The largest Christmas store in the world? In a town that is mock German and called Frankenmuth? Why not!

First stop today was Zehnder’s Splash Village and enormous indoor splash and water slide park. It was the size of Center Parcs with slides just as fun. Lots of kiddy slides and splash areas. Slow and fast rapids plus a family raft and drop slide, which included getting into a chamber and having the floor removed!

Next to the water park, was Bronners “the worlds largest Christmas store” it was mental and open 361 days a year!

Family run business, the owner looked like he had some connections after numerous pictures with Presidents and politicians on the walls.

How to describe Bronners? Imagine Lakeside Shopping Centre with no walls and only selling Christmas things. The places was so big it had East and West entrances and zones.

It was really expensive too, which didn’t help but if you want a horse, Mexican or hunting themed tree ornament then Bronners is where you want to go.

It was a random Friday afternoon and the car park was already half full. Trevor mentioned that closer to the holidays this place is completely rammed.

Nate enjoyed himself picking up everything and wanting a photo with it!

Fancy a gun tree ornament?

We headed out of Bronners, not buying anything but eyeing up a $3,500 fibreglass mini Christmas aeroplane. Nate wanted to buy this giant bell.

We headed into deeper Frankenmuth and Zehnders restaurant. Trevor told us that the restaurant is a right of passage. German chicken, mash potatoes and all you care to eat!

We chose to “eat all we care to eat” and the food started to arrive. Soups, breads, salads, before chicken, mash and sweetcorn arrived.

We were tucking into our main courses when there was a rumble from the kitchen. This turned from a rumble into a full blown “Daddy there’s a giant chicken behind you”

Trevor noted that is Drumstick the mascot and Trevor has never seen the icon in person before. 20 years of waiting! Drumstick and Trevor having a moment together.

The restaurant had some great historical photographs in the entrance. This photo was from 1936 and the earliest to include the neon sign.

My photo from 2023.

All the kiddos were cream crackered and falling asleep on the way home. We showered and everyone crashed after a lovely, sunny and quirky day!