Frankenmuth River Place Shops

This city is simply perfect, it's always a 10 in every way. It's worth visiting at any time of the year, as there's always something new to discover. The city is charming, beautiful, and magical, with an atmosphere that makes you feel like you're in a dream. There are events and activities for all tastes and ages, making it ideal to visit with family or friends. The views are breathtaking, the strolls are pleasant, and the journey feels like you're inside a movie. The city has a special charm that makes you want to come back again and again.

Enjoyed a delicious fried chicken dinner. Came with all the sides of course. The coleslaw was tangy and delicious. The gravy, amazing. All the cheeses and breads and cottage cheese hit the spot. I’ve listed the menu here with the prices. It’s not for everyone. There’s is a lot of shopping in the walking area around the two main restaurants that serve the all you can eat chicken dinners. Great hotels to spend the night. Water park attached to the hotel. I’ve stayed in the past. Very nice and fun. Overall great for a weekend getaway or an afternoon.

A fun place to spend the afternoon! Lots of little shops to visit and explore. Snacks, drinks and food are all around. In a mixture of old world charm in a fun setting right on the river. They have tons of events that take place on the weekends. Reenactment, dog show, car shows etc.

I absolutely love the Frankenmuth River Shops! I make it a point to visit at least once a year, and each time is a delightful experience. This year, I'm especially excited for our trip; it’s the perfect small getaway for the family, filled with charm and activities to enjoy together. The atmosphere at the River Shops is incredibly inviting, set within the enchanting Bavarian-style town of Frankenmuth. Strolling along the picturesque pathways lined with vibrant shops is a joy in itself. There’s a fantastic variety of stores, each offering unique items, from handmade crafts to stylish clothing and local artwork. I always find something special to take home! If you're looking to indulge, the array of treats is impressive. From delectable fudge and homemade ice cream to gourmet popcorn and artisanal chocolates, there’s something to satisfy every sweet tooth. The flavors are rich and wonderful, making it hard to choose just one! What I love most is that Frankenmuth caters to both families and couples. Whether you’re enjoying quality time with your kids or seeking a romantic escape with your spouse, there’s no shortage of activities. You can explore quaint cafes, indulge in wine tastings, or relax by the river and take in the beautiful scenery. Prices at the shops are comparable to what you’d expect in a popular vacation town, but the quality and experience are well worth it. Frankenmuth River Shops consistently deliver joy, relaxation, and a sense of community that keeps us coming back year after year. Without a doubt, this place deserves a five-star rating!

This is a great place to stop and get a small taste of Bavarian culture. There is a covered bridge here which you can walk or drive over. There was also a restaurant near the lodge and the food there is INCREDIBLE! They can serve it in courses or you can get some of it All You Can Eat. Almost everyone has to take a to-go box with them when they leave

20250711 A very dogfriendly shopping area with Bavarian theme. Some of the stores like the jerky shop and hot pepper shop can be found in other shipping centers. I came here specifically for cherry republic. I did find something in the cats and dogs shop. Otherwise, I pretty much enjoyed the Bavarian storefront. I wish this was similar to the Nelis' Dutch Village with German merchandise and German feel to it.

I always love walking through this part of Frankenmuth. I feel I need to dress up like Belle from beauty and the beast and frolic through the "streets". It's an enchanting little area full of cute shops. Great shopping and photo opportunities.

The owner was really nice. The tour cost was $18.00 for one hour. Well worth it. I highly recommend taking this tour well worth it.

Lots of great shopping options to choose from. Most of the places are somewhat costly. It's a beautiful environment in the wintertime. Would recommend if you're in the area.

Great place to vacation or catch the season of an awesome USA Town. I will always shop the shops of frankenmuth, Michigan

This is a super cute outdoor shopping mall in Frankenmuth. You'll find lots of food, including restaurants and shops that specialize in crepes, pasties, beignets, chocolate, jerky and ... cherries. Yes, there is a shop (Cherry Republic) that is dedicated to Michigan cherry confections and creations. The shops here are hyper local and specialized, which I love. We got a beignet and some chicory coffee and strolled around. We popped into the indoor arcade and played a few games. One of the things that my kids wanted to do that we didn't end up doing was the mirror maze. It sounded fun, but we didn't have the time nor the funds to play. But it looked fun and a lot of teens were doing it when we walked by, so it might be a fun activity for older kids. Even if you don't plan to buy anything, River Place Shops is a great place to visit when you're in Frankenmuth because it's so pretty and we'll thought-out. There's a little man-made stream that runs through the mall, there are grassy hills that you can sit on and relax, and there were some outdoor games -- corn hole, mainly -- set up when we visited. It's just a nice little place to chill.

