Experience Christmas Magic at Bavarian Inn Lodge and Restaurant in Frankenmuth!
I received a complimentary stay and dining experience ($300+ value) at Bavarian Inn Lodge and Restaurant in exchange for this post. Any opinions expressed here are honest and my own.
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!” ~Michael Bublé version
This was what we were singing in the car as we approached the Christmas town of Frankenmuth. It literally started to snow and looked like a Hallmark Christmas card. Perfect timing, right?
We arrived to the Bavarian Inn Lodge well before check-in,
so that we could take advantage of the pools and waterpark! We were given wristbands to enjoy all the water fun. The front desk staff was very helpful and kind to get us on our way. Bavarian Inn Lodge has nice bathrooms and changing areas along with showers if needed. Currently, there are two waterslides, 4 indoor pools, and 3 whirlpools. The environment is nice and warm, and the pools are heated for pure enjoyment.
My favorite waterslide is the blue and white one where you use tubes (double or single) only. It whips you down pretty quickly and swirl around a bowl until you shoot back out at the end into the pool. We had a blast with the slides! We didn’t want it to end. We missed having hubby/daddy on this trip! He would have loved it too. He had to work. Maybe next time! 😉
Exciting News!! They have a waterpark expansion underway, an $80 million dollar investment making Bavarian Blast the largest indoor waterpark in Michigan! To open in the fall of 2024. So excited for this! Stay tuned…
After our water fun adventures,
we checked-in to our room. The Koch family room with a balcony view facing the Cass River and downtown Frankenmuth.
The room was so quaint and comfortable. It included a mini fridge for snacks and beverages.
Outside the room and just down the hall, was a microwave, a vending machine with snack favorites, and yes, a coffee machine for your caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee needs, including regular and flavored creams.
Waiting for us on the room desk were credits for the arcade and passes for mini golf. We couldn’t wait to get started on the fun. We would head to the arcade after dinner…
After we got freshened up from our water adventures, we headed over to the Bavarian Inn Restaurant for our chicken dinner. We walked over the Covered Lane bridge (gorgeous bridge over the river) just a few minutes from the lodge. It was still snowing and the perfect stroll. Glad we brought our winter gear, it was cold! Prior to heading in for our reservation we visited Castle Shops inside the restaurant. So much to look at and enjoy! Highly recommended!
Our Family Style Frankenmuth Chicken dinner started out with:
- Fresh breads (Stollen fruit and nut bread and backofenbrot, house made white bread)
- Noodle soup
- Cole slaw
- Pasta salad
- Cranberry relish
The white bread was fantastic! If you like fruit and nut cake flavors, the Stollen bread might be something you may enjoy. The noodle soup was a perfect little cup of goodness to kick off dinner. This was devoured quickly by all of us. The Cole slaw was so fresh and delicious. I was the only fan of the cole slaw and pasta salad in our group so I was sure to eat what I could. The cranberry relish contained a yummy tart flavor enjoyed highly by myself and my oldest daughter!
After we consumed these scrumptious appetizers,
out came the chicken. It is fresh, natural chicken, lightly breaded, flavored with their own blend of seasonings, then quickly fried for full flavor. Absolutely amazing and my favorite fried chicken to date! Included with the chicken dinner was also:
- Baked dressing
- Vegetable du jour (Squash)
- 100% real mashed potatoes and gravy
- Buttered noodles
Our tummies were full of Bavarian goodness. So good!!
And for dessert? House made ice cream. We enjoyed orange creamsicle and vanilla twist with chocolate sauce, cranberry with chocolate sauce and vanilla with chocolate sauce. The perfect treat to wrap up a fantastic meal!
After we were finished, we made our way over to the Family Fun Center to enjoy a round of mini-golf and play the arcade games. So much classic fun. The best part? It takes you completely away from screen time. Gotta love that! I felt like a kid again! 😉 Guess who won the mini-golf game? ME! Haha not by much. My middle daughter (17) was right behind me.
The miniature golf course is 18-holes
and takes you through the “magical, Bavarian-themed world of Willy the Dragon, Bavarian Inn Lodge’s official mascot.” It’s perfect fun for all ages.
“Our mega arcade features over 160 different games to play. Claim the high score or earn tickets and prizes! Bavarian Inn is even an official “Video Game Test Center” partner, which means we have the newest arcade games before anyone else around!” ~Bavarian Inn Lodge
My middle daughter won a little blue ducky and a Pikachu plushy out of the claw machines. Fun little surprises!
After we had our fun with the arcade, we went for a nice snowy walk through downtown Frankenmuth. The Christmas lights, horse carriages, etc. was so magical. I felt like I was in a Christmas movie. It definitely got us into the Christmas spirit! It was the most perfect way to kick off the season.
I highly recommend booking a trip with the entire family to experience the magic of Christmas at Bavarian Inn and Restaurant. It’s truly a pleasant and magical experience.
I would like to thank everyone at Bavarian Inn Lodge and Restaurant for the opportunity. I can’t wait to return with my family in the future.
You can also stay up to date with Bavarian Inn Lodge and Restaurant on their Facebook and Instagram pages!
About Bavarian Inn Restaurant:
Celebrating over 130 years of service, the Bavarian Inn Restaurant has become a Michigan landmark. Generations of diners, lodgers and tourists from around the globe have discovered true Bavarian hospitality thanks to Dorothy and her late husband William “Tiny” Zehnder. Guests experience the old-world European charm of the Bavarian Inn – whether it’s the famous chicken dinners, fresh baked goods or Michigan’s greatest selection of German beer. Bavarian Inn also prides itself on being one of the top consumers of Pure Michigan agricultural products, striving to serve more Michigan-grown and produced foods and Michigan-produced beverages than any other restaurant. Authentic German architecture, a variety of shops and other fun activities make a trip to Frankenmuth incomplete without a visit to the Bavarian Inn.
About the Bavarian Inn Lodge:
Nestled along the Cass River in Frankenmuth is one of the state’s largest indoor water park hotels. The Lodge has 360 European-themed guest rooms, including whirlpool and family suites, an adult-only pool and whirlpool, two gift shops, two lounges and two restaurants – all under one roof. The expansive 35,000 square foot Family Fun Center houses two thrilling water slides, three pools and two whirlpools, over 160 video and redemption games, a two-level children’s play village and Willy’s Kingdom indoor mini-golf course. Guests can also enjoy live, nightly entertainment year-round and test their own musical skills during weekend family karaoke shows. In over 30 years of business, the Bavarian Inn Lodge has been an important destination for travelers, evidenced by the 1.25 million room-nights that have been booked there since its opening, along with its top rating on TripAdvisor.
Learn more at www.bavarianinn.com.
