With the holidays just around the corner, it’s a season of celebration and festivities, and there are so many things to do in Frankenmuth in the winter! In fact, many folks make visiting this charming Bavarian town an annual tradition for shopping, Santa visits, twinkling lights, romantic horse-drawn carriage rides, and seasonal treats. There’s also a winery and a brewery to visit for some local tastings, as well as great restaurants for a celebratory meal.
Frankenmuth, also known as Little Bavaria, is about a half hour from our Bay City MI Bed and Breakfast, the perfect drive for a nice day trip. While there are plenty of things to do in Frankenmuth all year long, visiting during the holiday season is a magical and unforgettable experience. You’ll undoubtedly be able to wrap up all your holiday shopping, find fantastic stocking stuffers, and make some beautiful memories. You’ll quickly see why Frankenmuth has been named one of the “most Christmassy towns in America.”
Our Bay City MI Bed and Breakfast is one of the best places to stay during the holidays! Our historic Inn looks even more impressive with lights, garlands, and ribbons—we love to do it up for the season! You’ll love curling up by the fire, planning a visit to the on-site spa, and unwinding in your elegant guest room. Each of our six luxurious rooms has been tastefully restored to retain the home’s historic details while bringing an air of sophistication to your winter getaway. Additionally, we’ll treat you to a homemade breakfast of sweet and savory options with seasonal ingredients each morning of your stay. We can’t wait to host you; book your lodging today!
The Best Things to Do in Frankenmuth this Winter
From romantic carriage rides and wine tasting to holiday markets and shops, there are so many things to do in Frankenmuth this winter! If you’re staying at our Bay City MI Bed and Breakfast for a romantic getaway, a day trip to Little Bavaria is the perfect way to reconnect and spend quality time together.
Here are the eight best things to do in Frankenmuth this holiday season:
- Skating at the Frankenmuth Ice Rink: For a time-old tradition, one of the best things to do in Frankenmuth is to glide along the ice at this outdoor local rink. Budble up and enjoy from mid-November through February.
- Tour the Holiday Lights: This town is always decked out for the season, and one of the best ways to take in the twinkling lights is on this self-guided driving tour. There’s also a Holly Jolly Trolley Tour through Golden Ticket Trolley. While one of the most romantic things to do in Frankenmuth is to view the decorations via horse-drawn carriage with Fantasy Carriage Company or the New Frankenmuth Carriage Company.
- Frankenmuth Christkindlmarkt: This Christmas market is inspired by the markets of Germany, Frankenmuth’s sister region, filled with enchanting handmade gifts and goods from skilled artisans and craftspeople.
- Shopping at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland: The world’s largest Christmas store is one of the best things to do in Frankenmuth all year long. It offers an incredible experience filled with wonder and joy from start to finish. You can shop from a wide selection of over 50,000 trims and gifts and choose from over 8,000 styles of ornaments, all displayed among 300+ beautifully decorated trees lining the showroom!
- World-Famous Chicken Dinners: Two iconic restaurants are serving this classic and hearty chicken dinner to the visitors of Frankenmuth. Head to Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth or the Bavarian Inn Restaurant to enjoy these delectable fried morsels and other German favorites.
- Take a Wine Tasting Tour: One of Michigan’s most awarded wineries, St. Julian Winery & Distillery, is in the heart of Little Bavaria. Stop here to try some of the best cold-weather varietals in the state and peruse the large selection of bottles.
- Enjoy a Locally Crafted Brew: Checking out the oldest craft brewery in Michigan, Frankenmuth Brewery is by far one of the best things to do in Frankenmuth! They offer a diverse selection of craft brews, a hearty food menu, and a lively atmosphere for a break from the shopping.
- Live Music at the Memorial Chapel: Located on the beautiful grounds of Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, this 56-foot-tall chapel is a replica of the landmark where “Silent Night” was first sung on Christmas Eve in Austria in 1818.
To find a complete list of all the best things to do in Frankenmuth this winter, read the detailed guide here.
A Winter Getaway at our Bay City MI Bed and Breakfast
After you’ve explored all the best things to do in Frankenmuth this holiday season, our Bay City MI Bed and Breakfast will await your return. We love to deck the halls during Christmas, so our Inn always feels festive and warm—a welcoming place to put your feet up, enjoy a glass of wine, and relax. Our historic Inn in the charming waterfront town of Bay City on Saginaw Bay is the perfect winter retreat. The ideal place to relax is our on-site spa and sauna room. Plan ahead and book a couple’s massage to up the romance and destress together.
After a spa treatment, our six elegant guest rooms offer a grand place to spend some quality one-on-one time. The Judge’s Chambers, pictured above, not only has this incredible tiled whirlpool tub tucked under skylights but also a separate en suite bathroom with a corner shower. Slip on your robe and sit back in the big, comfortable bed. All of our guest rooms are unique and private—our Bay City MI Bed and Breakfast is adults-only, so you can count on always finding the utmost peace and quiet at the Historic Webster House.
Each morning, the kitchen comes alive with delicate aromas of coffee and baked goods—you’ll be spoiled by our housemade treats during your stay! Our breakfast service consists of elevated comfort food with sweet and savory options. Feel free to join us in the dining room, or we offer a breakfast-in-bed special for those who want to enjoy their morning leisurely—we can even add mimosas to the mix! Start planning your next visit to our Bay City MI Bed and Breakfast, and book your room today!