So crowded right before Christmas, but always a fun time! I have been coming here for years and the kids look forward to it several times a year. I love all of the stores and typically stop here for on our trips to Frankenmuth. We always need to do our rounds and not only are the store fun, but the courtyards have plenty to do. You can eat, play some musical instruments, watch a dog show, we like to come here during their festivities. This is a prime place for me to get the kids their gifts, and one always loves to see the animals, the other wants to find beads for making jewelry. I also like the food, especially the bakery and ice cream shops, Cherry Republic, and the New Orleans food. This is a festive and nostalgic place for our family.

Well, wouldn't you know it? Max packed a belt for our trip, but would yo think he remembered to wear it today? We couldn't hold hands because his jeans kept falling down. Enough of this. You are getting a belt. This is a great place to buy a gift. You know the book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie? We walked out with more than a belt. Both of us got wallets and he got a pen. Staff was helpful and friendly.

Great! Explored the River Place shops with the family. Beautifully decorated, extensive set of shops - gifts, food, ice cream, dog treats, restaurants, sweets, etc. My in laws particularly like Cherry republic with the ton of free samples! :) It was very cold so not extremely crowded. Tried the hot chocolate as well at the Louisiana beignet shop and it was delicious. Great selection. Excellent outdoor shopping area!

This place is absolutely picturesque and a must stop if you are driving through Eastern Michigan! We were on our way from Mackinaw island to Detroit and it was such a great stop along the way. I would have liked to do more while I was in this area, but I'm happy that I was even able to go to a place such as this because the architecture just shows how much they care about their heritage. I didn't have time to go through too many shops but we did get a bite to eat and got to look around in a couple of places. I suppose it's nice to have national names in a place like this like Yankee Candle, but I would have liked to see in more local type of places so that we can also support local businesses.

Came to Frankenmuth today with a group of friends, and this was on our list for shopping. I haven't been back to Frankenmuth since 2014 and I forget if these were here at that time. Tons of shops, mostly souvenirs, but also lots of food places like fudge, crepes, popcorn, cherries, and even bubble tea. We started off at the beignet shop, and later in the day stopped by the used bookstore, Cherry Republic, Grand Traverse Distillery (I think that was the name), the popcorn store, and a few others. Plenty of parking accessible off the main downtown street, as well.

This place has a variety of different stores and most are opened year round or check and call before driving out in the winter months. I can say I will make the two hour trip only in Spring & Fall which my recommendation due to weather conditions and crowds. Plus, Summer time is my time outside in my pool :-) If you are a resident of Michigan then you can stop here before or after vacationing up north as a regular stop and shop. If you are a guest or out-town visiting traveler then bring lots of cash for the many different clothing stores, popcorn shop my favorite or the unique "Michigan" souvenir stores. For One's visit and time frame would be about 3 hours for the walking, shopping, and eating as well. "Frankenmuth" is a old-world Bavarian themed atmosphere. Great stores are The Michigan Shoppe, Cherry Republic, Jerky Joint, Grand Traverse Distillery, and Modern Craft Winery, Sugar High Bakery, SugarRush Sweets & Treats, Great Lakes Olive Oil Co., are my main favorite Gotta Stop and spend the cash at ! Pure Michigan !

Great selection of shops and restaurants. Some are somewhat eclectic or overpriced, but overall there's something for everyone.

It may be crowed but because its a great place to walk around and shop for yourself and love ones. Many different places to shop and many different things to buy.

I'll go on record and say I don't care for the idea of modern day strip mall mentality intruding on the traditional marketplace. Frankenmuth aka little Bavaria for years was a quaint village of authentic, old-world themed enjoyment. As the years passed, more souvenir shops took over. Lately, they are failing and making way for these modern day money makers... As far as River Place, it is a convenient option with plenty of variety. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, this is the future of Frankenmuth. Cherry Republic provides everything cherries. The Michigan Shoppe is a wonderful idea to give you great ideas for filling your home with that Great Lakes flair. Both great gift shops. You can tour the Cass River on the Bavarian Belle. She sails from the River Place dock from May to mid-October. There's even a spa offering massages and other beauty treatments. No better way to end your long walk around Frankenmuth. There aren't many options for a meal at this time. There are, however, bakeries, sweet shops and a jerky joint. 9/19

