How Can I Spend a Day Indoors with Kids in Bay City, MI? A Local Guide

What is there to do indoors with kids in Bay City, MI?

There are plenty of fun, kid-friendly things to do indoors as a family in Bay City, including: visiting Delta College Planetarium and the Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum; checking out unique candy shops like St. Laurent Brothers and Tummy Ache Candy Store; and playing classic arcade games & pinball machines inside Crazy Quarters Arcade.

What's a great 1-day indoor itinerary for families in Bay City, MI?

Breakfast or Brunch
Mid-Morning
Lunch
Mid-Afternoon
Late-Afternoon
Dinner
Evening

Breakfast or Brunch:

Watch stormy weather turn to sweet smiles inside Cops & Doughnuts – Sutherland Precinct, with fresh donuts for the kids (and hot coffee for the adults).
Head to Uptown Grill for classic offerings with a twist, like Banana Bread French Toast or Apple Cinnamon Cakes.
Grab seats at the window counter inside Parlor Doughnuts and treat the kids to small-batch, Famous Layered Doughnuts, in flavors from Campfire to Cookies n' Cream.
Start your day with classic dishes in a cozy setting at Mandy's Diner, and enjoy Chicken & Waffles to Steak & Eggs while the kids split the Giant Cinnamon Roll.

Mid-Morning:

Experience something out-of-this-world together at Delta College Planetarium and enjoy a journey through the solar system made for space travelers of all ages.

Lunch:

Grab fresh subs & soups at Intermission Deli, and enjoy how “selective” eaters can choose just what they want (or don’t want) on their made-to-order sandwiches.
Catch a casual lunch at BarqueBC to taste their specialty smoked meat tacos.

Mid-Afternoon:

Wet weather won’t dampen anyone's spirits once your family is inside the Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum, where “kids from 1 to 101” will enjoy the NASCAR® & Tonka® rooms and the world's largest collection of motorized fire trucks!

Late-Afternoon:

Be sure to savor all that’s inside St. Laurent Brothers' historic nut & candy shop, especially their nostalgic candies & treats.
Don't pass up the chance to discover Tummy Ache Candy Store — a colorful, whimsical wonderland of all-things-candy!
Get creative together at paint-your-own studio Painterly Pottery and craft one-of-a-kind family keepsakes.

Dinner:

If pizza makes your family smile, bring the crew to Brooklyn Boyz Pizza for New York-style slices & authentic Italian pastas — and split an order of the Garlic Knots they're known for.
When the weather's not cooperating, still enjoy the waterfront views at H2O's Waterside Grill — while dining on specialty pizzas, sandwiches, and burgers ground in-house daily.
Bite into brick-oven-baked pies in the cozy warmth of Vinny's Pizzeria, where every pizza can also be ordered vegan & gluten-free.
Step inside Tavern 101, where the kids will love tasty flatbreads & burgers — and parents can sample from 54 rotating craft beer selections on tap.

Evening:

Rain, shine, snow, or sleet — your family will have a blast playing dozens of pinball machines & classic video arcade games inside Crazy Quarters Arcade!
Rent shoes and be ready for strikes & high-fives while bowling at Washington Lanes or Monitor Lanes.
End the evening with Bubble Waffle Cones from Michigan Cream & Sugar Ice Cream Company, in flavors from Birthday Cake to Michigan Sugar Cookie.

Things To Do

How to Spend a Weekend in Bay City with Kids

Situated along the Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron, Bay City is bursting with flavors to savor, boats to board, and places to play, carefree! You're on vacation and you've got a weekend to spend making beautiful memories together in Bay City!

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How to Spend a Day Indoors with Kids in Bay City