Things to Do in Bay City, Michigan, a Bayside Beauty

When people like to tell me a certain place isn’t worth my time, it only makes me want to see that place more aggressively. 

Bay City got that treatment while we were road-tripping through Michigan. We were staying in a town I wouldn’t recommend to my worst enemy — that’s Lake, Michigan, if you must know — and the locals told us Traverse City was where it’s at.

Bay City, though?

“Meh,” they said. “Not worth your time.”

I’m here to tell you that Bay City very much worth your time. We liked it enough that we visited several times during our time in that corner of the state.

Maybe that’s just how badly we wanted to get out of the town of Lake. More likely, it was because there were enough things to do in Bay City, Michigan, that we wanted more than one go at it.

Take that, naysaying strangers!

Is Bay City worth visiting?

Bay City isn’t as well-trafficked as Traverse City and other beachy towns on the Lake Michigan side of the state, but that’s what makes it special.

You won’t have as many people to contend with when you’re out there exploring the best of Bay City. That’s a very good thing, especially if you’re a natural introvert like me.

Bay City is in the Great Lakes Bay region on Saginaw Bay, a bay within Lake Huron.

The water here is less intense than you might get on the Lake Michigan side of the state. That means all kinds of beach and watersports potential for visitors.

To get to Bay City,  you’ll need to get yourself to the Lake Huron coast. The closest airport is MBS International Airport in Freeland, Michigan, but you’ll likely need to connect from a larger airport to get there.

Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport or Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport are your best bets for connections.

If you want to drive from either, Chicago is about six hours from Bay City. You can get to Bay City from Detroit in about two hours.

What is Bay City known for?

Bay City is known for its scenic riverfront and bay, antique shopping scene, and outdoor recreational activities. It’s also the seat of Bay County, the birthplace of Madonna — you read that right! — with a rich maritime history.

READ MORE: Love the water? Check out my guide to visiting the Apostle Islands.

Fun Things to Do in Bay City

As I share in my intro as to why you shouldn’t listen to strangers pooh-poohing your plans, we very much enjoyed Bay City. We liked it enough that we took a return trip there while staying at our cabin in the town of Lake.

That’s a place we don’t ever need to return to again. Loose dogs and Confederate flags (but you live in Michigan?!?) are not my usual scene. 

Bay City, though, that’s my scene, and it’s a lovely one at that. Here are my top Bay City attractions for your next trip to the Midwest.

Walk along the bay at Bay City State Park.

This lovely Bay City state recreation area on Saginaw Bay is a great introduction to the Tobico Marsh coastal wetlands.

We saw all kinds of shorebirds, gulls, and herons on our visit as we snapped Bay City State Park photos, so this one’s a must if you’re at all into birding. 

We’re not, but I do love watching herons out on the water, especially when they’re trying to nail something just below the surface.

A modest park museum and learning center will give you an idea of what you’ll see while you’re there.

Note: If you’re here for a stroll, don’t miss the Frank N. Andersen Nature Trail and the connecting boardwalks. 

Climb the tower at Bay City Hall.

I feel like Bay City Hall on Washington Avenue should actually be called Bay City City Hall just for fun.

Whatever you go with, the ornate building is impressive on the inside and out. If you’re able, climb the tower for the best views.

Tower climbs are free. Climb the main stairs to the fourth floor, where you’ll find a nice lady eating a sandwich. At least, that’s what happened on our visit. She’ll show you the door and off you go. Seriously, that’s it. Do it! 

Fill up on chowder at Real Seafood Company.

You’re on the bay here, so good seafood isn’t hard to come by. Real Seafood Company is the most popular seafood stop for visitors to Bay City for a reason. 

We took advantage of their lunchtime happy hour specials to fill up on crab cakes, chowder, fish tacos, oysters, and their in-house special, the Dynamite Shrimp.

If it’s a nice day out, you can sit at their tables outside for bayside Michigan views. It was a little chilly for that on our trip, but the interior is classy, too.

