Heading to Michigan’s “Little Bavaria” is such a fun activity to add to any visit to our area. There are so many exciting things to do in Frankenmuth on a day trip from Bay City and beyond. From horse-drawn carriage rides and river cruises to famous fried chicken dinners and unique classes and tours, there’s no shortage of adventures here.
One of the most popular things to do in Frankenmuth, sitting at the number one spot on TripAdvisor, is visiting the Frankenmuth Riverplace shops. The Bavarian-style architecture makes this shopping trip quaint and memorable. You’ll find more than 40 shops in this charming shopping mall, including local family-owned businesses, as well as a mix of larger, well-known national retailers. There’s also a year-round Christmas shop—Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland—a dream for holiday lovers!
Before you start filling your itinerary with the best things to do in Frankenmuth, you’ll want to book your lodging. While there are places to stay in Little Bavaria, our bed and breakfast in Michigan is located about a half hour in Bay City, MI, and offers the perfect peaceful location to relax and unwind. Our historic Inn has six impeccable guest rooms, each unique in layout and decor, creating a haven for romantic getaways, quick weekend trips, or extended vacations in the Bay City area. Book your lodging today!
Things to do in Frankenmuth: Explore Little Bavaria
On your arrival, one of the first things to do in Frankenmuth is drive through Michigan’s largest wooden covered bridge, the Bavarian Inn Holz Brucke Covered Bridge. Take in the pretty architecture, park your car, and then head out on foot to explore Little Bavaria. More than three million visit this tiny town spanning about three square miles!
Here are the top ten things to do in Frankenmuth on a day trip:
- Explore the Frankenmuth River Place Shops: With more than 40 locally-owned and nationally known shops, this Bavarian-clad shopping mall is an excellent place for all sorts of finds and treasures.
- Hop Aboard the Bavarian Belle Riverboat: Beginning in May, this historic riverboat hits the water. On the one-hour tours, you’ll enjoy the stunning views of Frankenmuth’s scenic Cass River from the canopied open-air upper deck.
- Grab a Beer at Frankenmuth Brewery: Known as the oldest brewery in Michigan, this is one of the best things to do in Frankenmuth for great beer tastings and a German-inspired lunch.
- Take the PedAle Trolley or Carriage Ride: One of the best ways to take in the sights on a horse-drawn carriage ride with the Fantasy Carriage Company or the Frankenmuth Carriage Company. However, one of the unique things to do in Frankenmuth is a tour with the PedAle Trolley, a pedal-powered vessel with pints of beer along for the ride.
- Wine Tasting at St. Julian Winery: As the longest-operating, largest, and most-awarded winery in Michigan, this winery is a great stop for tastings and retail finds for gifts and to stock your cellar.
- Book a Famous Chicken Dinner: Frankenmuth has two leading establishments known for these famous chicken dinners with delicious German sides. You can’t go wrong with a reservation at Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth and Bavarian Inn Restaurant.
- Plan for the Local Annual Festivals: Depending on the timing of your stay at our bed and breakfast in Michigan, you might be here to attend one of the local festivals in Frankenmuth. The Summer Music Fest, Annual Auto Fest, Oktoberfest, and Christmas festivities are all lively and fun events to participate in.
- Shop at the Frankenmuth Farmers Market: This is a year-round market for fresh goods, but from June to October, the Saturday Farmers Market is a festive day with food trucks, unique vendors, and live music.
- Zip Line at the Frankenmuth Aerial Park: Fun for all ages, this is one of the best things to do in Frankenmuth; if you’re looking for a thrill high in the trees, head to this ropes course and zip line adventure.
- Holiday Finds at Bronner’s Christmas Market: Known in the area as the “World’s Largest Christmas Store,” if you’re a holiday fan, you’ll be on cloud nine at this year-round extravaganza of ornaments, lights, and decoration.
The Best Bed and Breakfast in Michigan for Your Next Getaway
One of the perks of choosing our bed and breakfast in Michigan as your home base in Bay City is our fantastic breakfast service each morning. Exceeding the ordinary, our breakfast is a hearty, multi-course, brunch-like fare of elevated comfort food. Our Chef’s Choice menu is unique and varies from day to day. Even better, we’re more than happy to deliver this beautiful meal to your private guest suite—you won’t even have to change out of your comfortable robe if you don’t want to!
All of our six guest rooms are designed with our ultimate comfort in mind. Every room has a lovely en suite bathroom, and a few choice options have jacuzzi tubs, dry saunas, and romantic skylights. You’ll wake refreshed and ready to set out for the day, whether exploring the best things to do in Frankenmuth or our favorite activities nearby in downtown Bay City. You’ll love curling up by the fire with a glass of wine, a charcuterie and cheese boards, and relaxing with your sweetheart in the evenings.
During your stay, you’ll want to reserve our spa room and book a massage (solo or couples). We also offer a handful of amazing add-on packages and enhancements to set your stay apart from all others. From flowers and wine to spa treatments and dinners out on the town, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Start planning and book our bed and breakfast in Michigan today!