Gorgeous outdoor shopping center. This place has a great variety of stores, ranging from various clothing styles and food to souvenirs and dog treats. We came to Frankenmuth for a beautiful fall weekend, and I put this place in our itinerary because I remembered having such a great time shopping around here as a kid. Not is there only a wonderful assortment of different stores to check out here, but the sights are gorgeous; you'll find yourself walking over small bridges, following man made streams, and admiring the beautiful buildings. Some shop highlights: womens' clothing boutiques, toy store, candy store, fairy garden store, pet goods, artisan popcorn and crepes, arcades and other interactive activities. We were all able to find something to take home with us while shopping here, so score! We attended a fall festival here too, and on one day they had a 'dog show' with a local group that trains dogs to do relay races in a super fun, non-stressful setting. It was very fun to watch! Definitely one of the things worth checking out if you're in the Frankenmuth area.

Absolutely love this little shopping village. Had a budget of $200 and am very happy with my purchases. Number one being the Bacon Peanut Brittle Bites at Zak & Mac's Chocolate Haus. It's worth a return visit just for more plus some of the other items. The Jerky shop had some incredible items and look forward to snacking on those while at work. The ladies in our group had a blast and enjoyed samples at the distillery. T-shirts and ball caps were also purchased. I can't forget the Cupcake shop. Wanted to buy one and ended up buying four. We loved them. Great experience and will be back again.

Amazing and Beautiful place to kill time. Love the Bavarian architecture and the food options.Ferry rides on the lake next to this place makes this more awesome. This place got stores for fresh Fudge, chocolate , beignets, beads, toys ,books and clothes and good restaurants and breweries around. Pros: ------- Amazing Ambience Awesome Fudge Lot of parking Great architecture Ferry Rides Cons: ------- None This city has a great vibe and you feel like you are in europe.

I love this outdoor mall it's such a fun place to go to shop at their many specialty and gift store. I like theopen mall concept which is not common anymore. A great place for souvenirs, gifts, or just to browse. I really liked Made in Michigan and looking at all the wonderful products and Michigan memorabilia. Hello Cats and Dogs had the most wonderful pet items and a barkery(bakery for pets) with items made by the Bavarian Inn. I love Frankenmuth is your source for all apparel and souvenirs. Got a sweet tooth stop by Zac and Macs for chocolate treats, N'Orlins for a beignet or Sugar Hill bakery for a cupcake. Famous brands like Yankee Candle, Cherry Republic and Tervis have stores here. Some are even pet friendly. Outdoor seating is available to enjoy your treat.

This is a fun set of shops to visit when in Frankenmuth. There are several interesting establishments including a game shop, a pet store, a craft shop, a few clothing stores and much more. The game shop was hosting a tournament when we were there. There is also a place to go for a beignet, one for crepes, a candy store and a bakery to satisfy the munchies. There is plenty of room to roam and sit outside as one wishes. Pets are welcome in shops that don't handle food so feel free to bring the furry family member(s). Downtown is within walking distance and there is plenty of free parking. In general, this is a worthwhile spot to visit if you're in Frankenmuth for the day or for the weekend. It provides a nice shopping experience.

Frankenmuth and the River place shops are always the place to be if you want to step back in time and relax and enjoy old world style and a family friendly environment. Abundant shops the carry everything from Stained glass, candles, wine, cheese, fudge, clothing for men and women, arcade for the kids or young adults of all ages and craft stores with unique items only found in Frankenmuth. The walk over the bridge to river place is magical day or night and the smells as you walk from shop to shop bring you back to when you where a child. Try this little hideaway the next time your in the area and I gaur enter you won't be disappointed.

'Ello chaps! Oder sol lich "Hallo!" sagen? You've likely stumbled into Frankenmuth, Michigan, a Bavarian town in central Michigan. The town celebrates its German roots in damn near everything. The architecture, the restaurants, the shops. Little Michigan Bavaria, it's what Frankenmuth is known for. That and Bronner's year round Christmas store. Frankenmuth River Place is an outdoor shopping complex with a variety of niche stores. You won't find those chain stores here. These are all specialty stores with a cool variety of products and food for sale. From leather to fudge it's all here.

My 3 year old had the time of his life in the arcade and was so excited that he got tickets while playing the games. My husband enjoyed a beer and I liked walking around looking at the shops.

