We received a free nights stay in exchange for a review. Opinions expressed belong to me.
Visiting the German-inspired town of Frankenmuth is a go-to for many Michiganders and our bucket lists. Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth is perfect for experiencing that old world charm while still enjoying the modern amenities many family-friendly hotels have.
I have such a vivid memory of visiting Frankenmuth for the first time ever when I was in third grade. We stayed at the Bavarian Inn, and I honestly thought it was magical! I remember the doll store below the restaurant, getting fudge, enjoying the whirlpool at the lodge, and the buttered noodles with the chicken dinner at the restaurant.
It was so fun to visit again now that my kids are older. Though the decor hasn’t changed much, there is something so charming about it. Not to mention it’s made for families looking to create memorable experiences.
I’ve outlined the features we loved the most about our stay below.
10 Things Families will Love at Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth
Close to everything Frankenmuth offers
The Bavarian Inn Lodge is located on the Cass River, and is within walking distance to Main Street, Riverplace Shops, Bavarian Inn Restaurant, Heritage Park {where many local festivals are held}. Just park the car and head out exploring. Make sure to take a photo under the adorable covered bridge along your route too!
Multiple pools
The Bavarian Inn Lodge has four pools located on the property, one of which is an adults-only pool. Love this option for those traveling without kids and want to avoid the chaos 😉
There are two family pools with large whirlpools. The main pool area also has an additional shallow pool for little ones and two water slides. The slides are for children 48″ and up, or 42″ and up when riding with an adult. The slides are FAST and dark. They are definitely made for fearless kids…and they are so fun!
Miniature golf
Miniature golf is something all ages can enjoy. The lodge is home to a super cute 18-hole course that winds through the building. It’s the perfect mix of easy and challenging holes.
It is an extra fee to play the course, but I would suggest just adding on a family fun package when booking the room. This package which includes: a pizza, pitcher of pop, a pound of fudge, miniature golf passes for four and arcade game gift card for just $55-$75. This savings adds up quick!
Arcade
With more than 160 arcade games, the Bavarian Inn Lodge has one of the largest arcades in the midwest. There were lots of really fun games we don’t see often. My oldest said it was the best arcade she’s ever visited, which says a lot because we’ve gone to a lot of them!
TIP: Through September 1, families that stay Monday through Friday can get 1/2 off games from 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. This is such a great savings, especially for larger families!
Children’s Village
This play area is so cute and perfect for little ones to stay busy for a bit during your stay. There’s no additional cost to play.
Restaurants
Bavarian Inn Lodge is home to three restaurants: Oma’s, The Ratskeller and Lorelei Lounge, which also has an outdoor beer garden.
We spent most of our time near The Ratskeller, so that’s where we ate dinner. They offer everything from pizza to cheeseburgers, chicken fingers and more. There are also smoothies and fun drinks for the kids, as well as a full bar and an impressive selection of draft beer for the adults.
For lunch, we opted to dine at the Bavarian Inn, which is just a short walk away because I wanted chicken and my husband had never been.
It’s always a fun experience to taste authentic German dishes and we even got to hear an accordion being played during our visit. My kids were enamored with the clothing the staff wears too! We were able to have a great conversation about traditions around the world, especially because our family came to America from Germany.
Family Karaoke
The Ratskeller restaurant also hosts various family fun activities. One I wish we would’ve experienced is family karaoke, which takes place on Fridays and Saturday nights.
Unique Experiences
After lunch, we were able to sneak in a pretzel making class at the Bavarian Inn restaurant and learn about the history of the “pretziola” and how it was created to encourage children to memorize their prayers. Who knew the three holes in a pretzel stood for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Our guide Billy was fantastic!
Pretzel making classes are currently unavailable to the public, but hopefully will be back soon. Check out all the unique guest experiences here.
Suites for Families
There are tons of suites options here, which is fantastic for those traveling, especially with extended family, or with more than two children.
We loved how each room was named for a German Immigrant family who settled into the Frankenmuth area. We enjoyed reading the history printed all over the walls and discussing how our families came over from Germany as well.
Beautiful outdoor space
If you are able to grab a suite on the main level, you will also have access to a patio and the gorgeous lawn prior to meeting the Cass River. This is the perfect spot to bring a ball to play catch or simply watch the sunset as riverboat and kayakers go down the river. It would be fantastic for playing in the snow during the winter, too!
Deals for staying at the Bavarian Inn Lodge
Planning a getaway? The Bavarian Inn Lodge has some great deals for your visit to Frankenmuth. Check out this page for current offers.
{If you’re visiting, we also love the nearby Wilderness Trails Zoo!}
Have so much fun if you visit!
Looks like a fun time! I went to Frankenmuth in May with some friends and we had lunch at the Bavarian Inn, neat atmosphere.
It is definitely something we all have to experience! Didn’t make it to the beignet place, but plan to go in the future for sure!
I just live down in Flushing but have always taken my friends and family to Frankenmuth for all it has to offer. I will be staying there for the Ladies Shrine G.L.U.M. meeting and can’t wait to continue to explore all that this unique place has to offer.