Getting around Frankenmuth and the local area
Getting around Frankenmuth and the local area from Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth is easy on foot — the hotel sits beside the Holz Brücke covered bridge and the River Place Shops are about a 1-minute walk. For farther trips, driving is the most practical option (Saginaw MBS and Flint’s Bishop airports are the nearest), and the property lists a complimentary shuttle among its services.
In this guide
- Arriving by car or plane
- Getting to downtown Frankenmuth on foot
- Hotel shuttles, parking and on-site transit
- Exploring nearby attractions and day trips
- Getting around on-site: waterpark, dining and family activities
- Room locations and practical tips for moving between venues
- Accessibility, hours and local seasonality
Arriving by car or plane
If you drive, use the hotel address: 1 Covered Bridge Ln, Frankenmuth, Michigan, 48734. Frankenmuth is reachable from major highways such as I-75; online route planners list it about 90 miles north of Detroit by car.
For air travel the nearest airports are Saginaw MBS International (MBS) and Bishop International in Flint (FNT). Expect to rent a car or use local ground transport from either airport — the town itself has no commercial airport service.
- Hotel address: 1 Covered Bridge Ln, Frankenmuth, MI 48734
- Nearest airports: Saginaw MBS (about 22–23 miles), Bishop International (about 25–29 miles)
- Driving: Common approach is I-75 (check current directions before travel)
| From | Typical travel type |
|---|---|
| Saginaw MBS (MBS) | Drive or taxi/rideshare |
| Bishop International (FNT) | Drive or taxi/rideshare |
| Detroit Metro (DTW) | Drive (longer) or bus/taxi combinations |
Getting to downtown Frankenmuth on foot
Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth sits beside the Holz Brücke covered bridge and is within an easy walk of central attractions. River Place Shops are roughly a 1-minute walk; the Frankenmuth Historical Museum and several downtown sights are also short walks.
Walking is the most convenient way to reach nearby shops, the Glockenspiel/Heritage Park, and many restaurants. Paths along the Cass River and the covered bridge connect the hotel directly to the downtown area.
- River Place Shops: ~1-minute walk
- Frankenmuth Historical Museum: ~5–10 minute walk
- Michigan’s Military and Space Heroes Museum: ~10-minute walk
| Attraction | Approx. walk time |
|---|---|
| River Place Shops | 1 minute |
| Frankenmuth Historical Museum | 5 minute |
| Michigan’s Military & Space Heroes Museum | 10 minute |
Hotel shuttles, parking and on-site transit
Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth offers free self-parking on site, including an EV charging station. Several third-party travel sites also list a complimentary shuttle service among the Lodge’s amenities; check with the hotel for current availability and schedules.
If you plan to use the shuttle or any hotel-arranged transport, call the property (BookResorts agents, 24/7) at +1 (888) 605-1350 or contact the front desk after arrival to confirm pickup times.
- Free self-parking available on site
- EV charging station on property
- Complimentary shuttle service — contact hotel for details
| Service | How to arrange |
|---|---|
| Hotel shuttle | Contact front desk or call +1 (888) 605-1350 |
| On-site parking/EV charging | Available to guests on arrival |
| Taxis / rideshares | Can be arranged by concierge |
Exploring nearby attractions and day trips
Frankemuth’s attractions and regional day trips are easy from the Lodge. Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland is a short drive (about 5 minutes), and the Fortress Golf Course and St. Julian Winery are walkable from the hotel.
For larger outings, Birch Run Premium Outlets is commonly reached by a roughly 15-minute drive; Saginaw and Bay City are also within a 20–30 minute drive for museums, riverfront parks, or beaches.
- Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland: ~5-minute drive
- Fortress Golf Course: ~15-minute walk
- Birch Run Premium Outlets: ~15-minute drive
- Saginaw: ~20-minute drive; Bay City: ~30-minute drive
| Destination | Typical travel time by car |
|---|---|
| Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland | About 5 minutes |
| Birch Run Premium Outlets | About 15 minutes |
| Saginaw (city) | About 20 minutes |
Getting around on-site: waterpark, dining and family activities
Most on-site activities are within the hotel complex: the Bavarian Blast indoor water park (four pools, three whirlpools, children’s pool, swim-up Bootlegger Bar) and the Family Fun Center with arcade games, mini-golf, laser tag, and more.
Registered overnight guests receive included access to the indoor pools and fitness center. Wristbands for waterpark access are issued at check-in and remain valid for the length of stay; lost wristbands can be replaced for a fee.
- Waterpark access included for registered overnight guests
- Wristbands distributed at check-in (replacement fee applies)
- Adult-only Courtyard pool/whirlpool and Bootlegger Bar restricted to guests 21+
| On-site facility | Notes |
|---|---|
| Bavarian Blast water park | 4 pools, 3 whirlpools; wristband required |
| Family Fun Center | Arcade, mini-golf, laser tag, indoor ropes course |
| Fitness Center | Complimentary for registered guests |
Room locations and practical tips for moving between venues
Guest rooms and suites are grouped within the Lodge; if you want quick access to the waterpark or the Courtyard, request a room near those public areas at check-in. Room types at the Lodge include Whirlpool Suite w/Spa Bath, Premium Room, Deluxe Room, Standard Room, and Family Suite, Multiple Beds.
For meetings or events, allow extra time to walk between meeting rooms and banquet spaces. The Composer Rooms, River Rooms, and Family Crest Room are on-site; confirm exact meeting-room locations with event staff when you arrive.
- Ask front desk for a room close to specific facilities (waterpark, pool, restaurants)
- Use hotel maps or staff directions to find event spaces like Composer Rooms or River Rooms
- Check-in ID and credit card required; refundable damage deposit may be taken at arrival
| Common room types | Beds (as listed) |
|---|---|
| Whirlpool Suite w/Spa Bath | 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed |
| Family Suite, Multiple Beds | 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed |
| Deluxe Room | 2 Queen Beds |
Accessibility, hours and local seasonality
Pool hours differ by area: the adult-only pool typically operates 8 a.m.–11 p.m.; family pools generally run 8 a.m.–11 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday, with daily brief closures for maintenance. Confirm current hours at check-in.
Frankenmuth’s busiest months include October for fall events and late September for Oktoberfest; warm-weather activities peak mid-June to early September. If you plan a festival visit, expect more foot traffic and book transport or parking in advance.
- Adult-only Courtyard pool hours: generally 8 a.m.–11 p.m.
- Family pool hours: typically 8 a.m.–11 p.m. (Sun–Thu) and until midnight (Fri–Sat)
- Pools close daily briefly for maintenance/chemistry checks
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Summer (mid-June–early Sept) | Warm weather, festivals and outdoor options |
| Fall (Sept–Oct) | Oktoberfest, fall foliage, busy weekends |
| Winter | Cold and snowy — indoor activities are preferred |
