How I’d Redo My Trip to Frankenmuth in Michigan

On my way from Minnesota to see the 2024 total eclipse in Ohio, I drove across Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (definitely eat at Rosy's in Escanaba), down into the Mitten, and stopped for the night just outside of Flint. When I looked at the map that evening to get my bearings, I realized that I was only a few minutes away from Frankenmuth - a place I'd heard of and read about but never visited. So, since I had a few hours to spare, I got up the next morning and drove into this little slice of the Old World in the middle of the Great Lakes State. Here's how I'd redo my trip to Frankenmuth, Michigan.

On a lovely weekend morning in the spring, finding parking was a bit of a challenge. I wasn't prepared for how popular it was as a day trip destination. But I did eventually find a spot and set out to explore the town. Being me, I started with a coffee from the Kaffee Haus and began to wander.

The old covered bridge over the Cass River was pretty cool. It's a longer span and in better shape than the covered bridges we have in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Walking through the bridge's interior felt like being belowdecks in an old wooden ship. On the other side, I wandered into an area that was home to a cluster of shops and poked my head into a few of them.

Then I wandered back across the river and strolled toward the Frankenmuth Visitor and Welcome Center, as well as the Frankenmuth Historical Museum. Then I realized I was running out of time and needed to get back to my car and hit the road (I had hotel and restaurant reservations in Cleveland), so I did not get to visit either place.

Nor did I have a chicken dinner - let alone a beer - at the Bavarian Inn. And somehow, during my few hours there, I completely missed the inn's famous glockenspiel. I had to go - but I was not ready to leave.

So, next time I plan to be in the area, I will set aside much more time to explore Frankenmuth. After just a few hours, my curiosity was definitely piqued, and I look forward to a return visit sometime soon. On my next visit, I think I'll fly, though - and perhaps combine my stop in Frankenmuth with a trip to Holland and complete my Europe-in-Michigan bingo card. Have you visited Frankenmuth? Tell us about a place you've visited that makes you want to re-do your trip.