Frankenmuth, MI

The Zehnder family, owners of the Bavarian Inn Lodge, claims theirs is the original and first indoor family water park in the country. Without getting into an argument about who did what first and where they did it, it's safe to say that since 1986 families have enjoyed getaways in this tiny Bavarian community in east central Michigan.

It's difficult to separate the lodge from all that is Frankenmuth, a close-knit town of about 5,000 residents. Much of the uniqueness of the resort experience is intertwined with the history of the German Lutheran emigrants that founded the town in 1845. And while it's possible to experience a fair amount of German culture without ever leaving the lodge, its restaurants, employees and community are all but one.

The Zehnder family first opened a restaurant in the 1950s and in the late 1980s began the lodge with just 100 rooms. Expansions over the years have brought the total number of guest rooms to 360, along with a growing number of family amenities encouraging families and groups to simply make themselves at home and stay a while with the Zehnder family.

Authentic architecture, such as the Glockenspiel Tower, has been imported from Germany. Younger children are especially mesmerized at the movement of the four feet high figurines as they twirl and tell the story of the Pied Piper. German dancers, polka lessons, yodeling contests and more all take place on the Fischer Platz in front of the lodge.

The wooden bridge over the Cass River that leads to the resort property contributes to the fairytale experience, as does Willy the Dragon, the official mascot of the Bavarian Inn Lodge.

After a day of rolling pretzels and playing in the child-size Hansel & Gretel village, your children will believe you have indeed taken them on a fairytale vacation.

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