More than 180 years after a group of German missionaries planted roots along the Cass River, Frankenmuth is still giving visitors new reasons to come back.
The city, long nicknamed Michigan’s Little Bavaria, is leaning into both its heritage and its appetite for growth as it prepares to welcome visitors for America’s 250th anniversary celebration and a packed 2026 calendar of events.
“We were founded in 1845, about 180 years ago, by 15 German missionaries,” said Malerie Countegan, sales and marketing director for the Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau. “So, our history lives on through our architecture, our festivals, our flowers.”
That history isn’t static. A new boutique hotel, The Mill at Zehnder Park, now sits on the same land where an old flour mill once stood - four suites tucked inside a structure that nods to the city’s working-class past.
“The Mill at Zehnder Park is a really good example of tying in history with the new,” Countegan said. “That is one of our newest properties. It’s a boutique hotel.”
On the patriotic front, Frankenmuth has lined up a wave of America 250 programming, with the Frankenmuth Historical Museum leading the charge. The festivities include a splashy twist on the traditional fireworks show.
“On the 3rd of July, we have some fireworks in the Bavarian Blast Water Park,” said Kayla Baase, communications and website manager for the CVB. “We’ll be open extended hours so people can go there and have fun at the water park while also seeing the fireworks.”
Visitors looking to connect with the city’s roots have no shortage of options. St. Lawrence Lutheran Church, one of the town’s oldest landmarks, opens its sanctuary doors for tours.
“St. Lawrence Church is a large part of our history,” Baase said. “They offer tours of their historic sanctuary.”
For those who prefer to explore at their own pace, a self-guided walking tour threads through downtown via QR codes posted around town.
“We also have a historical walking tour,” Baase said. “There are QR codes around town. You can walk around and kind of explore town on your own pace while also getting that piece of history.”
Rounding out the summer calendar: the Funtown Chowdown Food Truck Festival runs the second Thursday of each month at Frankenmuth River Place Shops, the Cass River Colonial Encampment is set to arrive soon, and Auto Fest wraps up the season at summer’s end.
For more information or to plan a visit, go to Frankenmuth.org.