Frankenmuth is an excellent place to spend a few days with kids, whether you’re looking for a quick escape from Metro Detroit or a longer Michigan vacation. There are plenty of family friendly activities, both indoor and outdoor, and a variety of accommodations. Frankenmuth is truly a year round destination. Here are some of our favorite family activities to help plan a fun vacation for you and your kids.
Outdoor Activities in Frankenmuth for Kids
In the warmer months, it’s time to get out and enjoy the weather with some fun outdoor activities. Frankenmuth offers fun for all ages and levels of enthusiasm on land, the river, or even up in the air. Here are a few highlights to get your vacation planning started.
Grandpa Tiny’s Farm – William ‘Tiny’ Zehnder was once the owner of the Bavarian Inn and a major force behind what Frankenmuth has become today. He knew the importance of farming to the restaurant business and it always remained a hobby for him. Today, there’s plenty of family friendly fun to be had at this historic working farm. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride, pet the farm animals, and tour the old one-room schoolhouse. Open April through October, plus various winter Holiday activities.
Gnome Hunting – Stop in at the Frankenmuth Visitor Center on Main Street and pick up a Gnome Hunting tip sheet. Keep a sharp eye out while wandering downtown and write down the gnome locations on your worksheet. Find at least ten, then head back to the Visitor Center for a prize.
Frankenmuth Aerial Park – For the more adventurous families, the Aerial Park offers a rope course in the woods and zip lining from the treetops. It’s a sure way to get your teens off their phones. Special after dark glow events are offered throughout the warmer months.
Wilderness Trails Zoo – A few miles south of town, the zoo is home to many native and rescued exotic animals. While not as fancy as a big city zoo, kids will love strolling along the dirt paths to see bears, tigers, and horses in the outdoor enclosures. There is also a petting area with farm animals and a playground to let the younger kids run off some excess energy. Open May through October.
Bavarian Inn Glockenspiel – Watch the story of the Pied Piper play out atop the Bavarian Inn’s ornate fifty foot tall clock tower. Housing 35 bells, the carillon rings out various tunes at noon, 3pm, 6pm, and 9pm. The real treat is watching the glockenspiel’s figurines act out the Pied Piper of Hameln story.
Family Friendly Indoor Activities in Frankenmuth
Michigan is a land of four seasons and Frankenmuth takes the changes in stride. In winter months, or on a rainy day, there are plenty of indoor activities to keep your family busy.
Splash Village – One of the biggest draws to Frankenmuth is the Splash Village water park at the Zehnder’s hotel. This massive play area features pools, a lazy river, and water play areas from the little guests to huge water slides. The water park is open to the public or can be paired with overnight hotel packages. A snack bar is located within the park for all day adventures.
Bavarian Inn Family Fun Center – Over at the Bavarian Inn Lodge, an arcade and mini golf course are perfect for some indoor fun. The huge arcade features more than 150 games; some offering tickets to collect for prizes. The 18 hole mini golf course is themed as an old German village and offers single game or all day passes. For hotel guests, there are four pools and two water slides available.
Bronner’s Christmas Store – Did you know Michigan is home to the world’s largest Christmas store? One look at Bronner’s and you’ll believe it. Covering several football field sin size, the store has every imaginable decoration for your Christmas tree. In addition to the dazzling lights and colors, there are fun Holiday scenes depicted above the merchandise displays. Kids will love seeing what they can find while wandering the store. For even more fun, the entire parking lot is decorated year round with Christmas lights and statues as well as a replica of an Austrian chapel.
Wander Main Street Frankenmuth – The beautifully themed Bavarian buildings house all manner of shops; including many to keep your kids busy. Rao’s Country Store has a bulk candy shop filled with old time treats and areas with toys. Further up the street there is a toy and kite store, two fudge shops, and a taffy shop. A great photo op is the giant mouse poking his head out of a cheese block at the cheese store. The basement of the Bavarian Inn restaurant houses a retail area, which includes a toy store.
River Place Shops – On the south side of the Cass River is the River Place Shops, which is an open air shopping area. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor fun to be had. Mirror Mazes, an arcade, toy store, and a popcorn shop with dozens of fun flavors. In between the stores, kids will have fun finding the fairy village and water falls.
Frankenmuth Historical Museum – For a little local educational fun, take a tour of the Frankenmuth Historical Museum. Located right on Main Street near the Visitor Center, kids of all ages will gain an understanding of the town’s logging era roots and how it became a distinct cultural icon in Michigan.
Frankenmuth is certainly a vacation destination year round with plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to keep your family entertained. Whether you’re looking for a fun day trip or extended vacation, kids of all ages will find things to do in their unique German town. For family friendly accommodation recommendations, read this article. And for a list of dining options to please even the pickiest of eaters and the sweetest treats, read this post.