Go on a food tour at the best restaurants in Bay City.

Feel like something more casual? Vinny’s Pizzeria next door to Real Seafood Company looked good, too. They serve up brick oven pizza and craft cocktails. 

Here are a few more eateries to consider as you eat your way through Bay City:

• Gatsby’s Seafood & Steakhouse: This is one of the most popular eateries in downtown Bay City, and the name fits: This is the place in Bay City for steaks and seafood. Reservations are recommended for large parties by calling 989-922-5556.
• Krzysiak House Restaurant: I have to give a shoutout to my people whenever there’s a good Polish restaurant at a destination. Yes, you can order some chicken tenders, but you should go for authenticity, instead.
• Latitude 43: Enjoy a comprehensive menu at this bar and grill that offers a little something for everyone. If you want a casual meal, try their fish sandwich. If you’re looking for something more upscale, taste-test one of their seafood platters.
• Mulligan’s Pub: Everyone needs some pub food once in a while, and this one’s a classic with a dose of nostalgia. Mulligan’s has been around for decades as the most popular option among locals on game days.

Befriend the geese along the Riverwalk Pier.

OK, so you probably won’t be making any friends with any geese. They’re mean. That doesn’t make the Riverwalk Pier any less lovely.

Stroll the boardwalk to a viewing area then make your return over the Saginaw River. 

We walked all the way to Bigelow Park and came across what seemed like all of the geese in Michigan. There were so many. Watch where you step.

Putz around at Ted Putz.

The Ted Putz Nature Area is an easy walk along the river if you’re already visiting Bigelow Park and Riverwalk Pier. It’s a small park with a shorter boardwalk over a marshy area, but a great place to watch the local egrets. 

It’s also a great place to pose like you don’t have a care in the world.

See the quintessential Bay City spot at Wenonah Park.

I’m calling this 6.1-acre park the quintessential spot Bay City spot because it’s on all of the town’s promotional materials.

That’s thanks to the World Friendship Shell, the giant oval structure you see above.

If you visit in the warmer months, expect many of the city’s community events like concerts, art performances, and fireworks shows to happen here.

Nerd out at the Delta College Planetarium.

If you want to stick around Wenonah Park, the Delta College Planetarium is across the street.

You know a space place is legit when it was paid for by NASA to help you and nerds like you explore all the things that may be going on up there.

I’m a nerd, too. I say that with love. Make it a point to visit the Kennedy Space Center if all of this is getting you hot and bothered.

This Bay City learning center includes a rooftop observation deck for stargazing on clear nights.

Sip on drafts at Tri-City Brewing Company.

Tri-City gets its name from the three cities that make up Michigan’s lower peninsula. That’s Saginaw, Midland, and, you guessed it, Bay City.

Draft selections vary by season, but they always have some good hard cider on hand. Brian was a fan of their nutty brown ale.

If you want another tipple spot closer to downtown Bay City, Beaver’s Pub on Center Avenue is a popular option.

Tour the historic Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum.

Visit the home of the USS Edson, a U.S. Navy destroyer that is one of only two of its kind. This one belongs to the Forest Sherman-class of destroyers, a group of ships in commission from about 1955 into the 1980s. 

You’ll get some instructions from the guide when you get your tickets, but your tour is self-guided. There are lots of nooks to explore and ladders to climb, so you do have to be fairly agile to enjoy this one.

Try to find the awkward lady with the body brush in the showers, one of the strangest things we saw on trips to Bay City.

See the historic homes of Center Avenue.

I always love checking out the fancy side of things when I visit a new place, and historic Center Avenue is the hub for big old homes in Bay City.

If you check out the price tags on some of these, you may actually be pleasantly surprised. These historic homes are surprisingly affordable if you’re coming from one of the larger metro areas around the United States.

I’m just sayin’. If someone wants to bankroll one of these for me, they’re welcome to it.

