9 Activities
Eurotrip in Michigan: French Castles and Little Bavaria
Starts from
Detroit
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
9
Duration
8 hrs 55 min
Length
57 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Detroit
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
8 hrs 55 min
Length
57 mi
Alana Valko
Travel Expert
- Visit a French-style chateau-turned-museum.
- Explore the Bavarian architecture and cuisine in Frankenmuth.
- Take a river cruise to learn about Frankenmuth's German history.
- Celebrate Christmas year-round at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland.
Travel to unique, European-style towns on this day trip without ever needing a passport. On this day trip in Michigan's Great Bay Region, you will travel from historic Saginaw to Frankenmuth, a city with rich German roots and history that has been well-preserved and celebrated to the present day. You'll start the day visiting an extraordinary French castle dating back to the late nineteenth century, which once served as Saginaw's post office. The castle has been converted into a museum where you can learn about the history of the region and Saginaw's industrial past.
You'll then take your journey to Frankenmuth to walk the Bavarian-style streets and appreciate the German roots of the city. You'll stop at a wine and charcuterie bar for lunch and then take a riverboat through the city to learn about Frankenmuth's history and rich tourism industry. A trip to Frankenmuth cannot be made without enjoying their famous family-style chicken dinners, so you'll eat at the long-running Zehnder's Restaurant for dinner, which has been operating since the town's inception over a hundred years ago. Just outside the quaint downtown streets, you will make a necessary stop at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, an enormous all-season Christmas market that prides itself on being the largest in the world.
You'll then take your journey to Frankenmuth to walk the Bavarian-style streets and appreciate the German roots of the city. You'll stop at a wine and charcuterie bar for lunch and then take a riverboat through the city to learn about Frankenmuth's history and rich tourism industry. A trip to Frankenmuth cannot be made without enjoying their famous family-style chicken dinners, so you'll eat at the long-running Zehnder's Restaurant for dinner, which has been operating since the town's inception over a hundred years ago. Just outside the quaint downtown streets, you will make a necessary stop at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, an enormous all-season Christmas market that prides itself on being the largest in the world.
Categories
Travel to unique, European-style towns on this day trip without ever needing a passport. On this day trip in Michigan's Great Bay Region, you will travel from historic Saginaw to Frankenmuth, a city with rich German roots and history that has been well-preserved and celebrated to the present day. You'll start the day visiting an extraordinary French castle dating back to the late nineteenth century, which once served as Saginaw's post office. The castle has been converted into a museum where you can learn about the history of the region and Saginaw's industrial past.
You'll then take your journey to Frankenmuth to walk the Bavarian-style streets and appreciate the German roots of the city. You'll stop at a wine and charcuterie bar for lunch and then take a riverboat through the city to learn about Frankenmuth's history and rich tourism industry. A trip to Frankenmuth cannot be made without enjoying their famous family-style chicken dinners, so you'll eat at the long-running Zehnder's Restaurant for dinner, which has been operating since the town's inception over a hundred years ago. Just outside the quaint downtown streets, you will make a necessary stop at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, an enormous all-season Christmas market that prides itself on being the largest in the world.
You'll then take your journey to Frankenmuth to walk the Bavarian-style streets and appreciate the German roots of the city. You'll stop at a wine and charcuterie bar for lunch and then take a riverboat through the city to learn about Frankenmuth's history and rich tourism industry. A trip to Frankenmuth cannot be made without enjoying their famous family-style chicken dinners, so you'll eat at the long-running Zehnder's Restaurant for dinner, which has been operating since the town's inception over a hundred years ago. Just outside the quaint downtown streets, you will make a necessary stop at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, an enormous all-season Christmas market that prides itself on being the largest in the world.
Alana Valko
Travel Expert
- Visit a French-style chateau-turned-museum.
- Explore the Bavarian architecture and cuisine in Frankenmuth.
- Take a river cruise to learn about Frankenmuth's German history.
- Celebrate Christmas year-round at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland.
Day Itinerary
9 Activities
Day 1
56 mi0.5 mi
Exploring Michigan's Famous German Town
Start the morning in the Great Lakes Bay Region at a French chateau in Saginaw, then continue into Frankenmuth to explore the German town known for its Christmas decorations and it Bavarian-style architecture and cuisine.
Have breakfast at home, then leave the Detroit area in the morning to venture through a French castle and the German town of Frankenmuth for the day.
Have breakfast at home, then leave the Detroit area in the morning to venture through a French castle and the German town of Frankenmuth for the day.
