This Is The Friendliest Small Town in Michigan
Frankenmuth, known as "Michigan's Little Bavaria," has long been built on community and hospitality. Located in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, Frankenmuth’s origins go back to 1840, when a German missionary sought support from the Lutheran Church for German pioneers in the area. By 1845, 15 settlers had established the community, which became a township in 1854. At the end of the 19th century, Frankenmuth was known for its wool, flour, cheese, beer, and sausage production. Today, tourism is central to its economy, and the town's warm, welcoming spirit has earned it a reputation as one of Michigan's friendliest towns. That community feeling comes through at the Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival, where Main Street fills with parades, music, and local traditions that bring residents and visitors together. It also shows up on the Bavarian Belle Riverboat, where narrated Cass River cruises give travelers an easy way to experience the town’s scenery and shared history.
Family-Style Chicken Dinners
Visitors may be surprised to learn that Frankenmuth is internationally known for its chicken dinners. This recognition stems from its two renowned restaurants: Bavarian Inn Restaurant and Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, ranked as two of the largest independently owned restaurants in the country. Together, they serve over two million chicken dinners annually. While each restaurant offers a unique twist on the dish, both specialize in German classics, with plates piled with golden-fried chicken, freshly baked breads, butter noodles, and mashed potatoes smothered in homemade gravy, made from their chicken stock.
Zehnder’s has been a cornerstone of the Frankenmuth community since 1856, originally opening as part of The Exchange Hotel. The Bavarian Inn Restaurant opened about three decades later in 1888, initially operating as the Union House Hotel. Today, their centuries of experience explain their success with these beloved chicken plates. Make sure to try both restaurants out for yourself!
German Festivals
Because of its German heritage, Frankenmuth celebrates its roots with two major German festivals annually. The Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival, one of the town’s most popular events, occurs each summer with three days of Bavarian music, dance, Polka bands, and German entertainers. Activities include a Friday night street party, a children’s parade on Saturday, and a grand parade along Main Street on Sunday. Additionally, the town hosts the annual Frankenmuth Oktoberfest at Harvey Kern Pavilion in Heritage Park, featuring a large wooden dance floor, wiener dog races, live music, and plenty of food and beer.
Other Festivals and Events
In addition to its German celebrations, Frankenmuth hosts various quirky and strange annual festivals. At the September Auto Fest, visitors can admire over 2,500 classic and vintage cars. The Bringin' Back the 80's Fest, held in April, is another way to have a nostalgic throwback, where attendees tease their hair, wear stone-washed jeans, enjoy live cover bands from the era, and watch live break dancing. In the winter, the town hosts its Zehnder’s Snowfest, which features snow sculpting and ice carving competitions. For a bizarre event, attend the May Frankenmuth Dog Bowl, the largest Olympic-style festival for dogs in the world. At this event, spectators can enjoy disc dog competitions, wiener dog races, and sheep herding demonstrations, among other activities. Also in May is the Balloons Over Bavarian Inn festival. Over the course of the festival, visitors can marvel at over 20 hot air balloons sailing through the sky.
Family Friendly Attractions
Families visiting Frankenmuth will find a variety of welcoming activities suitable for both adults and children. If you're nostalgic for the Christmas season, be sure to visit Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland, the largest Christmas store in the world, open all year. To explore the town’s history, you can take a narrated cruise on the Bavarian Belle Riverboat along the picturesque Cass River. Visitors can also try their hand at blacksmithing at the Bavarian Blacksmith Experience, where they can craft their own piece with guidance from a skilled blacksmith. Before heading out, don’t forget to take a photo with the Cheese Haus Mouse, an eight-foot-tall mouse and cheese monument that’s one of the most photographed sites in town.
Local Bed and Breakfasts
One of the most welcoming places to stay in Frankenmuth is at a local bed and breakfast, where guests receive Bavarian hospitality and friendly German greetings. Frankenmuth Country Bed and Breakfast is a traditional option, located in a renovated century-old farmhouse offering a homemade country breakfast each morning. Tuscola Street Bed and Breakfast is another historic lodging, housed in a 1917 prairie-style home with a charming porch for enjoying your morning coffee or relaxing with a book in the afternoon.
Final Thoughts
Frankenmuth offers the perfect Bavarian experience without needing to pull out your passport. Just 29 miles from Flint and 93 miles from Detroit, the town is easy to access and gives visitors the chance to escape from the stress of Michigan’s larger cities. So whether you want to attend a German festival or pile a plate of golden fried chicken on your plate, take a moment to slow down and appreciate the simple pleasures that Frankenmuth can offer.
