You need to visit Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland in beautiful Frankenmuth at least once in your life just so you can say you have been there. When Wally Bronner founded the store way back in 1945 I doubt that he could foresee what it would look like now. The business grew from a single building in the middle of Frankenmuth to the huge store that is now the size of 5.5 football fields.

With over 50,000 items and thousands of colorful lights to look at one can easily spend the majority of a day shopping at Bronner’s. It is best to visit on a weekday as weekends (especially in November and December) can be very crowded. Also, wear comfortable shoes and leave the baby strollers at home. There are just too many people to maneuver around.

Arrive early and perhaps you will be done by lunchtime. I suggest the Bavarian Inn for lunch. It has excellent chicken dinners and at least half of the wait as Zehnders (the world famous chicken dinner). For an excellent array of baked goods the Zehnders bakery (downstairs from the restaurant) is a tasty choice.

If you prefer something other than chicken and wish to avoid crowds and waiting in line, then DaVinci’s Restaurant is the place to go for hot sub sandwiches and great pizza. It is just on the northern edge of town past the car dealerships. Most tourists don’t head that far out of town, so you shouldn’t have much of a wait. Cold? Head on over to the Frankenmuth Kaffee Haus for a nice hot cup of coffee or latte.

If you go:

Hours are 9am to 9pm Monday through Saturday and Noon until 7pm on Sunday. Take exit 136 off of I-75 and head east (turn right) on M-54/Birch Run Road. Go approximately 2 miles to M-83/Gera Road and turn left at the light. You will travel about 5 miles and you can’t miss Bronner’s on the right-hand side of the road.