Tag Archives: Frankenmuth Michigan

Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland

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At Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, you can celebrate Christmas 361 days a year. This Frankenmuth, Michigan landmark is the size of about one and a half football fields and is packed with trees, ornaments and lots of other things you need to celebrate the holiday.

Their slogan is “We’ve been making spirits bright since 1945.”

Bright spirits, indeed.

This place is almost overwhelming but it sure was fun to tackle. Their 6,000 ornaments are organized by topic like Santa, snowmen, birds, nativity, nautical, sports and pets .

Brands like Precious Moments, Jim Shore Department 56 and Hummel have their own area. There’s a forest of trees of all sizes and colors, lights, garland, angels, ornaments from around the world, outdoor decor and more. They even have a section where they will personalize your ornaments. If you’re playing Santa Claus, they have beautiful Santa suits, glasses and sleigh bells.

I really like the Department 56 stuff but I don’t collect it.

This little vintage reindeer was adorable. I kind of wish I had bought him.

These angels were tempting too.

Don’t worry. The map they give you at the door will help you navigate the store and the snack stand provides a place to rest and refuel.

Outside, you’ll find Silent Night Chapel, a small chapel they built to honor the Carol “Silent Night.”

Come back at dark to see their incredible outdoor light display. Honestly, I have paid good money to see light displays that weren’t this good.

My expectations were low but I really loved this place. That statement is true of all of Frankenmuth, also called Little Bavaria. We had a lovely visit here but it was too short and I’m dying to go back another time. In fact, I would not mind going back closer to Christmas to sip hot chocolate and browse the Christmas selection when it’s actually time to decorate and celebrate the holiday.

Come back tomorrow and we’ll talk about another leg of this journey!

Frankenmuth, Michigan

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It seems I’m beginning at the end of my Michigan adventure. First I told you about the breakfast diner we enjoyed on our way home. Today, we will talk Frankenmuth, our last day of fun before we headed back to Ohio.

We had less than a day here but we squeezed out of that day as much as possible. First, we toured a jaw dropping historic church before parking downtown to enjoy the Bavarian architecture, cute shops, a late lunch and more. Sometimes, just walking around a place is more entertaining than anything else.

The downtown trash cans say thank you!

It’s all in the details.

There are beautiful flowers everywhere you look.

Plus, a covered bridge!

It’s a quaint village that welcomes visitors and rolls out the welcome mat for them. Come back tomorrow and I’ll tell you about that historic church.

Comet Classic Diner

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As I steered the Nerdmobile into the Comet Classic Diner parking lot yesterday, I told my traveling companion that I would buy her a really good lunch if our breakfast was bad.

You see, it isn’t uncommon for me to choose a restaurant for its appearance. This is the same concept as judging a book by its cover and the results can sometimes be lacking.

Since mid century diners are my favorite, I practically squealed like a little girl at the sight of an old silver sided diner outside Frankenmuth, Michigan Thursday night

By the time we packed up and checked out of our hotel Friday, we had missed the breakfast rush and had the place mostly to ourselves. That meant there was time to chat with our incredibly nice waitress and admire the beauty of the place.

This counter is spectacular.

She said the diner originated in Yorkville, New York in the forties and was brought to this site in Birch Run in the nineties. It operated under a host of names over the years and was even featured in the movie Whip It back in 200&. It has been the Comet for the better part of the last decade, serving up diner classics in a gorgeous retro environment.

Look at the ceiling!

They play great music too – the Everly Brothers, Patsy Cline and Elvis were among the popular musicians that crooned, rocked and rolled through our meal.

My pancakes were really good and the hot chocolate was amazing. Sherrie ordered off the kids menu – an egg, bacon and toast that she said was delicious. While we consider that a kid’s meal today, this small plate would have been a standard adult meal back when the diner was young.

We had no complaints. In all, I rate the experience well and will happily return if I’m ever in the area again!