Little Bavaria: A German Gem In The Us

There are several places known as Little Bavaria around the world. One is in Frankenmuth, Michigan, USA, which is affectionately known as Michigan's Little Bavaria. Frankenmuth is a three-square-mile city that prides itself on its German culture, with people wearing lederhosen and dirndls, and streets with German names. Frankenmuth is also known for its world-famous chicken dinners and for celebrating Christmas year-round. Another Little Bavaria is Siegfried & Roy's Little Bavaria, a 100-acre oasis outside Las Vegas, Nevada, that is home to the White Lions of Timbavati.

Frankenmuth, Michigan, USA

Frankenmuth, Michigan: America's Little Bavaria

Frankenmuth, Michigan, is a small city of just three square miles, but it has a big reputation as a unique destination, affectionately known as Michigan's Little Bavaria. The city is proud of its German cultural heritage, its celebration of Christmas all year round, and its world-famous chicken dinners.

The Bavarian Belle Riverboat

The Bavarian Belle is an authentic stern-driven paddlewheel riverboat. It has an enclosed lower deck, bathrooms, a gift shop, and a snack bar. The upper deck is canopied, offering splendid views of the countryside as the boat cruises along the tranquil waters of the Cass River.

The Wooden Bridge

The rustic, wooden, covered bridge that spans the Cass River is a beautiful sight. It feels like something out of a small German village, and it's a great place to start a journey of discovery through Frankenmuth.

Bavarian Architecture

Frankenmuth is full of colourful buildings and shops that represent its treasured Bavarian heritage. The architecture is Alpine, and one of the most picturesque spots is the Bavarian Inn, crowned with a magnificent glockenspiel tower. The tower houses a 35-bell carillon, a beautiful figurine movement, and an illuminated clock, all imported from Germany.

Christmas Wonderland

One of Frankenmuth's major attractions is Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland. It's the largest year-round Christmas shop in the world, covering the space of 5.5 football fields. The main showroom has 300 decorated Christmas trees, 100,000 lights, 6,000 ornaments, 500 styles of nativity scenes, and 150 styles of nutcrackers.

Food

Frankenmuth is known for its food, especially its world-famous family-style chicken dinners. The two best-known restaurants for this are Bavarian Inn Restaurant and Zehnder's, where the chicken is parboiled, coated with a light breading, and deep-fried. The Bavarian Inn has a distinct Bavarian vibe, with waiters and waitresses in traditional German outfits, while Zehnder's has a colonial look.

Outdoor Activities

Frankenmuth has lots of outdoor activities, including hiking and biking trails, such as the Iron Belle Trail, and Heritage Park, which has a nice walking path by the Cass River. There are also indoor waterparks and the Frankenmuth Aerial Park, a ropes course with zip-lining, just one minute from downtown Frankenmuth.

Siegfried & Roy's Little Bavaria, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Somewhere outside the bright lights of Las Vegas, Nevada, in the United States, lies a little-known place where time stands still. Siegfried & Roy's "Little Bavaria" is a 100-acre oasis created by the famous duo to be a home for the White Lions of Timbavati. It is a place where few souls have ventured, and an escape from the bustling city of Las Vegas.

Little Bavaria is an enchanting hideaway, a tranquil sanctuary that seems untouched by the passage of time. Nestled away from the neon lights and bustling casinos of Las Vegas, it offers a unique contrast to the energetic vibe of the city. The vast expanse of land, carefully crafted by Siegfried and Roy, serves as a haven for the majestic White Lions, providing them with a peaceful retreat.

This secluded spot, with its serene atmosphere, stands as a testament to the dedication and passion of its creators. Siegfried and Roy, renowned entertainers and advocates for wildlife conservation, established Little Bavaria as a sanctuary for these rare lions, ensuring their protection and well-being. Their commitment to these lions has resulted in the creation of this hidden paradise, unknown to many.

Little Bavaria, with its lush landscapes and quiet surroundings, is a world away from the bustling streets of Las Vegas. It is a place of natural beauty and serenity, a sanctuary for both the lions and those fortunate enough to discover it. In this quiet oasis, time seems to have paused, offering a respite from the fast-paced world outside.

Little Bavaria's wooden bridge

Little Bavaria, or Frankenmuth, in Michigan, USA, is home to the charming Zehnder's Holz Brücke, a covered wooden bridge that spans the Cass River flowing through the town. This bridge, whose name translates to "Wooden Bridge" in German, is a beloved landmark and a popular tourist attraction. Its construction in 1980 was a community effort, with local craftsmen and engineers coming together to bring the design inspired by traditional German covered bridges to life.