Note: If you’re not sure where to start along Center Avenue, the Center Avenue Neighborhood Association offers up more information on highlights within this historic district.

Enjoy the green space at Veterans Memorial Park.

Veterans Memorial Park is a popular spot with locals seeking some quiet and the largest green space in the city. If you’re traveling with kids, it includes ball fields and a playground with lots of room to run those littles around.

I was here for the memorial. You’ll know you’re there when you see the large helicopter hovering above the Bay County Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

If you’re visiting with a boat somehow, this is the best spot to launch your rig. Also, call me.

READ MORE: I’m more likely to be kayaking than yachting. Check out my kayaking guide to Cave Point County Park in Wisconsin if you can relate.

Learn a little somethin’ at Sage Branch Library.

The Sage Branch Library is just a short trip up from the memorial park above and well worth a stop for its lovely architecture alone.

The building has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979 as the oldest continually operating library in the entire state.

It was dedicated to the folks of Bay City back in 1884 as a gift from Henry W. Sage, a sawmill magnate from Ithaca, New York.

Fun fact: The reading room used to be young to the local Young Men’s Debate Society. I won’t even venture on topics debated back in the day.

If you love a good library, the Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library is another beloved stop along the county library system. It’s just not as historic.

Test your fear of heights on the Midland Canopy Walk.

Walk the longest canopy walk in the country at Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens.

The Midland Canopy Walk is technically in Midland, but that’s just a 20-minute drive inland from Bay City and well worth your time.

I imagine this one is super fun for kids because of the obstacle course-style features along the canopy walk, but we had ourselves a great time there as regular adults.

Little ones and big kids will love the big bugs on display throughout the gardens. They’re not real, friends. Consider them bug art.

Fun fact: If you’re as lucky as we were, you’ll see employees in T-shirts that say, “I like big bugs and I cannot lie.” Preach!

With More Time in Bay City

Even with multiple visits, we still didn’t see all there was to see in Bay City. Here are a few more Bay City trip ideas for our next visit:

• Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum: If you’re traveling to Bay City with the kids, this is another popular stop for family fun. This is especially true if your littles LOVE trucks. That’s a thing, right? Check out over 60 motorized fire trucks.
• Bay City Antiques Center: Some folks come to Bay City just for the antiquing. If that sounds like you, this is the best place for all of your vintage goods. Americana Company Antiques is another popular stop.
• State Theatre of Bay City: Comedians, tribute artists, and other live shows are popular at the venue today. Back in the early 1900s when this theatre was built, it was one of several burlesque houses in the city.
• Artigiano: It’s pretty rare that I miss out on artisanal cheese shops, but that’s just how busy we were on our visits. This one is in the heart of downtown Bay City. They’ll even design a charcuterie board for you if you’re interested.
• Historical Museum of Bay County: This free museum is run by the Bay County Historical Society. Expect exhibits about how Bay City came to be, including its maritime history.
• Third Street Star Bridge: This spot marks the swing bridge that was on this spot from the 1800s until 1976 when the bridge collapsed. Today, it’s part memorial, part light installation, and a popular photo spot for visitors to Bay City.
• Japanese Cultural Center: A popular excursion in nearby Saginaw, this cultural center houses one of the most authentic tea houses in the country. The timing just didn’t work out for us on this one, but it’s only 20 minutes south of Bay City.

Hotels in Bay City

We took day trips out to Bay City from our lake cottage in the aforementioned Lake, Michigan, but please don’t do that. The town is awful.

Use the map below to find accommodations in Bay City proper:

Bay City is a small town with big Michigan vibes.

By “Michigan vibes,” I mean waterfront scenery, plentiful leisure activities, and opportunities to shop local.

Bay City may be on the smaller side and less traveled than some of the more popular Michigan towns on the water, but that’s what we liked about it so much.

It felt like a place for us to spend time discovering rather than a spot with a ready tourist base.