous for their chicken dinners
2-041 Zehnder's Covered Bridge
Zehnder's Covered Bridge as seen from our balcony
2-042 View from Room
Our view of the Cass River from our balcony
2-045 Zehnder's Covered Bridge
Zehnder's Covered Bridge
2-046 Willkommen 2012 Sign
Willkommen 2012
2-047 Mom in Chef Cutout
My mother can't resist a wooden cutout
2-048 River Place Shops
River Place Shops
2-050 River Place Shops
River Place Shops
2-052 Frankenmuth Clock Shop
Frankenmuth Clock Shop
2-054 River Place Shops
River Place Shops
2-055 Miniature Covered Bridge
This miniature version of Zehnder's Covered Bridge was a gift for Tiny Zehnder's 82nd birthday.
2-057 Bavarian Belle Life Ring
We took a ride on the Bavarian Belle
2-058 Bavarian Inn
Looking up at the Bavarian Inn from the Bavarian Belle on the Cass River
2-061 Cass River
Cruising the Cass River
2-062 Frankenmuth Brewery
We had a delicious lunch and a short tour at Frankenmuth Brewery
2-065 Mom in Lavender
My mother among the lavendar
2-066 Kern's Sausage
I wish we could have brought some German sausage home with us
2-068 Frankenmuth Clock Shop
Frankenmuth Clock Shop
2-070 Visitor Center Entrance
Frankenmuth Visitor Center
2-072 Frankenmuth Banner
Michigan's Little Bavaria
2-073 Rummel Platz
Rummel Platz
2-074 Zehnder Covered Bridge & Cass River
The view from our table at Frankenmuth Brewery
2-077 Frankenmuth Brewery
Touring Frankenmuth Brewery
2-078 Star of the West Milling Company Truck
Star of the West Milling is in Frankenmuth
2-079 Zehnder's
Zehnder's is famous for their chicken dinners
2-080 Zehnder's Sign
Zehnder's is famous for their chicken dinners
2-081 Google Streetview Car
We spotted a Google Streetview car in Frankenmuth
2-082 Bavarian Inn Glockenspiel
Bavarian Inn's Glockenspiel performs the Pied Piper several times a day
2-085 Bavarian Inn Glockenspiel
Bavarian Inn's Glockenspiel performs the Pied Piper several times a day
2-086 Lager Mill
The Lager Mill is a museum that traces Frankenmuth's beer brewing history. Oh, and they sell beer too.
2-087 Bavarian Belle
The Bavarian Belle passes by our balcony
2-088 Gunzenhausen Sign
Gunzenhausen, Germany is Frankenmuth's sister city
2-090 Cass River & Bavarian Inn
Looking across the Cass River to Bavarian Inn
2-092 Zehnder's Chicken Dinner
The much advertised famous Zehnder's chicken dinner
2-093 Zehnder's Sign
Zehnder's is famous for their chicken dinners
2-095 Zehnder Family Stained Glass Window
Stained glass windows pay homage to the Zehnder family
2-098 Bronner's Christmas Wonderland
We spent almost a whole day at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland
2-099 Carolers
Carolers outside Bronner's Christmas Wonderland
2-102 Bronner's Christmas Wonderland Olympics
Gingerbread and London 2012 Summer Olympic soccer, a perfect match.
2-103 Wally Bronner Ball
Wally Bronner's giant Christmas ball greets customers
2-105 Donut Ornments
In case you need to decorate Homer Simpson's Christmas tree, doughnut ornaments
2-106 Bronner's Christmas Wonderland
Bronner's Christmas Wonderland selection of ornmants goes on forever
2-107 Vegetable Ornaments
To balance the doughnut ornaments, they have veggie ornaments. I bought the garlic one for my tree.
2-108 Mom with Snowmen
My mother found her long lost snowman family
2-109 Blue Ornaments
Ornaments are arranged by color
2-110 Bronner's Christmas Wonderland
Bronner's Christmas Wonderland selection of ornmants goes on forever
2-112 Bronner's Silent Night Memorial Chapel
Bronner's Silent Night Memorial Chapel
2-113 Bronner's Silent Night Memorial Chapel
Bronner's Silent Night Memorial Chapel
2-116 Bronner's Christmas Float
Christmas parade float outside Bronner's
2-118 Frankenmuth Sign
Frankenmuth's official shield
2-119 Stollen & White Bread
The stollen & fresh white bread at Bavarian Inn
2-120 Roulade & Potato Bites
Roulade & potato bites at Bavarian Inn
2-121 Kasseler Rippchen, Schnitzel, Sauerbraten & Sauerkraut
Kasseler rippchen, schnitzel, sauerbraten & sauerkraut at Bavarian Inn
2-122 Koch Door Sign
We stayed in the Koch Room at Bavarian Inn