Frankenmuth

Settled in 1845 by a group of German-Lutheran missionaries, Frankenmuth is a touch of Little Bavaria in the Great Lakes State. The name itself is a tribute to its heritage – "Franken" salutes the Old World province from which the settlers came and "Muth" means courage in German. Thus, the name means “courage of the Franconians.” Although the missionaries came to provide religion to early Lutheran immigrants and American Indians, the Chippewa soon moved on. Nonetheless, the settlement thrived and other Germans soon arrived. As late as the 1900s, the principal language of the village remained German. Today, Frankenmuth is a popular destination ...

Settled in 1845 by a group of German-Lutheran missionaries, Frankenmuth is a touch of Little Bavaria in the Great Lakes State. The name itself is a tribute to its heritage – "Franken" salutes the Old World province from which the settlers came and "Muth" means courage in German. Thus, the name means “courage of the Franconians.” Although the missionaries came to provide religion to early Lutheran immigrants and American Indians, the Chippewa soon moved on. Nonetheless, the settlement thrived and other Germans soon arrived. As late as the 1900s, the principal language of the village remained German. Today, Frankenmuth is a popular destination for its German cuisine, historic Bavarian architecture, championship golf, and shopping, including a European-style village with 30 shops and attractions. Founded in 1945, the world’s largest Christmas store, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, is a football-field-and-a-half in size and features thousands of Christmas decorations, an outdoor display that is illuminated every night, and the Silent Night Memorial Chapel. Take a carriage ride or a cruise on the Cass River for a nice overview of the city.

About the Expert

Jackie Sheckler Finch has written several guidebooks, including The Unofficial Guide to Campgrounds in the Great Lakes States, and four times she was named Travel Writer of the Year by Midwest Travel Writers Association.