Cute shopping area to go once and a while to browse speciality shops and do a wine sample at the wine bar. Arcade is a nice place to leave your kid and husband while you peruse overpriced trinkets. Has some good dessert shops for a nice snack too! So shopping, booze, and sweets? cute place to visit.

This was a cute little area of local shops. Mostly touristy stuff..kind of reminded me of the type of shops you would find in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg. Since it is around the holidays they had a group of carolers..as well as Santa Claus..strolling around. It really did put you in a festive mood. It was interesting going around to all the shops once..but I couldn't imagine frequenting this shopping area if I were to live in the area..outside of maybe the cool used book store they had in there.

This place is absolutely amazing. I love the layout of all the shops and everything it has to offer. There are a few places to go wine tastes, stores for your pets, a cool mirror maze, popcorn shop and many more. I think this is a stable to go to, and you can see what frankenmuth is all about besides their chicken.

River place shops is a window shopper, small town, Main street cobblestone shopping delight! The many shops here are quite eclectic, there are of course the boutique type clothing shops that are a bit stiff and overpriced but there's also so much more. There is a day spa, a distillery: Grand Traverse distillery, specializing in Michigan, made liquors and wines, free samples to boot. A fudge shop, a crepe cafe, a popcorn store as well as my favorite Great Lake Olive Oil Co. Specializing in gourmet olive oils and balsamic vinaigrettes, free samples as well. I was bummed they were out of my favorite vinegar it's called Champagne. Omg it's good. There are so many great little shops: Enchanted garden, Funky skunk, Humor us and Woody's to name a few. River place also sports a Ultimate Mirror Maze which is pretty cool as well as an arcade. There are way to many cool spots to list them all; however you won't be disappointed a great place to shop something for everyone and stuff you can't find just anywhere. If in Frankenmuth, a must stop, fun for the whole family.

A convenient gathering of shops if you're a tourist in Frankenmuth! Everything from souvenirs (I Love Frankenmuth and The Mighigan Shoppe), to Michigan-made products (Cherry Republic, Jerky Joint), to alcohol (Grand Traverse Distillery, the Modern Craft Winery in Bead Haven), to treats (Zak's Fudge, N'Orlins Beignets, and Sugar High Bakery), and much more! There's an Old Time Photo studio as well as an arcade and mirror maze! Really something for everyone.

We visited for the last day of Okoberfest in Frankenmuth. Oh I can't wait to go back! All the cute specialty shops, neat things to look at, and sitting right on the river! We had a great time strolling with hot chocolate and window shopping. The old Bavarian looking complex was something out of Disneyland. A little surreal but true to form. I grew up in Germany and this little town and complex of shops are a great representation of small German towns. Such a fun place. I can't wait to go back.

What a great find! There are many different and quaint shops here. From craft, and beads to speciality clothing stores. There's also a few places to get a snack. These shops are just a perfect walk over the bridge on Main Street, to walk off that chicken dinner. If you are to full to walk, you can drive there. The parking lot is huge and can accommodate a lot of vehicles. There's a grassy area and table and chairs outside one of the shops for you to sit down or have your kids run off some energy. Lovely place to stroll and window shop or purchase something unusual.

I love this place. It's fun to walk around and look at all of the neat shops. The landscape is gorgeous, the people are friendly, and there are lots of places to eat.

It's a cute little bavarian village like shopping area with small cute boutique shops including a toy shop, cupcake shop, popcorn shop, taffy and fudge shop, etc. Good place to just walk around and take in the scenery and walk off the all you can eat chicken dinner which is what we didn't do....we did the opposite. Bad choice...

Good place to go if you wanna have a nice day away. Cool little town shops that have some interesting things to look at. Always end up here if I'm in Frankenmuth.

It is a outdoor area with a bunch of cool fun and new businesses everyone was wearing masks and it's just beautiful all the employees and business owners are so nice to everyone!

Look. I'm a born and bred Michigander but I've lived in Chicago long enough to know what a tourist trap is. River Place is a tourist trap. Oh yes, no way around that. And yet, I can't help but to stop by every time I visit Michigan. There are specialty shops. Beads. A distillery. Crepes. Flip-flops. Popcorn. Clothing. Jewelry. Party decorations. An arcade. Cupcakes. Did I mention the distillery?? The one with chocolate vodka and mint julep shooters? Is that not enough to at least give the place a try? And let's not forget that there is always music playing. Slightly creepy at night, but not without its charm. I try to make a Frankenmuth stop every time I'm in the mitten and rarely am I disappointed. As for the River Place itself, I'd suggest coming on a weekday. The crowds can get insane on the weekends, especially since they're usually having events.

