One of the most beautiful places to visit in the winter season is Frankenmuth.

This bustling German town is a wonderful winter world during the holiday season and has entertaining activities for all ages.

While you stay in the wonderful Bavarian Inn — or one of the other nice hotels decorated for the holiday season — the lights twinkle and the clip-clopping feet of large Percheron horses surround you as carriages roll past, making the town seem magical, even to those who don’t believe in that sort of thing.

Here are some of the amazing winter activities available in Frankenmuth.

Shopping at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland

Bronner’s is, quite literally, a Christmas wonderland.

Open 361 days a year, Bronner’s has a variety of Christmas tree ornaments and gifts.

Bronner’s has ornaments for almost any theme you can imagine, different countries, cultures, animals, and even dinosaurs. They sell not only Christmas ornaments but also have ornaments for many other religious winter holidays such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

Senior Karlee Griffin loves Bronner’s because it brings back special memories.

“Making ornaments and memories are my favorite parts,” Griffin said. “My grandma and mom used to take me, and we would make ornaments and buy candy.”

The section of nativity scenes and display towns of all themes — including Halloween, the Grinch, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and even Charlie Brown — gives off a cozy aura with all the lights and amazing sculptures.

Perhaps you want to take the younger members of your family to see Santa?

No need to write a letter this year. St. Nick himself has been visiting daily since Friday, Nov. 25, giving children the opportunity to get that final Christmas wish in to the big guy.

Working up an appetite while you shop?

Not to worry, the Christmas wonderland also has its own café that offers a multitude of foods and drinks to hungry shoppers.

Overall, this cheerful store is a must to visit on your trip to Frankenmuth.

Carriage rides through town

Want to stay bundled up and cozy on your trip?

Horse-drawn carriages offer rides from Fantasy Carriage Company in white carriages or from Frankenmuth Carriage Company in black carriages, and these entertain the entire family.

Prices for the carriages are as follows: white carriages cost $45 for 15 minutes and $70 for 30 minutes and black carriages cost $45 for 20 minutes, $65 for 30 minutes, and $85 for 40 minutes. These prices cover a group of up to six people,  and the carriage rides are an enjoyable activity.

The carriages roll alongside regular traffic and are pulled by Percheron horses that tower over most people.

All drivers care deeply for both their horses and the passengers they pull.

Junior Makayla Shattuck has taken carriage rides through town.

“The drivers talk to you and tell you about Frankenmuth, like the history of the town,” Shattuck said. “They let you pet the horses, too.”

For the best experience, I suggest getting a warm cup of hot chocolate and taking a carriage ride around town during a light snowfall.

Shopping in the River Place Shops

The River Place Shops are located, you guessed it, next to a river.

In the plaza, there are shops of all varieties. Many of the shops are fudge, candy, or ice cream shops. Others might be for clothing, music-related items and instruments, science-fiction merchandise, or toys.

My favorite shop has to be Hello Cats and Dogs. It offers many items from sweaters to treats, and it is the perfect place to get a gift for your furry friend.

There is definitely a store for everyone in the River Place Shops.

Eat a holiday meal at Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth

A long-time restaurant, Zehnder’s, serves delicious family-style dinners for groups of nearly any size.

All employees are dressed either in formal attire or in authentic German waiter and waitress costumes, making for a fun experience.

Make reservations or walk right in and they’ll treat you like family.

They have both a regular dinner menu and the All You Care to Eat option, which costs $22.95 per person.

The All You Care to Eat family-style dinner comes with appetizers — like toast and liver pâte or cheddar cheese spread, stollen bread, and noodle soup — then a main meal consisting of chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, and a vegetable of the day.

After the dinner comes ice cream, which happens to be my favorite part. There are three flavors to choose from: vanilla, chocolate, or orange sherbet. They’ll even twist flavors for you. You just have to ask.

Sophomore Zack Lind likes to go to Zehnder’s for dinner because of the food selection.

“The food variety is really good,” Lind said.

My family has eaten there for years and it satisfies every time, even if you sometimes have to wait on a busy day.

View amazing snow sculptures at Zehnder’s Snowfest

By far the best winter attraction, Snowfest is inspiring to both everyday people and aspiring artists.

Junior Maddy Kreinbrink enjoys Snowfest because of her interest in art.

“The ice sculptures are amazing to me because I’m an artist,” Kreinbrink said.

While you sip your hot chocolate and walk around town, you can enjoy the beautiful snow sculptures and ice carvings.

The freezing cold temperatures preserve the elegant pieces of art and the artists are glad to share their work.

Competitions are held for different categories of sculptures and also by division of artists, whether that be returnees or rookies.

The best sculptures and their artists win prizes and awards in addition to the adoration of the crowd.

From Jan. 24 to Jan. 29, Snowfest will come around once again and will continue to inspire the visitors of Frankenmuth.