The Holz Brücke is more than just a functional structure; it stands as a symbol of Frankenmuth's deep connection to its Bavarian heritage and its commitment to craftsmanship. The bridge's design pays homage to the traditional covered bridges of Germany, which were built to protect travellers from the elements and extend the lifespan of the wooden structure. The wooden beams, vaulted ceiling, and gabled roof create a storybook-like feel, captivating visitors and transporting them to a different era.

Strolling across the Holz Brücke offers a unique experience, with its wooden planks inviting visitors to step back in time. The bridge is a major thoroughfare, connecting the bustling downtown area with attractions such as the Bavarian Inn Lodge and the world-famous Zehnder's Restaurant. It is also a favourite spot for photographers, especially during special events like the Bavarian Festival or Christmas Wonderland, when it is illuminated with festive lights.

The construction of the Holz Brücke involved a unique engineering technique. The bridge was built on the riverbank and then carefully floated into place, ensuring its structural integrity before positioning it over the Cass River. This process was a spectacle in itself, drawing locals and visitors alike to witness this rare construction method.

Today, the Holz Brücke continues to play a vital role in Frankenmuth's daily life and tourism. Whether it's visitors seeking memorable experiences or locals going about their daily routines, the bridge has become an integral part of the town's infrastructure and a beloved symbol of Little Bavaria.

Little Bavaria's chicken dinners

Little Bavaria, or Frankenmuth, Michigan, is known for its world-famous chicken dinners. The two restaurants best known for serving this dish are Bavarian Inn Restaurant and Zehnder's, located on Main Street across the street from one another. The chicken is parboiled and cut into ten pieces, coated with a light breading, and then deep-fried. The restaurants themselves offer very different dining experiences. The Bavarian Inn has a distinct Bavarian vibe, with waiters and waitresses dressed in traditional German outfits. In contrast, Zehnder's has a colonial look, reminiscent of George Washington's dining room at Mount Vernon.

The history of Frankenmuth's famous chicken dinners dates back over a century. The town, affectionately known as Michigan's Little Bavaria, takes pride in its German heritage and culture. The restaurants that serve these family-style chicken dinners typically offer a variety of side dishes, including homemade mashed potatoes with gravy, buttered noodles, vegetables, stuffing, and stollen with cranberry relish. Each person gets their own bowl to heap their chosen sides onto their plates.

The town of Frankenmuth is committed to preserving its Bavarian heritage, and this is reflected in its architecture, with many colourful buildings and shops that represent this treasured culture. The town even has a Glockenspiel Tower, imported from Germany, that houses a 35-bell carillon, a beautiful figurine movement, and an illuminated clock. The tower plays several musical selections daily, followed by a figurine movement depicting the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

In addition to its famous chicken dinners, Frankenmuth offers a range of unique experiences, such as the Frankenmuth Woolen Mill, one of the nation's largest manufacturers of wool bedding, and Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, the largest year-round Christmas shop in the world. The town also boasts outdoor activities like hiking and biking trails and indoor water parks, making it a fun destination for all ages.

Little Bavaria's Glockenspiel Tower

Little Bavaria in Frankenmuth, Michigan, USA, is home to the Glockenspiel Tower, a 50-foot bell tower that is part of the Bavarian Inn. The tower was constructed in 1967 and is built in the traditional Bavarian style of architecture. It houses a 35-bell carillon, a figurine movement, and an illuminated clock, all of which were imported from Germany.

The Glockenspiel Tower plays several musical selections four times a day, at noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., and 9 p.m. After the musical selections, the clock depicts the legend of the Pied Piper of Hameln with carved wooden figures. The tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin dates back to the 13th century and tells the story of a plague of rats in the German town of Hameln. The figures in the Glockenspiel Tower are 4.5 feet tall and are carved from wood from the Black Forest of Germany. They are painted in the distinctive costumes of the 13th century and move on four separate tracks, depicting the Pied Piper, 14 other characters from the story, and a horde of rats.

The carillon in the Glockenspiel Tower uses a special double keyboard, giving the sound of 70 bells. The bells were cast by Eijsbouts Bellfounders of Asten, Holland, a world-renowned bellfounder. The tower's construction and attractions were carefully completed as authentically as possible, with the tower finished in stucco to match the existing Bavarian Inn. The roof is covered with concrete roof tiles from the old Saginaw Zoo, the only real Bavarian-type tiles available in the area.

The Bavarian Inn Glockenspiel Tower stands as a testament to Frankenmuth's dedication to preserving its Bavarian heritage, offering visitors a unique and authentic experience.

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