On a recent chilly Michigan day, we packed up our swimsuits, snacks for the road, and sense of adventure and made our way to Bavarian Blast—Frankenmuth’s new indoor waterpark. Spoiler alert: we stayed for seven hours and still didn’t have enough time to explore the rest of this charming town or find out if there was an Ulta within a 20 mile radius.
Here’s everything you need to know if you’re planning a visit—and why we’re already talking about when we can come back. Also, we brought a 10yo friend with us who just experienced Bavarian Blast with her family over Spring Break. It was like having a pint sized tour guide who knew all the ins and outs!
Lazy River: Not-So-Lazy Vibes Before our visit, I had read that the lazy river isn’t actually all that lazy—and that turned out to be true in the best way. There’s a light but steady current that keeps you moving, making it the perfect mix of chill and fun. At any given time, there were at least 3–4 small kids being cradled in their parents’ arms, slowly drifting along. Some were even falling asleep mid-float, and honestly? It was a whole mood. I felt inspired.
In the center of the river, there’s a cut-out seating area where you can perch and watch everyone float by. It’s a fun little lookout spot that gives you a bird’s-eye view of the action. One lap we floated with 10 others; another lap felt more like bumper-to-bumper float traffic. Bonus: I walked a lap and figured out how many it would take to make a mile, for those wanting to sneak in a few steps while soaking.
Big Fun for Bigger Kids: The basketball and obstacle course areas were a hit and always packed with energy and laughter. While the girls found them a bit tricky because of their height, they still enjoyed watching the action and splashing nearby. Definitely geared more toward older or taller kids, but still fun for the whole family to be around.
Slides, slides and more slides: There are body slides and slides for single and double rafts. First, body slides—so fun and quick—except my 10-year-old stopped mid-slide… twice. Laying down flat made the third run full of fun. The tube slides are big—and I mean big—with tunnels that are HUGE and colorful. The patterns inside create an optical illusion as you move through them.
The Family Tube Slide at Bavarian Blast is all about shared thrills and big laughs! Pile into a giant tube and twist your way down together—perfect for families who want to ride the fun side-by-side. There is one slide that cycles through a giant tunnel, so the line takes a little longer, but it’s a perfect break and time to regroup. It even weighs your crew to make sure there is enough (but not too much) cargo—the kids got a kick out of that.
As mentioned, the 10-year-old friend we brought with us said—just moments after we were in the tube—”When we went here, my dad went backwards where you are seated and you go straight down…” That was a wee bit unnerving!
I almost forgot. Race your friends or make new ones in the side by side race. That’s right, grab your sled and race! It is timed and someone is going to win!
The Zero-Grade Entry Wave Pool at Bavarian Blast is a hit for all ages! With a gentle, beach-like entrance and rolling waves, it’s the perfect mix of fun and accessibility—whether your little one is just getting their toes wet or you’re diving into family splash time.
It also announces with a very distinct sound when the waves are about to come in and this was great to head to the surf or if we had littles with us it would have been the perfect warning to head to the “beach!”
And the warning was just a dragon with an alphorn, right? Wrong, it was not only a dragon with an alphorn but an alphorn that is a soaker if you are in front of it when the horn blows warning the waves are a coming…
Hot Tub Goals: One of the highlights? The indoor and outdoor hot tub. The indoor area had segmented spots for groups, while the outdoor section—despite the chilly temps—was perfectly warm. The cool air made it even more enjoyable. The hot tub is located adjacent to the kids’ area.
Kid-Friendly Zone The children’s area at Bavarian Blast is a kid-friendly oasis designed just for little splashers! This shallow, safe zone is perfect for younger guests to explore at their own pace, with pint-sized slides, interactive water features (including an umbrella of water), and swings they can dangle their toes in. There’s plenty of space to wade and play. Kids can dash under tipping buckets, slide down an assortment of slides, or enjoy gentle spray zones designed just for them. It’s bright, colorful, and designed to spark giggles and imagination.
The Swim-Up Bar at Bavarian Blast Indoor Waterpark adds a splash of fun for grown-ups! While the kids play, adults can enjoy a poolside drink without ever leaving the water. It’s a separate pool on the backside of the wave pool area. It was hopping when we first arrived, but cleared out later in the day—right when the kids were curious about what it was all about. Maybe in a decade or so, girls!
Snacks & Fuel While enjoying your time at Bavarian Blast, you don’t have to go far to fuel up—The Elf Hollow Café, located inside the waterpark area, offers a variety of convenient snack and food options perfect for families. With plenty of kid-approved picks and easy grab-and-go meals, you can recharge and head right back to the fun! I was also told I had to mention the 12” pretzel—a perfect sharable snack. Plus, the reusable slush container is a fun take-home item you can bring back when you return.
A Few More Perks:
- Seating: Ample spots to get away from the water while still in view. I perched with a book on the second-floor balcony.
- Private Cabanas: Rentable Bavarian Cabanas are available on both levels in various sizes. We saw birthday parties, napping toddlers, and even dads watching the NFL Draft.
- Showers & Lockers: One main bathroom on the first floor (more to come), easy-to-use lockers, and ample showers. We wished we had packed pajamas for the ride home—the girls fell asleep fast.
- Towels: Bring your own or borrow one for a $25 deposit.
- Life Jackets: Available and required for raft slides, but not permitted on body slides.
- Waivers: Fill out your consent forms online before arriving.
- Parking: Right out front and super convenient.
- Break space: The second floor area, the area just above the lazy river is the perfect place for a bit of a break with large tables and floor to ceiling windows and lots to look at outdoors.
Know Before You Go:
- Bring a credit card—wet cash isn’t ideal.
- A waterproof phone case is a great investment (mine was $3 at Five Below!).
- The ceiling and walls are glass, so bring sunglasses and sunscreen. Really!
- Water shoes are a good idea—it’s a big space with lots of walking. Or flops. I am glad I packed some.
- You can bring water bottles (non-glass), but outside food is not permitted.
- Detangler and a brush. The last 30 minutes of people watching for the girls proved to be the perfect distraction for ridding their locks of all the tangles.
Our Takeaway: Make It a Weekend We had such a great time that we never even made it beyond the waterpark. Next time, we’re planning to stay overnight and dedicate one day to the park and another to exploring all the iconic sights (and shops!) of Frankenmuth. Because if you’re going to drive in for a splash, you might as well stay for the chicken dinner and the strudel.
😊 Have you been to Bavarian Blast? We would LOVE to hear about your visit.
Learn more about Bavarian Blast here!
