By Harold Merton

Frankenmuth, Michigan has an additional attraction that now makes a weekend visit to the picturesque town even more enjoyable.

Owners of the Bavarian Inn Restaurant and the Bavarian Inn lodge have opened Frankenmuth River Place, a Disney-style shopping area just south of their restaurant on the main street of Michigan's number one tourist attraction.

Over 30 unique specialty shops and attractions including the Bavarian Belle (a paddle wheel boat) draw visitors across a new footbridge that spans the Cass River at what we consider the entrance to the business district when one enters Frankenmuth from the South off I-75.

Billed as "A Miniature European Village by the developers, this new area was built on the site of a former brewery. It features specialty gift shops, a chocolate and ice cream store, several casual dining shops, 'A-Maze-N Mirrors', a mirror maze attraction, Michael Garman's Magical Town, a palce "where sculptured art comes to theatrical life with sights, sounds and stories for all ages!", a foam ball factory and arcade and Zehnders 'Magic of the Seasons' a collectibles and specialty food store.

A highlight of your visit to this new area will probably be "Lights Fantastic" a free nightly laser light show.

The Bavarian Belle, a new 70 ton paddle wheel boat takes visitors up and down the Cass River in Frankenmuth for a narrated tour. The vessel, which serves food and beverages on board and is wheelchair accessible.

This new multi-million dollar development will help to continue the attraction of this fine tourist area that is within a few hours drive of the Canadian border at Windsor or Sarnia, Ontario.

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