Nice upscale niche shops. It is within walking distance to Zehnder's and Bavarian Inn. They participate in the ice sculptures event at Winter Fest. This place is wheelchair accessible.

Great place to take visitors from out of town. Nice shops and cute specialty snack shops from cupcakes to popcorn to ice cream. Kids love the boat ride and House of mirrors'

My family and I thoroughly enjoyed this area for shopping. There's not a whole lot to do in the area of Michigan that we stayed in so when we stumbled upon Frankenmuth we were delighted. The shops were quaint and had items that you don't find on a regular basis. A couple of the stores weren't to my taste, or needs, like buying kilts at the Scotish store - who buys that many that a whole store is needed? but it was still a fun place to look around. The area wasn't so big that it wore us out to look around. It was just the right size. And there were a few food locals and homemade fudge - always a favorite for my clan. We will go back when we are visiting family in this area again.

A little themed mall area right off the main drag in downtown Frankenmuth. It doesn't contain the normal 'mall' stores, but I get a very corporate feeling being here. There are lots of little bakeries, and a few really fun attractions (like a mirror maze and a room full of things to bounce on), and all sorts of stores from Tervis mugs to beads. The did have a nice Scarecrow Festival the few weekends before Halloween with activities like a pumpkin catapult, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin painting, and a magic show. Check out the used book store when you come. they have great deals!

This is an area of small specialty shops and restaurants (see map). We went there to get a ride on the Bavarian Belle. It is close to Frankenmuth's two biggest restaurants Zehnder's & Bavarian Inn. It's a nice place, but not the kind of shopping we were looking for.

The shops aren't as good as they use to be. My family and I have been coming to frankenmuth for as long as I can remember and they've taken out quite a few of the good stores and now even more are going out of business. It's really pretty to walk around and see all the pretty flowers and by the river though.

Cute little shops to browse through and it was nice since they didn't appear to be any chain stores. I loved the relaxing shopping atmosphere also. I only regret I didn't take a boat ride.

We own two business in the Frankenmuth River Place Shops (SugarHigh Bakery & SugarRush Sweets & Treats) and we LOVE it here. I can't imagine being anywhere else! The atmosphere is great, and our landlords are awesome! When we first opened up there were some vacancies due to the recession, but now the shops are nearly completely full (I believe there is only a single vacancy or two) and there are a lot of independent shops to check out! Also, the sidewalks are heated so you don't ever have to worry about ice or snow. It is a pet friendly complex so a great place to take them for a stroll. If you are in town, be sure to visit the River Place Shops in addition to down town :)

This is a cute shopping area. It has independently owned shops with a few chain ones. It is pet friendly, has great scenery and some good photo opportunities. The atmosphere is very laid back except at the height of the tourist season, then it can get a bit rowdy. But all in all, it is a good place to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon.

A great shopping center with a plethora of small, independently-owned clothing stores, pet supply stores, bakeries, candy stores, etc. The mirror maze was pretty neat, too. The property is very clean and well-maintained. You should definitely stop here and walk around for awhile if you're in Frankenmuth!

A very cool must see when visiting Frankenmuth. So many little shops with awesome things and at very decent prices. However if you go in the winter, you won't be able to do the boat tour or anything so I recommend summer months to visit.

A bunch of tacky shops, kinda feels the opposite of the small town feel of the shops on main. They have a decent mirror maze, a couple years ago they had a year round animatronic haunted house that was kinda cool, sadly it's not there anymore. Worth checking out once, but I would rather waste more time in Bronner's or Birch Run.

Ok place. Upscale and niche shops. A few vacancies for some of the units. Mostly a place for tourists.

An ok place to visit, but can be very expensive. Miss some of the stores that went out of business. Another of the Zehnder's family enterprises.

Very cool place to walk around if you're in Frankenmuth. Nice shops with a large variety of interests.

This is in response to Matthew K who says that the River Place is a bunch of tacky stores, yet bemoans the loss of the animatronic haunted house and likes the mirror maze. This shopping area is NOT an amusement park. I love Frankenmuth, with all it has to offer. We make a yearly visit and are never disappointed.