Cafe Rhema
Café
Open Details
Step back in time and soak up the vintage ambiance at Cafe Rhema, where you can enjoy expertly crafted espresso drinks and delicious cafe fare in a brick-lined and chandelier-lit setting. From the cozy seating to the friendly service, Cafe Rhema offers a unique and welcoming atmosphere that's perfect for a casual hangout, work meeting, or solo coffee break. Don't miss their delightful selection of pastries and baked goods, which are all freshly made in-house.
37.8 mi
40 min
Castle Museum of Saginaw County History
Museum
Open Details
Travel to the Castle Museum of Saginaw County, which once served as the local post office in 1898, and was designed to replicate French Renaissance chateaus. The Castle Museum hosts the local historical society, as well as an active archeology program that preserves and investigates archeological sites in Saginaw County. At the museum, learn about the Anishinabek people, who inhabited the river valley long before Europeans stepped foot on the land. There are also period rooms, gardens, and various other exhibitions pertaining to local industrial history to explore.
The museum opens at 10 am every day except Sunday, when the museum opens at 1pm. If it's closed or you're short on time, we recommend viewing the building's grand exterior—but make sure you leave time to explore more of Frankenmuth.
The museum opens at 10 am every day except Sunday, when the museum opens at 1pm. If it's closed or you're short on time, we recommend viewing the building's grand exterior—but make sure you leave time to explore more of Frankenmuth.
15.6 mi
25 min
Parking Lot
Parking
Open Details
Park your vehicle on the Main Street in Frankenmuth before continuing your journey exploring the culture-rich town.
0.2 mi
5 min
Frankenmuth
City Centre
Open Details
After parking your car, explore the quaint, Bavarian-style architecture of the downtown streets in Frankenmuth. In 1845, missionaries from Neuendettelsau, Germany settled in the region. The region grew with churches and cottages into the village of Frankenmuth. Now, the streets are defined by their Germans roots and history, and travelers flock to the region all seasons to experience the city's quaint streets, shops, and German cuisine.
If visiting in the fall, try to stop in when the city celebrates Oktoberfest, the only Oktoberfest outside of Munich to be sanctioned by the Parliament and City of Munich. It's a huge celebration and the world-famous Hofbräuhaus brewery of Munich exports beer to it every year.
If visiting in the fall, try to stop in when the city celebrates Oktoberfest, the only Oktoberfest outside of Munich to be sanctioned by the Parliament and City of Munich. It's a huge celebration and the world-famous Hofbräuhaus brewery of Munich exports beer to it every year.
0.2 mi
5 min
Prost Wine Bar & Charcuterie
Bar
Open Details
After making your way through the cottage-like buildings and shops, stop in for small plates, wine, and lunch at Prost, a highly-loved wine and charcuterie bar. The restaurant is known for its luxurious rustic decor, sunny patio, and extensive drink options. Have a toast and say "Prost!" before diving into your delectable meal here.
0.2 mi
5 min
Parking Lot
Parking
Open Details
Pick your car back up and drive over to the parking lot at the Bavarian Belle Riverboat loading stop.
0.7 mi
5 min
Bavarian Belle Riverboat
Ferry Station
Open Details
Take a cruise on the Cass River to learn about the history of the region as you pass by landmarks, bridges, and buildings. You'll travel past the Holz-Brücke bridge, a fully covered wooden bridge resembling the wooden covered bygone bridges of 19th-century that existed throughout Germany.
The tour is family-owned and operated and runs until dusk from May to mid-October. If you are visiting in the winter, we recommend staying indoors and visiting the Frankenmuth Historical Museum, which is open year-round.
The tour is family-owned and operated and runs until dusk from May to mid-October. If you are visiting in the winter, we recommend staying indoors and visiting the Frankenmuth Historical Museum, which is open year-round.
1.1 mi
10 min
Bronner's Christmas Wonderland
Shopping Mall
Open Details
After finishing your historical tour, drive a little outside of downtown Frankenmuth to stop in the world's largest year-round Christmas market at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland. The store is truly enormous. Inside you can find ornaments for anything and everything you can imagine — there are over 6,000 styles offered and ornament and stocking options to personalize. Get lost in the Christmas spirit whether it's July or December, and even get some of your Christmas shopping done early.
1.1 mi
5 min
Zehnder's of Frankenmuth
American Restaurant
Open Details
Drive back over to downtown Frankenmuth to indulge in one of their famous family-style chicken dinners. Operating since the first German settlers inhabited the region, Zehnders has been cooking meals for the region for 160 years. Enjoy all-you-can-eat platters of chicken, bowls of mashed potatoes, egg noodles, and vegetables.