Frankenmuth as the anchor for a slow Michigan countryside road trip
Walk the Covered Bridge, stroll the Bavarian architecture along Main Street, and get the obligatory Zehnder's chicken dinner out of the way. It is famous for a reason.
Family-style fried chicken with noodle soup, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. It is a lot of food and that is the point. Reserve ahead — waits of 90 minutes are normal on weekends.
If your dates are flexible, Frankenmuth Oktoberfest in late September fills the town with German food, biergartens, and music. Book accommodations 3 months out for that week.
Birch Run is 10 miles south — one of Michigan's largest outlet centers. Chesaning is a small river town 20 miles west with good antique shops and a historic opera house.
The world's largest Christmas store — 298 days a year, 50,000 ornaments, covers two city blocks. You don't have to be a Christmas person to find it fascinating as a phenomenon.
Bay City is 30 minutes east on I-75. Victorian homes along the Saginaw River, a solid farmers market on Saturdays, and the restored State Theatre for evening events.
One of the largest freshwater coastal marshes in Michigan. Observation tower trail, good birding year-round. Free. Takes about 90 minutes to walk the main loop.
Midland is 20 miles northwest — home to the Dow Diamond Ball Park, Herbert H. Dow Historical Museum, and Tridge, the three-way footbridge where three rivers meet.
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